| Author | Message | ||
     Dr_greg |
If anyone's interested, I finally got around to posting a RR from my Fall '08 Grand Canyon camping trip. I tend to put these things on ADVrider.com; if anyone's interested it's here. Note that this was all pre- [spark plug blowout; ensuing oil leaks; deer hit; new '06 Uly, etc.]. In other words...ancient history. --Doc | ||
| F_skinner |
Dr Greg, great pics and write up! Man I am really looking forward to getting down south. I have never been to the Grand Canyon and need to see it before I leave this world. I was real interested to see all the gear you packed on the Uly and was one of the reasons I now have one. The pic of the bike in the campsite and then all unpacked is very cool. Frank | ||
| Skinstains |
I can hardly wait 'till this summer, I'll be there. Thanks for the teaser photos. | ||
| Hooper |
They say the Grand Canyon is one thing that really is as good as people say it is. I verified that. In fact, it started to look a little impossible, so I kept riding and looked at it from other angles. Awesome. I took that same route on Rt 89, took the same pictures at the bridge, and felt the same kind of heat - all back in Spring 2007. It's so weird to see someone else in the same path! And +1 to the Booker's...that stuff does me right (if I treat IT right)! (Message edited by hooper on January 30, 2009) | ||
| Firstbatch |
Dr., like your choice of bourbon....all the best seem to start with "B"...Bookers, Bakers, Basil Hayden & Blantons....yumm (Message edited by firstbatch on January 30, 2009) | ||
| Dr_greg |
Dr., like your choice of bourbon.... Read on in my report...there's a point where the PROOF level can get too high. Hard to believe, I know, but...just MHO. Not that in interfered in trip in any way, if ya know what I mean...  However, that's a minor issue. Overall, any bourbon is a good one (I think...never had a bad one). All that being said, I'm just thankful that I've recovered to the point where having a little bourbon is an enjoyable thing again. This week is the first week I've really felt "good." There were times when I wondered if I were going to be "an old man" the rest of my life. But---starting Tuesday---I'm feeling MUCH better. And, boy, that's a relief... --Doc | ||
| Hooper |
Frankly, I prefer the "higher-test" whiskeys (and whiskies), such as The Macallan Cask Strength: 58.5%. They have so much more "richness"...much more concentrated flavor, once you've graduated past the burn of the alcohol. More goes a long way...you can sip it longer and with more reserve. Adding a small ice cube makes it all the better. Makes me want to go back there even more, but I think I might head from Salt Lake to Yellowstone. I'm interested to hear if you have any insight about how to work "me time" into a marriage. I think my soon-to-be-fiancee understands my need to get on the bike and disappear for a few days, but I also know she's a bit jealous. I have a plan in my head to motorcycle through Spain sometime soon - her deal with me is that we go there for several days FIRST, and then I can go and have my two-wheel fun. She just doesn't want to get left out of the initial adventure of seeing a new country with me. I can dig that. | ||
| Tginnh |
Thanks for the pics and report. Quick question - what is the brand/model of the tires on your Uly in the photos? Thanks. | ||
| Tankhead |
Did that ride last june/july. Thanks for bringing back some great memories of Marble canyon and the north rim. I miss it terribly. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Quick question - what is the brand/model of the tires on your Uly in the photos? The photos in the report come from both my '07 and '08 trips. I'll bet the pic that spurred your question is the one at the Ranger Station at Jacob Lake showing my front tire. That front tire is an Avon "Supermoto Rain Tire"...I forget the model designation, but they come in a 180 rear and 120 front. I fitted both F/R as one attempt at finding a good DS tire. They worked fine but the rear was worn out in 1,000 miles (used it during ADVrider "WestFest 07"). The front lasted much longer, so I left it on. Avon Distanzias are my choice for DS tires; however, they do not wear too well either. I get 4-5K on the rear, which is more than most people. I have recently been using Michelin Pilot Road 2s, which give 10K for the rear. Not much tread, but I try to stay out of soft terrain. BTW, my "new" '06 Uly came with a new D616 rear and a moderately worn Sync in front. Be interesting to see how that works. I got a new rear Sync as part of the deal, so I'll fit that when the D616 wears out. --Doc | ||
| Ourdee |
Pictures are incredible. Was there an outhouse or any other buildings or water source where you camped? One of my favorite camps is Rattlesnake Campground in Indiana. It is primitive. You have to drive through 3 creeks to get there on a one lane gravel and mud road. There is a one hole outhouse there and a sign that has envelopes and a locked metal pipe with a slot in it. Take an envelope put 5 bucks in it write down your camp site and vehicle info, then put it in the pipe. Ranger drives through around midnight. I used to go there between Christmas and new years with 2 tarps and a blanket. Nothing but a pond and woods, lots of woods. Open fire was allowed. | ||
| Dr_greg |
No, no improvements of any kind. Just the way it oughta be. No water. No toilets. Just the view. Glad you like the photos. The roads in there, however, are quite good. One could ride a Gold Wing in, although I wouldn't. I'll try to finish up the report today, although I've got a UNM women's basketball game to go to in about an hour, then some other work to do. --Doc | ||
| Mayerhd |
Dr_greg, excellent write up. I wish that I had the Grand Canyon in my back yard, it truly is one site that exceeds everything you hear about it. A quick question, what camera did you use? The pictures are fantastic. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Glad you enjoyed the photos. I used a Panasonic DMC FX33 "point and shoot". Of course it got totaled in the deer crash. Mrs. Greg got me a Canon replacement (same basic type) on sale at Costco. Of course in most cases I did some "postprocessing" on the pictures using iPhoto (I'm a Mac user). Gotta finish up that trip report...I'm still on my way home somewhere in NE Arizona... --Doc | ||
| Thunderbox |
I have traveled all over the world and have seen many wonderful places and things. The first time I gazed upon Grand Canyon, I knew nothing I had witnessed previously even came close to the effect the Canyon had on me. I was in total awe and for the first time in my life, felt the insignificance of the human condition. If you could only go to one place in your lifetime I would highly recommend you travel to see the Canyon. All else pales in comparison. Thanks for sharing again Doc. | ||
| Strokizator |
+1 Thunderbox. I've seen a lot and nothing prepares you for your first view of the Grand Canyon. On the edge of a cliff looking into the canyon, I remarked to my buddy "Standing here taking in this view makes me realize how small and insignificant you are". Ride the trams for a while and talk to people from all over the world. No place like it anywhere else on earth. | ||
| Ourdee |
Gotta finish up that trip report...I'm still on my way home somewhere in NE Arizona... I keep going to the link and looking for the rest of the story...  | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I keep going to the link and looking for the rest of the story... just keep listening to Paul Harvey! lol | ||
| Dr_greg |
It's coming, it's coming...although being a BadWeB'er you already know much of the "rest of the story..." (w/apologies to PH). --Doc |
