Here are my belated stills and RR from the Mammoth Lakes run (videos previously posted by Michael K - AZ). Hope you enjoy them.
Took out about 6AM on the morning of 7/28. Rain has been running steady for the past several weeks, I was not looking forward to heading out in the pouring rain. As luck would have it, it was clear that early a.m. allowing for t-shirt cruising
Heading toward Arizona to meet up with Michael later today in Kingman...
Had a coupla storm cells and construction zones threatening to delay my arrival time.
Stopped off in the Winslow, AZ for a fill up and to shove down a saddlebag warmed homemade green chile, egg and potato breakfast burro. It hit the spot.
I did manage to hit some pretty good downpours along the way (sorry, no pics), one of which provided for zero visibility. I contemplated trying to pull over as several cars and trucks had but realized they would not see me roadside either so I trudged on, pucker factor in full force.
My handful of isolated showers and construction pushed back my arrival/meet time, as well as an accident on I-40 near our meet spot. We finally met a short hop down the road from the plan about 1.5 hrs later and made our way to my daughters place in Vegas for the night.
The temps were not too unkind so far, however the weather whilst cruising the inner Vegas city freeways was pretty windy with sandstorm-like conditions in our path. We arrived at my daughters place and she had some of LV's Best pizza waiting for us. What a great kid to allow the likes of Michael and myself to feed, shower and shelter.
The next a.m. we missed any outbound traffic and Michael grabbed a small gas can due to some extended stretches ahead between stations on the upcoming route. The weather and temps were great.
We cut across to CA just north of Death Valley on a nice little stretch of road I've taken a few times.
After a top off in Big Pine, we head on in to Mammoth Lakes, only to find smoke hovering overhead to muck up the view. There was a fire about 20 miles or so from our destination.
As you can see, Mikey got a bit excited at the sight.
We made it to my sisters place in Mammoth and called it a day after some fast food.
Michael was forced to earn his keep by performing, slaving over a hot stove and performing other domestic services...
The view from The Lodge (as I call it) was horrible as usual but I still managed to keep down a cup of coffee and slice of fresh homemade banana bread I'd brought along.
That next morning we took a cruise around several of The Mammoth Lakes followed by June Lake Loop.
Next stop, June Lake Loop.
Cruisin downtown June Lake...
Yup, that was it for downtown. We continue on around The Loop. June Lake Loop consists of 3 Lakes: June Lake, Silver Lake and Grant Lake. Grant Lake seems to be the least appealing of the 3 due to its surroundings, IMO.
Unfortunately this is about the time Michael began to experience the dreaded
noise. You know it, the one that pierces through to the marrow. We squeak our way back to The Lodge to take a better looksee. My best guesstimate: wheel bearing. We both had stock on board just in case, Michael had several for the front, none for the rear. I had his rear covered, so to speak.
We immediately put Michael to work and what's worse, forced him to cook steaks stove top (not even a Hibachi at this Econo-Lodge).
My son Nick digs up a semi-local bike shop, Golden State Cycles, in Bishop and Michael pulls together a plan to get there in the morning for the verdict on his rear end noise. We head out, me following in my sons Jeep with flashers-a-flash'n behind Michaels now steadily screeching 2-wheeler.
We hang out for breakfast as the service tech gives it the once over. His initial diagnosis: rear end. Thankfully it was not
that death sentence, but rather the rear wheel bearings as some of us predicted. The old gal is left for at least an overnighter. We go back to Mammoth to take in a tour/hike of The Devils Postpile, Minaret & Rainbow Falls area with my son and his betty. Michael elects to stay at the lodge and pine about (or maybe strategize or both) just what the immediate future holds. This is what he missed:
Thankfully my packed load was a bit lighter than Nicks...
The Devils Postpile
Rainbow Falls. Nick takes a dip under the water and immediately can't breath due to the
cold rush. He continues to swim closer to the falls only to take in air filled with the falls mist, hence still no quality air intake. He recovers and swims to shore. I'm glad I didn't have to perform any rescue attempt, that sh!t was c-c-c-cold.
That'd be Nick in the water there just before the falls...
We make it back to Mammoth, Michael was still alive, we scrambled up a sausage pasta meal, Michael at the helm, an called it a full day.
The next morning, our departure day from Mammoth, Michael checks with the service guy. Great news, he was able to fit it in, despite his workload, and got her done last night. Woo hoo! We head back down to Bishop to pick up Michaels bike. The night before we stripped down the bags and contents of the bike for less fuss and labor $$. These items were now loaded in the back of Nicks Jeep.
WTH, I thought this was a bike trip???
Kudos to Golden State Cycle in Bishop for getting Michael in and only charging a reasonable charge!!!
We part ways from my son and his gal Lyndsey, get Michaels bags installed and loaded and begin to make our way down a now heated Hwy 395.
Michael makes a quick adjustment to his auxiliary gas tank and we're back at it... Did I mention it was now fairly warm out??? I did bring my evap vest but did not put it to use. Michael took full advantage of his.
We eventually hit our planned split I-215 & I-15 where we part ways as I was heading further south to spend time with dad. Dad is very near the end of his ride as well.
Had a great trip with Michael and look forward to the next.
Our trip logged 5 days on the road with mine actually longer ending in San Clemente for that leg of it hitting 1,463 miles. Stay tuned for the next leg or RR and pic's which includes hiking parts of Mesa Verde (CO) and Zion (UT) NP's with my son Nick and my eventual ride back from San Clemente.
Plenty more pic's of this run can be found here.
Mammoth Lakes Run Thanks for looking.
