McKinleyville California

Good afternoon dear reader,

This cold gave me a sleepless night, but I do feel better today although still a little exhausted.  I packed up in slow time this morning, but was still on the road for 9:15.   After a quick ride down the Interstate then onto the 199 for a very pleasant ride through the forests and canyons, so much nicer than the Bear Camp road the day before..  

I finally got to stop for lunch at the historic Hiochi Cafe, I am not sure why its historic but apparently it is, take my word for it.   Ofter that we were onto the 101 again heading south to Greg's House at McKinleyville.    I arrived just in time for Greg to swoop into the drive in the Sheriff's car, fully suited and booted.   So all sorted, washing in the machine and cats spoken too..  I will sort out the routes for the next few riding days later:  Redding, South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, LA and Flagstaff.

Enough is enough for today.  Greg has popped back to the Airport to continue his duty and I am just relaxing in the quiet.  It good to stop, unfortunately stopping can be habit forming.   I must sort out some sort of timetable to get my where I want to be and get back to LA for about the 26th July…

Nite nite..

Grants Pass Oregon

Good evening dear reader,

Had another quiet night - a pizza was delivered on time and I managed to eat 6 of the 8 portions.  Not bad for me.    I watched some rubbish TV and then fell asleep.  I woke this morning feeling decidedly 'wobbly', but I've got to get on with it.   I had a lovely refreshing bath and then packed the bike.   I think I left my big chain and lock behind the room door - ah well less weight.

Called into the local pharmacy at Bandon and got some 'Meds' and fruit and then back on a windy by pretty coast road - the 101.  The pills they sold me are so big that I had to ask if they were suppositories......  I rode as far at Gold Beach and then stopped for some breakfast - coffee, eggs and hash browns.  Then I thought I would take the Scenic Byway from the coast to Grants Pass via Agness…….. oh not a good idea, the first 20 miles were fine and then the signs started to appear that this road could be closed in bad weather…..   Well, bad weather or not the road just had long sections missing or filled with gravel and big holes where the road was slipping away…. Not my best choice of road, but fortunately with no one to see me I was able to take it very slow of the rough bits.    52 very twisty miles later the nightmare ended… as it had done for a couple of suicidal squirrels on the road and it was a straight run to the campsite ( and yes more gravel )….

I have taken the first batch of pills and I think I feel a little better, but exhausted.  So an early night tonight me thinks.   Tomorrow I will be riding into California and visiting Greg, a fellow biker that I met at Overland Expo in Flagstaff, no fuss just a beer or two and then sleep.   I will figure out the next stage of the route tomorrow, but I think I will be heading for the Lake Tahoe area,  but not too many miles each day ; especially when I am feeling a bit knackered….

No I must get something to eat before it gets dark…. Its not raining and the sun is very warm and will be getting warmer as I travel East….

Nite nite

Man Flu is a real and present danger....

Coos Bay Oregon - Day Two

Good afternoon dear Reader,

Having spent 14 hours in bed until this morning - I still felt like hell this morning - my nose is still blocked, I was cold and shivering but also sweaty and clammy skin - what a state... and to top it off it was pouring with rain and very misty this morning.

Good job I have not got to go too far today. I rode to the Honda Garage in the pouring rain and handed over the bike for its oil change and check up. They had managed to get a replacement Speedo cog and that in now fitted too. All in all just 2 hours later I paid the bill and left. Well done guys. Funny to have a Speedo again....

Back to the Motel, back in bed and looking at the maps ready for tomorrow. I am going to take a leisurely short run down the coast and then inland to Grants Pass. The forecast for there is 79 for tomorrow. I do hope I am feeling better tomorrow. In the meantime a pizza is due at 7:30pm and I must get on with unpacking and sorting the panniers and their contents : again. Sorry no pictures today... to sick...

Coos Bay - Cream Crackered

Hi dear Reader,
A very long sleep in the campsite in the woods - just too many trees stopping the sun getting through.... so it was quite cool, snuffling and coughing. Despite having loads of time to pack and leave and even by packing slowly I was still on the road 9am.

