Fast forward to 2008 and I am looking for a epic journey to ride with my buddy Claus from Denmark. Claus and I are brothers from another mother. We both have a passion for moving forward into the most desolate places. The desert, high mountains, anywhere off the grid where the "lemmings" from the city can't get to in their Subaru's. We met in France at the Dakar in 2004 and have been fast friends ever since. We raced in Africa together in the spring of 2006 and then explored Utah in the fall. Each year we try to get together if we can. So last year I decided we were going to do this trip.
The route winds its way up the Continental Divide from New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and ends in Montana. It snakes across the CD 27 times. I started making serious plans in the winter. We decided to do the trip from South to North so the scenery would get better as we go. Also, all the maps of the route were written from Canada to Mexico. So we thought it would be cool to be different and do it backwards. Our biggest problem was setting the date to avoid the Monsoon rains in New Mexico which start in July. We wanted to go early enough so it was not too hot in the desert but the high passes would be clear of snow. Also, we each needed to get off work for 3 weeks.
When Claus was informed that he was getting laid off in May, that made it easy! We set the date of departure and I started prepping the bikes. Bike setup became a 2 month long ordeal! Not only was it time consuming, but expensive! We had to bolt on HUGE gas tanks so we had enough fuel for the distances with no services. We also had to set up panniers and luggage racks so we could carry our camping gear, cook sets, spares, and water.
My bike of choice is a XR650R Honda. Not street legal, a tiny gas tank, kick start only, and no luggage capacity, it isn't the ideal choice for adventuring. BUT, it has won the Baja 1000 countless times, if bulletproof, and flat HAULS ASS!!! I had to convert it to stret legal (barely), mount a 6.6 gallon tank, put on bags and racks, and make it comfortable. The seat it comes with is likend to prison sex, not something I wanted to ride on for 3,000 miles. So I had a custom gel saddle made for my tender tush. Heaven!
Claus was riding Michelle's DR650. It was perfect for the trip. We put on a custom 8 gallon gas tank from Australia. It had electric start, luggage capacity, soft suspension, and is totally reliable. An excellent choice!
So on June 27th, we left for Mexico with the bikes in the van. Man, what anticipation we had! We could not wait to start on the route! On Monday morning we hit Antelope Wells, a tiny border crossing in New Mexico. Our drama started early when my speeding in a cargo van along the Mexican border alerted the local Sheriff and he pulled me. I successfully talked my way out of the ticket though and we made it to the border and unloaded.
The Adventure begins!
MY Brother from another mother- Claus.
Zero Miles complete- 3,000 to go!
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