Coast to coast in the US back again!

This Forum is for the sharing of information related to routes and rides. A place to share Ride Reports, Ride Video's, Routes, Stories, etc etc etc....

Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
mr west
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 329
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:24 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#61

Post by mr west »

DAY 9

We woke up next to a carcass in the black canyon and basically just took highway 50 east. It had some nice curves through monarch pass and the arkansas river. Other than that not much action.. but not bad. Some RV apparently had an accident so there was a jam leading up to that. Lots of debris on the road they were cleaning up.

As both me and the bike were hot and everything stood still I passed a few cars on the shoulder, but appearantly thats a big deal in the US, as some people called ahead to the sheriff, and he felt compelled to have a word with me. He was nice though, and didnt give me a ticket, so my record is still clean and I wont do it again here. Just wish I remembered to get our picture!

After a long day and no good campsite in reach we felt like some luxury and took into a motel in Pueblo. All laundry done, repack and a night out at the shamrock brewery, it was nice to crash into a real bed after shower for once...
Attachments
IMG_20190906_192843.jpg
IMG_20190906_192843.jpg (214.81 KiB) Viewed 39670 times
1976 GL1000
1979 GL1000 Vetter
User avatar
mr west
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 329
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:24 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#62

Post by mr west »

....and best part of the day: checking the oil: oil consumption LA to SF to Colorado: 0!
1976 GL1000
1979 GL1000 Vetter
mrs west
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 1:47 pm

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#63

Post by mrs west »

Highway 50 was a nice ride!
Attachments
Deconstructed windiest, prickliest campsite ever
Deconstructed windiest, prickliest campsite ever
4F87B924-30D1-46B1-AB66-FC319E562029.jpeg (240.45 KiB) Viewed 39668 times
Goat carcass near the campsite added a real cowboy feeling
Goat carcass near the campsite added a real cowboy feeling
8E6F0689-DA72-4407-8D9A-75EC6C07B736.jpeg (520.45 KiB) Viewed 39668 times
Gunnison River in Curecanti National Rec Area
Gunnison River in Curecanti National Rec Area
1AFC47F1-CEA1-4619-AAD8-03787ABA7947.jpeg (245.99 KiB) Viewed 39668 times
After lunch/after rain
After lunch/after rain
8116E903-1F8A-4AAE-97E3-00ECB6D22B15.jpeg (215.7 KiB) Viewed 39668 times
Between Wellsville and Howard, nice short stretch!
Between Wellsville and Howard, nice short stretch!
70188D0B-8182-4211-9351-CB1B834A3F17.png (953.83 KiB) Viewed 39668 times
User avatar
mr west
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 329
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:24 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#64

Post by mr west »

DAY 10

Almost halfway? We have to be in Brooklyn on 22nd but the plan is to go through the Smokey Mountains and up. Today nothing really happened....? We made it into Kansas. Just going straight straight straight.... very flat. Passed a few small towns with curious looking businesses but mostly just large scale farming and nothing.. and flat. We managed to avoid rain though. That was nice. Made it to a free campsite. Its also flat.
Attachments
IMG_20190907_102323.jpg
IMG_20190907_102323.jpg (207.79 KiB) Viewed 39667 times
IMG_20190907_122115.jpg
IMG_20190907_122115.jpg (186.93 KiB) Viewed 39667 times
IMG_20190907_175904.jpg
IMG_20190907_175904.jpg (203.62 KiB) Viewed 39667 times
1976 GL1000
1979 GL1000 Vetter
mrs west
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 1:47 pm

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#65

Post by mrs west »

One highlight today is that we saw a wild turtle. It turns out that the John Martin Reservoir State Park is home to all kinds of wildlife. Really nice campground there too. We just took a detour through it to break up the long straight roads and ended up on a dirt road for sometime which is where we saw the turtle right in the middle of the road. KG drove so close to it, I thought we were going to smash him. He just stood there as we drove off and when I asked KG if he saw him we turned around to get a closer look but he had run off into the bushes.

Besides that pretty much nothing happened today. The pros of Kansas are that the straight roads allow us to hit our daily mileage needs rather quickly allowing us more time to chill. And also this campsite is the least dusty yet dancr
Attachments
First glimpses of Kansas
First glimpses of Kansas
036B3003-0E94-4504-A297-BDC8B5C7E9CC.jpeg (196.94 KiB) Viewed 39666 times
Frazier Park
Frazier Park
9DD82F0D-45AF-4BF1-AF0A-1DB5EE3E9A66.jpeg (181.71 KiB) Viewed 39666 times
User avatar
Brant
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Posts: 10126
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 11:31 am
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/brant/
Location: Hastings, Nebraska, USA

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#66

Post by Brant »

Great trip. I love that you are hitting free campsites. KOAs are nice but expensive, motels the same. I love the idea of city parks and out of the way, non-traditional camping spots. Stay safe.
83 GL 1100 bagger Ugly Betty
ALL WE WANT TO DO IS DRINK OUR ESPRESSO, RIDE OUR MACHINES, AND NOT BE HASSLED BY THE MAN
Owning a motorcycle is not a matter of life or death. It's much more important than that.
"Don't sweat the little things, guys, take care and appreciate all that you have around you!" - Fewman
NGWclub on Facebook
hmax
Lead Member
Lead Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 2:31 pm

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#67

Post by hmax »

Love the picture of Amanda sprawled out on a rock in front of a beautiful view!

