Never again!!!!

[sanjaun2]

That's right, After I get out of Nevada I will never ride here again. Beautiful state in its own right, But not so motorcycle friendly. First while cruisin on a remote part of hwy 93 I came around a corner and 3 HORSES were walking down the hwy. 2 in my lane and 1 in the other. knew something wasn't right so I slammed on the brakes. They just kept walking abreast down the hwy. After a bit of coaxing I passed them in the oncoming lane. Then a few dogs here and there. Now I am on the EXTRA TERRESTRIAL HWY (real name) It is lightning and thunder big time. the one place to get gas has decided to close. I could back track 50-60 miles. There is a sign stating next gas 110 miles. My computer says I have 107 left. I thought of Ken Meese and went for it. And of course huge wind. I am fighting very hard to just stay in my lane. Trust me, 2 hands on the wheel and no exceptions for water or changing music. I'm going down the ET hwy and see something ahead. Its a cow, A big cow with BIG horns standing on the right side of the road. I then notice a baby calf that was very recently killed on the left side of the road, right at the end of a long skidmark! So now I must go between the big horned one and its calf. Luckily he wasn't to upset with me. I make it thru the speed traps to Hawthorne NV. Had a nice meal and headed out towards Lake Tahoe. It is now blasting so hard I downshift to 4th to help control the bike and Its not working well enough. I am now doing 40mph in a 70 zone with my flashers on. My gps says 2.6 miles to the next cutoff and I'm hoping the direstion change or topography will make it bearable. I just can't make that lousy 2.6 miles and duck into a abandoned truck stop. I park into the wind between two pumps, leave her in first and put down the side stand, I am standing ther holding the bike down and I notice A big rock. I run over and grab the rock and put it under the center stand on the right side. Pertfect size and shape to cram in there. I sat up against the 2 foot high wall for an hour and a half. About an hour into this wait a couple of police cars flew by with lights and sirens ablazing. I knew it wasn't a good sign for some one. I figured a truck blew over. The sun started dropping below the tip of the mountains and It finally slowed to about 30mph with some gusts a little higher like 40mph. So, I removed my rock from the center stand and back tracked my way the 30 miles to Hawthorne. It is now managable. I come to all the flashing lights that wizzed by me 30 minutes earlier to find that a Harley guy got blown off the hwy. Luckily he had on full gear and helmet. He was standing near his bike while the cops held it up. He didn't look like he was ready to get back on her yet. So, Tomorrow's forcast is much better and I'm heading to CA! Did I mention the only room I could find available is a rat hole. But it does have high speed!!

[AlaskaFish]

Damn Brian! Thank Heavens you managed to survive that "hurricane"! Just think of the old song: "It never rains in California--"!

I've got the first pint when we do meet up there buddy, you done earned it! Smart move using that rock under your right side to prop her!

See ya in 2 days!

John

[RSnyder]

Sorry :( you did not enjoy your trip through our state! That is one of the thing about Nevada, it is an Open Range State you have to watch for livestock along with wild animals on the roads. (Ranchers are not required to contain their livestock). Don't know if the horses you came across were wild or not but lots of them are found through out the state.

Yea, the winds here can be a real pain and in some parts gas is along ways between stops. I am glad to hear that you did not run into any serious problems though. There is an old saying here if you don't like the weather wait five minutes and it will change.

You know, come to thing of it when I go for long trips I head for California and Oregon. This fall I hope to make to your part of the woods. I lived in Lakewood for about a year in the late seventies.

I could not handle all the rain. That is the nice thing about this country you can go any where and see the differences. Maybe this fall if I make it to your area we can get together?

[usmctpdog]

Brian,

I feel your pain buddy !! I hate being in a wind more than any other condition other than fog when having to ride... I have done the Nevada thing too and will never do it again If I can help it...

The Golden Sierra Foothills has some beautiful riding areas - Tahoe/Sac/Reno/State Rd 49 is my old riding area. *Just beautiful roads*.

Come back safe and with lots of pictures & stories !!!

[sanjaun2]

Hey Rusty,
I hope you know I wasn't bad mouthing your state. How could I complain with all the rain we get! I did get blasted pretty good though. I think the animals were funny and part I will remember. We are supposed to ride within our sight distance right? Its a beautiful state but today I got weathered out! Let me know when your in my neck of the woods and I'll show ya around.

[meese]

C'mon, Brian, if they made it easy everyone would ride there. :) Glad you survived, and got the checkpoint. See you at WCR.

