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The GS Giant vs. Bigfoot... who's bigger?

Dinosaurs too:)

Just inside that Colorado Passage near MOAB, West of town. Dinosaurs left footprints in the rocks around there, very cool if you find one and some are right alongside road:). NOT BIGFOOT as we seek in the NW, but cool enough still. Maybe some GS Giant BS POINTS if ya manage to get a pic. That loop into CanyonlandsNP is my favorite off road around the City of Moab, as its nearby enough to enjoy that loop as the day ends. Couple hours. Find that hill climb, vertical ride to rim I mentioned and get a WOW GS moment:). Its right off the C. River road, West of town. Don't forget Arches NP, also too cool to miss. You wont want to leave Moab. Randy
 
Thanks Randy

Just inside that Colorado Passage near MOAB, West of town. Dinosaurs left footprints in the rocks around there, very cool if you find one and some are right alongside road:). NOT BIGFOOT as we seek in the NW, but cool enough still. Maybe some GS Giant BS POINTS if ya manage to get a pic. That loop into CanyonlandsNP is my favorite off road around the City of Moab, as its nearby enough to enjoy that loop as the day ends. Couple hours. Find that hill climb, vertical ride to rim I mentioned and get a WOW GS moment:). Its right off the C. River road, West of town. Don't forget Arches NP, also too cool to miss. You wont want to leave Moab. Randy

Thanks Randy Can't wait to get out there.. If you are feeling up to it maybe we can meet up and in UT or somewhere in between UT and NoCal.. Looks like I will be riding solo out to Hayfork.. I will keep you posted. We finally have so nice weather here, but it is impossible to get anywhere because of the 100,000 + HD riders up here in Laconia for bike week.. All I can hear are straight pipes echoing up our little Mtn 1200ft.. :thumb
 
I JUST may do a ride:)

As time approaches, we must stay in touch for this option out on the road. UTAH is such a favorite of mine. Somebody GS in Montreal was looking above to meet up, I mentioned you in NH..I am 800 miles from Utah mid state and know it quite well. Never gets old. MY Wife, Gini rides with me to Hayfork on her KLR650, so I must be back to meet up with her somewhere not far from home. She joins us all the way to Salem. She is FAST on pavement twisties, novice slow on dirt! Another Friend, JOE Hutt is out there somewhere and he too on my list to find ahead of this Hayfork Camp. WE will talk this up more, as time gets closer:). ANYHOW, we plan on a Saturday(July13th) depart from home, CLOVIS, Northbound for Hayfork and its roughly 350m for us. WE camp Saturday night somewhere in the middle(many options), just a leisurely pace and be in HAYFORK by mid day Sunday, July14th. It should be very nice there, with temps very comfy daytime to cool at night. Going North from Hayfork towards Salem is a riders choice thing, with dozens of options, ALL GREAT. Many will likely share the road North, a discussion point, while camping Sunday night indeed. Stay tuned:), Randy
 
Cool!

As time approaches, we must stay in touch for this option out on the road. UTAH is such a favorite of mine. Somebody GS in Montreal was looking above to meet up, I mentioned you in NH..I am 800 miles from Utah mid state and know it quite well. Never gets old. MY Wife, Gini rides with me to Hayfork on her KLR650, so I must be back to meet up with her somewhere not far from home. She joins us all the way to Salem. She is FAST on pavement twisties, novice slow on dirt! Another Friend, JOE Hutt is out there somewhere and he too on my list to find ahead of this Hayfork Camp. WE will talk this up more, as time gets closer:). ANYHOW, we plan on a Saturday(July13th) depart from home, CLOVIS, Northbound for Hayfork and its roughly 350m for us. WE camp Saturday night somewhere in the middle(many options), just a leisurely pace and be in HAYFORK by mid day Sunday, July14th. It should be very nice there, with temps very comfy daytime to cool at night. Going North from Hayfork towards Salem is a riders choice thing, with dozens of options, ALL GREAT. Many will likely share the road North, a discussion point, while camping Sunday night indeed. Stay tuned:), Randy

Randy sounds good.. I am planning to be somewhere in central cal on the 13th at the lastest. The route I think I am taken will end up in the central area of the state(ca). Taking the GSA to get checked out next week. Its running rich and the cam or timing when the engine is cold is off until the motor is warm.. But the bike runs good when it warms up! Have a good weekend, Matt.
 
