Steven and I go into Sacramento to have coffee and have a look at the new TriTool facilities. They are massive compared to the present building and allow for an enormous expansion of capacity in production, storage, service, logistics, engineering etc. These guys have a nice challenge ahead of them in the next 5 to 10 years. Luckily the offshore industry (one of their major areas of business) is soo booming.
I also talked to Lards and Chris in the morning and they are hightailing it to the Grand Canyon. Lards thinks the roads to it are awesome, and that means in Ducati terms that there must be some awesome bends. Pity for him he is on a Harley as they don’t like to go round corners AT ALL.
Craig has done another booboo and scratched his pride, bike and elbow. It is unclear whether he thought he was back in Oz and decided to drive on the other side of the road when a truck approached him or whether he has mistaken the Road King for a dirt bike. Anyway, his little venture in the dirt resulted in aforementioned scratches of which I believe the physical ones are the least of them all ;)
They hope to make it to Las Vegas as well as time is running out for them too. I plan to go to San Francisco on Saturday and spend Sunday, kicking back and packing up. I am going to miss the ZX terribly !!
Our late night dinner in Sacramento was very interesting as well. One of the guys in the restaurant/bar we were at (great Italian food) had a bit much to drink. So we convinced him that he couldn’t ride his bike home, a very good looking Harley chopper. As I was completely sober and wearing my Draggin Jeans and biker shoes as well, I offered to ride the bike home while Steven drove him home. The ride was a different experience again. The fat 350 mm rear tyre and lack of rear suspension were one thing to get used to as well as the leaning back sitting position.
We made it home without a scratch and I handed the bike back to a very relieved owner ;) !!
Friday, August 10, 2007
8 August 2007 Bonneville to Youngs Vineyard
Up early and straight to the Bonneville Speedway. The access road ends in a lake of salty rainwater from where cars drive to the actual speedway. I don’t want to go there with my gorgeous new bike as I know how much damage salt water does to a car or bike. I do get a chance to talk to one of the ladies from the organization that does the races. 
After that I start heading for Reno, a 600 km trip from Wendover. When I arrive there, after a long drive through the desert, there is a big hot rod thing going on and I have seen some very very nice hot rods there! As it is still early, I decide to go towards Lake Tahoe to spend the night there but arriving there it is clear that finding a bed won’t be easy. There are a LOT of tourists here due to the summer holidays.
So I decide to ride a bit further and further and further and then I finally do end up in Plymouth at Young’s Vineyard (Shenandoah Road) about 1 hour before dinner at the Rock starts.
About 1 min. after my arrival one of my colleagues from Heerema also arrives and it is nice catching up with him as well. And shortly after him Todd arrives as well and him being a fellow biker and friend as well that makes for another great reunion.
But it is especially nice to see Annette and Steven and their kids, Steven’s dad and Jaye and Mondaine again !! Annette has no problem switching back to Dutch (OK she just got back from Holland 3 weeks ago !). I haven’t seen or spoken to them for 2 years and a lot of things have happened since. It is pretty late when I finally turn in for the night, staying in the guest room that overlooks the vineyard. What a gorgeous sight !!
After that I start heading for Reno, a 600 km trip from Wendover. When I arrive there, after a long drive through the desert, there is a big hot rod thing going on and I have seen some very very nice hot rods there! As it is still early, I decide to go towards Lake Tahoe to spend the night there but arriving there it is clear that finding a bed won’t be easy. There are a LOT of tourists here due to the summer holidays.
So I decide to ride a bit further and further and further and then I finally do end up in Plymouth at Young’s Vineyard (Shenandoah Road) about 1 hour before dinner at the Rock starts.
About 1 min. after my arrival one of my colleagues from Heerema also arrives and it is nice catching up with him as well. And shortly after him Todd arrives as well and him being a fellow biker and friend as well that makes for another great reunion.
But it is especially nice to see Annette and Steven and their kids, Steven’s dad and Jaye and Mondaine again !! Annette has no problem switching back to Dutch (OK she just got back from Holland 3 weeks ago !). I haven’t seen or spoken to them for 2 years and a lot of things have happened since. It is pretty late when I finally turn in for the night, staying in the guest room that overlooks the vineyard. What a gorgeous sight !!
www.youngsvineyard.com
7 August the ride to Salt Lake City
After breakie, I set of towards Salt Lake City for a very windy ride. The weather was nice and warm but very windy and that does not make for a nice ride. Salt Lake City was nice though, I first went to the visitor centre opposite the Capitol building. The suburb around it has some very beautiful houses !!
