karlaeda 0 Posted September 19, 2015 Early this summer I decided that it was finally a time for me to take the 950 for a ride that it was designed for. Unfortunately, nobody was able to join me and it ended up being a solo ride. The plan was go to Tahoe, visit all sorts of places on the way and head back. Shot out of San Diego early Sunday morning and made it to Whitney Portal Campground. The weather was great, spirits high. Sometime late morning I ended up at a gas station and the gas cap broke off. I mean what the....JB welded it together and it managed to hold off until about 20 miles from my house. Camped at Whitney Portal Campground and realized how easily home sick one can get by themselves. Managed to fight off the thoughts to head home afterwards and pressed on the next day, rode past Manzanar and visited Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which I would recommend to everyone. Those things are just too cool. The road to get to the area is really fun too. Lots of twisty roads at high elevation. Rode up to a little town outside of Bodie and camped there overnight. Got up the next morning and rode into Bodie as soon as it opened up. Wandered around a bit and enjoyed the scenery. After visited Bodie I decided to head into Yosemite instead of continuing my trip Northbound. My front tire was wearing much faster than anticipated and my mind started to wonder about potential breakdowns (it usually does on long trips). I basically psyched myself out for no reason whatsoever. Hanged around Yosemite for the next four days riding and hiking all over the Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite Valley. It was a great fun. My friends joined me on Friday and we hiked Cloud's Rest. Left around 10am and got back into camp in the dark around 10pm. On the way down met a very interesting older gentleman who decided to hike out to Half Dome at 7pm with no water, no light, bad knees, asthmatic and with no inhaler. The guy hurt his ankle and was pretty shaken up and dehydrated by the time we caught up to him around 9pm in total darkness. We have escorted him to the trailhead, where we got a hold of the rangers, just in case. The overall interaction with the rangers there left me a bit dumbfounded. The amount of bureaucracy involved in getting a team to help out a hiker in need is unbelievable. They simply ended up meeting us at the trail head and drove the guy a mile or two to his car. Shot like a rocket on Sunday from Yosemite and made it back home in one day. The trip would have been a complete success, but about 5 minutes from my house I got stung by a bee, which managed to find the only unprotected piece of skin between my glove and jacket. Had my arm swell up the next day and I had to get loaded up on meds and it finally subsided four days in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vacman 0 Posted September 19, 2015 Looks like it was an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThumperBob 21 Posted September 19, 2015 Great photos. Made a similar ride last summer. I want to do it again earlier in the summer when the weather is cooler. Glad you had a good trip. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Covered in Dust 163 Posted September 19, 2015 Great pics, thanks for taking the time to share them. CiD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bp619 104 Posted September 19, 2015 Awesome pics sounds life fun minus the bee. Thanks for taking time to share. I fell you about camping all alone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacDuncan 131 Posted September 19, 2015 Looks great with some smooth sailing and only a couple minor bumps, adventure at its finest! Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wierdrider 187 Posted September 20, 2015 Very nice, awesome photos. Welcome home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirt dame 559 Posted September 20, 2015 Thanks for sharing a great picture essay! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crawdaddy 96 Posted September 20, 2015 Glad you pushed on. I enjoy those solo ventures.....nice pics Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagstr 287 Posted September 20, 2015 Clouds Rest,,,What a Sight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blakeNY9 0 Posted September 20, 2015 Gives me thoughts of getting a big bike..... For epic trips like that. Maybe someday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted September 20, 2015 Interesting perspective on some of those pics. Great stuff! Thx George. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 887 Posted September 20, 2015 I really don't mind solo rides or solo camping trips. You can easily change the pace or the agenda and nobody complains about it. You are always in charge of when and where to stop for food or breaks. Looks like a nice trip, I'm jealous! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hodnettjj 0 Posted September 20, 2015 Looks like a fun trip... thanks for sharing... Great Pictures... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dstss 27 Posted September 20, 2015 Great pics. Thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danrider 5 Posted September 20, 2015 That is a great place to pirate camp. Find a spot way off the beat and be left alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baldbeemer 0 Posted September 20, 2015 Great pics George. Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dress4Less 162 Posted September 21, 2015 Awesomesuace! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
