So, it's Tuesday evening and I'm getting anxious.... I've been here for over 24 hours and it was a good thing that I took the extra day to get last minute things done - a head light bulb went out (which I fixed), I needed another pill case so I can separate my meds, needed to fix a glove box door which had come loose in all the wind, just little things.
Had two witnesses come from the local surrounding area to sign my witness form, so I'm good to go. Will leave about 0515 tomorrow morning when the temps are expected to be in the mid 40s. Kanetsu time!! I will go to Breckenridge for my start receipt, then go immediately across the river for a gas stop and a SD receipt.I shouldn't have to stop again until Sioux Falls, SD for gas. Then down to Sioux City, Nebraska and turn left. Simple, huh!!
I have no idea when I will be able to take time to write again here, but you can rest assured that I will fill in the blanks at a later time.
Mike
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
One Week to Go...
A week from today I'll leave for ND. I don't want to have to rush up there, find a a witness or two, try to rest, etc., etc. so I'm gonna be there a day early.
I'm slowly conquering the lists - bike goes in tomorrow for new tires, valve check/adjust (expensive!!) and fork oil change. Brakes are okay Need to fix the big PIAAs, but will do that at the Honda shop when all the Tupperware is off - I'm sure it's just a loose connection because they worked just fine when I had the plastic off before.
To the dentist this morning, then multiple miscellaneous things to accomplish.....
Getting anxious to get going...
Mike
I'm slowly conquering the lists - bike goes in tomorrow for new tires, valve check/adjust (expensive!!) and fork oil change. Brakes are okay Need to fix the big PIAAs, but will do that at the Honda shop when all the Tupperware is off - I'm sure it's just a loose connection because they worked just fine when I had the plastic off before.
To the dentist this morning, then multiple miscellaneous things to accomplish.....
Getting anxious to get going...
Mike
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Aerostich Catalog
Well, I was as surprised as anyone when I got the new Aerostich catalog...
On page 29, there is a 2/3 page picture of me at Rocky Mountain National Park!!!
I has sent the picture in about 1-1/2 years ago (the trip was in 2005) and had completely forgotten about it. Of course, I'm taking some ribbing from some of my riding buddies because of it, but that's okay.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Tune-up Trip
In order to prepare for a major ride, you have to practice, right?? What better way to "practice" that to ride....So, with a great deal of faith, I decided to ride to Jacksonville, FL for the annual IBA party in March. It's about 1200 miles and an opportunity to test a few things: new Belstaff jacket, how do I feel after an 850 mile day, homemade beef jerky recipe, etc., etc.
I'll leave Thursday morning, 3/9 and return (hopefully) on Sunday, 3/11. Of course, the weather has to cooperate and be dry and at least above freezing. Thinking back to last year, I took my first ride about the same time - trip to St. Louis for a boat crew meeting...
Soooo, we'll see what the weatherman brings.
Later
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The lists have started...
Okay, so I've tuned the route down pretty well and pared some 2-lane roads out for efficiency.
Went to the motorcycle show last weekend with Curt, Terry and Fred. We caught up with a bunch of other ST'ers and ate a pizza place not far from the convention center. Good to see everyone again.
Although I wasn't planning on it, I did buy a new cycling jacket - a Belstaff Challenger.
It has mountains of pockets and vents, plenty of room, and protection at the shoulders, elbows and forearms. The salesman threw in the back protector at no charge, so I'm good to go. It's not that I don't like my 'stich, but this is a nice change of pace. I've been wearing it in the cold to break it in and it's starting to confirm to my body a little bit.
MS Entourage, the MAC equivalent of Outlook has a neat little project manager where I've begun the lists and things to do before leaving on this odyssey: food list, bike lists, maps list, to-do-before-I-go lists, etc., etc. I've even gotten a few things checked off the list: made reservations for Hyder Seek, Ron Ayre's LD Rider get-together in Hyder, and made motel reservations in Stewart for Friday and Saturday, so I know I have a place to stay. Good thing I did this early because I got one of the last rooms available. Still hard to think of riding in "warm" weather when it's -2* outside...
Even before this trip, however, there is still some riding to be done. I've signed up for th IBA party in Jacksonville, FL in March and will ride down there. Planning to leave 3/8 and return, 3/11. The there's Moonshine Run in April and possible a BBG sometime as a tuneup ride.
It's shaping up to be a GREAT riding season!!
Went to the motorcycle show last weekend with Curt, Terry and Fred. We caught up with a bunch of other ST'ers and ate a pizza place not far from the convention center. Good to see everyone again.
Although I wasn't planning on it, I did buy a new cycling jacket - a Belstaff Challenger.