I stopped for tea and hash browns as I approached Coos Bay as the check-in at the Motel was for 3pm. This cold is getting worse so nuts to it I rode into the Motel 6, and pleaded sickness and insanity, so they let me move into a room early...

I took everything off the bike and rode it around the corner to the car wash and let Peter work his magic on Madiba. I collected it an hour later - nice job.

I need to get some food and drugs for my dubbed up nose... So I then walked into town to find a cafe and a Safeway's, it turned out to be about 2 miles to Safeway's, I stopped for a panini and coffee which I was just unable to finish... Then the 2 mile walk back to the Motel... Totally buggered now.

I consulted Dr Nigel and he recommended going to bed at 4:30pm and staying there... plus more spray up the nose.... and watching Friends on the TV and later a film.

So from my sick bed it's good night.... or good afternoon.

Off to the Honda Dealership in the morning - I will try to there for 8am... I think it will be about a 3 mile walk back and the 3 miles back again (up hill)....

Some art work and a historical train in Coos Bay....

South of Coos Bay Oregon

Good evening dear Reader,
After another excellent overnight stay with Steve and Miriam at Newport. We did a quick tour in the rain to the view points, (in a car) did some beer shopping, and got in a very tasty Chinese meal. The evening passed very relaxed in front of a log fire, even the three dogs were very chilled. I sorted out emails and backed up photos, and even got to video chat with my wife - don't ask me which app I used: not a clue.

I slept very well again and got up at 7am. We had a great breakfast (they are really excellent hosts), and I packed the bike - still too much stuff!!! Then it was time to leave 09:00 and to face two of my worries in one go: steep downhill with switchback and on big gravel... 🤨🤨. But I made it and rode over the bridge at Newport and away down the 101 South.

About an hour out it started to rain: not a lot but enough.... I reached Florence and stopped for a cup of tea at the same place I did in 2016... This was as far north along the 101 that I got that year.

I drove through Coos Bay where I will be returning to tomorrow to stay a couple of nights and hopefully get the bike serviced and the speedometer fixed. Then on Thursday I will head for ?????? before meeting up with Greg Bickle in McKinleyville California... By which time I with be about to start Week 7 of my rampage around the USA. I will need to check out the map and get a general idea of where I am headed. I intend still to visit: the Hoover Dam, ride through Las Vegas, Sequoia National Park, Mono Lake, The ET Highway🤨, Sadona, Prescott and even stay over in Flagstaff for a couple of days. As you can tell I am just browsing pages in my map book.

I have now had a cold for a couple of days and the pills Steve gave me ate holding it back: just.

It is now 4pm and it will soon be time for me to don my chefs hat and apron so that I can prepare this evening tasty tin.... Beef Stew.

Bye for now ... here are a few pictures... I might even trim the beard this evening !!

N

Newport Oregon

Dear Reader,

It's now 9pm and I am too tired to blog. Staying with Steve Carr and his partner at Newport for a couple of nights. Had a wonderful meal and now finding it hard to keep my eyes open.

Today's ride was wet wet wet, with a little sun.
Met another biker on the road and had lunch.

This is a wonderful house in a great location.

Nite nite

The Astoria Bridge

Best of a clear and non windy day.....

Bay Centre north of Astoria Washington State

Good afternoon dear Reader,

I started off with a good breakfast at the site and then rode North up the 101.  About four miles out the rain started and then just got heavier and heavier..  I stopped at a Cafe to don the waterproof jacket and have a hot drink.  This is the view from the window.

I did take another photo from a view point but that in on the other camera so I will have to sort that later.  I am currently in the camp laundry sorting out my clothes and getting everything dry.

Back on the road again and more rain, then I got to the fabulous bridge at Astoria - but the crap weather and visibility means I have to resort to another photo from the WWW, which I will sort out later.  Thank god that the wind was low otherwise it would have been a nightmare, I remember a couple of bad crossing of the Severn Bridges, one even blew the bike over - much to the amusement of my fellow riders....

So I am now trying to get dry and warm ready for a return 

trip South tomorrow.  I have had an invite to stay with another bike traveller at Newport so I will check the maps later and see it that is doable (a dreadful word).  The forecast for the next two days is more rain.  So it will have to be South, and I will have to miss out the Olympic Park as I won’t be able to see bugger all... and it ain’t much fun riding in the rain...

