MacDuncan

Thanks Weirdrider, but don't want to rush the fixing and installation of a new tank just now, appreciated though. Those new tanks cost so dang much. thanks Bagstr, good layout (the orange/red bag looks like one of my crampon carry pouches) breathes well. Wonder if anyone local makes compression bags that squeeze to long slender shape?? My coyote bag is gray also, it came with a dry bags, but I will likely use more dry bags to compartmentalize gear. Bp, I often think about the downsizing, don't dig the bulk, but frankly, cooking in the evening is a treat, and the morning hot coffee, toast, oatmeal.... at the campspot, is always golden, it is part of the ride for me, so just gotta have it. cheers.

Thanks Bp, I bought a nomadic rack down in Santee, it fits well, I always wanted one of those big gas tanks, but didn't get one yet. I could use a couple msr fuel canisters, always have those. They are good for about 8-9 miles each. If I mount the rotopak 90 degrees off to actually increase width, maybe the top duffel placed across the back with light stuff in it would have more lateral support - hmmm!?. Bad news when a wide bag droops over to get hit by exhaust - grrr. Bagstr, that sure looks like a small area for your butt in front of that red bag . Is there also a small bag under the blue bag? Maybe tools/tubes? Thanks for suggestion about sleeping bag last, makes good sense to put small stuff down in deep first as it looks like quite a deep hole down each side leg to get lost in - smiles. Looks like a full unpack and repack for overnights to get comfy attire, stove, food, etc.... Just now in the garage I stuffed my sleeping bag in the coyote to puff up the new coyote bag, admittedly not in compression sack, but it virtually filled it - dang, so was thinking about putting the sleeping bag and other light weight items in bedroll out of coyote. I've got a bunch of dry bags to choose from. This could help to address Bp's idea about not having too much weight on back subframe. All of my compression bags make things short and fat, seemingly more difficult to pack! Funny, but the tank bag I bought from Bp doesn't fit all that well and I dislike being all crowded in on a long ride, especially if the bottom of my hydration pak hits the top of the Coyote.... or duffel. Heck, the whole purpose of the coyote was to lower weight and expand volume, so I wouldn't have the big red blob bag on the back like my last 20 trips....shown below.... and there needs to be a fifty/ fifty canister on the back for cold beer... gotta draw the line somewhere - haha. Thanks.

Been watching the snow melt reports for passes in Colorado. Last year, I had to skip a piece of the CO BDR due to fires. I plan to go get those sections done beginning about July 11/12 from Basalt or nearby, (even though Hagerman pass might not open until about July 15, so it will be touch and go there, AND Cottonwood pass is getting paved so the original BDR has an alternate route) but I also have about 3-6 other routes that I have always wanted to do, and a couple of new ones I might check out. Therefore, with good loop planning and open passes, I will do about 3-5 loops, each about 2-5 days long (some BDR mixed with some central Rocky wandering), mostly solo, although some riding buddies have hopeful wishes to join in. If you are in the area and want to wander for a day or for one of the loops, send me a PM. Loops may begin in different spots, dependent upon my truck/car camping spots. Also interested in Rainbow Trail near Salida, and Rim Rocker to Moab, but those may depend upon heat, not snow! If you know of anything I should consider near the very center of CO, feel free to share. I may camp from 2 different bikes, dependent upon street dirt ratios of loops. A Vstrom can be used like car camping after wandering long windy asphalt over the continental divide and finding traditional campspots. Camping off of the orange 525 will add a lot more flexbility to camp anywhere in the Rockies as I go over rough rocky terrain at high altitude (golf clubs, kayak, hikingboots and bicycling will also fill in the gaps between motorcycle loops) I originally hoped that the Coyote bag would fit more horizontally over my E-10's, but today I looked and the very firm interior side of the coyote, and it doesn't seem to allow that as an option. so, I will take off the E-10s and other bags and strap on the coyote today, this week, or weekend. I also hope to load it on top of a rotopak. If you have any insights to good installation, feel free to share, and also, order of packing the coyote??.... sleeping bag 1st or last, sleep pad, tent, chair, stove, tools, tube, clothes, etc... and best strategy for a firearm (lawfully in CO). Thanks. Cheers.

Looks like a nice outing Weirdrider! I almost rode my Wee saturday, but opted for more dirt. Nice pics (since my post was no pics!) Heck, I shoulda checked in with you to cross paths if possible. Maybe another wee ride soon. By the way, I have a bag that might work for your bike instead of the crate, borrow for awhile or buy cheap, but it isn't a nice red one like your crate! haha. And if you want to see a bash plate live on a bike, instead of the internet, let me know. Later

Great stuff Fellas, looks like diverse terrain and maybe not too cold and wet and not too hot. I have to agree with the idea of loops having the most potential to avoid the drone home. Or get a shuttle driver, like maybe..... Advent-uber shuttle company.