After that I went to Temple Square, as Salt Lake City is the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints better known as the Mormon Church. I got a tour from two Sisters and have to say it was very interesting.
The buildings are gorgeous, the original temple (not open to visitors) is absolutely stunning on the outside and the rest of the buildings around Temple Square are gorgeous as well. The feel of this area is almost un-American on one hand but on the other hand the large buildings are very American. Anyway, the city is worth a visit !!
Then I set of towards Wendover or the Bonneville Salt Flats. I checked straight into the motel and plan to go to the flats tomorrow. The World of Speed starts on the 11th of August so I expect the preparations to be in full swing.
I talked to Gavin tonight and they are just outside Denver after a short ride. Gav and Chris had to go on a hunt for parts for the small camera as it is failing and they also got a new small camera as extra / back up. The boys met with the Denver copper but no chilli ;). Tomorrow they plan to ride through the Rockies.
After that I went to Temple Square, as Salt Lake City is the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints better known as the Mormon Church. I got a tour from two Sisters and have to say it was very interesting.
The buildings are gorgeous, the original temple (not open to visitors) is absolutely stunning on the outside and the rest of the buildings around Temple Square are gorgeous as well. The feel of this area is almost un-American on one hand but on the other hand the large buildings are very American. Anyway, the city is worth a visit !!
Then I set of towards Wendover or the Bonneville Salt Flats. I checked straight into the motel and plan to go to the flats tomorrow. The World of Speed starts on the 11th of August so I expect the preparations to be in full swing.
I talked to Gavin tonight and they are just outside Denver after a short ride. Gav and Chris had to go on a hunt for parts for the small camera as it is failing and they also got a new small camera as extra / back up. The boys met with the Denver copper but no chilli ;). Tomorrow they plan to ride through the Rockies.
6 August 2007 Yellowstone Park
The weather was beautiful when I woke up, so I hurried to get ready and have breakfast. A nice fresh waffle with syrup and cinnamon sugar is the perfect start to the day ;). I loaded up the bike and set of towards Yellowstone. As soon as I turned of the Interstate, the scenery turned to stunningly beautiful. It was awesome to follow the Yellowstone river into the park.
Thanks to one of the bikers that was at Buffalo Chip, I already had my entry ticket (that I transferred to an Aussie staying in the Super 8 in Pocatello). The park is gorgeous despite the huge amount of trees that are dead and fallen over. I loved the geysers and hot springs and all the mineral deposits. The riding through the park was awesome and I would love to take some time hiking in it when I get a chance ;)
After the park I rode for another few hours and arrived in Pocatello Idaho around 7 in the evening. Checked in and went for a very sumptuous dinner in the restaurant next door ;) I have now sufficiently compensated for my lack of food the days before.
The last bit of the trip the Idaho landscape turned into a flat and dull landscape. I definitely left the beautiful hills around Yellowstone. The 100 to 150 km around Yellowstone were awesome.
The boys from Oz (report from Chris by phone evening 6 August 2007 around 21.30 – 22.00)
Lards made himself a legend by doing a big burn out in the Arena at 2 in the morning that eventually resulted in his tyre blowing out on the way to Sturgis the next morning. Apparently he set the grass on fire!!
The boys had to fit the new tyre themselves as the tyre place couldn’t do it and that was after the tyre could only be delivered at the end of the day. So they left the Buffalo Chip around 9 in the morning but didn’t get very far. Oh and they also had plenty of rain (I didn’t get a single drop till late in the evening).