[sanjaun2]

Mike,
I remember you posting a short while ago about how you enjoy the wind!!! To bad you can't make it to WCR.

John, I am looking foward to that beer let me tell you! It has been awhile since we have gotten together. I just talked to Ernie, He is in Bryce canyon. He was there last night just like me. He had no internet so we did not know we were both there! Small world. I'll be in 3 rivers on thurs, so will Ernie. See ya when you get there.

[Serebigal]

Brian: Hope you enjoy the rest of the trip. Remember long ago when you were an Airman. That's right, this old Chief is telling you now.

"Suck it up Troop! Think of it as a career broadening experience."

Blue Skies!

Big Al

[jwd98056]

Sounds like a real adventure Brian. I had already decided to bypass Nevada on my CCR return trip but your experience just confirms it. Actually I have had more than one car sand blasted down to bare metal in the SW deserts. Sounds like you did all the right things and you are safe so that is what really matters. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

[dshealey]

I have been across NV several times, only hit high winds once though. Oklahoma on the other hand----------! Of the 6 times I crossed OK, 4 of them were in insane winds. Once I crossed OK on my way to my daughter's home in Memphis, some of the worst wind yet. Watching the news after I got to Memphis saw I went through about 2 hours before a swarm of tornadoes hit where I was. You will stay out of NV, I will try to stay out of OK now. :D :D

[sanjaun2]

Today is a great day in NV, Blue skies and light winds. I think I'll do some riding! Al, Its funny you bring up my airmen days. Yesterday as I was dodging the tumble weeds reminded me of the years I spent in Clovis NM.

[RajinCajun]

Dang Brian,

Must have been bad for you to be talking like this. You are not one to complain. I am most glad that your experience and safety-conscience attitude paid off here. A lesser man might have gotten himself in a lot of trouble. Kudos to you for making it through all that. Beer is always on tap here, and will be on me next time we meet up.

Clovis -- aw, now there's a place! Not quite as good as Minot or Altus though! Ride safe my friend!

[amarider]

That's right, After I get out of Nevada I will never ride here again. Beautiful state in its own right, But not so motorcycle friendly. First while cruisin on a remote part of hwy 93 I came around a corner and 3 HORSES were walking down the hwy. 2 in my lane and 1 in the other. knew something wasn't right so I slammed on the brakes. They just kept walking abreast down the hwy. After a bit of coaxing I passed them in the oncoming lane. Then a few dogs here and there. Now I am on the EXTRA TERRESTRIAL HWY (real name) It is lightning and thunder big time. the one place to get gas has decided to close. I could back track 50-60 miles. There is a sign stating next gas 110 miles. My computer says I have 107 left. I thought of Ken Meese and went for it. And of course huge wind. I am fighting very hard to just stay in my lane. Trust me, 2 hands on the wheel and no exceptions for water or changing music. I'm going down the ET hwy and see something ahead. Its a cow, A big cow with BIG horns standing on the right side of the road. I then notice a baby calf that was very recently killed on the left side of the road, right at the end of a long skidmark! So now I must go between the big horned one and its calf. Luckily he wasn't to upset with me. I make it thru the speed traps to Hawthorne NV. Had a nice meal and headed out towards Lake Tahoe. It is now blasting so hard I downshift to 4th to help control the bike and Its not working well enough. I am now doing 40mph in a 70 zone with my flashers on. My gps says 2.6 miles to the next cutoff and I'm hoping the direstion change or topography will make it bearable. I just can't make that lousy 2.6 miles and duck into a abandoned truck stop. I park into the wind between two pumps, leave her in first and put down the side stand, I am standing ther holding the bike down and I notice A big rock. I run over and grab the rock and put it under the center stand on the right side. Pertfect size and shape to cram in there. I sat up against the 2 foot high wall for an hour and a half. About an hour into this wait a couple of police cars flew by with lights and sirens ablazing. I knew it wasn't a good sign for some one. I figured a truck blew over. The sun started dropping below the tip of the mountains and It finally slowed to about 30mph with some gusts a little higher like 40mph. So, I removed my rock from the center stand and back tracked my way the 30 miles to Hawthorne. It is now managable. I come to all the flashing lights that wizzed by me 30 minutes earlier to find that a Harley guy got blown off the hwy. Luckily he had on full gear and helmet. He was standing near his bike while the cops held it up. He didn't look like he was ready to get back on her yet. So, Tomorrow's forcast is much better and I'm heading to CA! Did I mention the only room I could find available is a rat hole. But it does have high speed!!

