tire pressure 0 pounds
KTM too cold to start
Below pics are screen captures from video
Close-up
Finally at the end
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
TAT 2018 Post 05 07/03/18
Day 3 completed. It is actually 5 am on the 4th
of July but I was too tired to write the post last night and you will
understand why after reading this blog.
Lots to write about but will be brief.
We planned for an early departure from Ketchum, ID (Sun Valley)
with temperatures around 46 degrees. Of course, this is colder than we planned
so everyone was pulling all the warm clothes out of their bags they could find.
We loaded up and everyone started engines except my KTM wouldn’t start even
with the kick starter. We kept trying and finally we got it to fire and it started
to purr, reluctantly. I had replaced the dead battery just before starting this
ride with a Lithium one. I’ve heard these don’t perform well in cold. Another
possible cause is it has an open fuel injection system which means it doesn’t
automatically adjust for altitude like your car does. Whatever the reason it
was a bad start for an even worse day.
Another issue we had was that Steve’s WR-250R had 0 pressure
in the tire. He could not get the tire to take air form our small air pump. He
also could not get the valve stem out for some reason. He evidently had ridden
all day before with this condition so decided to continue today and watch it
closely. We really did not know what air pressure it had because of the valve
stem problem but the bike rode ok.
Our ride plan said this would be an interesting 152-mile ride
through the Saw Tooth Mountains to Boise, ID. We would even go over Dollarhide
Summit somewhere around 8000 to 9000 ft elevation. We entered the mountains
quickly from Ketchum with 24 miles to the top of the mountain. We immediately see
a sign that says hwy 127 to Featherville closed due to mud slide. We stopped
and looked at our map but could not see this highway anywhere. We finally found
it on our Garmin topo GPS but is still not clear what road they were talking
about. In addition, the sing had been there for several years, so we had a
hared time deciding if it was still valid. We decided to continue as planned an
adjust as conditions dictated. We did this a lot all day. The ride to the top
of Dollarhide Summit is beautiful and is a must do section.
You must reference the map below to follow the rest of the
discussion. After descending from the summit we came to an intersection with a
much bigger and newer sign that said road closed due to mudslide. On the map
this is where the red track deviates from the blue track and heads south. As we
are looking at the map and deciding how to deviate off the TAT and the shortest
way around the mudslide, several ATVs came from the closed road. We asked if
our bikes could get around the mudslide and they confirmed no is was totally
blocked. We then asked for a route around the mudslide and got some confusing
information but enough to know we weren’t going to be on the TAT again for many
miles. We headed south to Highway 20 and a small town named Fairville where we
topped off our fuel. Fuel was an issue all day and we had to use several RotoPax
of our extra fuel to keep the bikes with small tanks going.
We then headed west on Hwy 20 at max speed of our bikes
because this was a busy road with lots of trucks. Speed limit was 65 so of course
the truck/car traffic wanted to go 70+ but our bikes were struggling to do 60
mph. After passing Hill City (about 25 miles) we turned back north on a dirt
road with no signs. We looked at our GPS topo maps and we could tell it headed in
the direction we wanted so rode off in the dust, BTW dust is a major problem
with multiple bikes and it caused lots of pain all day. It covers the GPS
screens, face shields (outside and inside) and glasses if you wear them. Even
riding far apart doesn’t work because you lose continuity of the group due to
intercom range.
We finally made it to Featherville and stop just short of
the TAT at Cyndie’s Featherville Café. This place is owned by a USAF veteran
and a real nice guy. We had a good lunch and talked to the owner about all the
TAT riders that stop at his place since it is right on the original TAT route.
He said the road had been closed for several years but should be open next year
so all you TAT riders take notice. On the map this is where the red track came back
to the blue line (the first time). Our detour was almost 40 miles so this made
our easy 152-mile ride much longer. The problem started because also suggested a
short side trip that had better scenery but would hook back up with the TAT a
few miles down the track, this is the little bubble on the red track that goes
south then back to the blue line. Several of our riders listened to the
directions but once on the side trip no one really paid good attention plus there
were several roads that were not clearly marked. As a result, we went much
further than expected and had to continually check our GPS topo maps trying to
reconnect with the TAT. BAD DECISION! The day got even longer due to this side
ride.