It has mountains of pockets and vents, plenty of room, and protection at the shoulders, elbows and forearms. The salesman threw in the back protector at no charge, so I'm good to go. It's not that I don't like my 'stich, but this is a nice change of pace. I've been wearing it in the cold to break it in and it's starting to confirm to my body a little bit.
MS Entourage, the MAC equivalent of Outlook has a neat little project manager where I've begun the lists and things to do before leaving on this odyssey: food list, bike lists, maps list, to-do-before-I-go lists, etc., etc. I've even gotten a few things checked off the list: made reservations for Hyder Seek, Ron Ayre's LD Rider get-together in Hyder, and made motel reservations in Stewart for Friday and Saturday, so I know I have a place to stay. Good thing I did this early because I got one of the last rooms available. Still hard to think of riding in "warm" weather when it's -2* outside...
Even before this trip, however, there is still some riding to be done. I've signed up for th IBA party in Jacksonville, FL in March and will ride down there. Planning to leave 3/8 and return, 3/11. The there's Moonshine Run in April and possible a BBG sometime as a tuneup ride.
It's shaping up to be a GREAT riding season!!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Route Update
Got an e-mail from Rick Corwine regarding my route and his comments were most helpful...
- Rerouted in Vt to touch VT and cross MA instead of VT/NH because it appears to be faster...
- Moved my touch point in WV from south to north along Interstates instead of mountain roads
- Moved KS and CO routes fro 2 lanes to Interstate routes
We'll se how this works, but I think it's gonna be faster and probably safer. All I have to do is stay awake and that means stamina and some strength training. Here comes the Nordic Track again!
- Rerouted in Vt to touch VT and cross MA instead of VT/NH because it appears to be faster...
- Moved my touch point in WV from south to north along Interstates instead of mountain roads
- Moved KS and CO routes fro 2 lanes to Interstate routes
We'll se how this works, but I think it's gonna be faster and probably safer. All I have to do is stay awake and that means stamina and some strength training. Here comes the Nordic Track again!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
48+ Planning and Routes
Okay, so I'm well into the planning stages of my 48+ ride: touch all lower 48 states AND Alaska within 10 days. It's a tall order, but certainly do-able, just average over 850 miles a day and it's a piece of c
ake....
Leg1: Start in extreme southeast ND, slide over to MN, the NE, IA, IL, WI, IN, MI, and stop for the night in OH, probably around Toledo. Distance: about 1000 miles, time: 16-17 hours, bookin' it all the way.
Leg 2: Leave Toledo area early to miss cleveland early AM traffic and boogie thru PA, then shuffle up to Buffalo. Long, boring trek across New York state, arriving in Bennington, VT about 1400, thru NH, quick stop in ME, down thru MA, CT, RI, thru NYC later in the evening and stop in NJ for the evening. Approx 1000 miles, 15-16 hours.
Leg 3: Leave NJ, thru Philly and DE by 0630; may run into traffic in DC (0830), down VA to Fredricksburg where I head west to pick up Beckley WV (1300?), KY and Kingsport,TN (1700?) Stop around Anderson, NC for the evening, again, 1000 miles, 16-18 hours.
Leg 4: Thru GA & AL, touch FL at Century, MS, LA and AR Next day up to MO, KS, OK and TX, NM and CO.
Next day will be wonderful riding thru CO, then AZ, UT, ID and MT.
Then it's across ID, thru NV and WA, touch CA and hot foot it up to WA.
Finally into Canada and the final 1000 miles to Hyder.
ake....Leg1: Start in extreme southeast ND, slide over to MN, the NE, IA, IL, WI, IN, MI, and stop for the night in OH, probably around Toledo. Distance: about 1000 miles, time: 16-17 hours, bookin' it all the way.
Leg 2: Leave Toledo area early to miss cleveland early AM traffic and boogie thru PA, then shuffle up to Buffalo. Long, boring trek across New York state, arriving in Bennington, VT about 1400, thru NH, quick stop in ME, down thru MA, CT, RI, thru NYC later in the evening and stop in NJ for the evening. Approx 1000 miles, 15-16 hours.
Leg 3: Leave NJ, thru Philly and DE by 0630; may run into traffic in DC (0830), down VA to Fredricksburg where I head west to pick up Beckley WV (1300?), KY and Kingsport,TN (1700?) Stop around Anderson, NC for the evening, again, 1000 miles, 16-18 hours.
Leg 4: Thru GA & AL, touch FL at Century, MS, LA and AR Next day up to MO, KS, OK and TX, NM and CO.Next day will be wonderful riding thru CO, then AZ, UT, ID and MT.
Then it's across ID, thru NV and WA, touch CA and hot foot it up to WA.
Finally into Canada and the final 1000 miles to Hyder.
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