Gettin' Dirty with the Wans: 8400 miles - UTBDR, KLIM rally, Canada, WABDR, OBDR +

but............why is he climbing that mountain?

Make Making love to the mountain your favorite!

I am glad you guys had a good thanksgiving!! I will continue to experiment with my GoPro until I find the perfect set up.
Then....videos!

Ooooh, that video looks crazy. It's all bouncy and the handle bars are all over the place. The videos of Crane Mountain show you guys going a lot slower though, that makes it look smoother. Not too sure how far I would get there, and definitely wouldn't try it alone!

Those ants are pretty cool. They are sometimes called Cow Killer ants. They are actually wasps, and supposedly their sting is so painful, it would kill a cow. They are non aggressive, and their larvae feed ground dwelling bee or wasp larvae (read: YELLOWJACKETS) so I like them.

I know you don't want to drag it out. Where is the darn "sarcasm" typeface on this thing? I really need it. Whatever you do.... NO HALF ASS!
Take your time.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SBBK0TZzTWY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Going to have to put that on my list for a weekend ride. Close enough to make Gold Lake the overnight destination. Maybe a little fishing. Nice !!!

What was up with that one guy standing in the middle of the road in your video???

I thought Matt was going to run him over before he waddled out of the way...

Damn. You figured us out.
Busted!

I know!
I guess he was just shocked at seeing a moto out there.
But, yeah - it's not like he didn't hear us coming. But he just stood there (Matt said, "like a cow!")

Thanks, hobbes!
I can't wait to get rid of my claw cramp...
So close!

Oh Nixels.
Nixels, Nixels, Nixels...
I forgot you were so delicate.

Yes! Did you look at that PCQ link? You can catch the trail in Quincy.
It's real pretty. And, you'll like Butcher Ranch Rd (coming up).

Holy crap.
I’'m really going to miss you guys.

But, I'’m soooo happy to be getting my life back.














Day 53: 8/13/12 continued and finished
Ramhorn CG to home 335 miles







Butcher Ranch Road.
























I tried to make Matt slow down for this sign.
My photo didn’'t turn out, but this screen shot kinda did.


















This is a really nice ride, as long as it’'s not covered in snow.


















More mule ears.









Similar terrain as Crane Mountain,
only much (MUCH) friendlier.


Trees...








Alternating with meadows...








Minus the rocks (well, except for those ones at Gold Lake).









There'’s a water crossing, but it'’s not bad.








Maybe a little long.











































There’'s a pretty steep incline (going North to South), but it doesn’'t show up very well with the GoPro.









This spot is popular with mtn bikers, so watch out for bikes coming down.
(We’'ve never seen them, but that'’s what we hear)









Looking back at the trail...









Off to Sierra Buttes!








We considered going up to the lookout, but it was only fun last time because we went in the gate (following some jeeps).
Otherwise, it’'s a hell of a hike to the top.




Nah. We'’ll skip it.









Sierra Buttes is so pretty.
We’'ve gone both directions (up and down) - they’'re both nice.
But, I think you can appreciate the view more when you’re heading down...

























It’'s hard to notice those craggy rocks when you'’re going up...









Man, I love riding at elevation.
Desert riding has its merits, but it'’s always nice to make love to the mountain.




















We could really feel the temperature rising as we went down the hill.
Ugh.









It was getting mucking hot.









Must have been close to 90° and Sierra City is at 5,400 ft.









We had considered doing more of the PCQ, but after talking about it...
Meh.
The trail itself wasn'’t bad, but we had just ridden a bunch of it around Memorial Day weekend.
With the temps being so high, neither one of us was excited about camping.


Screw it.
Let'’s go home.


















As we got closer to Downieville, the river started to look mighty inviting...
We stopped.








Hmm. This doesn’'t look like the best way down...








Even this way wasn’'t great in Mx boots.









But look at that water!








I was super careful.
Wouldn'’t it suck to break a leg here?




You might notice that we were fully dressed walking down to the river...
We really like our KLIM gear, and it has been great to us.
It wasn't even that gross, considering that we lived in it day in, day out, for over 7 weeks.
Lots of get-offs, a couple crashes, pouring rain, hail, excessive (105°+) heat...
No problems.


But, it’'s so frickin’' expensive, we can'’t just leave it on the bike.
Too paranoid.

All of that, just because I forgot to use that Arrested Development clip back when we were having get-offs...


Also, I wanted protection in case I scrubbed in the rocks.
I'm a spaz.
Matt was a little concerned...








He brought the GoPro with him, too.
Might as well see how it does in water...








I couldn't wait to jump in!









Here's looking upriver...









And, down.







No more shots of us, though.
Oh Hai! We'’re in our bathing suits...





Matt submerged the GoPro and swam around...
Here are some blurry rocks.
Crap. I thought I grabbed a clear screen shot.
Well, I'’m not going to go back and take another one now...





That was a lot of fun! The water felt great.
It was hard to pull ourselves away from the river and get back on the bike...




Back on the road...
I’'ve never seen one of these signs before...

















