Hey Joe, too bad we didn't get to meet but thanks for the best wishes.
Already planning a camping trip with my friends into the Moab area. They will be in their 4x4 camper. Been trying to look into new tires. I really want to try the Heideneu scout on the back. The 140/80 18 doesn't have the solid center strip so it peaked my interest. I will have about 7500 km on my rear and it is dead. The front has just over 10,000 but is now cupping pretty badly so it is time. Not sure which I will pick for the front. KTM of Aspen has the back and a couple of front choices but not the Conti TKC 80. They have the scout front but I need to research that a bit. I have a Tuesday appointment. First frost here last night so I am getting a loaner of a heavier sleeping bag, down jacket and hat for the night. Once over the mountains and down to 4000 my equipment is good.
Looking forward to a great time.
I'll keep posting.
Oh, picked up oil and filters. Doing that tomorrow.
Super pleased! 7500 km and I didn't burn a drop.

Drivers ignoring oncoming traffic is COMMON in some countries ... so get used to it and have a way out and expect it to happen.

You will not find much of this in Mexico but further South may be worse. (??)Motorbikes have NO right away in much of the 3rd world. You don't count and many won't respect your right of way.

Riding in Thailand I had to bail into the rice paddies several times. Later, I learned the drill ... you simply ride in the skinny bike lane and be READY to move if you have to. Turns out, in Thailand this is common practice.

Sometimes we'd have 3 motorbike lined up, all running along road edge, a skinny bike path, while HUGE trucks whistled by, side by side with just a foot or two to spare. I actually got used to it.

I had close calls in Ecuador, Peru' and Colombia as well. Many years back, not sure what it might be like now as there are 20 times more motorbikes than in the past.

Since your riding a full on, World Class, Competition Enduro bike, I would not hesitate to run it onto the soft shoulder or gravel verge, ditch or ride paddy.

The bike can do it ... and so can you!

Engine brake before leaving road, down shift, DO NOT brake. Head onto the verge with some power applied to keep the bike going where you want.

Should not be too hard on your Husky. Super stable, great suspension. Slowly, slow down in the gravel, don't try to turn sharply or brake. Look where you want to go (so many forget this cardinal rule!) If you go off the road ... beware drainage culverts. These can kill you.

You will make it!

I'm a little disappointed. I met a pretty cool dude, thanks to HU, that I was going to meet in Utah and travel all the way to Guatemala with but....... life happens. It turns out that life got in the way for Riel and although he may join me for a month and a half or so he will have to return to his home in BC in November.
It looks like I am looking for a travel buddy for much of the Mexico ride.

My friend Tim here in Colorado did a LOT of adventure cycling in his day. Twice across the US and more. He and Susan have seen most of the National Parks that I will be passing so it was extremely helpful for me when he offered a route to the west coast. With his experience traveling this part of the country he layed out a scenic trip. One that will take in many of the must see parks and yet essentially keep me moving west.
I want to ride to Leggett California to hwy 1 and ride as much of that Pacific Coast as possible.
My fingers are crossed that Riel can make it with me. He was looking forward to it.
Aren't friends GREAT!!!!!!

I was having relationship problems. We have since come to an agreement so I thought I would share for the benefit of others.
Monty (my Montana 680t) and I have had a working relationship for about 3 months now. I was less than impressed at first but have learned a few things about "his ways" over the last few weeks. My destination when I left southern Ontario was Dillon Colorado. I gave Monty his instructions, no toll highways, no interstates, no major highways and pressed GO!
For the first four days inevitably after about an hour he put on one of the no no no's!!!
One time I followed him and gave up. Fine Monty, fine! I was looking at 200 miles of interstate but at least I was heading west so decided to go with him. I pulled off at a rest stop to stretch my legs after only 5 miles into it. Monty had been thinking while I was gone because when I jumped back on he had me pull off at the next off ramp. Good Monty, good BOY!!! He picked a route over the interstate and onto about 2 miles of gravel to a country road heading west. I was so impressed and happy with my little fellow! He was finally GETTING IT!! So, what I "think" I have discovered is to not overload the little guy. I had NO complaints at all for "about" my last 900-1000 miles of my destination. Monty totally did as I asked and we are now good buddies again.

