Adventurers Wanted

[bryanchurch06]

Thank you, I have tried calling post office without success due to automated answer machine, no one ever picks up and it cuts off, quite frustrating. The article you linked was good info and I'm going to talk to my local post office to confirm which po accepts gen delivery in Las cruces.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I'm using UShip, and I'm not being picky about my pricing. Every estimate I've thrown its way is around the $700-$800 range (before tax, before tip) from Seattle to El Paso. From Vegas to Seattle was about the same.

When it comes time to do a full cost breakdown after the trip I'll be sharing that with the forum.

UShip quote accepted from Seattle to New Mexico (1700 mi):

QUOTE AMOUNT: $650.00
SERVICE CHARGE: $65.00
USHIP PROTECTION PLAN: $67.25
Total: $782.25

Could probably skip the protection plan, I don't think it's necessary on this bike. The guy I'm using has shipped a CT125 before.

 

[bryanchurch06]

Typically SD day, winds gusting to 50 so I installed my new doubletake enduro mirrors and cheap phone mount and seat pad.

 

[bryanchurch06]

Installed the plano box today, drilled 6 1/4-20 stainless rivnuts and used stainless screws and washers, the eyebolts on the lid are stainless as well, Installed with 1/4-20 rivnuts, this box will hold the majority of my gear for the trip.

 

[bryanchurch06]

Roughly 5 weeks and counting to start, very excited!

 

[Backwoods]

Typically SD day, winds gusting to 50 so I installed my new doubletake enduro mirrors and cheap phone mount and seat pad.

I just ordered a set, they look good and I like how they fold up or easily detach. Slavens Racing had the best price I could find.

 

[Salsola]

New member checking in to offer support and encouragement. What a cool trip!

Are you planning to ride the Adventure Cycling Association Great Divide Mtn Bike Route? If you are I may be able to offer some route info. I rode the route northbound in 2021 on my bicycle as part of the race SneakyDingo described earlier. I left Antelope Wells on June 11 and the weather was mostly fine. Hit small patches of snow in the high country of northern New Mexico between Hopewell Lake, NM and Horca, CO on June 16th. Easy enough to find a route around them, but there was much less snowpack that year, so I imagine you might encounter more.

I'm in Silver City, NM and happy to help if you need anything.


Sunrise on the route near Platoro, CO.

 

[bryanchurch06]

New member checking in to offer support and encouragement. What a cool trip!

Are you planning to ride the Adventure Cycling Association Great Divide Mtn Bike Route? If you are I may be able to offer some route info. I rode the route northbound in 2021 on my bicycle as part of the race SneakyDingo described earlier. I left Antelope Wells on June 11 and the weather was mostly fine. Hit small patches of snow in the high country of northern New Mexico between Hopewell Lake, NM and Horca, CO on June 16th. Easy enough to find a route around them, but there was much less snowpack that year, so I imagine you might encounter more.

I'm in Silver City, NM and happy to help if you need anything.


Sunrise on the route near Platoro, CO.
View attachment 5546

Thanks so much, we plan on being in silver city on June 1st or 2nd, we can meet for some information if you're interested, Bryan Church

 

[SneakyDingo]

Are you planning to ride the Adventure Cycling Association Great Divide Mtn Bike Route?

No, we're doing the gCDR gpsKevin route for the most part. I've been mapping it out; the two are fairly similar, but the GMBDR route goes through some sections that are no-motor vehicles allowed. For those sections the gCDR route goes around while the GMBDR goes through. There's also some smaller reroutes that are just... different choices, for example we're going through Griffith between Pinedale and Tetons, instead of going through Jackson, MT. There's also a green (easy) route that deviates very heavily from the GMBDR that I think we'll be taking.

I'm using RWGPS to map it out, which allows the Strava overlay of ride data for the premium data version. One of the interesting things is as I'm mapping it it seeing how heavily the course follows bicyclists.

 

[bryanchurch06]

I've started a pre pack to organize my stuff so far, I'm using pics as a reminder list. The small baggies have crush washers, master links, 13t sprocket, jb weld, blue lock tite and extra asset hardware. 200 ty wraps and 20 heavy duty ty wraps. Small pocket knife for Sneakydingo to carry if he loses his with sheath. And tent, poles sleeping pad and 1 of 2 blankets. To be continued in next post.

 

[bryanchurch06]

Continued from previous post. Fuel, titanium pot and alcohol stove, sog multi tool, fire kit homemade, extra bungee cords homemade, small slime pump

 

[bryanchurch06]

Decided to take my msr kettle, I've had it since they were 1st introduced with the burner as a set. Always wished it had measurements on it, well tonight I just realized the spot welds are 1 cup measurements, 1st one equal 8oz , 2nd 16oz, 3rd 24oz I cannot believe I never paid attention to that before.

 

[bryanchurch06]

Did some stove comparison this morning
Msr butane stove boil 2 cups water in 5.50 minutes
Evernew titanium alcohol stove with crossbar stand 5.45 minutes started after bloom
Evernew titanium Dx kit 4.50 minutes
Temp inside 68 degrees, tap water out of faucet cold didn't allow to come to room temperature

 

[bryanchurch06]

Ok I've been looking at the box mounting on the bike. And while it is big enough to hold everything and waterproof I don't like having the weight so high and not equal over the rack, so I ordered a tusk 44l dry bag from rocky mountain motor sports and I'm going to try using a combination of dry bags and duffel to distribute the weight better.

 

[bryanchurch06]

You guys sick of me yet , ok I given up on pretty and picture worthy in favor of functioning. I removed the large box and replaced it with a HF apache case large, then I'm going to use waterproof bags to fill in spaces and strap to the top, leaving the bags as flat as possible. My reasoning for this is to lower the weight and better balance the bike, something I couldn't do with the box. And yes I wish the case was black but I already had this one so I used it. Btw the harbor freight motorcycle lift I spent 40.00 works great on the trail, gives about 2in height above center stand

 

[bryanchurch06]

I installed the shocks and rear tire today and took a short test ride, the shocks are a big improvement. The muffler was a pain to remove and reinstall, other than that everything went well. The bike is pretty much ready to go, 3 weeks and change to go

 

[bryanchurch06]

3 weeks to go! And yes I'm still to old, to fat and my knees are to bad to ride 5000 miles on the 125 according to my loving wife. I can't wait to start I will start a ride report on the 28th when I leave yankton.

 

[imacbo]

I’m right there with you buddy! The only difference is now I’ll be on the TW200. I’m still fat, tired, old and worn out.

 

[imacbo]

I saw this post on the TAT Facebook Group. They are saying a LOT of snow still on the passes. Hopefully it will clear some

 

[bryanchurch06]

If we can't go thru we'll go around, it's never going to be the perfect time to go.