So, now for another coffee - it’s free here....

Nite nite

My first erection - of the new tent......

Lincoln City Oregon

Dear Reader,

That was a busy day but I got things done. I had a leisurely pack up this morning with more conversations with a chap who is interested in bike travel. He took pictures of the bike and even wanted a picture on me!! We may well see the results on FaceBook. I rode down to Gresham to sort out the phone bill but arrived to early for them - they weren't going to open until 10am. I so sat in the cafe next door and had coffee and a bun. It looks like a family run business as soon I was in conversation the Dad, Wife, Sister, niece and son….. The phone shop opened and at last I was able to pay my $30 bill with a $3 surcharge for not paying on-line - cheek. I also managed to contact Coos Bay Honda and the bike is booked in for next Wednesday. Hopefully they can get the part for the speedometer.

Then back on the bike and off to Keizer near Salem to find the REI store, as last night the zip on the tent failed and I was left holding the zipper un-attached to the tent. I managed to located the store and got a REI two man tent; I should note that a US two man tent is bigger then a UK two man tent (I wonder why). Anyhow, having erected it I could probably have got away with a one person tent. Never mind, more space for the kit and me. Alas the Coleman Phad X2 will not be coming home. I had served me well on many a trip. I did remember to save some of the aluminium poles for David as one of his broke on our last trip to Morocco.

This site is quiet except for the screaming kids, but the site does have a kitchen that will be serving breakfast in the morning. Oh good. I managed to get myself very grubby because I could not stand the state of the bike wheels anymore, so I have given them a reasonable clean, so off the the showers, did some washing, cooked supper and sorted the route for tomorrow. I will be going North from here to Astoria and abouts, then I might ride around the Olympic National Park and stay over before returning South. I will try to remember to stop and take some photographs…. as well as get some engine oil.

I hope the weather clears up a bit, it was forecast for rain today but that held off, but it is quite chilly at present. I have been wearing my heated waistcoat for the last few days. Looking forward to heading South to the hot stuff.

Nearly time for bed and new tent.

Nite nite

Cascade Locks Oregon.

Good evening dear reader,

I had a very slow start to the day, tea and a banana, and a long chat with the chap camping next door.  I left at about 10am and headed for Hermiston to pay for the SIM card.  I found the shop but they were not playing today !!!  So I left and found a Honda bike shop and got some oil, and located the local Western Union shop at the local Safeways.  Apparently you can also pay the the SIM there… oh no.. Western Union had never heard of Metro PCS…..  How can it be so difficult to pay a bill.   Well the next port of call will be the Metro PCS shop just outside Portland in Oregon, wish me luck.

Another thing that has stopped was the Garmin Mapping system.  Apparently I should have received an Email from them under the GDPR rules and that I should have agreed to share my data… No such email, hence thee mapping stopped working…. I has taken 30 minutes to try to locate the appropriate website to tick a single box…. Oh how I love technology….  But here I am - sorting out a route for tomorrow on the Garmin including the phone shop, writing a blog on the laptop and trying to get the Garmin mapping to work via my iPhone !!!   Arrgghhhh

Anyhow the ride today was bit boring and almost uneventful…. I took the minor road that followed the interstate and by the time I go nearly to my destination I was running on petrol fumes…. Manage to squeeze the fumes to a gas station and stopped for a cuppa.   The back on the road for the last run down the Columbia Gorge to Cascade Locks.

I spent some time chatting to a nice chap who want to start Bike Travel.  Now I am just siting and trying to sort this lot out, before checking the chain and oil on the bike - no reply from Honda Coose Bay yet.  Tomorrow I should be near the Pacific Coast… hopefully having paid the phone bill….

I cheated with this photo….

Nite Nite 

Pendleton Oregon

Good evening dear reader,

Another day of two halves, the start was fantastic riding along side the river and through the canyons to Lewiston and the second half was through miles and miles of grain fields.  After getting fuel at Walla Walla I noticed that the Speedo had stop working - bugger….  Its probably the nylon wheel/cog that sits next to the front wheel.  Ah well onwards and upwards to Pendleton where I am now.

