Bigguy Rides - 2014 S10 Travels - Finished Riding a Lap Around The World
- Thread starter Bigguy136
- Start date
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
As much as I love the backroads of Wyoming and Montana, I thought I would go south. Over the winter, I saw Hell on Wheels and wanted to see the Golden Spike and gave me a location to ride to.
It was grass hoper season. There were areas that you were hitting 5-10 every second.
And another wild camp spot.
When I was home, I thought about a way to escape the mosquitoes. Not much weight but some packed size.
I like the idea of an area I can hang out for the day if raining or a place to eat dinner without mosquitoes but I never found it to be worth the efforts in the end.
It was grass hoper season. There were areas that you were hitting 5-10 every second.
And another wild camp spot.
When I was home, I thought about a way to escape the mosquitoes. Not much weight but some packed size.
I like the idea of an area I can hang out for the day if raining or a place to eat dinner without mosquitoes but I never found it to be worth the efforts in the end.
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
I got to Colorado and wanted to ride up mount Evans. 14,000'+ elevation. I have been there before when lightening was starting and ending below you. As usual, a nice camp spot.
The view from the top of mount Evans
Not easy hiking in Sidi Adventure boots at this elevation.
A few pics riding down the mountain
Enough of the tar, time to get back to gravel
The view from the top of mount Evans
Not easy hiking in Sidi Adventure boots at this elevation.
A few pics riding down the mountain
Enough of the tar, time to get back to gravel
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
And you guessed it, another wild camp area. I love the freedom of no reservations.
A bit more tar
And made it
I understand the reasons there is a charge to enter XYZ location, I also don't typically spend the money. I get bored quickly and after 2 minutes, I'm ready to leave. With that, this was the closest I could get for free.
With this bucket list item crossed of, I thought I would stay with a movie theme and seeing The World's Fastest Indian, I would stop at Bonniville Salt Flats. That and I road raced for 17 years. Always great seeing 2 wheels being raced in any form.
My camp spot overlooking the track
Temps were 95°F-105°F. I was getting gas before leaving Bonniville and met a lady trying to convince me to ride to Burning Man. Looking back, that could've been a great ending to my 2019 ride but I declined and decided to spend a bit more time in my happy place of Wyoming.
A bit more tar
And made it
I understand the reasons there is a charge to enter XYZ location, I also don't typically spend the money. I get bored quickly and after 2 minutes, I'm ready to leave. With that, this was the closest I could get for free.
With this bucket list item crossed of, I thought I would stay with a movie theme and seeing The World's Fastest Indian, I would stop at Bonniville Salt Flats. That and I road raced for 17 years. Always great seeing 2 wheels being raced in any form.
My camp spot overlooking the track
Temps were 95°F-105°F. I was getting gas before leaving Bonniville and met a lady trying to convince me to ride to Burning Man. Looking back, that could've been a great ending to my 2019 ride but I declined and decided to spend a bit more time in my happy place of Wyoming.
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
Headed to Wyoming for my last time of the year, I started taking more adventurous roads
And the roads kept getting smaller (if you can call them roads)
Until you can't go any further
Who says your S10 can't pretend to be a little 250?
And the roads kept getting smaller (if you can call them roads)
Until you can't go any further
Who says your S10 can't pretend to be a little 250?
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
And back on some tar. A welcomed sight
And after a long day of riding back roads or maybe I should say goat paths, a well deserved dinner. And no, I couldn't finish it all.
And camp
And a bit more of Wyoming on roads with no traffic.
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
I was on my final ride home for the year and was happy for all I was able to see. A camp spot I found along a major highway that is perfect. I have camped here 5+ times
And back in Minnesota, I went back to Hoyt Lakes.
A bit of a chilly morning
And a final photo for the season. My head was spinning from all I experienced.
And back in Minnesota, I went back to Hoyt Lakes.
A bit of a chilly morning
And a final photo for the season. My head was spinning from all I experienced.
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
Much more to come. I fly to another part of the world to meet up with my S10 on May 13. Not sure how much time I will have until I leave or if any time when on the road to post more. If not, fall/ winter will have my story continue.
Everyone enjoy your riding season to come.
Everyone enjoy your riding season to come.
Want2
Active Member
Great pictures, looks like you had a great time
Care to share the name or location of the road through the canyon?