Marijuana/POT fields are hidden everywhere around there, as its a grow capital for the WEST around there. On GS/GSAs we have a tendency to find the backwoods byways to the ultimate advantage of our bikes. FINDING yourself in one of these POT farms would be a GREAT idea to move on quickly, DO NOT disturb! Your choice to ride safe and respect the "law and growers" of whatever you find, may save you a LOT of grief:). DON'T worry too much as we are peaceful, fun loving GS folk and the NCal region has so much fun to offer. The above tip will come into need for a few, no doubt, so be safe where you tread. We're searching BIGFOOT and not so much the WEEDs:). I'm looking very much forward to seeing y'all in HAYFORK July14th, try out my NEW Redverz Tent experience for me. My recent new Heidenau's too are getting their workout, but by the time I get there, half worn out at least. If anybody links with Joe Hutt and rides like the wind off road, he's the man. He and I will likely link up later this month and share some details for the fast track, expert minded GS'ers:). Just bring your GRIT, hehe. Randy

Its unfortunate that once a reputation is earned it is nearly impossible to change viewpoints. I have been working on remote ranches all over Northern California for over 20 years and have never had an issue with pot farmers. A decade ago the situation may have been a little different on big plots tended by foreign nationals. That still occurs to a limited extent but anyone with $100 can get a "recommendation" to use and grow medical marijuana. There are a large number of people who do this. Trinity County has plenty of these and most of them are legal under California law but not federal. There are plenty of issues with these operations but any real problems are a usually related to someone too lazy or unable to grow their own trying to steal from someone else. Unless you plan to steal someone's product I wouldn't give a moments to riding anywhere on any road in Northern California.

I have been through Hayfork several times in the last month on both my bike (07 GSA) and my work truck due primarily to the road work on highway 299 out of Redding. There is major road construction that will still be ongoing all summer with 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, traffic control. Expect up to one hour delays and incredibly long lines of slow traffic ahead of you. Daytime temps in July are usually at or above 100 degrees. Unless you get lucky or like or like sitting for an hour in 100 degree heat I suggest avoiding Hwy 299 and using Hwy 36 to get to Hayfork. If the wait and heat aren't enough to convince you, beware that the escorted section is a few miles of watered hard packed dirt that can get slick at times and the escort vehicle is often traveling less than idle speed in first gear (at least on my R1200GS).

Another thing to be aware of is picking off road routes from a map without any knowledge about them. Court rulings that have made land owners responsible for fire suppression on their property regardless of who started them have resulted in an increasing number of locked gates on many non-paved roads that had free access previously. By July all but the most remote roads and trails will probably be cleared of fallen trees and other debris but you need to be prepared to backtrack if necessary. I was stopped by fallen trees earlier this year when I attempted to ride to Hayfork thru Deerlick Springs.

Hope you all have a great time. Even if you stay on the pavement there are fantastic roads that seem to be made for GS type bikes all over the North State. Hwy 3 is one of my favorites. I may get a chance to pop by and say hello to the group in Hayfork and maybe even ride with you a little.

Chuck
 
Returning for some GS Giant Adventure

Just signed up for the Rally (and ticked the GSGiant box - Ian is that really all their is to it?). Last time 2011 in PA - was great and learned a lot. Randy look forward to connecting with the group going from Hayfork. When you get plans for leaving from Clovis perhaps you will post them. I may consider heading towards Hayfork on the 12th - from Bay Area. Anyone else with plans / ideas from this area?

Cheers
Stuart
 
Will do:)

Thanks Stuart:). In Clovis, we are only hours apart. I have so many friends coming to HAYFORK, I too have considered leaving early to meet some of them. Sunday, the July14th is night camping in Hayfork. Ian has promised "Playbooks" to those signing up and these will be self explaining when you get one. I too, registered for Salem Rally/GS Giants and got my Rally confirmation in mail, but nothing saying GSGiants on it? I expect I'm in:). IAN is likely very busy about now, will chime in again soon. You leave the Bay Area on the 12th, you'll have plenty time riding the NW California getting there in Hayfork. Look forward to meeting up. I WILL stay current HERE as things come very close and my depart from home is set for real:). I CAN GO anytime after the June26 doctor app't. I have to keep. PLACE IS; The Trinity County Fairgrounds, HAYFORK, July14th, RandyGSA1200....
 
HAYFORK Riders;

The number I have heard from now coming to Hayfork is 11 GSs as of this day. Anybody wondering. Its likely to grow to 20+ or so I'm hoping. More is better. You don't have to be on a GS, just dirt riding friendly folks. Most are here for GSGiants however and riding them:). IF youre passing the area for Salem Rally, stop in Hayfork, CA., camp with us...As you make friends in Hayfork, you may find yourself sharing the byways Northbound, similar interests and sights to see en route to Salem. This region is RICH in sights to see and just a candy store of m/c riding heaven:). Enjoy, HOPE to see ya, Randy. I camp in GSGiant Camp at Salem Rally, as we have done in recent years. IF Ya'll did not know this already!!! A GS CAMP inside rally grounds(Salem) is OURS, with group tent and much else:). This is a repeat of recent National Rallies and its worked great. Join us there. ITS MARKED "Red"(GS Giants) on Rally Map in 'ON magazine. Randy
 
Hey, who's going to Elko?

