Archive for the ‘motos’ Category

Motorcycles…ultimate fun

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

I’m in Bishop again, continuing my routine of bouncing between where we live and where Tom works. When I come to Bishop, there is an activity option (weather-permitting) that is beginning to override (at least until the snow melts high) all other options…riding the motorcycles. In my last trip to our favorite motorcycle dealer in Roseville, I was joking that were it not for money limitations, Tom and I would probably buy even more motorcycles. The dealer’s son joked that you can never have too many motorcycles. I’ve had that sentiment about mountain bikes as the type of terrain we ride has increased and varied enough that I saw the utility in having a downhill mtn bike vs. more of a cross-country bike. I never thought that could happen with motorcycles…

Although at this point in our lives I think we’re set with what we have, we’re now obsessing over accessories. See, Tom and I aren’t particularly found of riding on the road but sometimes it’s a necessary evil to connect backcountry roads or trails. It would also be a shame to not actually occasionally use the M1 license I struggled to get with the stupid driving test they make you do…which by the way doesn’t really simulate any real-life driving situation on a motorcycle.

Except for the fact that we can’t really bring the dogs with us (no, sidecars aren’t an option), there is nothing much better than the overall experience of motorcycle ride…or in our case it’s often a dirt ride. Purists will laugh but similar to the feeling of backpacking, everything you need, you’re literally carrying with you. Tools, fuel, food, water, etc. That may seem a ridiculous parallel but you can get alot farther out into the boonies alot faster and if something happens, McGuyver skills come in handy.

Tom and I are itching to overnight camping on the motos…so we’re currently researching small gear bags we can attach to our bikes to carry the basics for an overnight trip. Giant Loop Motorcycle bags are looking the like current front-runner. Nothing will probably happen until we return from Moab (and the mtn weather is a little warmer). But what a cool feeling it will be to ride to a remote spot, set up a small camp and not worry about all the crap we’re trying to pack in the truck for camping or even the motorhome on a larger scale.

So for now, the horses sit in the stable…anxiously awaiting the next ride…

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KTM horses

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The desert…a whole different kind of fun

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

So over the long weekend, Tom and I were anxious to get the RV out to explore new territory on our motos. Between some warranty repairs and winter weather, we hadn’t had a chance to really get out for a weekend in a while. So we packed up the motos, gear, food and dogs and headed south…to Ridgecrest. Our original plans to head to Death Valley changed at the last minute due to an unusual rain storm that saw all of the backcountry roads in Death Valley closed due to flooding/mud/washouts. A quick internet search and we found an alternative relatively the same driving time, with more freedom to explore and no ridiculous rules about dogs. Friday night saw us arrive after dark to an area where all camping is dispersed, meaning no formal campgrounds. We could see collections of lights where people were camped but weren’t sure how to get to those spots. We eventually settled in after a short drive down a hardpack, pot-holed road (the kind Tom swore we wouldn’t drive in the RV)…it wasn’t bad just an adventure after dark.

After sleeping in despite the sounds of motors starting and generators running to take the chill off the morning, we slowly got ready to head out and explore our home for the weekend, the Spangler Hills OHV area. We had camped in an area called Searles Station, for the railroad switching station nearby. This OHV area was a new concept to us as it is an “open area,” meaning you can literally ride wherever you want, whether a trail exists or not, and it’s 57000 acres provide some much room that despite a holiday weekend crowd and an event, we rarely came upon another rider except near camp. The terrain is quite different than the area around Bishop, very little rock and the desert plant life a little taller and more sparse. I’ve always loved the desert…whether because I’m a CA native or because my parents often took us camping in the desert growing up, there is a totally different kind of beauty and ruggedness in the desert. Now the hardcore environmentalists would faint if they spent much time around an OHV park/camp such as this. It’s loud, got dusty as the weekend wore on and certainly not the activity everyone likes. That being said, places like this need to exist…if they don’t people will ride where they aren’t supposed to. There are many families out, not only enjoying motorized toys but parents again passing down how different and fun the desert can be.