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
No problem,
Photo GPS is 44°13'41.798" N 114°15'42.6984" W
I still remember the road and makes me smile today. Very much worth riding.
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
I was crossing Uzbekistan/ Kyrgyzstan border yesterday and fellow inmate @Usman1501 walked up and introduced himself. Crazy, small world.
I had a great time hanging out together.
Thanks again for all your help!!
I had a great time hanging out together.
Thanks again for all your help!!
Great seeing you @Bigguy136. So nice meeting friend coincidentally. Was great time together and thanks for Bazaar location, great place for local produce.
wishing you the best for your adventures trip.
Good luck buddy
wishing you the best for your adventures trip.
Good luck buddy
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
I am back. It was great seeing @My Tenere and so many other riders. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, the motorcycle community is wonderful.
With the 2019 riding season over for someone who lives in the north (Minnesota), it was time to bring my motorcycles inside for the winter. I have a machine shop that is 1 hour away so I work on my motorcycles in my basement for the small stuff and go to my shop when needed.
Good thing for no wife yelling at me for having my motorcycles in my basement but why heat my garage when my basement is already warm.
With 60,441 mikes on the bike, I wanted to see how all the bearings were in my suspension. I figured the bearings would show some signs of wear but after a wash and inspect, I decided to grease and reassemble.
In addition to this work, I also did first valve lash check. A few exhaust valves were tight but the rest good. Brake/ clutch fluid changed and front suspension freshened up.
Sory but I got the time off when I did my coupler fix out of order. I originally added it a year back but was done the winter of 2019/ 20
With the 2019 riding season over for someone who lives in the north (Minnesota), it was time to bring my motorcycles inside for the winter. I have a machine shop that is 1 hour away so I work on my motorcycles in my basement for the small stuff and go to my shop when needed.
Good thing for no wife yelling at me for having my motorcycles in my basement but why heat my garage when my basement is already warm.
With 60,441 mikes on the bike, I wanted to see how all the bearings were in my suspension. I figured the bearings would show some signs of wear but after a wash and inspect, I decided to grease and reassemble.
In addition to this work, I also did first valve lash check. A few exhaust valves were tight but the rest good. Brake/ clutch fluid changed and front suspension freshened up.
Sory but I got the time off when I did my coupler fix out of order. I originally added it a year back but was done the winter of 2019/ 20
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
I also wanted to update my aux fuel cells. I wanted them to not hang from my panniers and to be low and in front of the rear axle. I designed and made some new fuel cells
I did all design but had a shop laser cut/ form the sheets. I then did all welding and fab work.
With my tanks done, it was time to see how they handle the dirt. Or maybe just an excuse to take off for a few days??
I did all design but had a shop laser cut/ form the sheets. I then did all welding and fab work.
With my tanks done, it was time to see how they handle the dirt. Or maybe just an excuse to take off for a few days??
mybackhurts
Active Member
Simple sweet. You prior service?
Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
I was very happy with the feel of my new aux fuel tanks. I really don't feel they are there. Perfect, maybe a quick ride to Alaska. Nope, it is 2020 and Canada borders are closed. I wait some and nothing. No hope of riding north this year. No problem, there is a house project I was thinking about. As the weather cools and leaves start to fall off the trees, I get a better view of my house project (gazebo in a wooded area) and decide that it won't work like I wanted.
I went into work on Monday morning, told them I changed my mind on house project and if I could change my vacation time to be a bit earlier so I could ride southern US or maybe Mexico if they let me in.
They were good with it so I rush shipped some supplies and fresh tire. I got bike ready that week and Saturday morning, Oct 17, I was leaving for some warmer temps. The first day I rode from Minneapolis, MN to just north of Kansas City. Typically I ride thru a metro area the night before but it was Saturday and no rush hour on Sunday. I found a nice place to put up my camp.
I bought a new Big Agnes Deer Park 30 sleeping bag to go with my Exped XP9 and was happy temps were near freezing. It was dark putting up my tent. I already had dinner at a gas stop earlier so all that was left to do was get in my tent and enjoy. I was all smiles, all night.
In the morning, I packed up early and wanted to get to the Mexico border to see if I could get in.
It was a long day of riding in 40°-50° until I got to Texas and then the warmth came.