The flat midwest has been home to some of the best American humorists: Mark Twain, Will Rogers, Johnny Carson--among many others. There might be a connection...

Happy trails!
mrs west
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 1:47 pm

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#68

Post by mrs west »

Brant seriously thank you! Cause of that website you gave us, we’ve stayed in some of the coolest, at times scariest, and most interesting places.

hmax I completely understand the connection.


Just a heads up, we’ll update more later, but I wanted to invite anyone around Arkansas/Tennessee/Carolinas area to come join us for some good runs we have coming up. We should be at Pig Trail tomorrow afternoon and Tail of the Dragon by Sunday.

Maybe see some of ya out there!
Last edited by mrs west on Mon Sep 09, 2019 11:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
mrs west
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 1:47 pm

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#69

Post by mrs west »

Day 11

We woke up and spent a good amount of time enjoying the park we stayed the night in. Afterwards, we headed to our favorite, Chinese Buffet :lol: in Liberal, KS. It was the best one yet! Right next to the Wizard if Oz museum, which we did not go to. There is a small airport in Liberal as well that my Grandma told me she landed in once with my Grandpa when they had a plane in the 70s or so.

Just a few minutes south of Liberal, we made it through what looked like a statewide lightening storm, to Oklahoma! Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain...
And that’s about all I cam say about that first day in Oklahoma. More flat roads and big sky for days. It seems like Oklahoma is a bunch of corn and cows for miles and miles.
With the help of our favorite freecampsites.net, we found a really wonderful place to sleep, smack in the middle of a very low population town of Jet, Oklahoma.

We stayed in the Great Salt Plains State Park, which is right next to the Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge. We got to see some huge birds flying from each side of the bay, and hear a symphony of all kinds of creatures all night. It was really nice!
Attachments
Long stretches in OK
Long stretches in OK
59629276-A3BC-4765-AA67-2917FA5099CF.jpeg (129.05 KiB) Viewed 39612 times
Great Salt Plains Lake
Great Salt Plains Lake
F05C7121-05EF-4F17-AAF4-F39D3EE84B91.jpeg (295.93 KiB) Viewed 39612 times
Swamp next to our campsite
Swamp next to our campsite
AC8048A5-7886-4B79-9D7D-5D4439E9C62A.jpeg (410.7 KiB) Viewed 39612 times
Our little tent on the lake
Our little tent on the lake
25747FA7-E183-4C13-BFEF-96F6525AB32B.jpeg (438.51 KiB) Viewed 39612 times
User avatar
mr west
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 329
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:24 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#70

Post by mr west »

I saw in a nature program how tigers can go a long time without food, and then when they finally hunt something down its like a eating frenzy and they go on until they totally lose it and just lie around in bliss and even peeing themselves....

We have found a similar technique were we have some fruit or something in the morning and then go 100 miles or so until we hunt down a chinese buffet so we are set foodwise for that whole day! This day the buffet was nice indeed. We felt very welcomed in the small town of Liberal. A guy past me in the parking lot outside the buffet. "Cool bike"...

Inside a girl complimented Amandas fry boots and started chit-chatting. Typical american style. It wasnt until she followed us out after the buffet to talk more that i really started to wonder if she wasnt hitting on Amanda? Or was going to sell something..? And then she said that we were invited to church that evening if we would be around. Appearantly all buffet was full of church members as it was sunday! Well, we were on our way so she just prayed for us there and then in the parking lot.
Attachments
IMG_20190908_104138.jpg
IMG_20190908_104138.jpg (193.57 KiB) Viewed 39611 times
IMG_20190909_075322.jpg
IMG_20190909_075322.jpg (211.73 KiB) Viewed 39611 times
1976 GL1000
1979 GL1000 Vetter
User avatar
mr west
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 329
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:24 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#71

Post by mr west »

DAY 12

Last couple days hasnt been so spectacular driving wise as it was in Utah or Colorado, so now the trip has become more about finding good buffets and campsites..

Todays highlight came after 180 miles... Buffet Palace! Biggest and best so far, for only 9 dollars.

Another upgrade on the trip is that I have found Swedish coffee for my travel french press cup.

Finally arrived at the camp site we had a swim in the very warm water.