Chris also told me about the Poison show at the Buffalo Chip that was “applauded” with hundreds of bikes being revved to the max !!! These petrolheads are just completely of their rocker by the sounds of it !! Imagine the amount of exhaust fumes in the air and the amount of petrol just gone for nothing (that means more work for us offshore blokes ;)
The boys are in Wheatland Wyoming to meet with a copper that is going to make them chilli, apparently Craig met him on an earlier trip and invited them for the chilli cook out ;)
The film crew also met a cyclist on a trip through the US on a push bike / bicycle. The poor guy (described as very tall and thinner then Chris ;) was dead on his feet as far as the boys reckoned. They gave him some of the cold Gatorade from the eski / cooler and filmed him and talked to him. Awesome dude, keep going !!!
Thanks to one of the bikers that was at Buffalo Chip, I already had my entry ticket (that I transferred to an Aussie staying in the Super 8 in Pocatello). The park is gorgeous despite the huge amount of trees that are dead and fallen over. I loved the geysers and hot springs and all the mineral deposits. The riding through the park was awesome and I would love to take some time hiking in it when I get a chance ;)
After the park I rode for another few hours and arrived in Pocatello Idaho around 7 in the evening. Checked in and went for a very sumptuous dinner in the restaurant next door ;) I have now sufficiently compensated for my lack of food the days before.
The last bit of the trip the Idaho landscape turned into a flat and dull landscape. I definitely left the beautiful hills around Yellowstone. The 100 to 150 km around Yellowstone were awesome.
The boys from Oz (report from Chris by phone evening 6 August 2007 around 21.30 – 22.00)
Lards made himself a legend by doing a big burn out in the Arena at 2 in the morning that eventually resulted in his tyre blowing out on the way to Sturgis the next morning. Apparently he set the grass on fire!!
The boys had to fit the new tyre themselves as the tyre place couldn’t do it and that was after the tyre could only be delivered at the end of the day. So they left the Buffalo Chip around 9 in the morning but didn’t get very far. Oh and they also had plenty of rain (I didn’t get a single drop till late in the evening).
Chris also told me about the Poison show at the Buffalo Chip that was “applauded” with hundreds of bikes being revved to the max !!! These petrolheads are just completely of their rocker by the sounds of it !! Imagine the amount of exhaust fumes in the air and the amount of petrol just gone for nothing (that means more work for us offshore blokes ;)
The boys are in Wheatland Wyoming to meet with a copper that is going to make them chilli, apparently Craig met him on an earlier trip and invited them for the chilli cook out ;)
The film crew also met a cyclist on a trip through the US on a push bike / bicycle. The poor guy (described as very tall and thinner then Chris ;) was dead on his feet as far as the boys reckoned. They gave him some of the cold Gatorade from the eski / cooler and filmed him and talked to him. Awesome dude, keep going !!!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
5 August 2007 Goodbyes
A glorious morning and the best sunrise Gav says he has ever seen/filmed (for him that is more or less the same as the camera is glued to his eye ;). We do another interview of the last days as well as the goodbye interview. Then Gav sets of to arrange the helicopter for the arial shots. For us it was easy, just riding along a long straight road while the chopper pilot flew Gav all over the place.
I of course did a little bolter, screaming away from the group at 120 mph and was surprised Craig didn’t follow. Later I understood why as he pushed his bike into the gas station ;) He was running on vapour ;).
Then we came to the tearful goodbyes (don’t worry it is all captured on film) and I set of towards Yellowstone. Man is it hot and with soo many bikes going through Sturgis it took me over half an hour to get out of the bloody town !!
Once on the freeway, I let rip, doing 85 to 90 mph (around 140 kmh) and that got me some 600 kms through Wyoming and Montana. Again the staggering vastness of the US becomes abundantly clear to me. Rolling prairie as far as the eye can see. Beautiful colours of vegetation (green/yellow and browns) and various colours of soil. It is soo beautiful to see and I enjoy every meter of this trip. When I get to Columbus Montana (it is 5.30) it starts to rain and when I walk into the motel, the heavens open up and I am dry !!
I of course did a little bolter, screaming away from the group at 120 mph and was surprised Craig didn’t follow. Later I understood why as he pushed his bike into the gas station ;) He was running on vapour ;).
Then we came to the tearful goodbyes (don’t worry it is all captured on film) and I set of towards Yellowstone. Man is it hot and with soo many bikes going through Sturgis it took me over half an hour to get out of the bloody town !!
