For me, the most memorable trips are the ones when things do not go to plan. I've run out of gas on a remote New Mexico highway, had my GPS die on the first day of an 8k km tour, rode all day through 100km/h crosswinds and rain on the I90 through the midwest (all the same trip actually), ridden numerous days through torrential rain, and way too many times ridden way too many km's in way too cold weather.
The worst/best happened last weekend riding through PA. I am going to blame MacDoc's post for inspring me to finally make it out there. Was riding through the PA sideroads and planned a stop at Hyner View Park. Was making good time so decided to take a gravel sideroad through the park to see if there was anything interesting. Road started out as being just loose gravel which was fine, then got a bit off roady, still fine, no issue for my little Fizzer. Then got very off roady at which point I was too stubborn to turn around as my GPS was showing the exit was a mile away, just passed a sign proclaiming "Driveable Trail" so figured I was fine. Made it down a very rocky hill to find an immovable tree in the way. Too rocky to turn the bike around. Too many sharp edged rocks that I was afraid if I dropped the bike trying, I might puncture the gas tank or break some plastic at best, of course no cell phone reception. Since the "exit" was a mile away I figured I'd abandon the bike and hike it to get some help. Unfortunately for me, I was too frustrated/dehydrated to check the gps where I was actually going. Little did I know, there was no exit and I was in for a serious hike.
Just kept going and going down a fire road until I found myself beside a wide but shallow river with an actual road on the other side. Of course there were some very thick shrubs between me and the river so I had to hike some more to find an opening. Waded across the 50m or so 4' deep river, slipping and sliding on the mossy rocks, holding my iPhone up high for dear life. Made it across to find a steep embankment with once again no access from the river. Found one opening, made it up to find a chainlink fence with barb wire at the top. Went back down, continued going down the river to where the shrubs were a little less thick to allow me to crawl through, then climb up the 20m or so, steep, covered in large loose rocks, embankment. The happiness once I hit the road cannot be described. Walked a bit more to find a house and a very nice woman that opened the door. Cannot imagine what she thought seeing me on her doorstep, drenched through and through, covered in dirt and mosquito bites. Was kind enough to give me food, water, and let me use the phone. Called 911 and was able to get a hold of a park ranger.
Came by half an hour later, picked me up, met up with a couple youngish kids from the local volunteer fire dept. that had an ATV, continued onwards to the bike. Left the trucks a bit before I got stuck and continued on the ATV. Got the bike turned around, but I was too tired to be able to ride it back up the hill. One of the fire dept. kids was actually a really good off road rider and rode it up without issue. I continued on out from there.
All told, I hiked about 16km over five hours in sport bike boots, https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid...ll=41.253376,-77.580843&spn=0.102082,0.209084. Left the bike around 2pm and got back on the road at 10pm. Bike came out of it fine except for some scrapes on the bottom of the headers.
Fun times
The worst/best happened last weekend riding through PA. I am going to blame MacDoc's post for inspring me to finally make it out there. Was riding through the PA sideroads and planned a stop at Hyner View Park. Was making good time so decided to take a gravel sideroad through the park to see if there was anything interesting. Road started out as being just loose gravel which was fine, then got a bit off roady, still fine, no issue for my little Fizzer. Then got very off roady at which point I was too stubborn to turn around as my GPS was showing the exit was a mile away, just passed a sign proclaiming "Driveable Trail" so figured I was fine. Made it down a very rocky hill to find an immovable tree in the way. Too rocky to turn the bike around. Too many sharp edged rocks that I was afraid if I dropped the bike trying, I might puncture the gas tank or break some plastic at best, of course no cell phone reception. Since the "exit" was a mile away I figured I'd abandon the bike and hike it to get some help. Unfortunately for me, I was too frustrated/dehydrated to check the gps where I was actually going. Little did I know, there was no exit and I was in for a serious hike.
Just kept going and going down a fire road until I found myself beside a wide but shallow river with an actual road on the other side. Of course there were some very thick shrubs between me and the river so I had to hike some more to find an opening. Waded across the 50m or so 4' deep river, slipping and sliding on the mossy rocks, holding my iPhone up high for dear life. Made it across to find a steep embankment with once again no access from the river. Found one opening, made it up to find a chainlink fence with barb wire at the top. Went back down, continued going down the river to where the shrubs were a little less thick to allow me to crawl through, then climb up the 20m or so, steep, covered in large loose rocks, embankment. The happiness once I hit the road cannot be described. Walked a bit more to find a house and a very nice woman that opened the door. Cannot imagine what she thought seeing me on her doorstep, drenched through and through, covered in dirt and mosquito bites. Was kind enough to give me food, water, and let me use the phone. Called 911 and was able to get a hold of a park ranger.
Came by half an hour later, picked me up, met up with a couple youngish kids from the local volunteer fire dept. that had an ATV, continued onwards to the bike. Left the trucks a bit before I got stuck and continued on the ATV. Got the bike turned around, but I was too tired to be able to ride it back up the hill. One of the fire dept. kids was actually a really good off road rider and rode it up without issue. I continued on out from there.
All told, I hiked about 16km over five hours in sport bike boots, https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid...ll=41.253376,-77.580843&spn=0.102082,0.209084. Left the bike around 2pm and got back on the road at 10pm. Bike came out of it fine except for some scrapes on the bottom of the headers.
Fun times
