Trans America Trail - 2008
Day 15 –
Miles: 211 (road
distance as per GPS)
Hotel: Super8
Maps:
Oregon
Complete – KML (Google Earth)
Oregon
– Part 1 – KML (Google Earth)
Oregon
– Part 2 – KML (Google Earth)
Oregon
– Part 3 – KML (Google Earth)
Oregon
– Part 4 – KML (Google Earth)
Commentary:
Rode out of
Winnemucca today past
The road (above)
was long and cold out to Denio (Deny-O) junction. I stopped once but could
count the number of cars I saw on one hand in 100 miles. Got into Denio
junction, which is basically a cross-roads, rode
through and got into Denio itself. I couldn’t find a gas station so I asked a
local at the post office; she directed me back to the junction.
I gassed up
there and headed a mile back the way I came to the trail turn off.
I stopped at a
cattle gate and got the bike through. I was going to get lots of practise at
this – ride up, stop, figure out the lock (combo of wire, loops, nylon ropes),
push the bike through, re-lock, start bike and go. Some gates were easy other
took about 5 minutes to untangle!
This is where
the trail started to get a little wild, although there were lots of cows and proghorn.
In the pictures
above I headed over the mountains seen in the 2nd one and down
through a gully in the 3rd picture.
It was good
riding but had to avoid the cow-pats all over the place.
As I came down
out of the hills I started across the plain and ran into more cattle gates:
The trail
started to get a little less clear:
(read directions in Road book)
Are you sure???
Anyway, the
trail was still there and soon came to a larger double-track.
I followed this for
a while and it started to head out over some more hills. These hills turned
into mountains and the going got tough.
The bike was on
the standard gearing so I was in first all the way up and riding the clutch.
No the best way
to do this. I was thinking about those people doing the trail on big twin
cylinder bikes; it would be pretty tough for them.
The trail had
turned to lose rocks and gravel and was quite a serious incline. It also had
some nasty cambers to it. I don’t think it would have been impossible just
heavy going.
I got to the
bottom of the mountain sections ran into a river that ended in a small gorge.
Trying to get across
here was tricky; I deceided to walk it first to see
how deep it was and as soon as I stepped in I went into the knees.
I walked the
bike across and it went in up to the cylinder head. I got through ok though and
hit the asphalt to the nearest gas station.
On the way I
came across this overlook that was so big I thought I might see the sea from
there.
Really
impressive. I continued along US through Adel and
eventually into
As I was
checking into the Super8 I came across Dennis and Gary who were doing some
fence riding on their KLR’s.
We got chatting
and eventually went and had the best dinner I had since starting the trail,
just next to the Super8.
I was pretty pooped
after dinner and we had a cigar and a few beers and got some shut-eye.
This day was a
great day; the reasonably challenging ride, spectacular scenery, good food and
friendly people.
You can’t ask
for much more than that.
Journal Quote:
Had a long cold trip ride again today to Denio junction. Started early from Winnemucca and got to Denio.
Got turned around looking for gas but got some at the junction. Went over and
onto the trail and had a good start. Saw lots of Prog-horn
and climbed up a small mountain. Got to the top after going through several
gates and went down the other side. Had a good ride down then
out across the basin. Very empty and pretty scary! Did
a hell of a climb over a ridge; just like tennis ball hill back in dewildt. Was pretty tough. Got
over the top and looked for an exit to pavement. Re-prog’d
the GPS but it took me into a marsh. Walked the biek through after checking it out. Boots leaked
like sieves. Got back on the tar and proceeded to see some awesome sights. Got into