This is where the day turned from bad to worse. Just prior
to the red track reconnecting with the blue track we are on a steep decent on switchbacks.
We had been dealing all day with lots of ruts in the road from water erosion. I
hit one rut and it drove my bike straight for the side of a very steep
drop-off. Scared the crap out of me and I asked Jeff, who was following me, if
he had his GoPro camera on because I didn’t want to ride off the side of the
mountain if it wasn’t at least on video. He made a joke and said it would put
it on, so he could capture a crash if it happens. 10 seconds after turning on
his camera I did crash!
The sequence of pictures shows me hitting another one of
these ruts and this time my front wheel goes out from under the bike and I go
over the handlebars. GoPro cameras make the track seem much flatter than it is.
As I come down the track I picked the best line I could see from the top, but
it ended with a rut crossing my path at the bottom at a sharp angle. It was
deep and had loose sand on the slope and I could see immediately I was not
going to be able to ride over this rut without crashing. I even said it on the intercom
just before I hit the rut. I wasn’t going that fast but sand on the track and
the angle of the rut ensured I wasn’t able to stop in time. I rolled as I left
the bike and ended up hitting hard on my right shoulder and then my helmet hit
even harder on the right back. It stunned me for a bit, but I was able to get
up quickly and try to get the bake back up to check for damage. Jeff in the
meantime had stopped behind me and jumped off his bike but the slope was so
steep his bike almost rolled off the kickstand, so he had to reposition it, so
it would not roll downhill.
Jeff and I lifted my bike and he walked it down the hill
while I walked behind checking myself for any serious injury. I clearly hit
solid on my shoulder, but my body armor saved me there and I still only have
slight pain in that area. I was more concerned about my head and neck because
that was what hit the hardest. I was able to move ok and had no indication of a
head injury, so we got loaded back up and continued the ride. This morning my neck
clearly is sore because of the crash but no lasting injury that I can see. My Aire
Helmet and body armor made all the difference and I cannot say enough about why
you should use this equipment. I did have problems the rest of the long ride
ahead with all the rough roads and washboards and had to slow down a lot to
relieve the jarring caused by this.
Miscellaneous events of the day:
At one stretch Terry was in the lead with 6 bikes in trail
on a dual track when he said on the intercom “water on left side, go right”.
The following bikes all crossed over to the right side when Terry then quickly
said “no left side”. As a result, all the bikes got to ride through the water
because he confused right from left. We threatened to put tags on his gloves,
so he would be able to confirm which side road hazards were on for his intercom
warnings.
We passed an area close to Boise where huge grasshoppers or beetles
were all over the road. Not sure what was going on, but it was spooky since we
had to continually ride over them.
At another section I’m in lead and Jeff says over the intercom
“look at all the bees” I immediately get stung om my upper right arm doing 55
mph on a paved road. I shouted in my intercom “I just got stung, how did you do
that?” I found out that he saw lots of bee boxes right next to the road and I
evidently went through a swarm of bees. Just great. I have a sore neck, covered
in dust and now I have a painful bee sting.
In another section I’m riding along and started hearing a loud
clicking that sounded like it was coming from my bike. I immediately though hit
was a valve issue since I’ve had old cars with valve lifters that failed. I
stopped and clicking continued. I asked pother riders on the intercom could
they hear that clicking sound, they said no. For a second I though could it be
from my head hitting the ground, so I pulled off my helmet and the clicking
stopped, good no head injury issue. I then realized it was my Sena intercom. I
turned the Sena off then back on and it stopped and never came again. Some of
the other riders had experienced this before so take note Sena!
We finally got through rush hour traffic at Boise and
arrived at our hotel. We were all beat, me especially. The other riders worked
on Jason’s bike which had a front strut leak. Steve finally got his front tire
to take air and they had to tighten the wheel bearings on the trailer. Meantime
I’m setting in the shade drinking a beer, sorry guys.
