We had set aside 3 weeks time off in the summer of 2015, so we decided to skip riding the plains west of VA and "shuttle" our machines the 28+ hour drive straight to Colorado Springs. This was a trip I myself had dreamed of, riding across the western part of the US on an old bike. We made it through Colorado-Utah-Idaho-Wyoming and back to Utah before one of our bikes decided to self destruct. Here's a collection of photos from our trip.
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If the hitch don't fit, shove a glove in it
After driving for 24 hours- the coffee could no longer keep us awake. We ended up sleeping for a few hours in the grass at a rest stop in Kansas.
The 85' 240 that got us there.
Atop Pikes Peak. ~14,000' elevation. Bikes sputtered and farted their way to the top, running super rich due to the altitude.
In search of some BLM land to camp for the night.
Nav dad trying to find the elusive free camping spots
The road got a bit hairy
Found an awesome spot on the Arkansas river to stay for the night.
Ended up falling into a 4 foot ravine, fully flipping the bike upside down. Thankfully the only casualties were the beemer's handlebar mirror- and what was left of my dignity.
Exploring some dirt roads near the Blue Mesa resevoir in CO.
Headed towards Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Washed our clothes in the Arkansas river near Grand Junction. Caught a catfish with a tent pole and some fishing line that night, definitely a highlight from the trip.
What happens when a bag is riding on your exhaust? It catches fire. On the side of the road headed towards SLC
At the Bavarian Workshop in SLC, UT. BIkes were running way rich due to the elevation. Did a little rejetting in the parking lot.
On the road towards Bear Lake, ID.
When stiff from riding for hours, we were in desperate need of some loose juice.
Roadside maintenance
Advanced roadside maintenance
Sleep deprivation taking it's toll
Looking rough and out of place. On our way towards Grand Teton National Park.
Camping near Jackson Hole, WY
Tetons. Some majestic crags!
Never-ever seen a spark plug do that. Luck had stranded us a few blocks from a hardware store where we were able to pick up a bolt extractor and remove the threads still stuck in Taylor's cylinder head.
Immediately got a flat headed into our camp spot in Cedar City, UT.
The friendly critters of Zion National Park.
Exploring some gnarly mudded out roads
The mud was so dense it was hard keeping everything upright
When mud takes the wheel.
Cleaning mud from the fenders. It would build up so quick and thick it was almost like concrete. It got so bad our tires started to smoke from friction, so removing the front wheel was the only way to get it out.
When leaving our campground, Taylor managed to mangle his brake lever on a rock. When trying to fix it by beating it back with another rock, it snapped in half. Luckily we met a guy in Cedar City that was able to weld it back.
*Knock* Knock* Who's there? It's your engine, and the *knock* is the sound it makes when your oil pump unscrews itself, stops circulating oil and subsequently eats your connecting rod bearings. Pretty climactic end to an amazing trip. Can't wait for JITTBD 2.