It is very hot a present but I have the shade of a fence to protect me.   I stopped on the way at a Walmart to get fruit, tea bags, sugar and boot polish (you have to have standards)..

I must remember to check the oil in a minute.     I had to call the telephone company to renew my monthly contract, but having spoken to a very nice lady in the Philippines for nearly 30 minutes it transpired that I can't pay using their App or on-line as I don't have a Zip Code for my Credit Card……. But I can pay at a shop without a Zip Code - so off to Hermiston tomorrow on my way to Hood River area.  The I need to decide either North to Astoria or West to the coast...

I hopefully will get to Coos Bay early next week so I should be able to get the bike serviced and the speedo sorted at the Honda Dealership.

Another quiet night planned once I have cooked some grub..

Nite Nite.

Kamiah Idaho (Just)

Dear Reader,

A short day it was, challenging, interesting, scenic but short. I have just noticed that we have jumped a time zone and so the trip was even shorter that I thought..

I left the wonderful Cascade Lake site at about 8am, the sun was just getting above the trees, the lake was still and it was beautiful. I left a note for Bernie the camp host and I wanted to say thank you and goodbye and that I may well meet him again in July as he is changing sites over in Oregon.

The road from Cascade was empty this morning and was extremely scenic, for most of the way it was following the Salmon River. I rode through many deep canyons and climbed up one very very long hill (the peak was at over 4,000 ft, we could only just make it in 3rd gear. So from the 55 onto the 95 and some more fabulous landscapes. I arrived at Grangeville and Gertie Garmin did a very strange thing, she took me over the minor roads through the prairies and wheat fields rather than onto the 13, ah well it would only have only made a few minutes difference but as I had already gained 1 hour onto Mountain Time.. there you go.

I apologise again for the lack of photos today, but a combination of: I was just amazed at the scale of the canyons, the lack of stopping places at the right place (the Kodak moments are usually found on the steep downhill sections) and finally I was bloody cold.

So, now at a site and have had a good hot shower and done the washing, and now catching up with the emails as I have not had wifi for 2 days.

Planning for tomorrow is still at the committee stage!!! But I suspect that I will be going across to the Wall Walla area via Lewiston (i.e East)

Cascade Lake - Day two

Dear reader,

This is such a great location that I have decided to stay for a 2nd night. All the day trippers and weekenders left yesterday afternoon and the site is very quiet (except for the couple down the hill that talk very loud all the time). Last night was quite cold and I ended up putting on more clothes, and I can't find my woolly hat that I use, probably in and washroom somewhere back down the line.

So this morning I had a great lie in until 7:30 and a very slow start to the day. I took a walk along the edge of the lake and then set about changing the rear brake pads on the bike, they certainly needed it. Success as I am not the best mechanic in the world but carry tools just in case I meet someone that knows what they are doing. Then to test them out I rode into the small town of Cascade to get some fruit and supplies and also to have a cooked breakfast at Grandma's. The food was great when it arrived but the place was full on families with children, lots of children. I took nearly a hour to rustle up a mushroom, eggs and hash browns. Ah well it was very filling. Then back to the campsite to just chill, with the occasional mug of tea.

Tomorrow is a very short run up the valley - about 180 miles or so, then turning left into Washington State in a day or so.

It has been a very cathartic sort of a day, so very quiet here and warm, although the wind did get up this afternoon but it appears to have dropped a little. I forgot to take the laptop and mobile with me this morning to send and receive any emails, so that will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon maybe.

It was my 29th Wedding Anniversary today - so I have missed that again. Next year being the 30th I promise to be home for that one. I did however pre-arrange for the red roses to be delivered.
I am very aware of the days and the distances travelled and that I need to slow a little, as I don't need to be in LA until the earliest of the 26th July. This would give me time to sort out the bike and all that is going home with it, and the stuff that I will be taking home on the plane. Just taking it a day at a time. Mind you I could roam around Arizona and California for a week or so as the weather is much warmer there!!

I think it must be time to warm up some grub for this evening - nothing special - looks like a tin of Beef Stew compliments of Dinty Moore…. And the good news is that the chatty couple are packing up to leave….