Matty rode with us today but was not feeling at all well. He
didn’t complain but we all were sorry he had to endure todays misadventures
feeling poorly. Not sure if he will ride today or take a break in the support
truck.
In summary, Idaho has some great riding areas and we really
enjoyed that but the rest of the things that happened made this a very tiring
day.
Today (4th of July) we hope for an “easy” ride of
142 miles with a good portion on pavement. We have plenty of fuel stops on the
route and the support truck will follow us on some portions of the ride.
I’m not going to [proof read this post so forgive me of any
errors. I must start getting ready for today’s adventure.
Ride Safe!
I can't get anymore pictures to download so will try again this evening with my next post. Sorry.
Monday, July 2, 2018
TAT 2018 Post 04 07/02/18
Day 2 completed. This turned out to be a long tiring but
exciting ride. We left Pocatello, UT at 06:30 am heading to pick up the TAT
around American Falls 25 miles away. No motels available at American Falls therefore
the 25 mile detour to Pocatello. This added that 25 miles to an already long ride
to become 220 miles total. We weren’t too sure what the terrain would be on
this stretch, but it turned out to be much more demanding than we expected.
The TAT from American Falls to Arco is around 100 miles of
rolling hills, dual track road full of ruts, sand and occasional gravel. There
is absolutely no people, buildings or civilization in these 100 miles. The scenery
was great, but the amount of attention required to stay out of the ruts and
deal with the other hazards wore us out so that when we met up with the support
tuck at Arco, most if not all the riders just sat in the shade and tried to get
their strength back. We knew we had another 100 miles to ride through the mountains
and I for one would gladly have put that off for the next day. We got snacks
and drinks at the gas station since there wasn’t any fast food places in Arco.
After getting gas and resting a bit we headed out for the 2nd
half of the ride into the mountains. This section was totally different with
lots of mountains, switch backs and steep docents. I
I’ve included a pic of our track and the elevation change
for the 220 miles. You will notice that all the steep terrain was on this 2nd
half of the ride. We went over Bear Creek pass at 7500 feet and though that
would be the highest for the day; wrong. We then climbed a second mountain pass
(no name) that topped pout at 9000 feet. The wind was chilly and blowing a gale
at the top. Considering we started todays ride around 4500 feet you can
understand it was an interesting ride.
I took lots of pictures and have posted a few so you get a
taste of what the overall ride included.
Some key events:
I’m in trail position 6 on a narrow dual-track with foliage right
up to the trail when a big animal (looked like a badger) ran out of the weeds
right in front of my bike. I could see the look on his/her face and it was as
surprised as I was. I slammed on my brakes and it dodged my front tire and ran
into the weeds on the other side of the trail. Close call.
A short time later we were passing some wet lands and I look
over to my left and there was a Moose standing in the water. 100 feet later I
see another larger one in the brush. I’ve seen Moose next to the road in Alaska
and Canada, but this is the first time for the lower 48.
Lots of cows in the free-range areas and one almost got
Jason. At another time a bull was right in front of the cattle guard we needed
to use and wasn’t really worried about letting us pass. Finally, it slowly
walked away so we could get buy.
Rode through the Craters of the Moon park so captured some pics of the large lava flow. Impressive.
We had a couple of water crossings but nothing significant except
Woodrow managed to get his bike across the water ok then sank it up to the axle
in a mud filled rut in the road just past the water.
We have a 155-mile day tomorrow through the mountains and
expect more of what we saw today. We end at Boise tomorrow and hope the ride is
relatively easy, so we can get a needed rest. So far Idaho has been a beautiful
place to ride with lots of different terrain.
We did have our first bike dropped at the water crossing.
Matty was fooling around in the grass and got into some very wet, muddy spots
and the bike was just laid down in the grass. It took both Matty and Woodrow
pushing to get it back on the trail.
Enjoy the Pics.
Ride Safe!
Sunday, July 1, 2018
TAT 2018 Post 03 06/01/18
We finished day 1 of our 9-day race to the finish of our TAT
adventure; Salt Lake City (SLC), UT to Port Orford, OR. I had planned on making
a post last night as we all arrived in SLC but was entirely too tired so will
cover the last couple of days in this post.
