Sunday, 11 August 2013

White Rim Trail 2


Day 39
 
Rest day in Moab, the right knee is swollen on the left inner side and really hurts if I twist it but walking straight with a limp works fairly good, so into the hot tub for today and some Advil for the pain.
 
Yesterdays ride took me through the following loop: Gemini Bridges Trail to Mineral Bottom Rd to Point Bottom to White Rim Trail to South Fork Rd to Potash Rd.
 
Some stills taken from my action camera
 
Beginning of the trail
Heading town to Mineral bottom










White Rim Trail
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Saturday, 10 August 2013

White Rim Trail, Moab


Day 38, Aug 10, 2013, 255km
 

O.M.G. The White Rim Trail is one heck of a Trail. The views are amazing and the road is good for most of the parts but terrible when you get on the steep rocks to loos sand climes or descends. For the guys that love cross country riding it must be a dream ride, but for me this will be the first and last time I will do this one again on a fully loaded bike of this size. It was 255km round trip from the Slickrock Camping and it took me 14Hrs to complete plus some 6 litres of water.

I dumped the bike 3 times in the loos sand, and the first one catching me by surprise. I did not notice the road changed into loos sand so I was going a little to fast when I hit it. I twisting my ankle and knee fairly bad, and It took me half en hour before I could finally start to walk on it again.

I could feel the swelling kicking in as my right boot was getting tighter, and this had me thinking should I continue or go back. I decided to man up and finish this route or I would for ever wonder how good or bad it is. Luckily twice some passerby helped me pick-up the bike but the worst one was on a steep climb and then of course no one is around to help. Finally by swinging my bikes front end down and removing all the gear I was able to get the it back upright. It took me over an hour of sweating in the sun and as I get back on some clouds come over and give me a few drops of rain just to say here you go cool down.

For anybody thinking of doing this route I can only advise to not do it alone and bring lots of water because you will need it, if you do the whole route do it in two days for this will give you the time to take some of those awesome cliff shots that I now don't have, did make lots of video and will have to see if any of that is good.

Tomorrow will stay an extra day in Moab to rest and see how my knee does.

 

 

Here is a post script about this day that I posted after I had come back from this trip.

 

There is a omission on day 38 that I did not post at the time because I did not want to alarm family members.

As that day moved on I was getting very dehydrated from the 47c temps out there, I had 1 ltr of water left and was using it sparsely, it was because of that second drop that had me use most of all my water to get the bike back up. My leg was throbbing a lot, and then when I dropped the bike the third time I passed out from pain and exhaustion.

I remember brief moments coming too and then fading back out, my mind was wandering through an array of the past and I was at peace with this, luckily a young Couple (Dave and Julie) in a Dodge Durango did pass by and revive me as I laid out there in the burning sun, I don't know what would have happened if they had not come, but I will forever be grateful that they did. They waited as I regained myself, and replenished my water supply. They then followed me for the next 5 hrs as I continued to head back to the main road to Moab. A truly remarkable couple as they gave from there heart. Them coming along at that moment was as if it was meant to be (my destiny call was answered, my roll has more in-store for me).

I do feel now that it is necessary for you to know how dangerous it can be to ride alone, but at the same time saying this I also believe that everyone’s destiny has been laid out and that won't change no matter what you do. Knowing this to be true can set you free, don't do knowingly stupid things but live life to it's fullest like you have never done before.

 

 

 

 

Thursday, 8 August 2013

Moab, Utah


Day 37, Aug 8, 2013, 462km


Had a great stay with Michael (dentedvw) and Helena, thank you both very much.
 

Off to Moab, Utah and I just had to take a part of the abandoned old road 24 and then Highway 128. This was a longer way around, but the 128 goes along the Colorado River and the enormous red cliffs.

The shear size of these cliffs just never stop to amazing me with there colors and ever changing patterns, just spectacular.



The temperature today was only 28c with a light cloud cover which made this ride nice and relaxing, I'm hoping that tomorrow will be the same as I attempt the White Rim Trail.

 









Wednesday, 7 August 2013

Salt Lake City 2


Day 36, Aug 7,2013, 92km
 

No luck with the Cousins, so I went to some of the old places that I used to live and do some site seeing around Salt Lake City.

 

 

 



 

 

Little detour to China (Cultural Centre Utah).


 

 

 

Inside the Utah State Capitol.
 

 

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

Salt Lake City, Utah


Day 35, Aug 6, 2013, 304km


Garden City, Utah is known for the Raspberry Festival that took place last week and lucky for me because raspberry are on sale Yum, Yum.

The Camping owner rides a KLR and told me some good roads to take. The 39 to Ogden is a twisty and beautiful road, climbing to just over 8900ft with some great views.

Sitting back with my feet on the highway pegs and enjoying the ride a Yellow Jacket flew into my pant leg. Not knowing what it was at first I stomped my pant leg, and not liking this the little bugger got upset and started stinging. This made me do a desperate stop with my trousers dropping down quickly while doing the funky monkey dance, well I at least make some passerby’s look twice laughing of coarse, luckily only five stings.

Made it to ADV inmate dentedvw in Salt Lake City, and will try to get hold of some of my cousins on Wednesday, and then head back out on Thursday.


Monday, 5 August 2013

Garden City, Utah


Day 34, Aug 5, 2013, 560km
 

Left Mountain Home, Idaho and had to take a couple of pictures of some old stuff that I fond interesting because you just don't find this stuff everywhere.

 

 
 

A 1950 Carbon Arc Water Cooled Projector.
 

Not wanting to do nothing but Highway I decided to follow the Peaks to Crater route and see The Craters of the Moon National Monument, this was interesting but not much to see other than volcanic rock and some craters, even the pictures look boring, so none of that.

Being off course I headed towards Pocatello and then through the mountains to Montpellier, and ended up at Garden City, Utah for a nights rest, tomorrow to Salt Lake City.
 
A 1950's Motel, straight from the Perry Mason Files.


 

Friday, 2 August 2013

Mountain Home 2


Day 31, Aug 2, 2014
 

Having a good time in Mountain Home, Idaho, and getting some much needed rest and catching up on all kinds of stuff the last few days.

I can't thank my sister and brother in law enough for having me stay with them and giving me this time to catch my breath and rest.



Brother in-law Steve and me having some fun on the Lake. 








My two lovely nieces that I have finally been able to talk to and have some time with..


 
 
 

Will be leaving on Monday, heading towards Salt Lake City, and will be staying with ADV inmate Michael (dentedvw).
Then see if I can get a hold of some of my cousins that I used to play with when I was a kid, and stay for a short visit before moving on.

Trying to plan a little where to go next, and looking at the smoke covered areas has left me with the choice to go through the mid West. First to Salt Lake City and then to Moab where I can ride the White Rim Trail, then down the 46/90 and 141 to Montrose and do The Million Dollar Hwy to Durango then take the 550 to Bloomfield, 64 to Clamaron 58 and 85/25 to Springer, this covers a lot of area and maybe a few days or weeks of riding. Will see where to go from there. I will either end up in Albuquerque New Mexico before heading toward Mexico and Copper Canyon or head towards the Baja and then Copper Canyon, don't know yet but that will come as I go.

Still need to work on my Spanish lessons that I have been neglected all this time, so I'm hoping to get some of the main phrases down before heading into Mexico.