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Post your pics, videos and stories here! We will have photos from Stephen Gregory (Gregory Imagery) shortly in the gallery. My observations…. Really happy to see lots of old friends and make new ones. We had about 28 people this year and lots of ideas thrown around on how to increase that next year but it will hinge on two things I think: I need volunteers and will be promoting the event via Google ads vs FB/Instagram. When you post on the socials with your content, please tag #xladvhighsierra2023 My experience: very different weather this year! Our first rain Saturday morning and temps were much cooler in the day as well as much warmer (upper 40’s) in the morning. I was impressed with these new Trailmax Raid tires from Dunlop. Had them in both deep sand and well as steep rocky climbs. Food was super hard to come by for this particular weekend but the street tacos were super delicious, imho. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Stephen Gregory took all the sick photos and on top of that rode some new High Sierras tracks. Thanks for the great shots. Oh did we mention the how epic the weather was up in the elevation too? Awesome. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Got home yesterday at about 4:00 totally exhausted [emoji1787]. Slept 12 hours. Lost $85 but it’s all good. Heads up! Please post your pics/videos in the Ride Report thread and not here. Thanks [emoji120] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just paid up. See you guys there.

Join Brian, Ed and mself on our ride around the Great Divide to the amazing pearls of the National Parks of the West; the North Rim, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, The Great Sand Dunes, Rocky Mountain, The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Get some bugs on you and find out why they ride and how those reasons change on the road.

It's my handle across a number of forums as well as a character analysis. I ride a '14 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 XC, maybe not quite XL, but that's the biggest Tiger Triumph makes. I covered over 30k miles in 2023 and hope to exceed that next year with a run to the Arctic Circle and back to my place in Utah where we'll evaluate whether to complete the Panamerican stretch. I'm here to learn, to be inspired and to share. #dashbetweenthedates

Thank you Eric for all the effort you put in to get this rally up & going. It was a smaller but great rally. The weather was different but made for an unusual beautiful atmosphere in the area. It was a pleasure working with you & thank you for all the support. Hope we can get it together for next year. paul

Registration link: click here Here we go! 12th annual High Sierra! Event description: Three dinners this year! Salsa’s Taqueria. Professional photography by Stephen Gregory. I will lead a beginner group ride the first morning for those who are new so that should make it less daunting for you. Sponsors: GIVI USA Rigg Gear Dunlop USA Klim Motorcycle DoubleTake Mirrors Cardo Systems Attendees [mention=689]greedyg[/mention] [mention=261]Jason R[/mention] Leo Esparza Olivier Cornet Kenneth Kornbluh [mention=5129]Barry W[/mention] [mention=2299]Dennis Hagerty[/mention] Roman Krajewski Maxime Masraff Gary Graham Donald Funes Brent Needham Kiho Kim Richard Lee Sal Sal’s son Jairo Monterroza Warren Wright Brian Schieber Maria Odense [mention=512]motochefarwi[/mention] Pascal Vaguelsy [mention=4278]Stephen Gregory[/mention] Paul Costello Chris Owens Taurino Tadeo

Photos in the gallery now. share your photos and stories over in the ride report.

Photos by @Stephen Gregory can be found in the gallery. Some great ones as usual..

Jairo came from El Salvador just for the rally which I thought was cool. He and I have some mutual friends from my trip through there in 2021. he sent me these pics…

Ok, Ok Let's not get hasty! 🤪 Stand by for further communication...

A dead forum? Say it aint so! I thought @motochefarwi and I posted enough to keep it going...🤣

Hey Eric, well we are driving in the pick up from the East Bay (SF)probably heading down on Wednesday. If there is anything Maria and I can do let us know. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bringing my swimsuit and water socks to stomp around in the river, might be running strong after this storm. Wonder how cold it’ll be 🥶

Im gonna take a nap here again... 😴

Dad is coming back to High Sierra! Hopefully he doesn't break his leg again... 😐

Yes sir Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fish Slough is fast and fun. I did a run on the 990 to scout it out before taking the Pan America on that loop (Casa Diablo). 990 topped out at about 108. Pan America considerably faster (122). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some garbage route East of Mono from Benton up to 167 right on the CA/NV border. We explored that area when all the forests were closed. Never made it to the destination of Aurora ghost town because Big John @Trailzrider roasted his clutch on the 890 back there somewhere.

