Story #1:
First, let's set the scene. . . .There have been a couple times I have asked about the "Greys River Loop", and everyone says, maybe in mid to late July. Well, it has been a very warm and rainy spring in Star Valley Wyoming, so I thought to myself, if there is going to be a year, this might just be it. Dad said, I doubt it. I decide to see how far one could get going up to commissary ridge, and my little sister decided she would come along as well.
So, if we look back a week at 6/13/2015. We climbed on the bike about 8:00-ish and headed south. We stopped in Afton to fill up and get our listening gear setup. Then we were off again. After about 19 miles from home, we came to the Smiths Fork turn off.
Since we forgot to take a picture before we left the house, this is where we took our first pictures.First we have our ride.
And then there is us. (taken by the camera mounted on the ride)
We then climbed back on board and headed up that dirt road they call Smiths Fork. It was slow a bumpy in some spots. We encountered many places with streams of snow melt that were still running strong. And some small patches of snow in the road as we went.
And finally, we came upon some snow that we weren't willing to try to get through.
We stopped here and took some pictures of the Smiths Fork Creek and run off water.
When we got home, Angela stated that she had a sore back side.
To which I explained that, that is how you know we went far enough.
However, as sore as she was, she wasn't nearly as muddy as I was.
Story #2:
Now, as we fast forward back to 6/20/2015 and the planned long ride.
The plan for today was to:
- go south through Cokeville
- on to Kemmerer where I would turn north on 189
- go by Fontenelle Reservoir
- through La Barge
- through Big Piney
- on to Hoback Junction, turning onto 26
- go down the Snake River canyon
- through Alpine
- returning home
Now, I'll take you through what happened.
Since it was only 300 miles, I wasn't in a hurry to get started early.
But I was ready heading out just as the sun was coming over the east hills. (see video)
As I was getting into Afton I stopped to top off the tank. When I rode through the center block of Afton, I had the Drift (camera mounted on bike) take several pictures. There is a little reflection from the windshield, and it was set for 170 FOV (wide angle). After cropping, this is the best one of the Elk Horn Arch.
I continued south through the small towns at the south end of the valley.
I climbed up the Salt River Pass, and headed down into Salt River Canyon.
As I was going through the curve in the road, about a mile before Shale Hollow, the bike began to wiggle.
As I came out of the curve, the wiggle went away, but it sure wasn't riding correctly.
Within about half a mile I began having flashbacks to the old Schwinn Swing bike we had growing up. (image to the right)
I pulled off the road at the Shale Hollow turn, got off the bike to take a look.
Sure enough, my back tire was flat.
I check my phone and there was no chance of any service.
(Not that I expected any.)
Ok, this part some of you will judge me, and I'm fine with that, as long as you keep it to yourself.
The tire itself was in good shape, so I decided to try to see if I could get back into cell range. I got on the bike, turned around, and pulled onto the road. Heading back up the road, obviously slower this time around. I stopped a handful of times to check on the tire as it got harder and harder to keep going straight. I got 8.5 miles before the tire got hot enough that it began shreading the side wall and it was impossible to steer. Luckly, this is when a truck came up and stopped to check on me. They offered to drive me up to the top of the pass, so I could make a call. I grabbed my Drift off the mount and the GPS and climbed in. They dropped me off at the top, where I called my brother and arranged for a pickup.
While I was waiting, I walked up a little road towards the radio antenna and took a couple pictures. (Described left to right)
- I came upon what looked like an old house, where just the chimney is left standing.
- Closer to the antenna, I notice this odd looking device. My Dad thinks it is used for GPS surveying of sorts.
- The Radio Antenna.
- The warning on the building next to the antenna.
- Looking North back towards the Valley from next to the building.
As I was waiting again by the road, a biker couple pulled off for a rest. The lady riding said, "You lost your bike." Just then, Eric arrived with Misty (his wife) and I said, "Yes I did, and here's my ride." I gathered up my stuff, and climbed in the truck. We headed back down to the bike and loaded it up on the trailer. Took a couple pictures and headed back home.
And thus ended my 300 mile ride in just 40.5 miles. And now you know the circumstances.
AJ's Crazy Biker Adventures
