Last week I had to bust out the Little Red Donkey before it too became a casualty of social distancing. The plan was simple; pack as much stuff as possible on the 'Donk', point it East and see where we end up. I had a campsite booked at Joshua Tree, however, at this point I wasnt even sure I'd head that way. As the great moto adventurer Neal Pert said "just follow the front tire". That is sound advice. So began my 3 day loop ride on the Little Red Donkey-a Honda CT125 'Trail' motorcycle. Heavily loaded with a Covid fated rider and enough gear to make a prepper jealous. LRD cruises at about 50MPH and gets about 100MPG. LRD doesnt like to run, he prefers to just kinda meandor so, freeways and fast highways were simply out of the question, besides Donk prefers the Lost Highways and byways.
Picking our way through the city streets in the Great Southern California Megalopolos we worked our way to the bottom of the Cajon Pass. Then wound our way up the Old section of route 66 in the Cajon Pass to Swarthout Canyon-our first dirt road of the journey. From there we headed through Lucern Valley towards Joshua Tree NP.
One of the great things about Lost Highways is, well, they are lost.
Joshua Tree was crowded! Every spot was full. The Gate Keepers didnt even check my pass. They just waived the Donkey through. Being a cute Little Red Donkey has it's advantages. My campsite was booked just the night before I left. When I arrived there was a truck in one of the two parking spots assigned to my site. Turned out to be an 'interloper' looking to score a non-reservation 'do ya mind if I park here' spot! Been there, done that myself. I never turn away a fellow interloper. At sunset it seemed the whole campground quieted to a whisper as we watched the sun fade away. I passed out shots of Lagavulin 16 single-malt to my fellow campers and as it turns out we all had viable solutions to all the worlds problems..... Under 'normal times' I would have been annoyed by the constant sounds of humanity. The dogs barking, the children calling out,, even the occasional outlaw generator. But on this night, I feel asleep to the chatter of dozens of campers talking, laughing, living. Excited about being alive. It was a good day.
The morning was cold and I was only in the mood to make coffee, pack and see what lies ahead. The thing about this little thumper is its an easy bike to like. The vibration is gentle, kinda soothing in fact. Ive never riden an bike with such an easy going attitude. Easy to sit on, easy to ride, just easy going. For all of 8 hp this bike can haul a load, IF your in no hurry. The Mojave Desert is a special place in the spring...especially at 40mph. Even though Ive been this way before, I found myself seeing, well, more. More lizards crossing the road, more rock formations, mores pot holes
Amboy! Notice the Donkey is actually rearing up his front wheel....even he's excited!
Gas at Amboy. I used .7 gallons since my last fill up. That averages 84MPG. My plan is to just head up the road and see how far route 66 goes. Watchout folks, here we come.
Well that didn't take long. I wonder what the government doesnt want us to see behind the 'closed' road...?
Stay tuned, more to come.
Picking our way through the city streets in the Great Southern California Megalopolos we worked our way to the bottom of the Cajon Pass. Then wound our way up the Old section of route 66 in the Cajon Pass to Swarthout Canyon-our first dirt road of the journey. From there we headed through Lucern Valley towards Joshua Tree NP.
One of the great things about Lost Highways is, well, they are lost.
Joshua Tree was crowded! Every spot was full. The Gate Keepers didnt even check my pass. They just waived the Donkey through. Being a cute Little Red Donkey has it's advantages. My campsite was booked just the night before I left. When I arrived there was a truck in one of the two parking spots assigned to my site. Turned out to be an 'interloper' looking to score a non-reservation 'do ya mind if I park here' spot! Been there, done that myself. I never turn away a fellow interloper. At sunset it seemed the whole campground quieted to a whisper as we watched the sun fade away. I passed out shots of Lagavulin 16 single-malt to my fellow campers and as it turns out we all had viable solutions to all the worlds problems..... Under 'normal times' I would have been annoyed by the constant sounds of humanity. The dogs barking, the children calling out,, even the occasional outlaw generator. But on this night, I feel asleep to the chatter of dozens of campers talking, laughing, living. Excited about being alive. It was a good day.
The morning was cold and I was only in the mood to make coffee, pack and see what lies ahead. The thing about this little thumper is its an easy bike to like. The vibration is gentle, kinda soothing in fact. Ive never riden an bike with such an easy going attitude. Easy to sit on, easy to ride, just easy going. For all of 8 hp this bike can haul a load, IF your in no hurry. The Mojave Desert is a special place in the spring...especially at 40mph. Even though Ive been this way before, I found myself seeing, well, more. More lizards crossing the road, more rock formations, mores pot holes
Amboy! Notice the Donkey is actually rearing up his front wheel....even he's excited!
Gas at Amboy. I used .7 gallons since my last fill up. That averages 84MPG. My plan is to just head up the road and see how far route 66 goes. Watchout folks, here we come.
Well that didn't take long. I wonder what the government doesnt want us to see behind the 'closed' road...?
Stay tuned, more to come.