You wanna do the 10 mile rock garden again Barry? 🤪

Maybe I should bring 2 bottles, one for Olivier and one for Chef Arwi. I might be in gourmet heaven! [emoji2] One a different note, I've been trying to contact Rich DeWolfe by text and FB Messenger, but have not heard back. I believe he camped with you, Eric, in 2021. He caught my fancy because, aside from being a cool guy, he also rode an FE501. [mention=5]Eric Hall[/mention] is he still around or riding? Let me ask him Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe I should bring 2 bottles, one for Olivier and one for Chef Arwi. I might be in gourmet heaven! 😃 One a different note, I've been trying to contact Rich DeWolfe by text and FB Messenger, but have not heard back. I believe he camped with you, Eric, in 2021. He caught my fancy because, aside from being a cool guy, he also rode an FE501. @Eric Hall is he still around or riding?

Ticket purchased! I look forward to riding again with @Jason R @motochefarwi Olivier Cornet and others. Last time I did High Sierra in 2021, many trails were closed due to fire, so I'm looking to ride those and other fun routes. 👍

Yo! XLADV fans. Share your best routes! I can’t wait to ride this year with my friends! Here is a snip of a pretty good day on the donkey! Warm up at Crowley Lake, do some donuts on the beach. Then follow @greedyg and @raster through some gnar! Oh and don’t forget to bring extra gas for me! For the love of a thirsty 990. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

New hot spring = more old nekid bewbs

My dude!

Are you hosting the event this year? I'd love to join.

I, along , with a few hundred other riders, just spent $499 to camp out in the Mojave and get ride tracks. This also included pretty good food, but we had to buy our beer. Somehow I think High Sierra camping would be MUCH better and less sand riding. Go for it! I've heard great things about your rally, I've been searching for it for the last few months. I say bring in food trucks or stands for people who want to buy food, with plenty of beer and a bar. I'll bring at least a few, and maybe many, riders if it happens this year! Warren 2021 Pan Am

Good evening to all !!Here is my pride, the Tenere 700 with a recent change in full body exhaust, filter and program.+5.5 horses that didn't spoil us at all!The sound from the camera does not accurately reflect the sound of the exhaust, but what did we do!