Nite nite all

Cascade Lake Idaho - Day One

Dear Reader,

Now for all you non-biker travellers, just look at the 4 photos below and see what we travellers have to put up with….  Life on the road is not easy….

Anyhow, I started off in good time this morning having slept remarkably well.   Did a bit of minor roads before being pushed onto the Interstate for the next section to Mountain Town.  I met up with Joshua Martinez for a coffee in the same McDonalds where we met 2 years ago as I passed through.  We exchanged pannier stickers, and chatted for ages before he had to go and get ready for work as their was the local Air Forces Base open day and it was all hands to the pumps.  It was good to meet you again Josh, and if you are ever in the UK - do look me up.

As I was leaving the town I noticed that the local High School was raising money by washing cars, so, I parked up and gave them the honour of given Madiba a bit of the bath….  It does look better now.  So I left there and had to take the I-84 to Boise.   I don’t like cities much and now I know why, just endless street full of Malls, food shops and Medical Practitioners !  Oh yes and Churches - God does have the best houses and car parks…

Finally out of town onto the 55 heading North.  Big roads with sweeping bends and great hills and views.  The road got narrower as I climbed and finally arrived at Cascade State Park, which where I took these pictures.  Now the decision today is: shall I stay here another day or should I pack up and ride North to Kamiah and then left to Lewiston in Washington State?   I need to think and that a little, maybe I could stay as I have loads of time and the rear brake pads on the bike need replacing…….   By the way - if you getting this late it is because there is no signal or WiFi here…

Nite nite..

And the kids giving Madiba a bath

Beartooth Pass - well one side of it..

Twin Falls - Idaho

Good evening dear reader,

After the storm had passed over last night I decided to get on the road even earlier than usual, and try not to have to pack up the tent and stuff in the rain.  So after the early morning rest room call, I started to strike camp.  I was on the road by 6:30 and the roads were clear and the weather grey.  But as expected with my luck the rain started just a few miles down the road and it was bloody cold.  I soldiered on untilI got to Ashton and just had to stop for a hot drink.  Then off again until Idaho Falls - enough is enough I thought and pulled into a Camp site - all booked as it's Friday.. Bugger - so after a complimentary cup of hot coffee, use of his internet to book the next site and some fuel for the bike I headed to the next town on Twin Falls.  

As expected the rain then stopped and the winds started to blow all the way, and especially the last 25 miles which were hell…. Scared myself fartless I did…

Finally I rolled into Jerome just north of Twin Falls…. The sun is shining but the wind is still with us.  Tomorrow promises to be a "nice day" - but we will see..

The plan tomorrow is to start to head back North via Mountain Home and meet up for a coffee with Police Officer Joshua Martinez who I met 2 years,  and then on to Boise but if the weather goes crap again I might to revise everything and head South or West.

I have again chickened out and rented a cabin for the night - at least all the kit is now dry (Tent, Groundsheet, Sleeping mat, damp sleeping bag, and wet socks from Wednesday). Thank god for the Sealskin socks that I have been carrying around for weeks…. And the cabin has a heater !!  Yippee...

Yellowstone Park Wyoming

Good morning dear reader,

I excelled myself today and I won't be doing it again!!! Read on…

I had planned to ride through Yellowstone park and then come out on the west side. I set off in great weather and headed for the park via the 212 from Laurie…. I passed through Red Lodge and everything was looking good, I then started to climb over Beartooth Pass which had recently been opened…. Up Up and up above the snowline and then ALL STOP - they had closed the pass on the Montana side…. Bugger, so I had to ride all the way back down and back track past Red Lodge before picking up the 78 to Columbus - It was beautiful up there but added over a hundred miles to the route.

From Columbus I had to ride to Bozeman and the take the road South to Big Sky and followed that down the edge of the Park down to West Yellowstone. I forgot the mention that on the way I passed through 3 heavy thunder storms, and on the 2nd one it was heavy rain and hail stones -….. aaarrrggghh…. But that was not all, as I got into another storm as I approached West Yellowstone and this time the temperature fell very quickly, and on top of that I ran out of petrol and had to stop and switch the reserve -all those hills were taking their toll.