The cold wore me down a bit, thinking about if I wanted to do a border crossing at night and then finding a place to camp, I decided to stop early and find a camp spot in the daylight.
I was surprised at the very limited open land to put a tent up. Texas is huge but most all property I was seeing was fenced. It was dusk and I decided it was time to open a gate, enter and close behind me. Not much for camp but it was flat and quiet.
I got to Mexico border at Ojinaga. I had TIP (TVIP) paperwork filled out on-line but not paid and figured if Mexico won't let me cross, no big deal and I would go back to Grand Canyon area to ride. No issue, Mexico was happy to have me. Great, pay for TIP, Mexico auto insurance (I took out a global medical insurance policy before I left home) and I was in.
My first night was in Chihuahua. It was late and all street vendors were all but closed for the night. I found a roadside spot that was selling a bag of pre-made dinner food people were buying at a drive-thru. I walked up and the guy figured it out quick that I was hungry and lost. He made a plate of food, got me a soda and had me sit at their break table. I was so happy. Meal was $2. I gave him $5
In the morning the hotel had breakfast. Hmmm, not what I was thinking. Mexico is a new level of learning for me. Oh, and I don't like refried beans....
Now on my way, I was taking in all northern Mexico had to offer me.
I went into work on Monday morning, told them I changed my mind on house project and if I could change my vacation time to be a bit earlier so I could ride southern US or maybe Mexico if they let me in.
They were good with it so I rush shipped some supplies and fresh tire. I got bike ready that week and Saturday morning, Oct 17, I was leaving for some warmer temps. The first day I rode from Minneapolis, MN to just north of Kansas City. Typically I ride thru a metro area the night before but it was Saturday and no rush hour on Sunday. I found a nice place to put up my camp.
I bought a new Big Agnes Deer Park 30 sleeping bag to go with my Exped XP9 and was happy temps were near freezing. It was dark putting up my tent. I already had dinner at a gas stop earlier so all that was left to do was get in my tent and enjoy. I was all smiles, all night.
In the morning, I packed up early and wanted to get to the Mexico border to see if I could get in.
It was a long day of riding in 40°-50° until I got to Texas and then the warmth came.
The cold wore me down a bit, thinking about if I wanted to do a border crossing at night and then finding a place to camp, I decided to stop early and find a camp spot in the daylight.
I was surprised at the very limited open land to put a tent up. Texas is huge but most all property I was seeing was fenced. It was dusk and I decided it was time to open a gate, enter and close behind me. Not much for camp but it was flat and quiet.
I got to Mexico border at Ojinaga. I had TIP (TVIP) paperwork filled out on-line but not paid and figured if Mexico won't let me cross, no big deal and I would go back to Grand Canyon area to ride. No issue, Mexico was happy to have me. Great, pay for TIP, Mexico auto insurance (I took out a global medical insurance policy before I left home) and I was in.
My first night was in Chihuahua. It was late and all street vendors were all but closed for the night. I found a roadside spot that was selling a bag of pre-made dinner food people were buying at a drive-thru. I walked up and the guy figured it out quick that I was hungry and lost. He made a plate of food, got me a soda and had me sit at their break table. I was so happy. Meal was $2. I gave him $5
In the morning the hotel had breakfast. Hmmm, not what I was thinking. Mexico is a new level of learning for me. Oh, and I don't like refried beans....
Now on my way, I was taking in all northern Mexico had to offer me.
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Bigguy136
Well-Known Member
I am not on any social media and only two forum type websites so I don't know much of what is out there. I heard about Copper Canyon but not exactly where it was or what it was. I go west and figured I would see some roads and go from there. I rode to Hermosillo and never saw anything but tar. Interesting. I checked on other ADV forum where Copper Canyon was but nobody offered any help.
I'm thinking this sure wasn't what I expected. Where is exploring on dirt roads going on for days and needing my remote fuel because there was nothing around for 300 miles. Okay, new plan coming.......
I'm thinking this sure wasn't what I expected. Where is exploring on dirt roads going on for days and needing my remote fuel because there was nothing around for 300 miles. Okay, new plan coming.......
I found this Copper Canyon in Mexico. Don't know if it's the right one being that there's a few of them. About 70mi southwest of Chihuahua as the crow flies. Google Maps wouldn't map out a route.
Copper Canyon - Google Maps
Copper Canyon - Google Maps