Ged here....I have a Garmin 60 Csx and I think I know how to download tracks....the sooner I get them, the sooner I know if I know how....have done it a few times before....Bob's first tracks sent out some weeks ago seemed to work.

I am close to being prepared....whatever that means. As for cameras, I will have a point and shoot and maybe a GoPro....

What about the camp coffee/oatmeal plan? Bob is reportedly packing his kitchen and I could bring a stove and pot (for boiling water, oatmeal, and rattlesnake eggs)....but won't unless it is essential.

Toroweep apparently expects you to bring your own firewood....who has a trailer for their bike?

Temps seem cool still from my searches around the north canyon area....my current challenge is figuring out which jacket to wear: the only waterproof one is my Darien, but it can be hot when slogging through the sand whoops (I work up a sweat picking up my loaded bike in deep sand)....so I hope the forecast will be for no rain so I can use an enduro jacket instead. Such fashion challenges keep me awake nights.

Bob, I really appreciate your invite to meet you guys a day or so before Vegas, but I am jonesing to taste a bit of Utah around Tropic/Escalante for a few days at that time as I don't get down that way often....unless Fallon has nicer terrain. I plan on being in Vegas Wednesday evening so I have a day to sort my shit out and see what I can do that has to stay a Vegas secret.

I have Googled Vegas hotels/motels to death a month ago and didn't really come up with a definite place....so am eager to see what you guys decide. When you do, let me know so I can get a room Wednesday instead of Thursday.

gps and phone numbers, cameras blah blah

I need a list of gps types and need to know if you can download the tracks your self or if i need to bring a computer to vegas . we need the model of gps so we can send the proper number of tracks and at the right size file . some are limited but we can work around that if we know before probably a good idea to get a list of cell phone contacts and your emergency contact info and i can print a list for every one are you bitches ready to ride? got plenty of cards for your cameras whos taking a helmet cam? anybody check the temps at gc park? only ged will be prepared hahaha

Whole trip is only about 1000 miles taking the direct route, that is why I am looking to add things here and there. We should still have a day or two to relax depending on our pace.

I added some reminders for Bobby so he doesnt forget about the oil again on his XR.

I am good with #3 as well. It would be nice to "get outta Dodge....and the local whoops"...
The ride beyond Mesquite will be sweet after an hour of slab...

Any rough estimate of total mileage for the whole ride?

I called the Bar10 or whatever it is called ranch, they were willing to feed us during the one day where we will not be hitting any towns. It is basically in the middle of nowhere, but as long as we can tell them about when we will be coming through they can be ready with some food. Might just be sandwiches to keep it simple, but it is better than beef jerky.

Bar10 is about 118 miles from where the track starts in Vegas (not sure if this is 100% accurate, but it will be close). The first day is always a mess, so I am not sure about telling them we will be there for dinner.

Option 1: We hit dirt ASAP, things go wrong as usual, and we do about 50-80 miles and camp south of mesquite. This will split the mileage and make it easy to get to Bar10 Saturday early for food (it will only be another 50-80 miles), another 13 miles after that is where we really want to camp (Tuweep Campgound). This makes for only about 130 miles in two days, and that is pretty sad.

Option 2: We all have our shit together Friday morning and tell Bar10 we will see them for dinner Friday afternoon/evening. We eat then go another 13 miles for camp on night 1 in Tuweep Campground. We could make this a better chance if we burn up 15 to Mesquite before hitting dirt. Normally I am anti pavement, but the dirt immediately around Vegas will probably be a hooped out fuck fest so this may not be a bad idea.

Option 3: Burn up 15, eat good at Mesquite, get to Turweep to camp and not need to eat at Bar10.

I know what you are thinking; we can just see what happens. The problem with that is that I still need to confirm a day and rough time with them, and give them a deposit. If we keep the food simple then they said they can probably accommodate us if we give them a window, if we want them cooking steak then we need to tell them pretty accurately.

I know this is long winded, but wanted to see what the group thinks. I am thinking option 3, but still try to haul ass and just see if we can scrounge some burgers at Bar10 using our good looks. And by “our” I mean “my”.

            

Let me know what you think.

Zilla sent me some more tracks and I will get working on them this week if I can ever get done with these bikes.