Presently in Moab at my camp site WITH INTERNET. Arches and White Rim on my radar. Anyone in the area wanting to join me let me know. I might just chill a couple of days catching up on chores. Not sure if it makes any difference but thinking Monday "might" be less busy.

1969..............Easy Rider
1969..............Then Came Bronson
Those shows left me wanting a motorcycle adventure, but I was only sixteen.
Three years later I was riding a Honda 750 Four.
My best friend Larry a 650 Yamaha.
We decided we were going to hop on our bikes and go. Who needed money?? Bronson seemed to find away. But then...............
Larry tells me Susan is pregnant.
A year later, my girlfriend was pregnant.
Life unfolded for us both and it was time to grow up fast. People were depending on us.
Today, my daughter and I are best buddies.
Larry is still with Susan and has 3 girls he is very proud of and still runs his successful business.
He is however unable to leave and out of shape to be hopping on a bike.
When I asked my wife if we should spend 11 years building our sailboat she said yes because she new that if I started it I would FINISH it.
It's taken me 46 years to get here. A few months back I had my hand in the Atlantic while in Nova Scotia. The Pacific is not that far away. I wish I was riding with a good friend but at least I'M RIDING. I am wrapping up this loose end and enjoying every minute of it.
A few days back I spent quality time at Black Canyon of the Garrison River. Simply amazing!!
Today I rode Arches. Good God!!!
I am so grateful to be on this breathtaking adventure!

just curious if your comng thru here ?

Hi Fast Freddy
Yes, Baja for sure but I just don't know when.
Too many variables at this time.

Being a sailor, like others I've spoken with, we tend to rate the present "crappy" conditions we are now facing against our other storm experiences. " Well, it's not as bad as that time of Cape Fear at least"!
Getting an opinion on the difficulty of White Rim is tough.
If your the kid whose dad bought him a dirt bike at 14, and for the past 30 yrs have owned and riden a knobby tired, fire breathing, wall climbing "fun" machine........
In those years of passionate bliss you ONLY broke one arm, one shoulder dislocation, and you hardly ever have to wear your leg brace any more.
That guy, the trials rider whose bike DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A SEAT!?
Your going to get a different number on the 1-6 scale of difficulty from those guys than say.......
The fellow that's riden a Vespa in NYC for 30 yrs.
The guy that's ridden his Goldwing, pulling a trailer, across America 4 times.
Just because I bought an Arabian horse, doesn't mean I can ride it.
Like giving the keys to your yellow Lamborghini to your 19 year old nephew because he "just" got his licence.
Think "city slicker"!
I rented a Harley while in NC and rode "Tail of the Dragon"! Dragged the pegs a couple of times, my heart was POUNDING!!
Pull that guy off his Road King (me) and plunk his sorry ass on his new 701 and point.......
White Rim is thata way partner!