I finally arrived at the campsite, wet, cold and in much need of a Cabin… but at over $140 a go that was now out of the question. I have pitched the tent on what looks like a piece of rough ground and headed for the Camp Store where I am now as yet another storm is over head…. I hope the tent is not under water !!! There will be no cooking tonight.

So all in all I rode for 410 miles and sat in the saddle for just over 9 hours….. I wont happen again… Now to look at tomorrows route !!! They say that yet another storm is coming in… So I will need to look at riding to better weather….

Had enough today - going to bed….

Nite Nite

Billings Montana

Good evening dear reader,

I am currently sat on a very hard bench, watching a storm approach, the forecast for tomorrow and certainly Friday for this area is not good.

Anyway, I arrived at the house a little early but that was OK, then the bike was secure in the garage and I was shown to my room.  A big soft bed and the use of my own bathroom.  We had a very pleasant evening , we had supper and then chatted for a while about our trips and stuff and we both knew so many of the same people.  I retired at a sensible time and just loved getting into a warm and soft bed with proper pillows.

In the morning after a good nights sleep and cup of tea and a banana for breakfast and it was time to bid farewell to my host, and I would like to thank her for the hospitality, it really is a lovely house.  I made my way out of Rapid City and cruised through Sturgis (not a lot happening there).  So I made my way onto the 212 to Billings via Alzada and Broadus.   By now I had passed from South Dakota, clipping the corner of Wyoming and then into Montana.  More very bleak views on both sides until I reached the Custer National Forest, where it started to get more interesting with rolling hills and trees.   Just to make it more interesting they had dug up about 3 miles of the road and had not yet put any tarmac down, so that counts of my bit of off roading for today, good job it was dry!!!

At the end of the 212 was the Little Bighorn Battlefield Memorial, I was impressive but the heat was so oppressive that I hid the the visitor centre and then snapped a few photos and left.  In the photo you can see some the grave stones and on the left of the picture is the actual battlefield.   Too hot to hand around.  Back on the road  for the final leg to Billings,  The route took me for 315 miles and 6 hours but it could not be helped as there is just nowhere to go.

I arrived at the camp site and pitched the tent and had a very hot and welcome shower, before settling in to sort out emails and plan the route for the next couple of days.   My thinking at present is to head down and through Yellowstone Park and then camp over somewhere, then head further South through Teton Park and start heading West for another short day and a stop.  Then on day three ride into Mountain Home Idaho to stop before heading back North through the state of Idaho and towards Oregon / Washington of where ever..  Yet to be decided….

Rapid City - South Dakota

Good afternoon dear reader,

I am another early start this morning but the Cafe of site was still not open - so off to Sundance for breakfast.  I found the status of the Sundance Kid and had breakfast at the cafe opposite.

Then on the road again heading for Spearfish, Deadwood and Mount Rushmore.   And yes, you guest it did pour with rain and I mean poured.  I stopped for fuel and talked to a Christian Biker, which was interesting.  Back on the road and yet more torrential rain. 

I rode up the Main Street of Deadwood and then stopped at the Deadwood Museum some very interesting items there.  Back on the bike and more rain ( I am beginning to get paranoid about this ).  I reached the Mt Rushmore National Park and because I is old I got in the $5 and the pass last for a year !!

This is the first miner to strike gold in Deadwood.

And these of those on the Monument, maybe one day D Trump will have himself added to the rock !!!

I met another biker in the carpark (Brian) and we chatted a while before I departed to Hill City in the rain…. It appears that the rain stops when I get off the bike, and it starts when I get back on.   Anyhow I an sitting in a Cafe with a much needed cup of tea, and wittering away on my Blog.

I believe that the place I am staying at this evening is not too far away from here.  The sun has come out but that's because I am indoors…

The bike is still  running well, but is a a bit of a mess and needs a hose down, maybe I will ride it through a car wash….   How about this for style over practicality…..

Well that it for now..     Goodnight…

Sundance and The Kid

Devils Tower - Wyoming

Dear Reader,

Yesterday afternoon turned out to be one mother of all storms with hail, rain, thunder and lightning, not forgetting to "Wyoming Winds".