Seems almost natural to kick off this riding season with a trip to Death Valley. It’s been at the top of the list for a number of years now, either overland or adventure riding, especially with my fascination with the phenomenon of the Racetrack, and with health issues compounding, it was time to check it off. This trip the bike would be doing so much better than I with a new cylinder head and many, many other necessary bits, pieces and tuning to get it back to new factory spec, thanks to the service staff and techs at Eurosports Utah. My own organic cylinder head is now conspiring against me with the discovery of an ascending aortic aneurysm whose girth isn’t quite at the alarming stage, but it’s disconcerting nonetheless. This wasn’t in the chemo brochure, but I’m still on the sunny side of the soil, still able to throw my leg over the seat and keep the Tiger upright when I come to a stop. For the most part. I had a new riding companion join me on this journey as well, Shawn Devevan, former colleague and current friend from my university days. Shawn showed a lot of interest in my documented journeys and decided to venture a bit further into the ADV realm with the purchase of a 2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 XC and plans to join me on the Prudhoe Bay, Alaska trip coming up. Shawn and I made it to Death Valley without incident, despite a side street tour of North Las Vegas. We took the Beatty Junction way into the northeast entrance to Furnace Creek where shortly after we found a campsite in the Sunset campground, a first-come, first-served area. Furnace Creek CG and Texas Springs were full, and Sunset was quickly filling up that Saturday afternoon. Not much to speak of other than plumbed restrooms and potable water stations. Campsite had no fire rings or tables, but I can’t imagine wanting either when the temps are above the century mark. Temperatures considered, we were there at Death Valley’s peak season. It was as if I could feel the air change as we descended the Amargosa Mountains into The Valley. I know that’s not plausible, but it is in my head, this temporal tipping point. I can’t put a finger on what that change was, temperature, aridness, pressure, all three I’m sure, because in minutes we went from sixty-four degrees to seventy-four degrees. Aside from Furnace Creek’s oasis, there’s not much evidence of anything living in The Valley, save for the RVs, tents, overlanders and the Hotel California in the distance. And again, I was rocked a bit by The Valley’s proof of things to come and how little it made me feel. I’ve written before about what I’m now calling Puny Human Complex, something at which national parks, oceans, and motorcycles are especially adept. Not only does Death Valley make me feel small, I feel insignificant here, and it doesn’t matter, another tipping point. At one juncture in our wanderings we made our way up to Artists Palette, a one-way meander through Death Valley’s remarkably colorful patina. The first stop was a vista overlooking the range’s trajectory down to the salty valley. I’ve seen so many views like this that snapping a frame of them is only symbolic. It doesn’t matter, the frame will never catch what the optic nerve is transmitting. Then to seemingly descend the level of insignificance, much like going lower than sea level, we motored to Badwater Basin and witnessed the come-back of a dead lake. Tipped. I can only hope the Great Salt Lake is as lucky. I got up early in the mornings and stood true to my resolve of getting a walk in every day. The first day delivered me to a spot evidenced of the atmospheric river’s visit August previous where every rock appeared to have turned turn over as the flooding raced to the basin. I could hear it there in my head, much like the pebbles sound on every wave’s egress at Pescadero. The Valley became a bit more indelible to me. We covered a lot of ground from our center in Furnace Creek and as the miles went on I kept telling myself that what I was seeing and smelling wasn’t much different than a combination of Southern Utah’s Desert with the shores of the Great Salt Lake, which evoked the thought of why here, I mean besides being 262 feet below sea level. What’s so special about this place? I realized it’s not that this place wasn’t special, it was folding my own habituation back into what I think is my reality that tried to numb me to it. The true tipping point came on our attempt on day-three to make it to the Racetrack. It’s a thirty-mile out and back over the same ground that got the same pounding further south. If one ever needed to feel less significant, riding over this stuff can deliver. Logging any miles on just about any dirt road will yield some civilized stretches, if even they exist only to promote false hope. The road to the Racetrack wasn’t any different except for the length and quantity of these stretches. If I remember correctly, it was one and it was about fifty yards. I rode the Tiger’s pegs for the most part, standing up over my windscreen with an unimpeded view, the Tiger’s hydraulics doing their best to keep the terrain’s washboard from my bones, my fillings in particular. My own experience with similar conditions was to use speed to my advantage, enough momentum to make it through sand, shale and babyheads, compress the washboards, and let the almost seven hundred pounds (rider’s displacement included) float beneath me. This worked to my advantage on this road, too, until I assumed I could read its deceptive terrain. What would look like hard pack was more like quick sand, forcing my ass as far back on my seat as possible to pull as much weight as possible off the handlebars. Then Shawn went down. Just past the Playa of the moving rocks, almost to the fork in the road that takes us to the Racetrack, he lost control from the sand’s relentless battering of his front wheel. His Tiger suffered more damage than he, but I’m certain he felt more pain. Then I went down. After we got Shawn and his Tiger righted, we returned to the Playa to walk things off and take a picture of a rock, where he discovered his GoPro was missing. I went back up the road to look for it and quickly relearned a lesson in fixation and went into a tall berm. The bike hit and tipped just beyond it weight’s force pulling it down through its center, it’s literal tipping point, but not all the way over, and yet, I could not right the bike. I couldn’t budge it. Shawn ran over to help and after I got back on I found his GoPro just another half-mile down the road. We walked out onto the Playa found a rock with a track and took its picture. And then I felt adequately immersed enough in this park to apply the sticker. It was on our way back, just past Tea Kettle Junction when I went down, sand underfoot and tire, and hard pack under hip and shoulder. My Explorer straddled two thirds of the narrow grade, so I tried to right it. It was fully tipped, resting on its right-side pannier and engine guard. I got into the defensive tackle position, put my shoulder into the tank and pushed forward while lifting the handlebar with my right hand and the oh-shit handle at the back with my left. I raised it up, reaching that apex where you know if you clear it, that tipping point, you’ll succeed the rest of the way. But I didn’t. I tried again and there was nothing, not even a token budge from the old Tiger. I laid it down three more times, at a stand-still. I put my foot down to steady the bike and it was as if the weight’s force was dialed up to my hip, the center too high to maintain, and my leg gave out and I dropped the Tiger Explorer, this time without the ability to right it. I said at the receipt of my cancer diagnosis that I’d probably stop riding when I could no longer hold up the Tiger, even unloaded. I lied. Instead I am prepared to do that thing that incubates dread in the most dedicated gym rat; leg day.

