Just Exploring

Had a few days in Moab with the family over Thanksgiving weekend. Had a day to play so I trailered the 701 down to ride Lockhart Basin Road. This time I road South to North. Every parking area on the road into Canyonlands NP was filled with what looked like climbers or Van Lifers - its all good. Moab wasn't busy which was nice.

Anyway just posting up a few pictures. The 701 was fun to ride on this route - just blew thru everything no drama. I just replaced my fork seals and oil so I was playing with forks a little but other than that no issues. I do need to look into replacing the tires. I got a summer out of the Tusk set so I'm thinking a set from MotoZ.





Good ride - did break a rear blinker but, for me that is a regular thing. I do have some video of me dropping into the canyon on the North end and top of Hurrah pass so I might post that in a few days.

Glad to share - snow is starting to fly so the desert was a nice getaway!!

Getting ready for the AZBDR, changed out my tires and started to pack I leave on Thursday morning. Only a few things to organize but nothing big.
10 days living off the bike!! 2 days to get to the start, I planned 6 days to ride the route and 2 days to get back.




Can’t wait!!

OK, time to share.

I'm totally impressed with the 701, yes the first two days sucked knocking out miles down to the start of the AZBDR. We mostly stayed on 2 lane roads but had to hop on the highway every now and then. Even loaded up she did 80 / 85 on the highways. I wouldn't want to do that for very long but it wasn't an issue. The bike did get pushed around turbulence coming off the Semi's but even my GSA can have problems with that.

Once we hit the route I felt that I was on the perfect bike.

First 2 days route

Day 1


Day 2


And some pictures - from the pass going over to Gateway, CO











Didn't take any more pictures until Jeff and I camped next to Wheatfield lake, between Tsaile and Window Rock. Typical Rez camping, the place was trashed, sad really, nice area but as usual trash everywhere and the roads had liquor and beer bottles off to the sides.
When Jeff and I met up in Shiprock is was one of the first things he mentioned (He's from Florida).



Got an early start, We did the same route that I had done before - Devils Highway, I have pictures of that earlier in this post. A few more - I kept thinking what it would be like to ride this road with sumo wheels and unloaded.





And I had to stop at this road side taqueria place - very good!! Taqueria SARAP just before Clifton AZ.



Expect for the Devils Hwy the rest of the ride was very boring - just sitting and knocking out miles. We did find a very cool campsite up on Carr Peak - Reef campground, some shots on the way down in the morning. This is on the other side of the Mountain from the start of the BDR.









I'll continue this post in a few - gotta do some work around the house.

Day 1 Up to Benson

Nothing that hard for the first part of the day Really like the open grasslands, very different to ride thru.

We were camping on the other side of these Mountains (left side of the pictures). The ride up to Montezuma Pass and the top. &01 is really loaded down. I brought way too much crap.





And the section along the border.







Nice easy rolling part of the day had lunch at Copper Hop Ranch & Microbrewery in Canelo.

After lunch things got a little more interesting. First the heat - after having such a good snow year in Colorado and it generally being colder this year the heat got to me and Jeff. After Sonoita where the route leaves Hwy 82 things change. The road gets a little sandy and then really rocky narrow 4 wheel / double track . Not that bad on the 701, I ride a lot of the same type of trails around my house so I'm used to it. Jeff struggled with the Triumph 800 he was riding. We road the section that loops around back onto 82 and then up 90 to Benson. Found a KOA with a shower just chilled out.

Sorry I didn't take any pictures of this part of the ride. I had fun riding the difficult sections - could feel the weight of all the crap I was carrying.

Day 2 to Coon creek past Globe

The ride started out the same easy in the morning and then really difficult in the afternoon. The road from Benson to Mammoth was easy and really scenic. Lots of monster cacti.







From Mammoth to Winkleman the route parallels Hwy 77 - For me is was fun, tight, a little sandy, Jeff struggled with the sand and things started to get hot. Again no pictures??

After Winkleman things got interesting. We decided to do the expert section. For me it was difficult for Jeff it was a serious struggle. The first part was just an old 4WD trail with a few harder short sections. We were both enjoying the trail and views.



Then came the 3 to 4 miles of really difficult riding. Riding thru this area you could tell that Arizona got a lot of rain this year. This gravel bar was a bitch for both of us. And from the tracks I saw others had issues also!!





The road also got really steep with with large rocks and ruts. I had a few drops but not anything I couldn't deal with. With the Triumph these sections proved to be really difficult. Everytime Jeff dropped his bike we had to unload the panniers and pick up his bike get thru the section and then hike back down to bring up the bags. This happened 3 to 4 times. By the time we got to the top we were both blown.



After this expert section Jeff swore off doing any others. Camping at Coon Creek. Nice site with a running creek next to the campsite.

I'll continue this later.

