Hot Springs and Ghost Towns

The bike trip is getting closer and closer, so I’ve started getting things ready, packing the bike, trying to go as light as I can, ditch the things I don’t need absolutely need and make it all fit.  I think I have it narrowed down to the bare essentials and it will all fit in my saddlebags and one Small TNF Base Camp Duffel.

For a more detailed list of what I’m bringing keep reading below.
The final details on my route are coming together, and I’ve decided to hit a few hot springs and ghost towns across Nevada and into California, so I’m now researching how to continue that theme back into Southern Utah and beyond.  The primary targets include Pott’s hot spring and Diana’s Punch Bowl in the Monitor Valley of Nevada and then onto the Owen River Valley before wandering into Death Valley.  I’m getting psyched to get on the road.  I hope the damn weather holds

As part of final prep I replaced my foot pegs a few days ago with ones from Touratech-USA.  My stock pegs were damaged when the tourist knocked my bike over in Yellowstone last fall.  The new pegs are an inch wider and sit lower which makes riding off pavement and standing up much more stable feeling.  I’ve been out for a few rides with the new pegs and the forward position puts my foot  too close to the shift lever, so now I’m looking into my options for a longer lever.  I think a motocross shifter is the answer, just need to find the one that fits.  I can still shift using the welt of my boot, but I don’t get the full feel and I’ve miss shifted a few times.  Also waiting on the replacement lamps/turn signal to finish repairing the damage.  Note to self – don’t park in front of mini vans in National Parks.

So the Final Gear List looks something like this:

• For a tent I’ll be using the REI Half-Dome II – I debating just taking the bivy sack, but it is nice to have some space.
• Sleeping bag is my old standby – the Marmot Sawtoooth you cant beat down for warmth and packability and my trusty Therm-a-rest
• For cooking, I’m keeping it simple and using the Jetboil stove
• Coffee is important enough to pack a separate French Press, I just picked up the GSI Java Press
• I have a small tool kit, 12 V air compressor for airing up/down as I transition for pavement to dirt
• Rain Gear, A small tarp, extra water bottle, Camelbak – dehydration shortened my last solo trip by a few days
• Oh, and my trusty Ka-Bar knife, useful for almost everything

Anyway, I think I will survive with just the basics, picking up food as I go.  Launch date is still April 20.  A few more days of spring skiing and then its the open road….

JMH

This entry was posted on April 9, 2010 at 11:36 and is filed under Gear, Motorcycle Trips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.