I review the Nemo Aurora II on my way back from Glacier. #dashbetweenthedates

Well said. I don’t know why these companies can’t do both? Why not some trail maintenance/advocacy groups too? You’re spot on about the sxs’s. Many of the companies have some rabid extreme views where they’re against even “human powered” exploration such as mountain bikes. And they’re super anti-gas powered anything. I’ve got a buddy who admits that MSR is rabidly anti-motorcycle. It’s a balance of interests and we have to work together. I’ll buy from people who are more vs less reasonable about it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I get it, and I'll probably get flack for posting this like I get it for having REI, Patagonia, and Keen gear. I'm an overland enthusiast, too, as well a hiker and angler, so it flows from all sides. I'm also a Utah resident. I ride and wheel all throughout the State's desert southwest and southeast, places where some BLM trails have been closed, including Moab, Canyonlands, the Parashant, and all along the Colorado Plateau. In doing so over the past forty years, the decay of these areas from irresponsible vehicular access has gone unfettered and unregulated for three of those decades and the destruction in some areas is unrecoverable. With the invasion of more OHVs, especially SXSs, some entity has had to step up to maintain their own mission to public lands. That conservation and restoration efforts are subsidized through donations by some of the brands that help us enjoy these lifestyles speaks to the importance of preservation. In the tens of thousands of miles I've traversed along the Wasatch Front and the Colorado Plateau, I've seldom been on a designated road, double or single track that did not have damage, peripheral land damage, shells, brass and destroyed targets, vandalized vault toilets and Forest Service facilities, along with discarded refuse and human waste. It's also been my experience that enthusiasts have a tendency to turn Chicken Little (the sky is falling) when BLM closures are enacted, but rarely during "open comment" periods of their conservation proposals. So, I'm interested in the definition of responsible vehicular access.

My take on this year's Rally is up at YT. The movie presents video, pictures, narration and music... “Heaven” by The Psychedelic Furs and “The Rain Song” by Led Zep. Subscribe and Comment at Youtube! 👍

I participated in a Rally for Rangers event in Bhutan where participants donated motorcycles to local national park rangers after a guided tour of the country. They are doing one in the US to support the Oglala Sioux nation park rangers in the Black Hills. A worthy cause, and great fun with good people. From their press release and info: Rally for Rangers USA - Black Hills 2023 Join us for the first-ever Rally for Rangers event in the USA! September 21-24, 2023, we will gather in the Black Hills for a long weekend of riding and supporting park rangers of the Oglala-Sioux Parks on the Pine Ridge Reservation and rangers of the Black Hills National Forest. Limited to just 30 riders this inaugural event is based in Custer State Park, SD and travels through the incredible single-track, gravel, and paved roads of this iconic location. Splitting into two groups of 15, we'll spend two days riding with and for rangers exploring the areas they protect and manage. The event will culminate Saturday evening with a ceremony to donate new gear and equipment purchased with funds raised by rally participants. We are working from a wish-list the rangers have created which included night-vision gear, chainsaws, GPS units, and, if enough funds are raised, possibly a side-by-side for patrol in rugged terrain. Our basecamp is the Group Camp at Stockade South Campground in Custer State Park. Tent camping for up to 50 people, bring your own camping gear. Riders wishing to stay in the regular campground with hook ups or in a local hotel are responsible for their own accommodations. Riders can bring their own bike or rent on-site from Rogue Moto, quantities limited, first come first served. Contact [email protected] for pricing and availability. To secure your spot, pay the $800 Rally Fee here and then begin your fundraising with a target of $2,000 in donations each. Making your target not required, but some have doubled their already! Prizes will be awarded to our Top 5 fundraising riders! We'll even help you create a separate personal donation page right here on Better World! Mongol Ecology Center/Rally for Rangers is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible. Schedule: Thursday, Sept. 21 - Arrival, dinner, orientation (optional training day - additional fee) Friday & Saturday, Sept. 22-23 - Split into two groups of 15 and ride roads and trails of Black Hills National Forest Sunday, Sept. 24 - Breakfast, depart for home or other adventures Fees and Fundraising: Rally Fee: $800 (group-site camping fees, meals, support vehicles, park entrance fees, permit fees, event photo/video, and more) Fundraising minimum: $2,000. There will be sponsor prizes for top fundraisers to try and have everyone stretch their fundraising goals. Cancellation Policy: - Full refund on rally fee if you cancel by May 1, 2023 - 50% refund on rally fee if you cancel by July 1, 2023 - No refunds on rally fee for cancellations after July 1, 2023. - There are no refunds at all on donations, but if you need to cancel we can apply your fundraising to a future event. Additional questions? Email [email protected] More info: Our base camp on the shores of Stockade Lake in Custer State Park will be an ideal launch point to explore the BDRx route and so much more of the wonder and adventure of this magical landscape. How could it get any better? Answer: Heavy Enduro training and Rogue Moto support. Susan and Andy of Heavy Enduro are not only helping guide our weekend journeys, but will provide skills training the morning of Day One to get us all dialed in for the epic rides ahead. Once warmed up we will split into groups based on our interest and skill level. Each group will have ride leaders and trail support from Rogue Moto and Heavy Enduro as you set out onto the varied and beautiful roads and trails of the Black Hills, skirting landmarks like the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave, and Crazy Horse monument. Elk and bison will be our companions as we explore the incredible natural and cultural history of the Hills. There’s still time to JOIN US and take advantage of a guided experience on the BDRx, some great training, making new friends, and most importantly meeting and support the hard working park rangers of the Oglala-Sioux Parks on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Send any questions to [email protected].

