azkaisr Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 I decided to get up early yesterday to get some pictures in the Superstition Mountains to the East of town and then take the GS up to Young AZ. Now my cat Jesus Perez gets a lot of press time in my rides...but most people don't know about his brother Liam...Liam has a great trait. He knows when I want to get up and makes sure I don't slip up and sleep in. Normally my response to being woken up early on a Saturday is to throttle the little weasel. Just kidding I was just making sure his collar was still attached. After getting some coffee for my thermos, I headed out to the Apache Trail. I am trying to work my dirt skills as much as possible and the route today would include about 100 miles of dirt. This picture was taken about 0600 and the temp was a nice 80 degrees. I didn't stop on the trail this morning to take any pictures. This ride as really about getting some good practice in riding the GS off pavement and building on some of the skills I have been taught. At the end of the trail I was seriously contemplating selling the GS and getting a smaller bike and a Jeep. I was still not feeling confident in my riding enough to go faster then 2nd gear. Now these roads are not tough. Heck Boney would consider them paved. Killer would drive a moped down them. But to me, I was trying to over control. Rather then quit and go home, I decided to head up to Young and see if more practice would help. As I was motoring towards the Young turnoff, I saw the sign for the Tonto Monument. I still hadn't drank my coffee and decided to turn in and take a picture from the parking lot and then head on out. I arrived at 0750 and the park opened at 8. They let me in early and I had the place almost to myself. It was now about 90 degrees out. Low tech food processor. I bet Alton Brown uses one when out on the road. The light hitting the local trees Prickly Pear Fruits are edible and make for good jelly Nice to see them put the flag up The ruins lie about 350ft above the parking lot I was going to just take off and head to Young, but the ranger informed me that the hike up, while steep, was really spectacular and you could get into the ruins. So I changed into my hiking sandals and grabbed some water and up I went. The rules The Saguaros are now in full bloom. The trail while paved was actually really steep which made for more issues coming down then going up. Did I mention that it was now about 95 degrees out? You can really see how the Jumping Cholla gets it name in this picture. The small plant in the foreground started out as an arm. About half way up you come upon a saguaro skeleton showing the inside of these giants. The locals used them to make structures. It was about 100 now and I was getting tired. But I was also too close not to go on up! I wondered what it would have been like to have lived in this place back then. I mean it had to have been a really tough life. The geometry and workmanship of the original structures is on par with the work done in the 1930's when they built the trail and retaining walls. This was not some small time share. I wonder if the guy with the most maize got the room with this view? The minute I see a twisty road, I just want to ride. So off the mountain I went. At the visitor center I managed to get a picture of me. From here I road up the 50 miles to Young Arizona. If you have not been there, I would suggest you take the time to go. For some reason I did not take any pictures which just means I have to go back and do it again. One of the main reasons was that I really started to take to the bike. For some reason standing up more in the dirt along with understanding the physics of the ride really got me into an area where I felt like I was in control more. The last 10 miles up to the highway North of Young were FUN. And the road was the worst I had ridden since Cottonwood Canyon in Utah. Standing up and letting the bike dance under me now makes sense. I road the last clip at about 40mph in 3rd gear. Still need to work on adjusting the handlebars some but I am not looking for a jeep either. Think I may go up again next Saturday and take a few pictures there for a tale. There were also a few roads that could use some exploring as well. Kaisr Link to comment
ericfoerster Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Nice tale. I sure wished I lived a little closer as that is just the kind of exploring I like to do. Camera in one hand and a throttle in the other...ah, a perfect weekend Link to comment
PhillyFlash Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Nice tale. I sure wished I lived a little closer as that is just the kind of exploring I like to do. Camera in one hand and a throttle in the other...ah, a perfect weekend Wait until October or November. You should have your next new bike by then. Link to comment
SageRider Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Always entertaining reading! Link to comment
Lets_Play_Two Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Great pics and story crafting. Link to comment
glockster Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 At the end of the trail I was seriously contemplating selling the GS and getting a smaller bike and a Jeep.... Well if you get a Jeep, let me know.....this one just sits covered on the side of the house. I just got back from my own solo ride. I don't know what it is but I'm beginning to really enjoy riding by my self. You might be questioning your skills but you definitely know how to use that camera. Great pictures Tom, hope to see you soon. Link to comment
RussL Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Tom, another nice ride report. I thought about you today as I did some dirt riding up on the Rim. I did Control Road from Pine to Kohls Ranch, old 188 from Gisela to Jake's Corner, and the Apache Trail from Lake Roosevelt to Tortilla Flat. About 50 miles of dirt altogether. We need to get together and do some exploring. Link to comment
TNT Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Nice pic's Tommy, how I miss home. (AZ) Link to comment
hindsight Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Most excellent!!! But where is a picture of the pants. You can't do a ride tail in the dirt and not show off those yellow pants. Later Link to comment
azkaisr Posted June 14, 2007 Author Share Posted June 14, 2007 Most excellent!!! But where is a picture of the pants. You can't do a ride tail in the dirt and not show off those yellow pants. Later Saturday baby may be a Yellow Pants day. It is supposed to be wicked hot here when we go riding and the black mesh will not cut it. Kaisr Link to comment
SC_SVRider Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 "Watch for rattlesnakes, they have the right of way"... EEEEK! Nice ride tale. Link to comment
azducgirl Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Tom, Great ride report! I can't wait to get out there on my own GS bike!!! Dirt is the best. Link to comment
ericfoerster Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 Wait until October or November. You should have your next new bike by then. Hmmm, something tells me I am not the only with a new scooter Go ahead, out with the news Howard Link to comment
azkaisr Posted June 15, 2007 Author Share Posted June 15, 2007 Sheesh can't anyone keep a secret around here! Link to comment
PhillyFlash Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 New scooter? No one around here that I know of is in possession of a new scooter. Link to comment
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