Topic: How about a SOHC Twin, After-dinner Mini Tour? (With Tour Pics!)

[Cowboy]

OK, OK, this post is not about a long tour, or a SOHC four. Humor me! I want to use this opportunity to encourage others to take photos on their tours long or short), and post their tour threads with pics in them.

I was up late last night, mounting new tires on my CB350 twin. Slept late, and when I got up this morning, it was gorgeous outside. I had to ride!  I was a bit reluctant to ride any twisties until I wore the mould-release coating off my new tires, so I took a couple shortish rides on local gravel roads, thinking it would help scrub the new rubber. Family duties took a bite out of the day. Given the late night, late rise, and the daylight saving time change, my body clock was all messed up, and I found myself eating dinner at 3:00 pm. Hmmm, lots of daylight left for an after-dinner ride.

How about 100 miles of gravel roads to clean up those new tires, then? I chose the tires as a kind of 50/50 on/off road compromise, planning to spend the summer touring Wyoming's back roads, so they are well suited to gravel roads.  So I took off across the prairie, on Sand Creek road, heading Southwest from Laramie, Wyoming.  Five miles out of town, I came across some kids tearing around an old gravel pit on dirt bikes, and joined them for a few laps. The CB350 is no dirt bike, of course, but it is small enough to be fun in the dirt anyway! My little red pony was running like a champ today, on road and off. Impressive for a 36 year old bike.

I got back on Sand Creek road, and headed off toward Chimney Rock. On the way, I found this old house along the road.
[img width= height=]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/waterlaw99/Motorcycles/Tour%20pics/DSC05372.jpg[/img]

The gates in the stone fence are particularly cool.
[img width= height=]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/waterlaw99/Motorcycles/Tour%20pics/DSC05377.jpg[/img]

And Chimney rock was just around the bend. On a clear day, I can see this sandstone chimney from my front room, where I sit typing this now. (It's about 30 miles away, as the crow flies.)
[img width= height=]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/waterlaw99/Motorcycles/Tour%20pics/DSC05379.jpg[/img]
[img width= height=]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/waterlaw99/Motorcycles/Tour%20pics/DSC05375.jpg[/img]

More rock formations along the road:
[img width= height=]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/waterlaw99/Motorcycles/Tour%20pics/DSC05368.jpg[/img]

And on the way home, I had to stop twice to photograph another spectacular Wyoming sunset over the Snowy Range Mountains:
[img width= height=]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/waterlaw99/Motorcycles/Tour%20pics/DSC05388.jpg[/img]
[img width= height=]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/waterlaw99/Motorcycles/Tour%20pics/DSC05393.jpg[/img]

[mrbreeze]

I used to live in Riverton(92to04).I do miss the wide open spaces but sure as hell don't miss -40 degrees in the winter!!!

[toycollector10]

Great pictures, great scenery..Thanks for posting.

[Jammer]

As a Montana native I too sometimes miss the wide open spaces, but I don't miss the cold or the extremely hot weather. It's always amazing when I go back that you can go out traveling for the day and sometims not see anyone all day. I miss that too!
Great sunset shots!
David

[canttuckmyshirt]

Those are some GREAT shots.. I need to get out of the city more often 

[bill440cars]

           Those are some great shots that you took. That old house was incredible! Also liked the shots of chimney rock too! Kinda curious though as to why you said in your title, "How about a DOHC Twin?" Not saying that the 350s aren't good machines or anything of the sort. Just asking if you knew that the 350 is a SOHC twin?

                                 BYW, I hope you are going to take more rides of that kind and take your camera with you, cause those shots were awesome!

                                                           Later on, Bill

[Cowboy]

Doh!  You're right Bill!  I was thinking of my CB450 DOHC when I posted that. (Main thread title is fixed now)

I promise I will continue riding and taking photos, in fact, you can expect a new ride report on Monday. I've bought a (very) used truck that is located in Sheridan, Wyoming, right up next to the Montana border. On Sunday I will be riding my CB550 (chosen for the 400 mile trip because it has a full fairing!) up to Sheridan, loading it into the back of the truck, and driving home to Laramie (down by the Colorado Border). I plan to ride on back roads as much as possible, and take my camera along.  It may be a mechanically interesting trip. The CB550 is running great, but this will be my longest trip on it, and the farthest I've ever gone from home on a bike. But the truck I'm driving home is, um . . . not exactly a known quantity. I may be glad to have the bike in the back, in case the truck is not quite as reliable as the seller represents.  I'll have my fairing cubbys loaded with tools, in hopes that I won't need them as long as I bring them along!  The weather should be grand, and I'm really looking forward to the trip.

More to come on Monday!

[medic09]

Great photos!

Your bike looks good.

[bill440cars]

   Hey Cowboy, Don't sweat the small stuff. Sure did enjoy those pictures. Gonna be waiting to see what you come up with after the trip to get that pickup also. Of course, hoping that you have a good trip there and back too! You take care Cowboy.

                                                        Later on, Bill