Another Saturday morning rolled in after a long work week, the kind of week that also keeps the chores at home from getting done during the week, and that seems to guide the "task vs fun" balance for the weekend. That, along with some recent injuries had me realizing that I hadn't been on my bike for over a month. Then, Bagstr posts Colorado info and that reminds me that I should get some miles in so I can be multi-day ride fit before mid-July. Then Greenhorn shares that he riding, no matter solo or with a bud, and bsham takes off on an adventure too.... Thank goodness for this website - So ..... I look down at my gardening gloves and think, what the heck am I doing pulling weeds like an old fart when I could be out riding somewhere - anywhere!!?!, So I call a bud to meet me and ride knowing that I will likely be going solo. He gives me grief for calling him at 9:30 am to meet me an hour away at 11, but says sure. Good buddy! Coming from different parts of the County, we meet at the Yeti, or sasquach, at 11:30 (Ranchita in case you don't know). I already had a route chosen, and he said sure. We took off on a couple mid-size orange dual sports and zipped over to Warner Springs, then out Lost Valley, knowing that although that paved single lane begs to zip zam zoom, there could always be some truck wandering the other way, dag nab it. Once we passed the campground, we started to dance on the bikes (it wasn't pretty, but I was at one with my partner , and sometimes the bike led the dance even though I had intended to do all the leading). The Anza route from the glider port seems to been recently scraped, but it was fantastic dirt and it felt a million miles away on a true adventure. We hit the 371 and gassed up as we had intended to ride down bautista(?), which I hadn't done before, but my buddy said that he had never done Thomas mountain before, and our goal was to go up Bee canyon, so Thomas mountain it was. Wow, he and I rode the entire Thomas mountain from the east entrance all the way through to the orange groves and did not pass even 1 car...either direction, on a Saturday (only 2 mountain bikers), That sure seems like a rare treat! I was going about as fast as I could being respectful to blind curves, hikers, and Mountain bikers such that I could always stop if there was action around the corner. Although.... I may have had a few long skids from entering a corner a little too hot. When we popped out of the orange groves, we were only a few hundred yards away from Bee canyon. When we entered Bee Canyon, and it was different world, as we passed many jeeps, trucks, other motorcycles, quads, lots of dudes shooting guns, the nastiest white silt that offered ZERO visibility for 1.5 seconds a few times, and that was far too much time to be on a rocky mountain road with traffic to be riding blind. And, I hit a swarm of bees, and one little sob slipped under my chin strap and gave me a big nasty sting on my neck - grrr. However, after about 6-7 miles, we seemed to be back alone just in time for my buddy (a much better rider than this rookie) to turn off the main route and lead us up some gnarly step slippery 4s01? trail that was supposed to be intermediate for bikes, but advanced for all other vehicles. It was beyond my skill set, so I felt lucky to have had only one slo-mo tumble sliding backwards at 3 mph , definitely was beyond my comfort zone. But, once at the top, No big deal - haha. We then looked down upon the original trail that looked like it was headed more towards Idyllwild, but we were headed north. I didn't know there were so many beautiful tracks up in that area since my hiking trips usually had me going over towards the PCT, or the San Jacinto peak, and my mountain bike trips usually have me playing on the Hurkey Creek side of the ridge. But West of Idyllwild, oh my, very nice indeed. We eventually hopped out on the 243 and had to go 6-9 miles south to get back to Idyllwild for gas, and a stop at the Lumbermill pub for a burger and a cold one. Once refueled, bikes and riders, we decided to take the hiway to Anza before hitting dirt again. It was around 6 pm and as we passed Hemet Lake, the shadows were long and the smell of pine strong.... so Damn nice!! Then a turn on 371 to get back to Anza to find dirt again and this time the bike let me lead a higher percentage of the time as we worked our way back towards Warner Springs. A smooth, brisk, but cautious ride down to the gliderport and an quick ride back to Ranchita, and of course, a celebratory brew. A great day with excellent conditions except the last 100 yards in Ranchita where the wind was blowing HARD, and COLD. 165 miles of getting back on the horse. All good, just a quick Saturday Wander, and not too many aches today, except for that darn bee sting . Hope to see ya on the trails. Cheers.

Thanks Governor, That is a good link for info, and it had something that I didn't know and might consider throwing in since I was kinda thinking about doing the top half of NM BDR on the way home and "Rainbow Trail" may be on the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3N_Qk1Cl2k Appreciated!

Super cool terrain, lots of different stuff, thanks for posting!

Thanks Bags, I have been watching snow reports because I have 2 trips planned in 34 days from now. At this point I would state that I am doing them solo, just like I did last year, because I am not counting on my riding buddys who say "definitely maybe" Although a bit of hijacking this thread, but aligns with the title, I will be taking off around July 12 on a couple / few day trip to include Aspen, Reudi, Leadville, Crested Butte, Marble, and back. The next loop will be to connect Leadville to Telluride through the Sam Juans (That one is the BDR from last year that was on fire when I tried, including the CO BDR detour this year due to the closing of Cottonwood pass). I will post this in upcoming rides soon, so members, no need to reply here (could PM if you wish). However, more pertinent to this thread, if anyone knows about pass openings through the Colorado Rockies, it is good to know so I can adjust my routes. Thanks. Cheers.

Thanks for sharing, it helped me with my attitude for today Nice pics and certainly sounds like a great "Adventure". Cheers.

Thanks CID, I had been super happy with my MSR Whisper lite during winter high altitude adventures, especially with the wind shield (but Liquid fuel was extra effort, and I now use those bottles for extra bike gas :), and I have been super happy with my MSR pocket rocket, but blocking high winds is extra effort, and the MSR pot set is a bit wide. I have been wanting to give a system like this a go. Thanks for the info! Bought it, and a couple dry bags, and used the coupon , cheers

Great stuff Danrider, Adventures with the daughters are golden. Cheers

Welcome dizz, not quite as hard as finding waldo, he is off to the left in black - hahaha. Hard to see next to that bright new red bike. When is the white glee gonna chime in with your blue and his red so you all can post for pics? My glee is gray, so mine will have to be the background I think Weirdrider is itching to go on a nice long jaunt to gain confidence in his new bike, so maybe a glee outing soon. Cheers.

Donation sent.

Well done Crawdaddy, and fellas. Driving west from Flagstaff yesterday, I was impressed with the terrain near Kingman as I was looking for riding areas all down the 95 as well as I went through Havasu, Parker, Blythe, and even a little of Bradshaw trail... etc. Didn't rent a rzr, so looked for 2 wheel routes. Looks like you know them all! No surprise!