Anyone have a Bushtec Wheel? 404 miles

Hi All

After our late night last night, we were a bit sluggish this morning. We didn't get away from Dennis's place until 8.00am. Shock Horror!!
But Dennis had made us some freckle-kickin' coffee so we were good for a little while.
Out we went onto Interstate 15 and headed towards Las Vegas amongst the busy traffic. Breakfast was at a Copper Kettle restaurant. We were ready to go. There was a long downhill section where we went down a couple of thousand feet. Trucks do it slow and cars do it fast. We were sort of in between - you know - on the speed limit. So we got everyone annoyed with us.
Then Vegas hove in sight, but we turned off before getting in to too much big city. That'll come later. We skirted the city and picked up Highway 95 to the north-west. Excellent road surface. Smooth and even. So it was dial in 70mph on the cruise control, put the ipod on shuffle, feet up on highway pegs and relax.

We came across a Toyota Camry stopped by the road with his bonnet up. All the traffic was driving straight past, but jacks brake lights came on and we pulled up to check he was OK. He was physically, but the engine was totalled. A pushrod had gone through the side and there were parts of the inside of the engine very visible. He had already arranged for AAA to pick him up, but was very grateful that someone cared.

On our way again, we still were a bit slow for some. I have some video of being overtaken by a fifth-wheeler RV. He was pushing the big F-truck tow machine at over 80 mph. He soon disappeared up the road. Probably used more fuel overtaking us than we used all day.
Pretty soon we came up to out turn-off. Highway 266 was to take us over two mountain ranges with a visit to some of the world's oldest trees, bristle-cone pines. Apparently there are some in the forest that are over 4000 years old.

But plans, do not always go to plan.

We powered up the first range, rising to over 7000 feet only to meet heavy rains at the top. So it was pull up, put on the wets and drive down in to it. The road was still in excellent condition, but the high cuttings had copped a beating from the storm and sprayed rocks on the road.

Jack was in front and although he missed with his bike wheels, kindly pushed a rock aside for us with his trailer wheel. Something went flying off, but I thought it was just the rock breaking up. We managed to avoid everything and we continued on, entering California for the first time this trip.

Then it was up into the second range and a nice lot of twisty roads. We were back a bit and were quite surprised to catch up to Jack very quickly. That does not happen on twisties. I could see that the trailer was skewing around and saw that the left tyre was flat.

Not sure if he knew, we managed to wave him over and he pulled up at the crest of the range. Checked the tyre so see that there was a six inch piece missing from the alloy rim. Ouch!

What to do. No phone coverage and we were 40 miles from a major highway. Nothing for it but to carefully continue down the range slowly and get to civilisation. Off we went, with us behind alerting the cars coming up behind by using the hazard flashers. Same as we had seen the big trucks use when going slowly down the I15 this morning.

One big pickup with a huge trailer came up behind and overtook when he could. A little down the road, the pickup pulled up and signalled us to stop. We did and met a couple of very nice people. James Thomson and his buddy Shane. They offered to take Jack's trailer down to the highway and in to Bishop - where they were headed. That was great for us. So they loaded up the trailer while Charleen and I headed back up the hill to retrieve Jack's side-stand support which he had forgotten. When we got back 10 minutes later we all set off for Highway 395 and Bishop. They dropped us off at a campground and here we currently sit. No internet access so I am writing this up and will send it when we get some coverage.

Here's today's crop of photos

This is Dennis.  Top bloke.  Yes those are two big pistolson the table. he assured us they weren't loaded.  That is in the bedroom.!!

Charleen getting the bikes ready at Dennis's

Traveling down I15

Another State

Hwy 95 North-west out of Vegas is smooth and easy.


Rocks and wheels don't mix.

Following the trailer.  It's in a trailer.

Jack assists James and Shane to unload in Bishop.  I supervised.

A really big thank-you to James and Shane.  Your help probably saved us from sustaining more damage and certainly saved us a lot of time.   You  typify the generous hospitality we have found here in the States.

Chez CnC