Day three

From Coon Creek we made it up to Kinnikinick Lake. Again I didn't take too many pictures.

The day started out easy following some easy dirt roads.


Even the expert section into Young wasn't as hard as the day before. Jeff went around and we met in Young and then got separated while looking for gas. I got impatient and headed off to the next town and got gas around Forest Lakes. Jeff found the gas station in Young. We met back up at the turnoff for the Mogollon Rim road. Very easy cruising along at 35 to 40 enjoying the views. Stopped at Myrtle Point and took some pictures.


From here it was all just dirt roads until we got closer to our camp spot. On the plateau east of Flagstaff the road has deteriorated and in some sections is just rock fields. There were lots of go-arounds but if you choose the wrong one you were in for wild ride. This was actually harder that the expert section going into Young. I had a few stumbles and drops, Jeff really struggled. We were both tired and I didn't take any pictures just wanted to get to our camp site.

What really sucked after a long day was getting to Kinnikinick Lake and reading the notice that the camp ground was closed.!! Fuck that - it was late, on a Monday nobody around, we found a nice spot hidden with several picnic tables and set up. I didn't even put up my tent just put my ground cloth down. I'm going to do this more often it was kinda enjoyable to wake up in the night and look up at the stars. I forget his ADVrider name but the adjust-a-fork guy is into camping this way.


It was a nice camp spot really clean bathroom, and concrete picnic tables sad its shut down.

Day Four.

Into Cameron.

This was a fun day. We started early just had coffee thinking that we could get breakfast in Winona. Once again it started out easy. We road till the split for the expert section. Jeff stayed on the main route and I did the expert section. This part was fun!! It was technical, twisty, a few rocky climbs. The 701 just knocked it out, a lot of this is like what I ride around my house. A coup[le of twists in the routing that I missed - and looking at the tracks I'm not the only one.




Met up with Jeff at Winona. Got gas but no food. Drove down to a market and got some food. The next section up to Sunset Crater was fun rolling hills nice views.






Approaching Sunset Crater the road starts to change into this black lava sand. Jeff had gone ahead and I caught up to him ay an intersection where he dropped his bike. On the 701 the sand was not too bad. I had gone ahead and Jeff and I would meet where this road intersects with Hwy 89. I enjoyed riding this, I did get caught out on a few detour where the road went around a fallen tree and the sand got really deep. Because I wanted to keep my momentum going I didn't stop to take any pictures. I made it to the intersection, I had some water and a snack. I was getting ready to head back up a look for Jeff when I heard a bike approaching downshifting from Hwy 89. Jeff had rerouted and bypassed the really sandy section after the Cinder Hills Overlook. Whew - I wasn't looking forward to picking up his in that sand!!

More fun rolling grasslands up to Grand Canyon overlook. What was interesting is that your on the backside of the Mountain Range by Flagstaff. I checked later on but the Ski Area was still open. My Wife lived and worked in Flagstaff 20 to 25 years ago and she was amazed - while she was there the ski area was rarely open..



Jeff ended up going to the overlook and then jumped onto Hwy 64 and I road the bypass. The bypass was really twisty and rutted - I lost the trail several times following the wrong branches off the route. That road coming off the plateau was really cool. There where several wild horse groups on the road out, one ran along with me for about 2 hundred yards or so. I had slowed down to let them turn or peal off but they kept running along side of me until I stopped.

The road drops down this cliff band that is super rocky and stair stepped. I couldn't imagine coming the other way and having to go up it. Got into Cameron met up with Jeff and we each got rooms and had a good meal at the Cameron Trading Post.

I'll finish up later.

Ok our final day

Very easy cruising day up to Stateline Campground.

We got our Pass for camping and accessing the reservation, and headed out.

Very fun easy roads, nice views. You feel really remote.





Jeff and I separated and I went out to the Little Colorado River Overlook. I thought it was really impressive. You can ride to the edge of the cliffs.









The road gets a little more entertaining before you hop onto Highway 89 , nothing bad just narrow and winding thru the foothills.

House Rock Road, again easy just cruising along.






Camped at Stateline Campground, got in early got a nice covered site - and wow no fees. From here we discussed our route back to Colorado. Jeff and damaged his bike in a drop, and his front forks were leaking. Since he had to fly out to Florida on Monday (This was Thrusday) he wanted to get to Denver so he could get a list and get parts if he could and fix his bike.
I didn't have to be back to work till Monday.


So our route to get back up to I-70. Cottonwood Canyon, Escatalnte, Ride the Hells Backbone Road, Burr Trail, then camp at Cedar Mesa Campground.

Entering Cottonwood Canyon



I took a fun steep side road to get up above the Canyon







and along the road





Hells Backbone Bridge



Burr Trail





The next days Jeff headed North up to Hanksville and then I-70 and on to Denver. I headed South and went around the Southern end of the Henreys, and then on to Blanding.