Just checking on anyone coming through Montrose, CO on their way to Salem with GS Giants? JRGS in Montrose
 
Colorado Springs;

Don Burns above in this thread, leaves out of C. Springs around the 12th I think. GSA1150 he rides. "Warthog", his avatar. Post him a note. Randy
 
GSA Up and Running

Hey Randy,
Got the 1150 all tunned up.. New plugs, Air cleaner, rear break pads, two New tires, Throttle Bodies synced. I have a little bend in my front rim but it balanced out so it is ok to ride! Can't wait to get on the road! Is it July yet? Will send in an email one of entended routes from Aches.. Hope you are heeling up!
Matt M
 
Doing good:)

Waiting for Darien Light Pants to arrive I just bought and riding to Grand Canyon for a few days:). Good to hear bike is ready. DO stay in touch, keep my email and phone# handy. If I am not here daily, means I'm out riding and IPhone only link. I do not carry tablet or laptop. Randy
 
Bay Area Departure

Just signed up for the Rally (and ticked the GSGiant box - Ian is that really all their is to it?). Last time 2011 in PA - was great and learned a lot. Randy look forward to connecting with the group going from Hayfork. When you get plans for leaving from Clovis perhaps you will post them. I may consider heading towards Hayfork on the 12th - from Bay Area. Anyone else with plans / ideas from this area?

Cheers
Stuart

I'm in the Bay Area as well and plan to head to Hayfork if you're interested in meeting up.

-Bill
 
Lady's too:)

I have at least 5 Women GS riders signed up for Hayfork, so if youre a novice or intermediate or even expert woman GSer, please come along. You'll be in great company. Just got my GoPro mounted on GSA and ready. IF y'all use these camera's by GoPro, they are quite fascinating and fun to see end of day riding videos and so on:). I just remounted mine on right side of front fender, behind and above turn signal. I used the existing suction cup that came with camera to do it. This cup secures the camera really well and I use a safety cord, just in case it pops loose! Not yet. Helmet mount too, so variable mounts a good idea to move it about for different angles. FYI, I my case the GSA1200 stock windscreen is not very optically correct and shooting thru it not best for me. Any others using GoPro? Bring your IPads or other good computer gear that supports the camera and we share:). MAY even make FOR SOME GOOD BS POINTS in the GS Giant Playbook IAN has in the works! Anybody hear from IAN yet? Randy
 
Randy, I'm departing Colo Springs on the afternoon of Thurs 11 July. In order to make up time and be in Hayfork I'm planning on slabbing it til I get to NV / CA border then grabbing 70/89.

Figure I'll get as far as Grand Junction the first nite and then some place on I 80 on Friday, and a campground in the CA mtns on Sat.

Don
 
We too:)

Gini and I leave on Saturday for camping somewhere Saturday night en route to HAYFORK. Unknown where we end up, but only two choices are interesting. Coastal route or Sierra Nevada Mtns.. Maybe we can stay in touch as you travel West and we will camp Saturday night somewhere and ride into Hayfork together. We are only 360 miles(from home) to Hayfork, so our pace is not a tough one. I would like a mid day arrival in Hayfork, as I am kind a "hosting" the location:) and getting there a tad earlier than most would be cool:). Lets do something Saturday night:). That 70/89 route is awesome, know it well:). We never go direct miles anywhere, so lets hook up. Later, Randy 559-288-2555c. Its out there now, I don't mind calls related to this. Randy
 
Randy, any good camping around Lake Almanor off 89? Found a USPS place but requires 2 nite stay at $45.
 
Anyone Slabbing Down I80 From the East

That wants a change of pace and a chance to get dirty has an option on the Iowa/Nebraska boarder in the Loess Hills. Ian has a route through Preparation Canyon that consists of gravel road and Level -B, minimal maintenance roads. There are tons of roads in the hills so you can make the detour as long or as short as you want. I am trying to develop a border to boarder trans Iowa route through these hills and am using part of Ian's route. You can find it here, http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1320151.

If anyone coming through wants to rides these before the 13th I can make the time to meet up and ride with you.

Not PNW, but better than the slab. This is some of what it has to offer.
Mills Co B-Road_2012.jpg
Preperation Canyon_B-Road_13.jpg
Preperation Canyon Lookout_13.jpg
 
Woman's GS Ride?

Anyone know what day the woman's only GS ride will be? My wife wants to ride this but also take one of the Rider University courses, trying to deconflict.

Thanks,
Dutch
 
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