David ordered us a round of Balvenie 12-year old scotch to precede our breakfast.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Friday, May 15, 2015
S-s-s-soaked to the bone
Well for the first 400 miles of today's ride we had overcast skies and blue skies. It was so warm that we had to stop in George (that's right: George, Washington for you non-Washingtonians) for a cup of coffee and food. And we made it to Coeur d'Alene for a drink at Cedars, a floating restaurant on the lake.
It was after that stop that the ride got really exciting. The skies opened up and we rode the next 200 miles in a nearly solid downpour. The rain washed away the bugs that had built up on my face shield, but in-between rain breaks, more bugs wound up on the face shield, and then more rain. By the time we arrived in Missoula--soaked to the bone--I was looking at everything through an insect stew.
Fortunately, David was thinking ahead and brought something to warm our bones.
Today's destination: Cody, Wyoming. The forecast calls for rain.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
1 Day...
About 95% packed.
Checked the new chain and sprocket at I-90 Motorsports to ensure it it's still secure. Tom gave it the thumbs up and taught me something about the kill switch--don't flick it off and use the key to turn the engine off and on. Also, when the engine is warm, let the engine idle for 10 minutes (done!) and the engine will calibrate to run better (not exactly his words, but that's the idea).
Full tank of gas. Now all I need is a final inventory of gear and supplies, and a good night sleep.
Checked the new chain and sprocket at I-90 Motorsports to ensure it it's still secure. Tom gave it the thumbs up and taught me something about the kill switch--don't flick it off and use the key to turn the engine off and on. Also, when the engine is warm, let the engine idle for 10 minutes (done!) and the engine will calibrate to run better (not exactly his words, but that's the idea).
Full tank of gas. Now all I need is a final inventory of gear and supplies, and a good night sleep.
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| Ready to roll. |
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| This car was parked at Golden Gardens Park this morning. Indeed. |
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
2 Days...
I've spoken with a lot of people about this trip. And many caring friends and family are worried about me. Thank you--your concerns mean a lot.
The next 3 weeks will be a fantastic adventure. I've planned for almost every conceivable contingency. But you can't always plan for life. It just happens. So when I head out in 2 days, it will be with the confidence that I have put a lot of effort into the trip planning, the comfort that thoughts and prayers are with me, and the exhilaration that comes with running a bike down a stretch of open highway.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
3 Days...
"...since the livin' room."
Yeah, I went there., 'cause I'm going there and back. And until recently, my return route was strictly a northern song. However, the Tail of the Dragon beckons, and she is a beast that will not be denied.
The Tail of the Dragon is an 11-mile stretch of road in western North Carolina-eastern Tennessee. It features 318 turns in that 11-mile stretch and is one of the 'must ride' routes for any motorcyclists.
'Course, re-routing the journey through this stretch of country means I need a new route home.
The new route will wind through Tennessee, Missouri, and Nebraska. It will return me to more familiar ground in South Dakota and Montana (well, it will be familiar after riding through heading east), and then Idaho and Washington.
Adding the TOTD also adds another day to the ride, and fortunately I had a few days to play with along the way.
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| Map courtesy of www.tailofthedragon.com |
The Tail of the Dragon is an 11-mile stretch of road in western North Carolina-eastern Tennessee. It features 318 turns in that 11-mile stretch and is one of the 'must ride' routes for any motorcyclists.
'Course, re-routing the journey through this stretch of country means I need a new route home.
The new route will wind through Tennessee, Missouri, and Nebraska. It will return me to more familiar ground in South Dakota and Montana (well, it will be familiar after riding through heading east), and then Idaho and Washington.
Adding the TOTD also adds another day to the ride, and fortunately I had a few days to play with along the way.
Monday, May 11, 2015
4 Days...
When you're inside your nice warm house and trying to figure out the best clothes to wear, it can be a little tricky in Western Washington. Will it actually rain? Will I hit a cool pocket?
You always want to be ready for the elements, but for the most part, I've found that I can be comfortable by following this guide:
90's+:
You always want to be ready for the elements, but for the most part, I've found that I can be comfortable by following this guide:
90's+:
- Stay inside
80's:
- Riding Jacket (no liner)
- Short-sleeved Shirt
- Jeans
70's:
- Riding Jacket (no liner)
- Short-sleeved Shirt
- Jeans
60's:
- Riding Suit (No pants or jacket liners)
- Long Underwear/Insulation Layer for Top
- Short-sleeved Shirt
- Riding Pants or Jeans for upper-60's
50's:
- Riding Suit (No pants liner)
- Long Underwear/Insulation Layer
- Long-sleeved Shirt
- No Pants
40's:
- Riding Suit
- Long Underwear/Insulation Layer
- Long-sleeved Shirt
- No Pants
30's:
- Riding Suit
- Long Underwear/Insulation Layer
- Long-sleeved Shirt
- Pants
20's:
- Stay inside
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