The Colorado River, looking towards Hite.


I thought I could get gas in Hite, forgot it has been closed for a couple of years. Road into Blanding on Fumes. Got up to Moab thinking I would camp somewhere but it was really crowded so got lunch and road home.

Final Thoughts

Except for the first two days, the 701 was the perfect bike. I had planned on using my F800 but it sold 2 weeks before I was planning to leave. It would have been fine but on the more technical sections would have been a handfull. The 701 took everything with no problems - even the highways. I installed a Man Cave rally light fairing and it was nice to have on the bike and it put my gps unit (an old Iphone 7+, with maps.me running) up where I can see it. I do need to get an xtrig preload adjuster and a steering dampener.

I took too much gear - way overloaded. I had my drone and batteries and everything to keep it charged up and used it for a total of 20 minuets at Myrtle Point. My other little cameras didn't even come out and get used. I was enjoying riding and didn't want to stop. I brought an axe for firewood, and only used it for tent pegs - things like that so next ride we go light.

Only once did I worry about fuel, I do have a Raid Garage front tank on the bike and my range is about 200 miles. On my final day I should have gone to Bullfrog marina and got gas, I thought that Hite was open - I literally was on fumes going into Blanding. I have 4.7 gallons of fuel capacity - I filled up 4.5!! fuck me that was close.

Looking forward to the snow melting and riding around Colorado. Next major ride I want to do is Taylor Pass over to Crested Butte and then Ohio creek and home. Be a good day ride.

Thanks for looking, If you see an old man hanging on to a 701 - help him pick up his bike and say Hello

Got out of the house for a few hours on Father’s day. Decided to check out the New Castle to Buford Rd. Still lots of snow up high.

The West side of Blair Mtn in the background. One of my favorite loops is along that ridge.



Some sections of the road had snow.



And the machine that clears the road.


Got to Meeker had a cup of coffee and road CR 13 back home. Nice chill ride . Was surprised that people were setting up campers on a Sunday afternoon. Don’t know if they were claiming spots for the summer or the 4th.

So my next big ride is going to be the Red Rocks BDR-X, thinking the weekend after the 4th. Going to ride mostly dirt up to Dinosaur NP then do the Yampa Bench Trail. Hook up several backcountry roads to Baggs. Ride the “X” loop then head down to Steamboat via CR 80. That comes down the next valley over from the COBDR to the West.

This time I’m going to try and go as light as possible. I’ve been rethinking my whole setup. Came across a bag company called rhinowalk I got a couple of the 8 liter bags for mounting on the crash bars and a set of the 48 liter rackless bags. They seem to be well made, I used the 8 liter bags on my AZBDR trip with no issues.

Did a little exploring around the neighborhood. Horse Mtn just NW of where I live. Lots of snakes out saw 3 bull snakes that were crossing the doubletrack. One of them was as big around as my forearm. The trail comes to an end just past where you see it go into the bushes.

That 701 is an amazing bike!!

Chores done - tank of gas, 30 minuets out my front door - gotta love living in Central Colorado.

Took 3 days to ride up to and do the Red Desert BDRx, Bought some cheap smaller bags to go lighter, and finally upgraded my 1 person tent to a lighter 2 person tent that's really a 1.5.

Started at JQS out of Rifle, CO.





Then Across to the Cathedral Bluffs Road, ends just outside Rangely.





Had Lunch in Dinosaur, then dropped into echo park.





Got there too early, so decided to ride the Yampa Bench Trail and camp on the far end by Elk Srpings





Rode up to Maybell, CO and took the back way over to Baggs, WY.



Got Fuel, water and a snack. Then headed out do do the loop. Saw several other riders, probably doing the WYBDR.





Wild Horses!!



Very cool loop - so remote, only saw another set of tracks. A few tricky short sections, but nothing to worry about.
Red Rock cliffs the colors were amazing.









Rode back down to Baggs, then over to Savery. Headed down to Hayden via California park and then Slater Park. Got chased across Slater park by a thunder storm, it was getting late so stopped and set up my tent just as it started to rain.




Dropped into Hayden then over to Steamboat. Had breakfast at Winona's. If your doing the COBDR this is a great place for breakfast or lunch, but it's really popular so usually there is a wait. From Steamboat I rode over to Stagecoach where I used to live then hopped onto the COBDR down to Radium and followed the River road over to I-70 and then home.



Nice full 3 days of riding, I have ridden all the roads except the Red Rocks loop before. Was nice to connect them all together and make a loop. The 701 was awesome, I liked my smaller and lighter setup on the bike. Now I need to change out my rear tire before I over to the Dusty Lizard Campout, looking forward to that and riding some of the passes around Telluride.

