Western Motorbike Tour
2006
July 2 - 13, 2006 approx
3000 miles
California -
Arizona -
New Mexico -
Colorado -
Utah -
Nevada
July 2 we left Chino for the 250 mile run to Havasu
Landing on the Chemehuevi Indian reservation on the
California side of Lake Havasu where we did The River experience for a
few days with Elvis and Jen.
We usually do this a few times each summer. Here's
a report on a River trip from 2005.
Here's Jen and Vanimal hanging out on the sand bar. A monsoon chased us off it.
Elvis grilled up some tasty burgers for us. Disguised as hot dogs.
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Jen wanted to go on the ride with us but we told her
"NO CHINESE MINIBIKES"
Or at least we could dictate to her
(or you can go buy a white Manley t-shirt to show your patriotism to ChinO.) |
July 5th, after what seemed like a 2 hour breakfast
at the stupid Sail Inn, we got ready to continue our motorbiking
adventure.
On Vanimal's 2 bikes: Vanimal & Mikey. Navigator: Angel. On the
Suzuki: Gary & Donna
Elvis drove the boat home. Ryan drove Chase Truck.
(No, the chinese minibike and the 50cc dirtbike did not make the journey)
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We celebrated these "low" Arizona gas
prices after paying nearly $4 per gallon in California.
That's The Vanimal on her '91 FXLR.
TUBES RULE! |
 |
Mikey is Manley's
purchasing agent. It is always good to have your purchasing
department on hand for buying gas, paying for motels and meals...
plus he's a good buddy and a good rider.
He rode EveAnna's 1989 Honda Hawk for this trip cuz he hasn't gotten his Ninja back together yet. |
| Mikey's dad, Gary, and his wife Donna joined up with us on his Suzuki Boulevard. |  |
Ryan drove Chase Truck. Angel navigated and took
action photos.
We also brought a trailer in case of emergency to haul bikes or if
folks got tired.
And off we sped on about a 300 mile ride to Globe, AZ to visit Manley's Tech Support department, headed by Paul Fargo.
The weather held off most of the way for us as we stayed off the freeways and kept to the backroads, the state highways.
The 60 got jammed up for us after Surprise, AZ. I
guess that's why it is such a SURPRISE.
We picked up the 60 again east of Phoenix.
Notice how this is a business trip with Donna
advertising for us on her back...
You may go purchase Manley Back Billboards here.
Taking a quick break for gas, piss, cokes and smokes.
Action: There's Mikey on the Hawk speeding along past the chase truck.
| There's Vanimal feeling all Superior....
...well, because she is. |
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After Ryan installed a new
telephone at Paul's we were treated to a nice BBQ at Manley Service
Depot y Bar y Grill y Motel.
We all crashed out on any available horizontal surface and then woke up
early to
take off again for a long day of over 425 miles heading through New
Mexico to Santa Fe.
That's Mikey and The Vanimal both resting their clutch paws.
We spent that day out-maneuvering large storm cells, trying to stay dry.
And we managed to stay dry all day until reaching
Santa Fe and taking a little too long to find a hotel.
The rain came down and drenched us. The motel's room heater dried our
clothes while we went out for dinner.
| LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES. |  |
Coming up next: Colorado -then- Utah