I used the 1-6 difficulty scale because before I went I "tried" to look up difficulty on line.
Another fellow had asked that very question.
Seems he was reading from the first two guys.
I purposely DIDN'T look at all the horror stories on YouTube.
Checked into the park. Went to the visitors to be sure my on line permit was valid and off I went.
Went around clockwise and 5 minutes into it I had to stop for a jaw dropping photo opp.
While stopped, a fellow riding a red KLR went a little further past me and he too stopped for the shot. Thinking it would be great to have someone to ride with, I asked if he would mind if I rode along with him. He said "sure" and off we went.
I only know a few things about Scott.
He is 69, he just finished an 800 mile BDR and he was sent from heaven!! to guide and help this Poser, Enduro riding wanna be!
In conversation, while taking a water break, I asked Scott how he would rate the difficulty of White Rim. After saying it's difficult, given some guys ride through swamps and rivers up to their intakes, he said perhaps a "4".
By the end of a very long day I had "about" 5 get offs and a couple of lucky close calls.
With Scott's help, my bike only has hand guard scrapes. I personally have zero bodily damage however, my adventure has opened my eyes to my immense LACK of off road riding qualifications!!
All I was able to do for Scott was to pick up and "save" his hat that jumped overboard. I was following remember. Scott saved my bike from much more cosmetic injury it would have sustained had I had to do it alone. He was there to push, help me get it back up, drag the front wheel around to go back down and have another go at it.
I've often said I would rather be lucky than good.
I cashed in ALL my pay it forward points to have Scott hang with me that day. I wanted to buy Scott supper for putting up with me but there wasn't much sun left and neither of us wanted to be riding in the dark. In the end, he was heading North and me West. I thanked him as humbly and graciously as I could.
By the way, Scott was a master on his KLR.
This was his second go around in 5 years.
He did it ALL without one mishap! I felt like such a burden to him.
Today I can say "I ?" did it. The memories will last a lifetime. The views, my good God, the views!!!
Now, I KNOW!!! that for me White Rim will be THE HARDEST, most technically challenging ride I will EVER do! So you see, if someone asked ME on a scale of 1-6 my answer would be 6.
It's all in who you ask.
From this day forward my brain will always be saying..........
Well, at least it's not as bad as White Rim..

Yes..... I'm glad I did it but........

WHY WOULD ANYBODY DO THIS


TWICE!!!!!!

Hi guys,


Im currently on the road doing the trans American trail, approaching Colorado, I didn’t have the time to read through all the messages, but I’ll be going down through Mexico and Central America to South America in the coming weeks. If any of you are on the way and want to meet up for a drink or to ride, send me a message!

Imagine your one of those handsome rock stars.
City after city, concert after concert, day after day!
Drop dead GORGEOUS women throwing themselves at you again, and again and again.
It would get old, tiring, enough already!...........

OK wait, that probably wasn't the best example ????

Your a judge, with the Miss America Beauty Contest looking at one beautiful woman after the next. You'd want to quit...............

OK wait, perhaps another bad example........

What I'm trying to say is I've been OVERLOADED with spectacular scenes!
Completely saturated with the most beautiful!!
Drenched in the wonder of it all !!!
I actually STOPPED taking pictures. Around EVERY bend was ANOTHER jaw dropping moment. Some of the nicest people I've met were in America's corn country.
Colorado, Utah, Nevada and now California.
In MY LIFE the MOST spectacular wonders I have ever seen!!
The cool weather made me run for it. It was going to get cold in "the desert"!
I still have a hard time with that concept.
"Metal Woods"
"Jumbo shrimp"
"Cold desert"
Anyway, here I sit at my site, Westport California.
The waves of the Pacific crashing in the background. Perhaps not a big deal to you road warriors reading this but a big deal to me.
Coast to coast.
My wife and I went on a small road trip in Guatemala to the black sands of Monterrico.
I am more an easy coast boy and that was my FIRST time splashing in the waters of the Pacific.
This is my second.
Found out it's only an hour's drive to that big tree you can drive your car through.
Seems it HAS TO BE DONE!!
Should be a cool picture with the 701!

Time to crawl into my sleeping bag and dream that I'm a rock star.

2400 years old approximately. The drive through tree is in many photo albums. It's now in mine.
I am presently in a comfortable campground just north of San Francisco. The ride from the beginning of hwy 1 at Leggett to here has been everything I had hoped for and more.
It's clearing now but this morning was drizzly and cold so I decided to chill here for a day.
Sunshine tomorrow so I will head to the direction of Big Sur staying on the PCH as much as possible.
People are loving the bike everywhere I go.
She's a break from the everyday that's for sure.
Had to get the picture this morning.
Someone was taking their PET PIG for a walk.
Lady said "Kevin" will live to be 20.
He is two now.
Don't see that in southern Ontario.
But then again........ we DO LOVE OUR CHOPS!!!