Dusty Lizard was very enjoyable - Nice to camp and hang out with like minded people. Good music, food, conversation. Ended up riding with another guy riding on a 701. We were camped next to each other. He was also a much better rider than me so it’s was good to chase somebody and have to push myself.

First day we rode Imogene and then Black Bear - Black Bear had a cornice still blocking the trail at the start and scree covering the lower part. So no 4X4’s or people hiking up the trail. Was nice to be able to just ride and not have to worry about anyone on the trail.







The next day we rode the Alpine loop - started on Mineral Creek had lunch in Lake City. Not many pictures, Mineral creek was a blast twisty, rocky, ledgy - Glad I had 2 cups of coffee!!







I didn’t take many pictures on Cinnamon Pass





From the end of Cinnamon we went up California Pass





Sunday I rode by myself - nice and easy Owl Creel Pass







Got back to camp packed up and headed home. Will do this next year.

Burned up the remainder of my tires. I ordered a set of MotoZ Tractionator Desert H/T. I had these on my F800 and like them - but after mounting them and going for a ride on the 701 I like them even more. Might be that the F800 was heavier and the knobs on the front tire flexed too much. ( I might be overthinking this ).

Nothing planed for a while, thinking that I’m going to ride Taylor Pass over to Crested Butte in September.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Did some exploring today back up behind Silt. In an area called Triangle Park. Didn’t take any pictures except at the start. Just riding around lining up roads and ended up making a big loop out of it. We’ve been getting some rain lately and there were lots of deep mud holes!! Cleaning the bike took a while. Good day out.

Took my big girl out for a loop up to Grand Mesa, overlooking Grand Junction. This is from the western edge of that plateau. That road is the Lands end road going down to the valley. Good day out, always enjoy my GSA.

Finally got to ride Taylor Pass, turned it into to an overnight, with camping at Hartman Rocks, on the Southern side of Gunnison, CO.

Took all the backroads to Ashcroft, which is at the bottom of Taylor Pass.

Old Snowmass road - this is the back way up to Snowmass Village.





Took 2 pictures on the way up the pass, wanted to keep my momentum up and had passed several 4x4’s.







I’ll finish this post later

Rode down Taylor Pass, very technical - and fun. This is a picture of the road as it enters the creek and follows the creek.
Definitely had to paddle foot this section. Dropped the bike twice once in the creek but it wasn’t very deep, just large round rocks and caught up on a few.





Didn’t take any more pictures of the pass or Taylor park. Taylor park was crowded lots of hunters 4x4, SxS. Was enjoyable to just ride easily along and wander down into Gunnison.

I camped just south of the town in Hartman’s Rocks. When I went to school at Western State I spent some time out here climbing, Mtn Biking and hiking. The town or county has put some money into the area with camping sites, bathrooms, trail maps. Saturday morning when I was leaving the parking lot at the entrance was almost full.



Saturday was an easy cruise home over Ohio pass then onto Keebler Pass. I think this was a Fall leaves changing weekend - lots of people driving these passes enjoying the colors.










Had lunch at Big B’s in Paonia and the took Stevens Gulch Rd over to Muddy Pass and then home. Definitely enjoying the 701. I’m also enjoying my lighter bag setup.

That’s it for the year doing overnighters on my bike. Next storms coming thru will must likely bring snow up to the high country. Might load up the bike in late October or November and visit Green River.

Thanks for following along.

Had to run to the grocery store so i took the long way - really long way. The store is only 1 mile down the road, so of course I went 50 miles in the other direction .

Stopped across the valley from Sunlight Ski area to enjoy the fall colors - soon enough the snow will be here.



Nice day out - got lunch and rode home. And went by the store!!

Did one of my favorite local loops yesterday. Transfer Trail to Coffee Pot Rd then over to Cline Top Rd.
Fun technical loop - usually takes around 4 hours to complete. Even had to ride across some snow from the last storm that came thru.

Halfway up Transfer Trail


Across to Coffee Pot Rd



Blair Mtn intersection



Riding down Cline Top Rd



Nice cool day out - keep thinking that the weather is going to change and the snow is going to start flying. My gut feeling is that we are going to have a really mild winter.
Been doing some research about the Flint Trail, and the Doll House camp area. Seems like a good area to camp and explore - maybe late Winter or early Spring.

Took a day and went to Grand Junction and rode out behind the Monument area - I think it's called McInnis Canyons. I've ridden out here several times. Really remote.

Red Gap - pass? On Ryan Creek Rd.





Looking out towards " Top of the World Trail" and the La Sals



Drop down to the Delores river on Granite Rd. Thought I could cross the river but it seemed a little high. Also I'm not sure of the access on the other side - you can see some kind of glamping setup so not sure if it might be private.



Back up Triangle Rd. to the parking area.





About a 3 hour ride nothing difficult saw a couple of other riders and 3 jeeps. Was around 60 / 70 degrees a really nice day to go on a mellow ride.