My Last Good Ride of 2010

[SpudRider]

Looking at the weather forecasts, I knew November 18 was going to be the last decent day to ride in 2010. Therefore, I decided to take a 150-mile ride to the Blackfoot Reservoir on my 2005, Honda XR650L. I anticipated the 60 miles of gravel roads I planned to travel would be muddy; it didn’t take long to confirm I was correct.



Riding westward, I encountered firmer sections of road that allowed my tires to throw off the mud, but I still traveled with circumspection.





Arriving at a bend in the Blackfoot River, I paused to snap a few photographs.







Traveling farther west, I stopped to enjoy the view north of the River, and the distant mountains on the eastern horizon.







Approaching the reservoir, I took a short detour to a favorite vantage point, overlooking a bend in the canyon of the Blackfoot River.



I knew the approach, and exit from this overlook would be muddy.









Exercising due caution, I returned to the gravel road, and upon reaching firmer ground, my tires quickly threw off the mud. Arriving at the reservoir, I paused to enjoy the view. I don’t anticipate getting a chance to ride here again until next spring, when the reservoir is frozen, and the bald eagles, and migratory waterfowl visit the lake.







The afternoon was advancing, and the weather was turning colder; I decided to ride down the western side of the reservoir.









When the road became snowy and icy, I was somewhat surprised. :?



However, the bike handled well, and I knew I was descending toward paved roads. I paused to take a few photographs, and continued riding southward.





Curving around the southern end of the lake, I reached the highway north of Soda Springs. Content with my last view of the lake for the year 2010, I rode the pavement the remaining miles westward.

Spud