The riding itself took a little getting used to but once we did, it was amazing. Tom and I have always figured a preference for riding in dirt and trees more typical of where we live. Tighter singletracks trails where visibility may just be a few feet ahead as you curve through forests and tree canopy. The desert varies from hardpack with some rocks to thick, sandy washes (not my favorite) but the wide openness of it all it what sets the riding apart. You can see for miles, literally. The sand, when mixed with a little gravel or water is a blast for riding and provides a totally different feel than the tacky dirt of north. You’re typically riding alot faster in the desert as the terrain lends itself to more wide open speeds. That being said, you have to be more alert for the feature of the desert…washes. More than once over the weekend, we were hauling along at decent speeds only to come upon a small, deep wash with little time to figure out how to navigate it…

We had a blast and can’t wait to go back again in the coming weeks…

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The Ultimate Road Trip Set-Up

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

For long before Tom and I met, our individual preferred methods of exploring and taking trips was the road trip. I have travelled internationally and there is something to be said for taking in the cultural differences abroad vs. slogging around the US and Canada. The fact of the matter is that there are historic and natural treasures outside the US which make this country look like the infant country it is (in industrialized terms…but that is another topic).

Since Tom and I met, we’ve doubled in people, he gained two dogs, and the amount of gear…well, it’s ridiculous to quantify. We started out with trips in our respective Toyota trucks but clearly that was not enough room for two pack rats like us. We then bought a small utility trailer…after all, I now had a dirtbike to join his. That last for about a year before we decide for more size/comfort for our extended road trips. What followed was the purchase of a double-cab Ford F-250 and pop-up cabover camper. We could now travel with a trailer (motos) or without (bike racks for the mtn bikes) and sleep comfortably in any weather conditions. We were living the high life with a heater, kitchen and pop-up shower/toiler combo.

Life was good…and then we got tired of not being able to use the kitchen table…it was chronically converted into another bed area for the dogs. They are too big to lay on the floor and we’d have no way to manuever around. We also had no room for gear…every time we wanted to stop and quickly crash overnight somewhere on the road, a production followed to pop-up the camper, move all the gear to the front of the truck, etc.

Last year we decided to do our part to support the economy and traded our camper for an upgrade…a slightly ridiculous upgrade given our age and activities we like to participate in. We bought an RV. There, I’ve said it. Yes, we do had visions of elderly folks zipping around in golf carts or worse, the movie RV and families like the Gornekes. But this was something we spent months researching…what was the right configuration for us given all the toys to bring along and the two mutts? We ultimately decided on the Damon Outlaw…now this isn’t one of those crazy, over-the-top RVs the Nascar folks are hauling around in, this fit our budget and best of all, it has a garage! 8 x 10ft of rubber-coated goodness to roll dirty bikes and motos into. On board fuel station, rear flood lights, etc. and plenty of room for cleaning products…those of you that know Tom, know that things can’t be dirty for long.

The only thing missing (if you can believe it) is a transport vehicle. This thing is 37′ long…once it’s parked somewhere, you don’t want to have to move it too much. We’d been trying to sell the Ford for sometime and finally added a trade option. We figured maybe we could trade for something like a Jeep Wrangler that could be towed behind. Then we park the big rolling turd, throw the bikes on the Jeep or the dogs in and we’re off to the trailhead somewhere. Last week, the planets aligned and we were able to trade the Ford for a Jeep Wrangler that is newer, with less miles. After we get the towing mechanisms in place, we’re in business…never in our craziest imagination did we think we’d be set up like this (or want to be.) Moab in April…here we come…

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Bighorn Sheep!

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Yesterday we rode our motos some 80 miles from the house to gas up and head up Silver Canyon, just east of Bishop. In a previous post, pictures showed our journey to the top of Silver Canyon in our FJ Cruiser…this time taking photos wasn’t our priority as temperatures have cooled and taking pictures at nearly 11000 ft wasn’t as important as trying to stay warm. However, on our drive up the canyon, we noticed a man pulled over and eyeing something with a spotting scope. To our excitement we saw what he was looking at:

A Mother and her young

A Mother and her young

A small herd of Bighorn sheep were traversing a slope while we rode up the canyon…on the way back they were resting in the sagebrush. From what we hear, these are somewhat elusive to see so it was pretty exciting.

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On top of the world…

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

or at least it felt like it. Tom and I went exploring on our motos near Mammoth mountain Sunday (before this massive storm hit). After goofing around on trails and doubletrack for an hour, we thought we’d try riding over towards Red’s Meadow. Unfortunately although shuttle buses are no longer required, they were still charging a fee to drive over so we pulled out at the Minaret Vista Point at the top. We noticed a little dirt road exiting the parking lot and decided to check it out…after about 3 miles of climbing, we reached Deadman’s Pass…what a view!

Deadman's Pass View

Deadman's Pass View


Tom with Mammoth Mountain in background

Tom with Mammoth Mountain in background

Love having the street legal “dirt” bikes…makes everything accessible and you never know what cool places you might find…

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