Born to Ride Born for Adventure: April 2011

GREEN RIVER TO ASPEN COLORADO

Left my overnight stop at Green River, which reminds me a lot of the Springbok area in SA, headed towards Grand Junction and then into Colorado to overnight at Glenwood, near Aspen and on the Colorado River, wanted to do some river rafting but still closed until the 15th May. It's amazing how when you get near a famous resort like Aspen how quickly the prices jump-up Offered a log-cabin No TV very basic $65. Caught again in a huge rain storm, couldn't really see so pull into a motel, tomorrow differently going to head South and hopefully better weather conditions.

Nice "HOT ROD" great sound when it pulled-off

HIGHWAY 15 THEN US 6 TO GREEN RIVER

After leaving Salt Lake City headed to Park City, for breakfast and a look around. Park City is known for its world class ski resorts, host of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Main Street is in the hub of "Old Town" with great eating places and shops. Got back onto Highway 15 heading South, after awhile decided to turn Southwest onto US 6 towards Price and reached Green River, were I stopped to overnight and just sit outside in the unbelievable sunshine, what a treat to have warmth in the sun again. One of the worries I've had on the trip, while riding on major highways, is been hit from behind, well I always glance in my rear view mirrors, checking to see if any cars or trucks are getting to close, ride in the right hand and slow lane. Reason why, on the news last night a bike rider was returning from work, riding in the fast-lane and was rear ended by a car, push him into the car in front and then thrown over the front car hitting the right-hand bumper then falling into the lane of on-coming cars, just nearly missed by a car. All caught on Road-cam, survived with cracked ribs, lost his spine though but very lucky to be alive.

SALT LAKE CITY

Salt Lake City, wow what a beautiful amazingly clean City, well laid-out, Trams, few cars, people seem to walk around the main center, cycle paths, all over.

Overnight South on Highway 15 to Salt Lake City

Great day for riding your bike, sun out, blue sky's, but still a chill in the air though, rode down a long valley, going from Idaho into Utah and passing large ranches, green farmlands with all the peaks still covered in snow. Not much to photograph on the way but will post tomorrow more photo's.
Salt Lake City nestled at the base of the Wasatch Range, is a well planned city. Streets throughout the Lake Valley are patterned on a grid system I see, at the center of which is Temple Square, the spiritual and historical headquarters of the Church of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

MOUNTAIN MEN But How Do They Survive Up in The Rookies

French Trappers gave the name "Trois Tetons" ( 3 breasts) which are the giant peaks to the Southeast and were a famous early land-mark known to Fur hunters and Mountain men

Big storm coming in

Awoke to snow everywhere as per above photo's, decided to wait until last minute and see what the weather did, sun came out, now I know why everybody drives huge Pick-up's, they attach snowplough to them in the morning after a snow storm and clear the drive-ways and streets with them. Met a truck driver in the reception of the motel, he had just come up from Ashton, were I was heading for, said road was open, but just watch-out on steep down-hills and be careful on shaded corners for ice on the road. Left at 11 and in the first 50km's I dropped from over 8000ft to 600ft, took it slowly off the mountain and after one hour arrived on the plains of Idaho. In the last 2 days I had snow, hail, rain and high winds, passing Idaho Falls and just 8km's out of a town called Chubbuck's the above storm broke above me and it started snowing once again. Saw the sign for Motel 6 up ahead, pull off and booked in using a my free night, which the owner of the Seattle branch had given me, after hearing my story about the trip so far.

STRANDED IN WEST YELLOWSTONE

Cleaning a path for cars to leave, below right vehicle for around here.

Riding from North to West and out at West Yellowstone

"Liberty Cap" Dormant Hot Spring Cone

Not were I fell, better road surface

Left Chico Hot Springs and headed towards Yellowstone National Park, came around a corner saw a flashing light sign, saying "Motor Cyclist Beware " slowed down, only to find I had to cross a Cattle Grid, then passed Gardiner, which is on the Yellowstone River, arrived at the Main Park gate, Paid my $20 for a bike, car costs $25 ?? doesn't seem fair, asked Ranger ( not as good looking and well dressed as Grand Canyon rangers ) about road and weather conditions, said "No Problems" at all, must exit out at West Yellowstone. As always I should have known. Didn't happen. Rode into park, lots of Buffalo's on the sides of the road, stopped at Mammoth Springs Junction, took pictures of the amazing Mammoth Hot Springs which has a wooden walking path around the lower and upper terraces area. Started climbing up a zig-zag road, went over the top ( 8564ft) and straight away into falling snow, well couldn't turn back, so pushed on slowly, hit a frozen part of the road and down I went sliding along the road for about 20m Fortunately in no time at all a car arrived on the scene, out jump the driver and helped right my bike, luckily no damaged and injury, he then followed me, just in case I had another mishap, but I quickly learnt to use my feet as training wheels and slide my boots along the tops of the ice for the next 20miles to Norris, where it stopped snowing and the road conditions improved, made straight for West Yellowstone Village, booked into a Motel and will wait and see what tomorrow brings. Lady at reception tells me must go over a pass, then drop down to Ashton.

YELLOWSTONE ROAD BLOCK

BIG SKY COUNTRY "MONTANA"

Yellowstone River

Yankee Jim Canyon

Real Live Buffalo

Hot Spring Straight into River

Elk & Moose on side of the road

Always heard about the open spaces of " Big Sky Country Montana " well never imagine it would be some beautiful, large open grass lands, huge ranches, fast running rivers and of-course the Rockies Mountains. Left my overnight Motel later than normal, had my Sissie and family on Skype, nice chatting to them, waited for the Girls from London "Amandy and Linda " but I suppose you were delayed by the feet lady, anyway thanks again for the North America GPS card you gave me for my Birthday, really been a big help. As I left the Motel rode over the train tracks down a steep hill, looked left saw the road was open, turned into the road going South, well in no time at all, I saw flashing lights behind me, pulled over and for the first time in America and Canada, I had been stopped by " State Trooper" very friendly, said I didn't put my foot down and stop at a stop sign, I really didn't see it. Took my SA drivers license to his car, were he had an on board computer and printer, must of checked me out, returned with a printed "Warning" letter for me and wished me well on the rest of my trip.
Headed East, passing Bozeman and turned right at Livingston onto Route 98 South. Riding down the Yellowstone Valley and following the Yellowstone River, great fishing, rafting, hiking, skiing and I see you can also drive your own team of huskies on a dogsled trek. Arrived at my overnight stop " Chico Hot Springs" a place Karin had suggested which would be a great place to soak my tried bod. Nice old style hotel built and open in 1900 and has 2 natural hot pools, water temperature averages 103 and 98.
Will see how the rest of the day and night goes, may spend 2 nights here or head into the Park tomorrow.