The Mobius Trip - Page 104

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 04:28 PM

for just one more chance, 'cause up around the next bend was the:

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 04:31 PM

... I started to figure out that they were the Warner range, way over in CA, about 40 miles as the crow flies, and we WERE heading for them.

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 04:36 PM

(Scott) had taken and recommended the side-trip up to the summit here,

It would have added about 6 miles. We discussed it for about 1 second. Fuel was the articulated reason, but I think we were just tired, and the end was in sight.

For the record, Scott had skipped the summit after Paradise Valley, where we had photographed the panorama, and I had seen his photos from Bald Summit, so I kinda knew it was more of the same.

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 04:46 PM

we saw what was to be the last big valley of the Great Basin. California was getting close!

Fanning out below us was the northern end of a vast valley / dry lake bed system. Before us was Calcutta Lake:

and to the South, were Cow lake, and beyond that, Middle lake:

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 04:51 PM

about the road... it was recently (this decade) graded, and as it descended, we were nearly brought to tears to note the presence of ACTUAL SWITCHBACKS!!!

RichBeBe · 06-10-2009, 05:22 PM

I just remembered this, I am sure you and Francine can appreciate it. When my nephew was about seven or so we took him camping and he was freakishly scared that beavers might attack us. Then we went to a museum somewhere in Canada (forgot where) and they had a reproduction of a giant beaver. They were could reach 8 feet in length and almost 500 pounds.
Maybe that is what Francine saw

Seriously I hope you guys get out and do one of the dualsport weekends. Maybe Thrill and Chill again.
Francine, not sure if you want to, but if you do not want to ride your BMW I'd gladly lend you my XT225 to get dirty with. I love your little additions to David's drivel

La Donna Fugata · 06-10-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AugustFalcon

Why not break down and buy her an auto-clutch?

I didn't know such a beast existed up until now

. Ohhhh.... Mobius IV may have just gotten a little bit more expensive

La Donna Fugata · 06-10-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichBeBe

They were could reach 8 feet in length and almost 500 pounds.

Exactly.....I thought this beast was a bear cub. It looked just like that. At least 200 pounds, at least

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 06:12 PM

kick in the teeth:

Down on the valley floor. We started making our way across. Started pretty enough.

We passed through "The Old Fox" ranch...

Why is it called "The Old Fox" ranch?

Oh, I dunno...

Anyway, the road out of there was BRUTAL!

I know, it doesn't look so bad in this photo... Imagine, a dirt road, wet. A herd of cows. Probably thousands. They trudge up the road, sinking maybe 6-8" in with each step. They create the most rutted, cratered, surface, completely without pattern. No tracks, no grooves, no regularity at all. Days pass, the mud dries. It's like concrete.

The right tool for the job would be a 125cc 2-stroke with 20" of travel, and helium balloons attached to the front and rear fenders to assist in just skipping over this stuff. Unfortunately, with our DRZ's we can't get out of first gear without bottoming out suspension, and nearly launching over the bars. Paddle-footing doesn't work, 'cause randomly (and frequently) you go to put a foot down, only to discover a 14" gap between your foot and the earth.

It was maybe 3 miles... but it was exhausting, demoralizing, and so unpleasant I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 06:20 PM

trail that looked like this:

we stopped and mixed up some JBWeld to glue our fillings back in.

We were grateful for the above quality of road... so flat... so smooth.

and just ahead... nirvana.

A graded gravel run which would take us to the border.

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 06:30 PM

the road turned red

this was Barrel Springs Road. Part of the National Scenic Byways system.

It crosses Mosquito Lake... where the 'skeeters are as big as cattle:

and then climbs switchbacks (ah, switchbacks!) up to the plateau on the other side:

The riding was so easy I wanted to sing.

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 06:32 PM

tall green things were sticking out of the earth...

They looked vaguely familiar.

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 06:34 PM

Power Lines!!! We're back on the grid!

Oh, yeah. And antelope.

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 06:36 PM

We'd made it to California. Imagine that... California, baby.

DR. Rock · 06-10-2009, 06:38 PM

... here we come!