Hi Brian,

So you cross it on a good day ;):rolleyes:
Actually I love Nevada and cross it often, only about 1 out of 10 crossings have bad weather. Lots of great riding out there - Of course you never travel the ET Hwy without a full tank...............
See ya on thursday.

[black1200lt]

Hi Brian,

So you cross it on a good day ;):rolleyes:
Actually I love Nevada and cross it often, only about 1 out of 10 crossings have bad weather. Lots of great riding out there - Of course you never travel the ET Hwy without a full tank...............
See ya on thursday.

Yes, I thought I did *not* need an auxiliary fuel tank...till I crossed Nevada!:D

[sanjaun2]

Every place does have its day, I guess it was just my turn in the washing machine. I must give credit to Nevada's hwy dept. Every road I was on was well kept.
Dave, I know what to mean about Oklahoma. I was visiting my brother who lived there temporary. We were out on his boat when one of those tornadoes popped up nearby seamingly out of nowhere. It was a mad dash to the shore.

[RSnyder]

Hey Rusty,
I hope you know I wasn't bad mouthing your state. How could I complain with all the rain we get! I did get blasted pretty good though. I think the animals were funny and part I will remember. We are supposed to ride within our sight distance right? Its a beautiful state but today I got weathered out! Let me know when your in my neck of the woods and I'll show ya around.

No offense taken. all the states have their own unique weather to get use to. Last fall when returning from a trip from Northern CA had pouring rain from Shasta City to Susanville not to mention a 45 min wait in the rain for (belive it or not) road construction then high winds all the way from Susanville to Reno. Got to love the wind :rolleyes:

[meese]

Brian, I didn't know you did a stint in Clovis. Some good friends are in Clovis now, or as they refer to it, "the armpit of New Mexico".

See y'all on Friday.

[sanjaun2]

Ken,
Sorry, But I really have nothing good to say about Clovis! You have missed a good night here in three rivers. Good food, good libations, and good B.S. Sessions. See you tomorrow when we get back from our daily ride.

[Rotor]

Brain,
Just think, when your old and gray, sitting in your recliner. The story you can tell your grand kids about crossing Nv. That's what it's all about.
I enjoy it.

Wayne
Life is short, enjoy every moment

[Gene_Chapman]

Were you by chance south of Caliente on 93?? I was returning from the BMW gathering in Las Vegas a couple of years ago and was enjoying a few twisties on 93 when i came around a corner and scared the beejeebies out of a very large gray draft horse. It reared up on its hind legs and I blew past. I didnt realize the knocking noise on the tank was my knees until I stopped in Caliente for gas.

I love riding in NV. Long stretches of open road. Traveled from Boise to Las Vegas a couple of times. Boise to Reno a few more times. Never ran into high winds, but he temperatures from George Utah south were pretty extreme a time or two.

Coni, was that you in LaGrande heading east on Ali on the morning of the 21st? I was heading back to Olympia following my daughters wedding on the 20th and the other LT rider and I both waved and looked back at the other as we passed. Black LT, black riding gear.

[black1200lt]

[QUOTE=
Coni, was that you in LaGrande heading east on Ali on the morning of the 21st? I was heading back to Olympia following my daughters wedding on the 20th and the other LT rider and I both waved and looked back at the other as we passed. Black LT, black riding gear.[/QUOTE]

It sure was!!! I waved at both of you. Sure was a nice surprise. I saw a Canyon Red one out riding that day too. Bruce was that you?
It sure was a perfect day for riding.
Nice to see you Gene. We really must get the gang together real soon.
Best,

[Gene_Chapman]

If the Canyon Red that you saw was the one in La Grande, it was me. I was riding solo. Kathi still resides in Boise, so I was riding solo!

Rode up to Semiahmoo yesterday, had a couple of LT's pass me on my way up to Blaine!

Gene

[sanjaun2]

[QUOTE=Gene_Chapman]Were you by chance south of Caliente on 93?? I was returning from the BMW gathering in Las Vegas a couple of years ago and was enjoying a few twisties on 93 when i came around a corner and scared the beejeebies out of a very large gray draft horse. It reared up on its hind legs and I blew past. I didnt realize the knocking noise on the tank was my knees until I stopped in Caliente for gas.

Gene,
That wasn't me, But it may have been Ernie. Green Lt 2 up.