Once on the freeway, I let rip, doing 85 to 90 mph (around 140 kmh) and that got me some 600 kms through Wyoming and Montana. Again the staggering vastness of the US becomes abundantly clear to me. Rolling prairie as far as the eye can see. Beautiful colours of vegetation (green/yellow and browns) and various colours of soil. It is soo beautiful to see and I enjoy every meter of this trip. When I get to Columbus Montana (it is 5.30) it starts to rain and when I walk into the motel, the heavens open up and I am dry !!
4 August Sturgis gearing up
We woke up relatively early and saw that it is foggy and moist outside. Then it slowly started to clear up and we set of for Deadwood and Mount Rushmore. The campground is filling up as we move out. After we hit the road and worked our way through Sturgis, that is getting busier all the time J, we got to talk to Ashley, a local who knows a lot about the Sturgis Black Hills Rally history.
Later that night we met up with him and Pete, a Kiwi from New Plymouth of all places (as many of you know that is where Chevonne and I lived last year !!). Pete has lived in Bunburry WA and has mutual acquaintances with Craig, as does Ashley as they both worked there !! Talking about a small world ;)
Deadwood is great and has quite a history with Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The town had a large fire in the 1800’s and a large part was rebuilt in stone, hence a lot of the old buildings are still there. The whole main street was of course completely filled with bikes and the sight of the bikes and bikers is awesome. So many different styles and many different types of people riding them.
I did notice some Japanese bikes (a lot of Goldwings of course) but we are still a very small minority. I do predict though that in the next 10 years the younger generation will be rolling in more and more Jap bikes. I did see a few of the faster ones, a Gixxer, ZX12 (the “smaller” brother of mine ;), R1’s, Fazers, Hayabusas etc. I even saw a few Ducs and Beamers. My mate Pete, from Milwaukee Wisconsin of all places !, is riding a RS 1200 G. A brave man riding a Beamer in the heart of Harley Davidson land ;)
From Deadwood, we headed for Mount Rushmore and on the way we met Annie and Christophe again. It was nice to see them again and catch up. They just came from Rushmore and were on their way to Deadwood. We met up with them at night in Sturgis before they start to make their way home.
When we were standing in the parking lot, talking to each other, rain started again. I put on my jacket while Craig shot off towards Mt. Rushmore and that was the last we saw of him till that evening. When the rain increased on the way up, I put on my rainpants as well. It got worse, as the drops grew bigger and bigger. When I got to Mount Rushmore and parked the bike in the undercover car park and let my gear dry, I couldn’t find Craig. The film crew, Lards and Macca did show up within approx. 5 mins of each other.
We went into the park and while we did, the weather cleared up. Gav got some great time lapse shots of the monument until the park rangers threw a spanner in the works. It seems that we need a permit to be allowed to film (commercially) in the park. So we canned the filming and got the paperwork to apply for a permit later.
On the way back we rode through Keystone, a nice little touristy town. We didn’t stay and cruised back to Sturgis in the most glorious weather. When we got back we didn’t hesitate for too long and set off into town. We met with Pete and Ashley, we got our T-shirts/caps and other souvenirs. I took a lot of pics in the main drag with all the bikes and people. Over time they will appear on my site : http://www.eusje.smugmug.com/
I also told the guys that I plan to leave Sturgis tomorrow. I am not able to join them for the rest of the trip as my flight leaves Sacramento on the 13th and I would like some time in San Francisco and need to get the bike shipment sorted (Todd has promised help so that should be fairly painless). I also want some time at Steven Young’s Vineyard, the Rock is calling my name !! This leaves me too little time to go to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.
Also I have seen both twice before, last in 2005 and since I am so close to Yellowstone (only 900 plus kms, only 300 while I am writing this) I decide to go to the one park that has eluded me on all my previous trips !! After Yellowstone I will go to Salt Lake City and the Bonneville Salt Flats !! Hope to be able to get onto the track where Burt Munro made history with his Indian (The World’s Fastest Indian with Anthony Hopkins, one of my favourite movies). I have seen neither before so I feel the need (for speed).
I will miss the group (and do while I am writing this) and have done my best to convince them to join me. Unfortunately they have the same issue, time is not enough and for them the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas are a first and I wouldn’t pass that by either !!!!