06-10-2009, 04:28 PM	#1546
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	I wish we'd waited for just one more chance, 'cause up around the next bend was the: __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 04:31 PM	#1547
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	Those snow-crusted mountains ... I started to figure out that they were the Warner range, way over in CA, about 40 miles as the crow flies, and we WERE heading for them. __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 04:36 PM	#1548
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	Northern Traveler (Scott) had taken and recommended the side-trip up to the summit here, It would have added about 6 miles. We discussed it for about 1 second. Fuel was the articulated reason, but I think we were just tired, and the end was in sight. For the record, Scott had skipped the summit after Paradise Valley, where we had photographed the panorama, and I had seen his photos from Bald Summit, so I kinda knew it was more of the same. __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 04:46 PM	#1549
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	Around the next bend we saw what was to be the last big valley of the Great Basin. California was getting close! Fanning out below us was the northern end of a vast valley / dry lake bed system. Before us was Calcutta Lake: and to the South, were Cow lake, and beyond that, Middle lake: __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 04:51 PM	#1550
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	We were excited about the road... it was recently (this decade) graded, and as it descended, we were nearly brought to tears to note the presence of ACTUAL SWITCHBACKS!!! __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 05:22 PM	#1551
RichBeBe All Hail Seitan!!! Joined: Mar 2004 Location: NYC Oddometer: 5,593	I just remembered this, I am sure you and Francine can appreciate it. When my nephew was about seven or so we took him camping and he was freakishly scared that beavers might attack us. Then we went to a museum somewhere in Canada (forgot where) and they had a reproduction of a giant beaver. They were could reach 8 feet in length and almost 500 pounds. Maybe that is what Francine saw Seriously I hope you guys get out and do one of the dualsport weekends. Maybe Thrill and Chill again. Francine, not sure if you want to, but if you do not want to ride your BMW I'd gladly lend you my XT225 to get dirty with. I love your little additions to David's drivel

06-10-2009, 06:12 PM	#1554
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	One last, hard, kick in the teeth: Down on the valley floor. We started making our way across. Started pretty enough. We passed through "The Old Fox" ranch... Why is it called "The Old Fox" ranch? Oh, I dunno... Anyway, the road out of there was BRUTAL! I know, it doesn't look so bad in this photo... Imagine, a dirt road, wet. A herd of cows. Probably thousands. They trudge up the road, sinking maybe 6-8" in with each step. They create the most rutted, cratered, surface, completely without pattern. No tracks, no grooves, no regularity at all. Days pass, the mud dries. It's like concrete. The right tool for the job would be a 125cc 2-stroke with 20" of travel, and helium balloons attached to the front and rear fenders to assist in just skipping over this stuff. Unfortunately, with our DRZ's we can't get out of first gear without bottoming out suspension, and nearly launching over the bars. Paddle-footing doesn't work, 'cause randomly (and frequently) you go to put a foot down, only to discover a 14" gap between your foot and the earth. It was maybe 3 miles... but it was exhausting, demoralizing, and so unpleasant I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 06:20 PM	#1555
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	When we finally got to trail that looked like this: we stopped and mixed up some JBWeld to glue our fillings back in. We were grateful for the above quality of road... so flat... so smooth. and just ahead... nirvana. A graded gravel run which would take us to the border. __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 06:30 PM	#1556
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	After a few miles, the road turned red this was Barrel Springs Road. Part of the National Scenic Byways system. It crosses Mosquito Lake... where the 'skeeters are as big as cattle: and then climbs switchbacks (ah, switchbacks!) up to the plateau on the other side: The riding was so easy I wanted to sing. __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 06:32 PM	#1557
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	Sharp, pointy tall green things were sticking out of the earth... They looked vaguely familiar. __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 06:34 PM	#1558
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	Look! Power Lines!!! We're back on the grid! Oh, yeah. And antelope. __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 06:36 PM	#1559
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	We crossed the border We'd made it to California. Imagine that... California, baby. __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

06-10-2009, 06:38 PM	#1560
DR. Rock ^OP Part of the problem Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYfC, yff Oddometer: 5,342	Fort Bidwell ... here we come! __________________ "I came into this game for the action, the excitement; go anywhere, travel light... get in, get out... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."--Robert De Niro as Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Brazil, 1985. The Mobius Trip index \| Spot tracking live 4/6-4/21/13 \| AdventureLoft™ Tent Space

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