Since there were no takers on a pavement run, I geared up and tested my panniers on the old Highway 28 and Stuhlmiller road between Spanish Orchards and Quincy. It was a kick to get back in there and root through numerous obstacles and road blocks that many dirt bikes had obviously worked their way around and climb different directions up the grade. Several dead ends that I got to wrestle myself through (the sand was a royal pain) and learning the balance and track of the bike. Mystique performed admirably, but her rider needs more confidence, that's for sure.Forgot what it was like to wrestle a 400 lb dual-sport over rough terrain, ugh. I need a fitness plan. Also, got way back in there and suddenly the low-fuel light comes on. Hmmm... get down to the Trinidad Trading Post for fuel and I'll be good. Nope, closed down. I am not sure where the low fuel kicks in since this is my first tank and Quincy is closest so off I go... filled up 3.4 gallons at 201.5 miles leaving me a 1.2 gallon reserve when the light kicks on. 60 MPG, and that was almost all city miles in Wenatchee. I can live with that.
On a side note... only saw two other bikes out on the highway between Wenatchee and Quincy, an R1200RT and an R1200GS.
Oh, yeh...