Later that night we met up with him and Pete, a Kiwi from New Plymouth of all places (as many of you know that is where Chevonne and I lived last year !!). Pete has lived in Bunburry WA and has mutual acquaintances with Craig, as does Ashley as they both worked there !! Talking about a small world ;)
Deadwood is great and has quite a history with Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The town had a large fire in the 1800’s and a large part was rebuilt in stone, hence a lot of the old buildings are still there. The whole main street was of course completely filled with bikes and the sight of the bikes and bikers is awesome. So many different styles and many different types of people riding them.
I did notice some Japanese bikes (a lot of Goldwings of course) but we are still a very small minority. I do predict though that in the next 10 years the younger generation will be rolling in more and more Jap bikes. I did see a few of the faster ones, a Gixxer, ZX12 (the “smaller” brother of mine ;), R1’s, Fazers, Hayabusas etc. I even saw a few Ducs and Beamers. My mate Pete, from Milwaukee Wisconsin of all places !, is riding a RS 1200 G. A brave man riding a Beamer in the heart of Harley Davidson land ;)
From Deadwood, we headed for Mount Rushmore and on the way we met Annie and Christophe again. It was nice to see them again and catch up. They just came from Rushmore and were on their way to Deadwood. We met up with them at night in Sturgis before they start to make their way home.
When we were standing in the parking lot, talking to each other, rain started again. I put on my jacket while Craig shot off towards Mt. Rushmore and that was the last we saw of him till that evening. When the rain increased on the way up, I put on my rainpants as well. It got worse, as the drops grew bigger and bigger. When I got to Mount Rushmore and parked the bike in the undercover car park and let my gear dry, I couldn’t find Craig. The film crew, Lards and Macca did show up within approx. 5 mins of each other.
We went into the park and while we did, the weather cleared up. Gav got some great time lapse shots of the monument until the park rangers threw a spanner in the works. It seems that we need a permit to be allowed to film (commercially) in the park. So we canned the filming and got the paperwork to apply for a permit later.
On the way back we rode through Keystone, a nice little touristy town. We didn’t stay and cruised back to Sturgis in the most glorious weather. When we got back we didn’t hesitate for too long and set off into town. We met with Pete and Ashley, we got our T-shirts/caps and other souvenirs. I took a lot of pics in the main drag with all the bikes and people. Over time they will appear on my site : http://www.eusje.smugmug.com/
I also told the guys that I plan to leave Sturgis tomorrow. I am not able to join them for the rest of the trip as my flight leaves Sacramento on the 13th and I would like some time in San Francisco and need to get the bike shipment sorted (Todd has promised help so that should be fairly painless). I also want some time at Steven Young’s Vineyard, the Rock is calling my name !! This leaves me too little time to go to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.
Also I have seen both twice before, last in 2005 and since I am so close to Yellowstone (only 900 plus kms, only 300 while I am writing this) I decide to go to the one park that has eluded me on all my previous trips !! After Yellowstone I will go to Salt Lake City and the Bonneville Salt Flats !! Hope to be able to get onto the track where Burt Munro made history with his Indian (The World’s Fastest Indian with Anthony Hopkins, one of my favourite movies). I have seen neither before so I feel the need (for speed).
I will miss the group (and do while I am writing this) and have done my best to convince them to join me. Unfortunately they have the same issue, time is not enough and for them the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas are a first and I wouldn’t pass that by either !!!!
3 August 2007 Sturgis arrival
This morning it was pouring with rain, unbelievable the amount of rain that is falling. The Aussie bikers actually think it is cool to ride in the rain, they obviously haven’t done it as much as I did. As soon as they set of, the heavens open with a vengeance : Hollywood rain I would call it.
Once it dries out a bit, about 1 hour later, the film crew and I set of through the Badlands. It is awesome to see and we set up a camera on my mirror so the view in my mirror visor and the scenery around it make for a beautiful sight. After some filming we continue towards Rapid City SD and then the rain starts so the rain gear goes on. I end up needing it for a little bit during the ride.
When we arrive in Rapid City at the Harley dealer, there is a huge Sturgis event going on. Lots of market stalls selling this that and the other and when we see Craig we find that he had some “louder” mufflers installed on the Redneck II. We decide not to stay too long and head for Sturgis.
