The Little XJ that could!

so I was planning a crazy solo journey from Big Stone City SD to
Salt Lake City and back
via SD, WY, and Utah roads
I made sure my bike now named Marian, after my late mother.. Marian because
it is old but just does not know when to quit
Marian has now 38,000 miles on her
with a lot of help from the Forums Big Fitz and Dave I felt she was roadworthy
I put up a post a few months ago asking for advice for the long trip ahead
I got some excellent advice that I am very grateful for
now begins the picture journey and details on my little trip

I left on a Monday afternoon with a goal of getting a few miles under my belt
made it to Gettysburg SD and set up for the night, camping was cheap 12 bux for the night

I set out the next day not sure how far I would reach. I rode until I made it to Casper WY

a nice little campground that ran me 20 bux for the night
I then set off on the hardest ride of my trip
Casper to Salt Lake with hard side winds and worse head on winds
every mile was a battle

I took my time and arrived late around 9pm In Sandy UT

Not three minutes after this picture I was jumped by 2 Mormon Missionaries trying to teach me the ways of Joseph Smith and Brigahm Young
This was my view from the place I was staying for the next 5 days, very beautiful


I sadly did not take much more picture until I ventured home
Utah is a beautiful state with great people.
I planned on riding to the Bonneville Salt Flats, however did not realize that they were another
200 miles and on the border of Nevada, Next year perhaps?
Leaving Salt Lake I encountered the Salt Lake Basin (I think that is what it is called)



I had to stop to take pictures
Back through WY I ventured, this time with winds behind me



I do owe a big thank you to the Group Member who suggested I have a spare
Clutch cable with me, on the second day of my journey home I ventured to Walmart at 6:00AM
also the saddest place on earth
on my way back to my campground I pulled in the clutch and it snapped
I was able to coast in second back to my tent
20 minutes later the issue was repaired and I was very happy to have a 12 dollar spare with
Next stop was driving over this bridge by Gettysburg SD

Here is Marian all packed up ready for the final 250 miles home


I had a fantastic time on my trip
I am already planning do next years trip
I might upgrade to a Triumph America
or maybe Marian will take me back

 

beautiful! I also did not take enough pictures when I did the west trip. we were gone 3 weeks and I could not get enough time to see everything I had planned. One day going through Kansas it rained all day, 57 degrees and cattle trucks taking cattle to the stockyards. Did not think much of it till we stopped for gas. Green film all over us! what a crappy day!! I'd love to go again.

 

I can't wait to do some touring in the states. Those pictures make me all giddy and leave me craving to see some new places.

 

Nice!! Looks like a fun trip

 

Awesome, man!!

Dave

 

now that you're back, what will you do different next time?

 

Looks like a great trip, takes a little extra nerve to go solo! Thanks for taking the time to share your journey, inspiration is always appreciated.

 

it was a very freeing trip
I plan on doing it again for sure

 

That's awesome! I would love to do that someday. Even better you did it on a bike you brought back to health.

 

the only thing I would do different next time is to take a yoga mat or thin piece of foam to put under my sleeping bag
the XJ can hold a lot of stuff
I think on long trips I will always carry an extra Clutch Cable
I had a very good tool kit with me, so that was not that big of a worry
ohh a big thing
I hope to MotoVlog next year
so if I am on this bike, or on a Triumph America
video will be filmed
just take your time, and whatever the GPS says for a time destination, add three hours at least

 

Thremarest sleeping mat. Spendy but worth it. Sleeping on a yoga mat isn't much better then sleeping on dirt.

I (used to, and really still should) keep a spare clutch cable pre-installed next to the working clutch cable. It's zip-tied to the working cable in three places, pre-lubed, and both ends are wrapped with friction tape to keep the dirt out. Takes five minutes to swap over and adjust.

 

+1 on Thermarest, amazingingly thin, blow a little air in it and it is plush!