Browsing Archive: August, 2010

Proud Owner of Oil-engulfing, Gas-trointestinally Challenged KilLeR

Posted by Brienne Thomson on Sunday, August 29, 2010, In : Trans-Am Trail 
It was a 7.5-hour iron butt ride from Moab to Boulder County in Colorado. So far I’ve almost doubled the 2,550 miles I bought the 2008 KLR with; mainly highway miles so far, since my trail mileage has been slow and sporadic. Although, my objective for jamming to Boulder is to rectify that situation by shipping the make-up and nail polish and linen pants, and extra weight etc. to the bride-to-be in Tennessee – and yes, eye-roll rebuttal, I know I should have shipped it before bothering to ...
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Detouring for Friends and Ride Redemption

Posted by Brienne Thomson on Saturday, August 28, 2010, In : Trans-Am Trail 
I slept in like crazy today, well 8:30 is sleeping in for me. I’m a light sleeper and wear earplugs, but am still usually and early riser; about 6.5 hours for me is well-rested. I didn’t even hear the Kawasaki cruiser couple who were just a tent site over pack-up and thump away. I felt good. I wasn’t late for anything and no one even knew where I was. It’s a freeing notion.

I rode from Green River to Moab on the Trans-Am today and the mellow dirt-way rebuilt my confidence about contin...
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Motivated by Mud

Posted by Brienne Thomson on Thursday, August 26, 2010, In : Trans-Am Trail 
I looked at my watch. It was 5:15 and I could see the sun starting to rise through my white tent wall, so I shut my eyes for a bit longer, but was jolted by the sound of an engine revving. I popped out from my tent, waived to the farmer whose tree I had found shelter under and said, “Sorry, I’ll be outta here in ten-minutes.”

“No problem he responded; seemingly relieved that I was either the less threatening female type or that I had just taken the time to waive and smile. Probably bot...
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Persecuted by the Paiute

Posted by Brienne Thomson on Thursday, August 26, 2010, In : Trans-Am Trail 

August 24, 2010:

“I feel like I’m off-roading a Gold Wing,” I analogized.

“Well, you practically are,” laughed one of the Fishlake National Park, quad-riding fishermen.



I was up at 4:45 at the crack of dawn to escape my illegal campsite before being found out and charged; I’m on a shoestring here. I packed-up, dropped my white tent and said goodbye to the mystical red rock elephant as I left the Valley of Fire; so surreal and Dali-esque that you think he’s really saying adieu as y...
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Valley of Freedom

Posted by Brienne Thomson on Thursday, August 26, 2010, In : Trans-Am Ready 
“Where did you park the spaceship,” smirked the man in the gas station convenience store.

I returned his amusement with a half-hearted toothy grin, too hot and preoccupied about my moto problems to exhume any witty remark.



I was running late with final preparations and a bit nervous about making it to the Valley of Fire, about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, before sunset. My bike was packed for just about any mechanical or weather condition to the point that quantity was a potential detri...
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The Get Going Price List

Posted by Brienne Thomson on Sunday, August 22, 2010, In : Trans-Am Ready 
This is my, “Why I Will be Camping for Free on BLM Land and Eating Tuna Out of a Can Since I’m Jobless and Traveling” price list of parts, pieces, gear and all the extra costs in getting myself self-sufficient, happy and rolling again.

2008 KLR 650, 2550 miles: $3350
DMV tax: $234
Happy Trail Crash Bars (CraigsList.org price): $125
Crash bar link/freeway pegs: $89
Symtec Heated Grips: $44.95
Happy Trails Center Stand: $139.95
Genuine Innovations tire repair/inflator kit: $40.99
HappyTrails.com ...
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KLR: From a Stocker to Shocker

Posted by Brienne Thomson on Sunday, August 22, 2010, In : Trans-Am Ready 
On August 2, 2010 I bought a 2008 KLR650 just five days after returning to the States after eight-months traveling in Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador; six-months of which I spent teaching in Cartagena, Colombia. My first goal was to gear up the bike for the Trans-American Trail; an idea instigated by moto-guru Eric Anderson of Vroom Network. Coincidentally, the trail ends in Tennessee, the exact destination of the 10-10-10 binary wedding I am to float down the aisle in as a bridesmaid. So, as ...
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