I hid away in the tent and ate Pringles and listened to Podcasts of the News Quiz.

This morning after a hot shower I packed all away and was on the road for 7:30am, and within an 30 minutes the winds started and stayed that was for the next 3 hours.  I just did not enjoy that at all, and I could see the black clouds over to my left and then tried to race it but it caught up with me and I go soaked, what a difficult ride.   I finally got to Gillette and had to stop for a hot coffee, and then jumped onto the interstate to get to the Devils Tower via Sundance.

The rain then stopped and a little bit of sun came out.  Despite it being Memorial Day the town was empty….   So I will drive through it again tomorrow, and will stop and have and look around.  The plan is to ride the back roads to Sundance, Deadwood, Sturgis and Rapid City, where I have been invited to stop over with Michelle Lamphere and her husband.  She is a motorcycle traveller and the author of "The Butterfly Route" which is an excellent read.

I finally arrived at the campsite and then sun came out and I was in no mood to put up a tent so I changed to booking to a cabin, and you will have seen the view from the front door.   Amazing…

I have now eaten and need to decide if I am going to watch the film "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind" that will be showing tonight in the shadow of the Tower itself.  Apparently some on the film was film from this campsite.  Hopefully a good nights sleep will follow.

Sundance and Devils Tower - Wyoming

Short update whilst I await my washing to finish in the dryer. A horrid ride today - not fun at all so I booked into a cabin at the KOA and this is the view I get... more later

Casper - Windy Wyoming

Good afternoon dear reader from a very windy Wyoming,

After an interesting awakening this morning, feeling the need to visit the rest room for an early sit down, I was confronted by a rebellion tent, that refused to let me out with both zips stuck!!

I wrestled with then for what seemed to be ages before a very undignified exit and a quick trot across the field.   It is an old tent but I will see if I can make it last the trip, but I fear that this one "won't be going home".

I called in at Walmart to get some more lithium batteries for the Spot Nav, and it is going through then quite quickly as I am still unable to stop it reporting every 10 minutes instead of every few hours.

Then a slow ride through a very quiet town of Laramie, a coffee and a couple of hash browns, before exiting and proceeding north to Casper.   No sooner had I got out of town and on to the plains when the winds started and it continued for the whole 150 miles to Casper.   Just imagine if you would riding 150 miles with endless prairies for 30 miles on each side, the occasional change in direction, and the constant high winds as I rode along the Route 287 to Medicine Bow where thankfully there was I gas station, and then continued on Route 487 to Casper.  

I then took the opportunity to use the WiFi and Whats-app to phone home, which was great to get all the news and hear Debbie's voice.  It is now 3pm and the clouds are getting darker and they say that it is going to rain…. I think I will hit the showers and then retire to the camp lounge in the warm.

The plan for tomorrow is to ride from here to Devils Tower (as in Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind) and hopefully stay for a couple of nights, which will give me to opportunity to visit places in the area, like Stugis, Sundance, and Mount Rushmore and such like.

Sorry about the photo but I just didn't take any today - I was too busy wrestling the bike and the crosswinds..  I was not in the mood to take any snaps.

Good night,

Laramie Wyoming

Good evening dear Reader,

Two nights at one site was a good idea, a day off from riding was even better.   

A pleasant night, despite the cold and up early and a good hot shower, I had to wait a while for the sun to rise and dry out the tent and groundsheet.   So at 8am, I decided that I did not want to go via the main road to Granby (there was already a queue to get onto the pass).  So I decided to take the long route, so I headed south on the local route 7 through the forests and it was empty…. Brilliant … Lots of twists and turns, lots of peaks and passes but it did add about 100 miles to the route.   Finally joined the I-70 for about 10 miles and then headed north to Granby which was more steep climbs to the ski resorts up above the snow line and down again.  

I stopped for lunch at Granby then continued North over the Plains and into Wyoming with it's famous Wyoming Winds for about 80 miles of almost straight endless roads.  I suddenly remembered that I needed to take more photos, but that would be more pictures of endless roads but I did manage to snap one old building.   

I then tried to use the GoPro but the result was not good as the camera was crooked.   