Also now we are halfway, 12 days gone, 12 to go. Looking forward to do Smokey Mountains and all good roads ahead. Not to mention the buffets!
Attachments
IMG_20190909_133456.jpg
IMG_20190909_133456.jpg (206.02 KiB) Viewed 39607 times
IMG_20190909_143131.jpg
IMG_20190909_143131.jpg (224.44 KiB) Viewed 39607 times
IMG_20190909_164719.jpg
IMG_20190909_164719.jpg (232.32 KiB) Viewed 39607 times
IMG_20190909_200914.jpg
IMG_20190909_200914.jpg (39.18 KiB) Viewed 39607 times
IMG_20190909_200714.jpg
IMG_20190909_200714.jpg (58.91 KiB) Viewed 39607 times
1976 GL1000
1979 GL1000 Vetter
User avatar
Whiskerfish
President
President
Posts: 36850
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
Location: Norfolk Va

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#72

Post by Whiskerfish »

Fantastic!!
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
mrs west
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 90
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 1:47 pm

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#73

Post by mrs west »

Ya the last day of driving was more straight roads til we got passed Tulsa. Tulsa seems like a cool city! We got a bit turned around on the highways but made it out on the other side to fond some nice scenery and more winding roads. The drive over Fort Gibson Lake was beautiful and we ended up at my favorite campsite so far, Pettit Bay on Tenkiller Lake.

Today I’m excited to hit some good roads in the Ozarks and find some campsites where we can go lazy tubing. So far it seems possible! Just have to call around.

We may start doing less mileage per day now that we are passed half way but it seems like road wise, the fun is just starting back up, so we may be making more and more detours and nice drives. 2800 miles down and 1900 to go!
Attachments
Pawnee, OK
Pawnee, OK
A12C6E14-8221-471A-AD9E-FE178987D8BC.jpeg (127.4 KiB) Viewed 39597 times
Fort Gibson
Fort Gibson
6BE10D00-6418-4A4E-8202-1E1E4C6963FD.jpeg (149.83 KiB) Viewed 39597 times
Waterfront bear the campsite
Waterfront bear the campsite
AAE80898-9578-4EFE-B866-901CE13012DF.jpeg (459.87 KiB) Viewed 39597 times
Sunset on Tenkiller
Sunset on Tenkiller
1BCB3C01-A512-42DE-9233-53E4D9D0572F.jpeg (108.65 KiB) Viewed 39597 times
View from the tent
View from the tent
A738E164-DEF8-41FA-9B5A-D61D412E73D4.jpeg (155.81 KiB) Viewed 39597 times
User avatar
mr west
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 329
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:24 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#74

Post by mr west »

DAY 13

Good riding today on the Pig Trail in Arkansas. Smiles in the helmet!

We got a late start from the campsite, and just went to the next chinese buffet. By now we are becoming buffet specialist knowing exactly how to navigate and make the most of the buffet... this one was almost up to yesterdays level, quite fresh, less options, but only 7,99!!

After that we loaded up on food and snacks in the bike to eat at the campsite. Goldwings are fantastic bikes actually. Being on a "crooked and steep road" as the Pig Trail, the bike still handles really well for being 40 years old and carrying:

2 people
2 full saddle bags of personal stuff
2 sleeping bags, pads and pillows
2 sitars
Tent
1 chelada
1 bud light
1 lite
2 litres of water
1 bag of swedish coffee
1 bag of american coffee
French press mug
Tape deck
4 marshmallows
1 box of fake graham crackers
2 chocolate bars
1 can of cajun boiled peanuts
2 cheese sandwiches
Tool kit
Zip ties
Duct tape
Road map
Baby wipes
Trash bag
Usb plug, cables
2 battery packs
Shovel
Baby wipes
Knife and fork
Helmet bag
Ganesha statue
Shop manual
Epoxy glue
Camping towel
padlock and chain
Voltmeter
Muffler bandaid

Let me see you bring that on a sports bike!
Attachments
IMG_20190910_122517.jpg
IMG_20190910_122517.jpg (212.83 KiB) Viewed 39582 times
IMG_20190910_154926.jpg
IMG_20190910_154926.jpg (217.71 KiB) Viewed 39582 times
IMG_20190910_155210.jpg
IMG_20190910_155210.jpg (244.5 KiB) Viewed 39582 times
IMG_20190910_173534.jpg
IMG_20190910_173534.jpg (290.49 KiB) Viewed 39582 times
IMG_20190910_175331.jpg
IMG_20190910_175331.jpg (226.66 KiB) Viewed 39582 times
Last edited by mr west on Wed Sep 11, 2019 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1976 GL1000
1979 GL1000 Vetter
User avatar
Rat
Photo Gallery Admin
Photo Gallery Admin
Posts: 15456
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:59 pm
My Album: https://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rat/
RIP: cookie
Location: Toronto .... Canada

Re: Coast to coast in the US back again!

#75

Post by Rat »

Great stuff .... ride on ....

Gord action1 :crosso action1
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Ride Reports”