Thought you guys might like this.








It was miserably hot from here on out. This was Auburn.








Vacaville (which we rode through on our way home) was even worse - record breaking heat, apparently.









Seeing these dead trees made me sad.
They were just a reminder that we were going back into civilization.
No more dancing nude in the forest with our pan flutes... a repeat, but me likey.








All of the West was on fire that day...
We saw smoke on Hwy 80.



this pic is mostly for larryboy. In case he doesn't see it enough...







And, then we were home.

We made it!
BigWan was pretty excited about it. Can you tell?











Tires - 1300 miles (roughly)
















335 miles, pretty much.
Norm seems to have been scared straight. Good job, Norm!









I don'’t have a smashed up fire extinguisher pic, and I just wasn'’t feeling the "“favorite things”" ending video this time...



But, here...
Can you feel the happy?








We were trying to re-create the Casa Questor Happy Garage Dance.









Whew.
What can I say? What a great mucking summer.
It was an awesome, awesome ride. 8400+ miles of kick ass (and ass-kicking) riding.


Best. Dirt Ride. Ever.



I can'’t think of a better way to celebrate 15 years of marriage (21 yrs together).
Thanks for letting us share it with you!






This trip had lots of good stuff, but there were a few major highlights.


The KLIM rally.
Fantastic riding, fantastic people.







and, of course, Mad Radek'’s Canadian Lunacy Tour.
All of BC, really. Loved it there.
It was hard to choose just 1 video.







Our favorite riding is always the tough stuff. The challenging bits.
Back at the KLIM rally, after talking to Radek and getting excited about riding in BC,
Matt said we're like drug addicts - riding thousands of miles in search of "good shit"
Well, we found some good shit this summer.



Black Dragon/Eagle Canyon/Cat Canyon.








Porcupine Rim Trail.








Idaho single track (with Erik and Bartek and Radek).








Crane Mountain.





Sigh.
It was lovely.


I don'’t know where to go from here.
I told Matt this was such an incredible ride, I can'’t imagine finding anything better.
This might have been my Mr. Holland's Opus.
I can't even fathom doing another ride report after this one.





Of course, I say that every time.
I'm dumb. I forget.






But, for now?
That'’s it, you guys! Ride report is over. Who wants cake?



Done and doner.




I guess now you'’ll all have to find some other way to look busy at work...





I’'m just happy to have finished before the end of days.



Caught Matt humming the Tarako song the other night.
Heh. My work here is done.
(found one more tarako video! lucky yous!)






Thanks for reading, everyone!
I really appreciated all the fun reader participation, too.
It wouldn't have been the same without your input!




The Wans

Thanks for sharing!

All the best,

JM.

Epic report (reports!!)

Kept me occupied, amused and enthralled for some time - loved it!

Well done and thanks for the effort - I for one appreciated it and enjoyed it tremendously.......

Am amazed at Matt's handling of that bike 2-up - awesome!

Next one???? lol

Enjoyed almost every page. Thanks so much.

15 years of marriage!!! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!

Holy smokes you maniacs!


Well done -

It's late and I can't sleep... I just caught up on the last couple of days. Awesome!! I have done that rocky OHV road at Gold Lake and Butcher Ranch so many times. The instant I saw the screen shot I knew exactly where you were. I am glad you got to spend a little time there. It is a special place.

Thank you for taking us along on your journey.

Jeff G.

hip hip hooray to the 2 uppers! great job on everything!!

Thanks for the Report Little & Super Wan! I've enjoyed it.

WOW
Thanks so much for the awesome report!
I hope Matt takes us on another cool adventure next summer and you do
An amazing job documenting it.

Fantastic ride and you have a wonderful way of bringing us along

I have to say, a melancoly moment as we fade to black. Bummer this is over but you'll be back with more, I just know it.

Thank you for taking the time to put together one of the best ride reports ever. Your attention to detail is amazing and I can't even imagine the time it must take you to put everything together. You rock!

Speaking of rocks... :eek1 I don't think I have ever seen two people ride in such unison and make it look so effortless. While it has been said, Big Wan is an incredible pilot of that big blue bus, it can't go without notice that Little Wan is just as an amazing passenger! If they have a two up class at Erzberg I think you two could easily take the win!

I am already looking forward to your next summer vacation! Thanks!

Kelly and Matt , thanks for the hours of enjoyment ! As the rest of your minions , I can hardly wait for your next adventure . After seeing what you two do two up , I am so inspired that I might even take my Wee Strom off the pavement ! Kelly , I sure am glad you don't charge us an hourly rate to do your reports . Only a handful could afford to read , watch it . Hats off to all your hard work , we appreciate it !

The perfect ride report!!!

Thanks for the effort, LittleWan!!



How is the bike? Miles on this one now? Burn any oil? How long do the wheel bearings last? Brake pads? Clutch?
<THAT'S p like doesn?t really it and bit a clutch the slip not to peeps two with enough slow ride can?t I GS, downfall major that.<>
GPS tracks to share?