I correctly installed Bobby's air filter this time, and even filled his bike with oil. Almost 100 psi for the base compression test, so it looks like the top end is solid at least.

GPS that makes lattes????....AND keeps an eye on me??? multi-purpose tool, huh? Still, I want name tags....I hear that Bob is arranging a mixer for the evening of the 19th and apparently is wondering what theme to go with..... that's a good time to pass out name tags don't you think?....

There no stopping me now gentlemen.  i officially have access to a gps for the trip.  And from what i heard this baby is sweet.  i'll be able to put it on cruise control, sit back and relax, take in the sights and maybe even catch a little family guy while it brews me a latte.  the evil arab will now be eatting my dust....Muhahahah.  Dont worry Ged, my doubles as a Ged Positioning System so we wont leave you.

I'll be the guy following this gang of hoodlums and miscreants...holding on for dear life imagining Hunter S. Thompson created the routes and tracks... Fear and Loathing on the Grand Canyon Trail...I'll be the Samoan.

Wednesday, March 7th

Howdy guys,
The 690 is in getting her nails done...weather is warming, so some riding is around the corner up here. Mentally packing my stuff and think I had a spatial breakthrough...these things please me.

Packing food is good with me, but Bob won't let me eat sardines. ..

It's great to be riding with a group that knows one another...likely no trips there. But you're going to have to wear nametags for me for the first few days.

I'm with you bob on having a days worth of food packed every day, just in case. I have 30 MREs if any one would like me to bring some for them, they work out great especialy if you take them apart and only bring the stuff you want and they were free to me so let me know. Myself and gay Dave are planning on sharing a stove and fuel for the stove. The beer run idea sounds good to me but I'm also able to mix vodka with my own piss if I have to.

I am ready to change and fix a flat, but not the spark plug. I can bring a multi-fuel stove and small pot w/lid that can be a fry pan...but I won't pack it if it isn't needed. Fuel for a few breakfasts w/ it.

Will we camp tout each night , or do any motels in between....doesn't matter, just wondering? Ready for both.

My tool kit is basic w/ some repair goop and zipties. Have a hand pump that works. A master link sounds better than a riveted chain. Who has the chain breaker and press? Anvil? Ball Peen hammer?

Tent works and bag is good for around freezing or thereabouts...better bag is too big to pack this trip...

New tires and chain/sprockets, and a good attitude.

tools and model bike

what tools are you bringing and what bike are you riding you need to have with you a way to change tires and spark plug. and be able to do that alone. you also need to have 2 master links and at least 4 complete links of THE SAME CHAIN THATS ON YOUR BIKE. we can discuss the need to have dulplicates of the other tools that may be needed. we can look at this a few ways are you ready to be part of the group or is it possible that you will split from the group. it could also be a pair of riders that will stay together and they have the tools to support each other.

adult beverage

adult beverage/substance prefrences lets see what we are going to enjoy around the fire at night. i truly enjoy a cold beer but that is not usually do able. somteimes its worth 2 guys riding 40 miles round trip for some beer and ice but usually its vodka with gatoraid, burbon/scotch/ schnapps. what do you llike and will your bring i know there are a few 420 guys on the trip and i will be happy to provide..... just tell me how much you want and ill bring for you if you want. what ya got?

FOOD

lets talk about one of the logistic problems i like road food and can usually get something that works at any greasy spoon as long as i dont have to eat fish. fish needs to be wigglin when you cook it we plan every day to eat a meal with fuel but for sure one. we (kevin) are working on that day we have had some days turn into pavement miles because of lack of food or water so i want to be ready. i am going to be able to spend the night out after every fuel stop. i like to have some oatmeal , hot choc. and coffee, trail mix, i will try to find some kind of rice i can make with hot water and some canned/bagged chicken. a snickers and nuts (winning) is good too. i am not taking stuff to cook in but to boil water. i have a small grill that fits in a 1" dia piece of stainless 10" long. if we want to ues this i will carry it if yo tell me what we will cook. herc and i used it for hotdogs once and maybe something else. you guys got ideas as what to eat on the trail for a night stomach filler?

So this is the new tank I was looking at getting.  Not sure if the make a male for you Dave.