The truck left Little Rock on 28 June enroute to SLC with 7
bikes and 4 riders. They made it in 2 days and were able to unload the bikes on
30 June at our hotel. On 30 June 3 riders and the support truck driver flew
into SLC from Little Rock and Tulsa. Terry picked us up at the airport and
shuttled us to the hotel where we spent the evening getting our gear sorted and
packed in anticipation of an early start on 1 Jul (today). Early for this first
day was leaving the hotel at 7:30 am with 164 miles to cover to Pocatello, ID.
As we all gathered to load bikes, we learned that Jason had
become extremely ill during the night and was in no shape to take on the days
ride. We all felt bad and after talking to Jason we decided that the remaining
6 riders and the support truck would depart as planned. We loaded Jason’s bike
onto the trailer and started the day-1 ride. Jason would take an uber to an
emergency care facility to try and get some relief. He would either fly back
home or hook up with us down the trail based on how he felt. We talked to Jason
via cell phone later in the day as we met the support truck for fuel. He was
feeling much better and Marty eventually drove back to SLC to pick up Jason and
they both then drove to Pocatello to hook back up.
One pic shows Terry using WD-40 to make his boot buckles work better. They hadn't been touched since our Aug 17 TAT-3 leg!
Events of the day:
Today’s trail was mostly hilly and dusty with occasional stretches
of 2-lane paved road. Some very pretty scenery if you like open plains, no
trees and hills all around the valley in which we rode northbound. Temperature
was perfect at around 75 degrees.
In one stretch of dusty road we were all riding in trail
about 50 ft apart when we noticed a deer running parallel in the wheat field
next to us. Several riders passed the deer safely when it decided to do a 90
degree turn and run across the path of Matty. I’m several bikes behind and it
looked like Matty was going to T-Bone the deer, but he slowed down in time to
let it pass right in front of him. A blurry picture is included.
In another long dusty stretch, we came over a hill and there
was a big boat in the ditch. No trailer
or car pulling it, just the boat. It was clearly out of place because there was
no water close to our location. Several pics included.
Later we are riding along and a hawk flies right over us
with a snake in it’s mouth. We saw lots of wildlife on this stretch and after
the deer event, we were all pretty worried that something would run out of the
high growth in front of us with no time to react.
The gravel roads weren’t too bad except one stretch that had
lots of ruts filled with loose gravel. Three of our bikes have Scott steering
dampeners, including mine. We three would tighten the dampener on gravel and loosen
it on better roads. This made the gravel so much easier to deal with. The other
3 riders just had to suck it up and listen to us on the intercom saying how
much easier it was with the Scott.
This brings me to the Sena 30K Mesh intercoms. We love these
units. Connection was a piece of cake compared to the older Bluetooth intercoms.
They also worked great even though we were at least a half mile apart sometimes
due to the dust. Position of the microphone is critical and if too far from the
lips was too weak to hear. Battery life lasted for most of the 8-hour ride for
those of us who connected them to a battery back for a quick recharge during
the fuel break. Sena says a 20 min quick charge will give another 3 hrs of use.
I think they are pretty close. All day we would have riders drop off line due
to range or hills but would automatically come back on line when back in range.
We all agree they are worth the money for our kind of trip.
Both the bikes and the support truck with Jason arrived at
the hotel around 3 pm. The map shows 176 miles covered with a good average of
32 mph. The many paved roads and long straight aways helped with this above
average mph.
Tomorrow we continue north through pretty open country with more
dust until we finally turn west bound and head into the Saw Tooth Mountains. We
end day-2 at Ketchum, ID which is close to Sun Valley ski resort. 184 mile
stretch tomorrow so today was just a warm up for rides to come in the next few
days. We were all butt sore when new got to the hotel so we know what to
expect. Jason says he will go tomorrow
but we will have the support tuck meet us down the trail for fuel and a
bail-out point if he’s still not up to full out riding.
Enjoy the pictures and more to come tomorrow night.
Ride Safe!
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