You're in my back yard now.
If you can, see a bit of Highway 36 (goes from Fortuna to Red Bluff) Great road.

Best roads in California at your fingertips. PM me if you want detailed, two day tour of the best dual sport roads.
Lots of roads through Indian reservations. Stunning terrain.

Also perhaps ride through the Lost Coast area. Take Matole road out of Ferndale and onto Lost Coast. Ride all of Matole road if you can out to 101. Great Husky road.

Another great road is further South off Highway one. Stewart's Poing/Sgagg's spring road. A great road that goes all the way to Healdsburg (highway 101) and THE BEST of the Wine country. A great road that has EVERYTHING.

So much more.

Patrick

Wrong place at the wrong time.
Pacific Coast Hwy on a holiday weekend when "surf's up"!!
The Big Sur area ride blew me away!
Loved "the ride!!"
All the campgrounds were booked and full or charging scalper fees.
I can't handle crowds. As a rule I run the other way. After breakfast in Malibu on Sunday morning I just couldn't take it anymore.
I made a run for Mexico and am now in a nice hotel room watching television, had a hot shower and am in my first real bed in a month, for the same cost as California was charging me for a place to pitch my tent!
I'm a retired blue collar worker on a pension.
California doesn't want/need "my kind!"
Glad I did it.
Very glad I saw the sights. The elephant seals were a real highlight for me.
Love sending those kind of pics to my grandchildren. They love it.
Quite honestly I'm glad to be in the land of affordable travel.
Also, getting a little homesick for my little piece of paradise in Guatemala.
The comfort of my boat and the company of my friends.
Still looking at about 10 days travel. ( At my rate )
Well, I got it out of my system. Found out motorcycle travel for "this guy" is three times more fun when I am doing it with my wife.
Am I aloud to say that out loud on HU???

When in Tecate at my hotel I met a couple of bikers from Arizona. They were back from a short stint into the Baja. One poor fellow was very sick from eating "the fish". Got the shoulder shrug when I mentioned temporary import.
Just a guess on my part but reading a little here and there I'm thinking you don't need one as long as your not planning to get the ferry to the mainland. If the ferry IS the plan I don't think you will get on without your temp.

We talked a bit about our travels and they had me laughing when they said, you mean...
"The People's Republic of California"?! We all have "little" love for California.
Sorry if your from California reading this (MD) but it's from your fellow countrymen.

I can see how people get in trouble crossing the border here. I was just waved on through and BANG, I'm in Mexico. I could have just kept driving until "the checkpoint" and then that would have been a bad day. I parked my bike on the street and walked BACK to immigration.

I don't know what it is but having that Canadian passport is Golden!!
The official asked me how much time I needed.
I told him 15 days should be plenty and he said
" I'll give you 180".
Thank-you sir.
Temporary import office was closed so off to my hotel I go.
Next morning I go for my temporary.
Gentleman matches the 180 with my visa, awesome!
He tells me I can come and go from Guatemala and back into Mexico for those 180 days but that I MUST CANCEL THE TEMP before the time is up if I want to be refunded the $400 US. There also was a $60 processing fee.
I just hope the border officials on the Guat side got the SAME memo.
Was going to get insurance on line before entering Mexico but had internet issues so couldn't.
Found a woman in Tecate that sold me some. Apparently not anyone can sell to a Canadian???
I don't know? I was turned away by one place because she said she couldn't?!
I sure hope I never need it. Something tells me I just spent $190 US for a piece of paper. It was cheaper to buy for 6 months than 30 days.
Ok, should be good to go. I leave next morning.

Half way to Santa Ana the traffic is funneled into a modern screening area.
I was asked for my paperwork and then the officer saw my temporary import sticker attached to the inside of my windscreen. All was good.
Crossing the T's the day before was SO WORTH IT!

It's now time for a brew in Santa Ana.
650 kms today.