Well my thumbs can’t type as fast as my thoughts here. One reason why I really think about the swag I buy and brands I post. Hmm got me thinking just now as I was about to buy some fresh casual gear but now I wann a be careful. Yes aren’t we all on the same page here? Are we racing each other here. Don’t even ask me about the corporate world because I live and work in it too. I think the gents and peeps with their panties in a bunch need to grow up. Know the audience and let’s grow together. That’s community and @Eric in many ways you bring this community together. With very little in return or expectations. It’s outta pure passion. OG. But I get it. Passion doesn’t pay the bills so I guess ya gotta throw a cheap shot to get a head in life. I’m not going to borrow any more lawnmowers. Well any threat to XLADV can eat my roost. Braaap. Just go out for a ride rather than push the little guys out. Damn Sword [emoji3538] fight over here. Well I hope it all turns out well and if there is anything I need to block or not post lol I’m here to support. Never a dull moment in the Cyber world lol. I’ll still be wearing my worn out XLADV t shirt with pride. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dennis is known for bringing great Bourbon [emoji1634] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe I should bring my landing net for some fresh trout... or to simply amuse everyone as I try to catch them. 🤣 I was with @Dennis Hagerty today at the airshow and mentioned that we should coordinate some food & beverage outside the meals provided. We'll have a FB chat soon.

Yeah buddy, two mighty 9x0 bikes hitting 100+ on Fish Slough the one I'm referring to went north of Benton

Stinking hot this day if I recall. It was a good day we should try to get up there. I think that’s the route we did or was it on the 3rd? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

New volcanic activity. Just so you know, we are camping in a volcanic caldera [emoji1787] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

okay so like I said, we got food now and @Stephen Gregory has agreed to shoot photos again! Registration link above in first post. Tell a friend

I spoke to a taco place in Bishop and they can make us food if we pick it up. I’m going to ask a similar place in Mammoth Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Warren for the ideas. There are mainly two factors driving difficulty getting food there. One is that it’s not that close to nearby cities. Mammoth is about 20 minutes; Bishop 45. Another issue is the weekend, Labor Day. It’s a huge tourist destination and they get booked up more than a year in advance. That being said, I’m tracking down one more food option and am close to having a registration link. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m in this year! Let’s do this. I dig the way points system. Need to discuss and plan. @greedyg @jasonr @rogers Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Anything new on this ? @motochefarwi @Jason R @RogersW

Did you lose the big spring that holds it up?