Stampede Trail Alaska via ATV and thinking of McCandless

I had the opportunity to go riding near Healy, AK on the Stampede Trail by ATV this fall. I spent a few hours on a 350cc Grizzly, going about as far down the trail as I'd like to given my preparation and experience level, though I'd love to go again and do more exploring.

The trail is infamous for being the route that Christopher McCandless took on his final adventure. I believe that he had high hopes and dreams, but was not prepared for the Alaskan wilderness. It's a sad reminder to always enjoy adventures within your abilities, let someone know where you're going and have safety on your mind.

The terrain is so beautiful and rugged. I'm looking forward to the next trip to Alaska.

GM plant closures

Here's a quick little map outlining GM plant closures, in an attempt to keep some portion of the company viable for the future. The map locations also note planned closure dates. Thanks Jalopnik!

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Triumph Scrambler

The Triumph Scrambler, new for 2006, is a tough standard at home either on dirt and gravel or in the city. Sporting an optional number plate indicating a tie to Steve McQueen's racing career.

Coming in around $8,500 new, the air-cooled, carb'd (now FI), 59hp/51ft.lb 865cc parallel twin sits at about 450lbs. It has a 5-speed gearbox, chain-drive and a 32" seat. A single seat with rear rack is optional, perfect for a big ADV-style aluminum box. A 17" rear and a 19" front wheel give confidence on and off road. A 4.2 gallon tank should give decent time between stops.

City cars, three-wheelers, leaners and future concepts

There are quite a few unique lightweight vehicles on the horizon. Many of these vehicles have motorbike-derived engines for higher efficiency. Some are more practical, some well-suited for commuting duties, any of which would be welcome in my garage.

BMW's Clever (Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transportation), a tandem two-seat leaning three-wheeler. The concept is shooting for a cost around $10-13k. Just about right to offset the Chevrolet Suburban.

Here without the skin, you can see the design a bit closer.

The NARO project, from the UK. It's a bit like a pair of motorbikes connected as a tarmac-bound catamaran, tandem seating as well.

The Fiaro Carver is another tandem, leaning three-wheeler. Looks to be very similar to the Clever.

As far as smaller city cars and three-wheelers, I still prefer to have two up front and one at the rear.

Liberty Motors in Seattle, WA has created a classic Morgan-inspired three-wheeler. It runs a modern Harley-Davidson engine for reliability and style, as well as ease of maintenance. They call is the ACE; the American Cycle-car Endeavor. Cycle-cars have been around since the internal combustion engine, though more popular in Europe than the States.

Side-by-side seating for two in an open-air roadster.

Simple engineering, classic styling, hopefully this one makes production.

The high-tech Loremo concept, a beautiful two-seat commuter. It's twin-cylinder diesel engine returns 120mpg with style, capable of 100mph.

Long Way Round rides (the short version) - 071508

Occasionally, I like to reproduce my own Long Way Round (Austin) adventure. Knowing that I will probably never ride around the world, or maybe not even my own country, I give my home state roads the attention that I can.

I work on the west side of Austin, TX and live north of it all. I like to ride the twistiest roads I can find counter-clockwise until I reach home. I take the boring commute of 20 miles and stretch it to around 60, depending on the route.

I have started to track some of my better rides on Motowhere. This is my latest.
http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/...stin-rideabout



I begin near I-35 and Parmer. No fun pics here, just work and traffic. I go Parmer to MoPac to 360, more traffic, but looking better the closer I get to the Colorado. Before the Colorado, I take Old Spicewood Springs road to the right. Very curvy and shady, nice in Texas summers.

I pulled down off Old Spicewood Springs road to the Adirondack Trail where it crosses the Bull Creek. I've seen it over the road and impassible so many times in the past...

A Ninja hiding in the brush.





A bit dry lately.



One of a few neat little pools.



The Ninja 'off-road'



Across the Colorado and off on Bee Caves (2244). 71 to 620 gets a bit urban, but still nice vistas. Roll over Mansfield Dam and slow down to take in the view, though it is easy to get excited on a sporty bike.

Left on Comanche trail ends the speed runs. I rode all the way to the end this time, visiting Wentz and McGregor (Hippie Hollow) parks.



A big drop-off.



One of many mini-mansions built into the hill sides.







THIS is what's for sale?!?



I was amazed to find that the bluff was for sale.



McGregor has an exit that you can roll around on a bike when they are closed.





Back up the road to Oasis Bluff and left on Bullick Hollow road. Down to Cypress Creek park, this sign used to be at the water's edge...





Nice shady rest.






Left on Anderson Mill (2769) and down to Volente, then on to everyone's favorite, Lime Creek Road! I stopped off at Sandy Creek Park for a drink and some shade.



The KLR rider was nowhere to be seen...





After the rest, Lime Creek road beckoned, hence the end of the photos. I hit Anderson Mill Road again, then 1431 (Whitestone) and Vista Rock to Crystal Falls, which finally is open all the way through!

Hit Google Maps or Motowhere and find the roads that near you that make you feel like a part time adventurer, even if you can't afford a support crew or photographer!

Ninja 250 Lime Creek Road run - 2007?

Here are some pics from a previous Ninja 250 ride on Lime Creek road. One guy went straight when he was in a corner and hit the only rock in the ditch. I think he hit a tar snake. I re-aligned his forks on the spot and strapped his fairings to my luggage rack for the ride back. Lime Creek has a collection of bits and pieces of bikes and cars that run too hard.



Gathering around the Rock.


Ninja versus Rock. Rock win. He actually held on and did not drop the bike!


The usual suspects lined up at the Volente Beach water park. Can you believe that we are Harley-tolerant?


All the flavors of the rainbow.