Riding into Sturgis we come across the hellfighters and the Ministry of Motorbikes and the Sons of Light people. They are very nice people and offer to bless our bikes. We also receive their prayers, plus some lemonade and the Hellfighters Search and Rescue Handbook. Basically the New Testament with stories of people that found the bible on their way to destruction and were saved.
Then we continued into Sturgis together with heaps of bikers, filming slowed down traffic a bit as usual but everyone seems to take it in their stride. There are so many bikes around already and more are pouring in over the weekend. Getting to the Buffalo Chip campground we found out that something has gone wrong with the reservation. So we book open spots they still have and set up camp, to find out much later that we are at the wrong campground !!!!!
After set up of the tents we go into Sturgis to do some filming and it is amazing, the cameras can continue rolling because there I always something happening. I keep snapping one photo after another until I run out of battery. There is soo much to see, including the staggering amount of police. Apparently they come from all over the area up to 100 miles from Sturgis. They are a bi secretive about their numbers but I estimate that there are hundreds on foot patrol at any point in time, including the dozens of cars.
Then it starts to rain, no sorry then it starts to come down in oceanloads !!! I have never ever seen soo much rain come down and water is pouring down the street like it is a river. We are in the car and the wipers can not keep up with it at highest speed and the car travelling very slowly. We see bikers riding around trying to shield their eyes as the rain just hammers into them. The rain lasts for about 45 mins and we fear for our tents, despite the fact that they are on a hill. Our fears are unnecessary, the tents are in perfect shape and dry, lucky us.
Once everyone is back, we decide to go to the Arena in the center of the campground. After some drinks there, Craig going online to find out we are at the wrong campground, we set of back into town. After a few drinks at the Oasis where the karaoke is very popular (and some of the singers are really good as well) we return to the campground for a short night of sleep.
Once it dries out a bit, about 1 hour later, the film crew and I set of through the Badlands. It is awesome to see and we set up a camera on my mirror so the view in my mirror visor and the scenery around it make for a beautiful sight. After some filming we continue towards Rapid City SD and then the rain starts so the rain gear goes on. I end up needing it for a little bit during the ride.
When we arrive in Rapid City at the Harley dealer, there is a huge Sturgis event going on. Lots of market stalls selling this that and the other and when we see Craig we find that he had some “louder” mufflers installed on the Redneck II. We decide not to stay too long and head for Sturgis.
Riding into Sturgis we come across the hellfighters and the Ministry of Motorbikes and the Sons of Light people. They are very nice people and offer to bless our bikes. We also receive their prayers, plus some lemonade and the Hellfighters Search and Rescue Handbook. Basically the New Testament with stories of people that found the bible on their way to destruction and were saved.
Then we continued into Sturgis together with heaps of bikers, filming slowed down traffic a bit as usual but everyone seems to take it in their stride. There are so many bikes around already and more are pouring in over the weekend. Getting to the Buffalo Chip campground we found out that something has gone wrong with the reservation. So we book open spots they still have and set up camp, to find out much later that we are at the wrong campground !!!!!
After set up of the tents we go into Sturgis to do some filming and it is amazing, the cameras can continue rolling because there I always something happening. I keep snapping one photo after another until I run out of battery. There is soo much to see, including the staggering amount of police. Apparently they come from all over the area up to 100 miles from Sturgis. They are a bi secretive about their numbers but I estimate that there are hundreds on foot patrol at any point in time, including the dozens of cars.
Then it starts to rain, no sorry then it starts to come down in oceanloads !!! I have never ever seen soo much rain come down and water is pouring down the street like it is a river. We are in the car and the wipers can not keep up with it at highest speed and the car travelling very slowly. We see bikers riding around trying to shield their eyes as the rain just hammers into them. The rain lasts for about 45 mins and we fear for our tents, despite the fact that they are on a hill. Our fears are unnecessary, the tents are in perfect shape and dry, lucky us.
Once everyone is back, we decide to go to the Arena in the center of the campground. After some drinks there, Craig going online to find out we are at the wrong campground, we set of back into town. After a few drinks at the Oasis where the karaoke is very popular (and some of the singers are really good as well) we return to the campground for a short night of sleep.
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