So after many miles of cross winds I arrived at Laramie about 3pm..  The campsite is a flat field with no shade or shelter from the wind, so I am sitting in the games room until its time to go and cook supper.

I have sorted out a very short day for tomorrow and its is only 110 miles to Casper.  I had thought about booking a Motel/Hotel for the night but they all had Memorial Day prices of over $100 per night.  So that treat will have to wait until Wednesday or Thursday…

Estes Park Colorado - Day 2

Good day Reader,

Last night was fun as there was a wine tasting at the site, the local wine was good, but at $6 a glass I would hate to think how much a bottle would be.  After that I sat a chatted to a group of people and then turned in at about 9pm.  Making sure to add extra layers first.

After a goodnights sleep, even though it was very cold, and there was ice on the bike seat this morning, the sun soon got everything hot again.

I spent some time sorting out my kit in the panniers trying to find the 1/4 of stuff that I don't need.  Found some but not a lot.   Then I topped up the oil and re-tensioned and oiled the chain.

By then it was time for some exercise - so I walked into town via the lakeside (so very picturesque) and then found an ATM and a cold drink and breakfast, then walked back.  I even bought saw an Elk grazing by the side of the road.  I called in at the Mountain equipment shop across the road and bought my supper "Backpackers Pantry" - Kathmandu Curry !!!   Just add hot water - I will let you know how that goes!!!

The Campsite staff are so friendly and welcoming.  Today is Friday and they are expecting a rush of people this afternoon as it is Memorial weekend (like our Bank Holiday I suppose), so it should be very busy later.  I will walk down to reception to send this as the WiFi at this end of camp is none too good.

Tomorrow the plan is to ride over the pass to Granby and then north to Walden and then a Campsite at Laramie in Wyoming.   After that I should be heading toward South Dakota - I think…

Estes Park Colorado

Good evening dear reader,

After yesterday's long hours in the saddle today was going to be shorter, but it didn't end up that way.  I had a poor nights sleep as it turned very cold and damp in the night.   I stayed in my sleeping bag for as long as I could and finally got out at 8:00 and was on the road for 9:00.  I found some fuel and and some fruit, and then started a long climb up through the passes.  I had to stop half way just to have a break and put on some more clothes.  As usual the scenery was fantastic from up there.   I reached Salida and had a cold drink in McDonalds then headed out on the 24 towards Leadsville where I had intended to camp but it was too early to stop..  so on I went heading for the next Campsite on my list and that was in Longmont, only when I got there it did not exist, so back to the list and located another at Este Park yet another 35 miles on…

Ah well I saw some great scenery and was riding above the snow line for some of the way and even the lakes are still frozen.  Anyway I am here and I am staying two nights and not riding at all tomorrow.

The I will be riding around to Granby then taking the 125 to Walden and then heading for Laramie.  I am not how far that it but I think it only 200 miles, and hey presto I will then be in Wyoming.

I will recap some more tomorrow and I am doing bugger all and the washing….  Life of the road huh..

Gunnison Colorado

Dear Reader,

Had a quiet night, and as per usual I packed up early,  said goodbye to Pablo and rode off looking for breakfast.  The headed south for a few miles (I trust you are following this on the map) then turned

Left and headed towards Naturita ( where I stopped for fuel just like I did in 2016).  Chatted to a couple of curious bikers on big Harleys before carrying on to Ridgeway.  On the way you pass by Paradox and Bedrock and then you drop down into this fabulous valley and then ride for 35 miles in a straight line..  amazing ….  After stopping for coffee at Ridgeway I headed up to Montrose and then the campsite a Gunnison - camping on grass - very nice.   Had great shower and done laundry and now sitting as its only 5pm, blogging and trying to sort out the inReach as I think it is still reporting every 10 minutes - if I don't get it sorted I will have a large bill to pay at the end.  I have tried to get advise from the supplier but I was given the Microsoft solution of trying turning in off and then back on again……

After riding for too long yesterday; I only rode from 8:30 til 14:00 today but even that was too much as it was quite windy on some of the roads.  Tomorrow is a short day of just 150 miles to the Leadville area.

Moab in the afternoon

Rode for two days only to meet up with Pablo and his friend camping at the same site as I... small world....