Windshield Mistake

I wish I could just save the amount of money I waste! I would be far better off financially.

I ordered, received and mounted an F4 +4 windshield for reasons that are known if you go to their website and read some reviews on different forums. Great optics and easy to maintain.

That said, even being a tall guy, that WS was too tall for me. I mean, it would shield both driver and passenger well from the elements, but I don't like the idea of me not having the option of not looking through the WS. With that F4, I am looking through - at the worse - 4 separate layers of plastic: my eye glasses, the integral helmet sun visor, the helmet windshield and then the bike windshield. That's just too much.

I enjoy the windshield at eye level. I slight tilt of my noggin and I'm looking over the WS. That's ideal for me. So, what to do?

I put an ad on gl1800.com website for the 0 miles F4 WS and sold it for $250 plus shipping. I paid $400 for it, and based on the response, I should have asked more, but oh well.

I could have gone with a smaller F4, but they are pricey. The reality is that I haven't kept the same bike for more than 3 years - even though I have no intention of selling this one anytime soon. I never have that intention, but........

So, I went an ordered a Clearview, grey-tinted +2 WS with vent. I have had WS's from various manufacturers, and had pretty good luck with Clearview. With this WS, I retain the adjustability of the GW WS system.

Now, here's a tip: Don't order on-line if you can - even if you see your option plainly and if it is difficult to get a response when you call (getting a hold F4 and Clearview was difficult and frustrating). Here's why: When Clearview finally called me back after a day of trying to reach them, the guy really took care of me and imparted to me a lot of information about the material they use and differences between other competitors products/materials.

He also gave me 15% off for the hassle of having to wait to hear back from them. So, I paid $234 for the new WS. Not bad. It pays to speak to somebody!

The Touring Pace

http://theoasisofmysoul.com/

This is the link to a fascinating guy and his faithful mutt as they traverse the country vagabond style. I am so envious of them. By the way, when I no longer can handle just being on 2 wheels, I will get a version of his rig. Love it. I would nix the BMW part though (too expensive and finicky) and replace it with possibly a Yamaha Super Tenere 1200.

What I really think I enjoy about him and his touring - in contrast to my touring style - is the pace of his travel. It is something I commented on before, but his story really cemented the idea of..,..taking my time. Relax. Go slower; meander more. Stop and investigate, experience things, write more and take more pictures, meet more people. Don't be in such a hurry to get to the next place where you're not expected anyhow. There is no hurry. I have the whole Summer off.

I am really going to try to calm my anxious, productive self and slow down. Camping and cooking for myself will aid in that endeavor. If it takes me 2 or 3 days to roll through a town, so what? Whose counting?

I fee like my blessed life is a taut guitar string which has the ability to make its own music. But come Spring, that string feels like a steel cable; strong but inflexible, static and making no sound, fighting the rhythm of life and muscling its way through it. All the more so until the bike leaves my street, the wind hits my face and I see the sun breaking the horizon to greet me, as if to say, "Where have you been?" It is then that cable loosens to become the guitar string again. Music once again is playing inside of me and exuding out my pores. Somewhere in the solo journey, that string turns into a ribbon; flowing loosely in beautiful shapes that are hard to describe....but I surrender to it.

It is there I find my real self.

When the wife asks me this time how long will this trip be, I will say with a smile, "I have no idea," and let it be. As life does, the road unfolds and holds its own agenda and timetable.

Better Meals on Trips

One part of long-distance touring that bothers me is meals. After about a week of eating in restaurants, McDonalds, dives, stands and greasy spoons, I miss 'real' food and in the smaller, healthier quantities I usually consume.

So, since I camp most of the time on the road anyhow, I am toying with the idea of cooking most of my meals. Which means I have to tote all the requisite gear and food.

I worked with a guy once who cooked his own lunches all the time with just one hot plate. I learned the value of waste right then and how you can eat better and cheaper in most cases. I am going to try to tap into that mode during this experiment.

For food, I could bring some instant oatmeal for breakfast. All I have to do is boil water. For lunch, I usually just east some fruit, gorp and a drink and I'm pretty good - especially in hot weather.

Dinner would be my most complex meal I would have to prepare. For that, some planning is in order. I would either stop at a market before finding a campground, or set up camp and then venture out to shop. All I need is a protein and a side....but the trick is enough food to satisfy without having left-overs which I have no room to store and no refrigeration to store safely.

My aforementioned friend just walked down to the grocery store, picked up a small chop, steak or piece of chicken breast and a frozen bag of his vegetable of choice. He had about $4 or less invested in that meal I figured. He would only use one pan: he cut some garlic in the pan, added a few drops of oil, cooked and ate the protein, then stir fried the veggies and ate them after....all in one pan. Cool. I think I can borrow that system.

Now then, what kind of cooking kit should I bring? I have two choices in my current stock of camping supplies. Here's the first set up:



The box contains a Coleman burner and base that attach to a small, disposable propane bottle. I am a little nervous about transporting fuel - just because I never have. This is a sure-fire setup that would efficiently do the job I require. A knife/fork, small bottle of dish soap, tiny spatula and a small towel for drying shouldn't add considerably to the size of the set-up.

This is my other set-up I have in inventory and is really a backpackers rig:




My Westwind alcohol stove is a much, much smaller bit of kit. It's pretty cool too; the stand comes apart in 3 pieces and lies flat. You pour some alcohol in the burner and light it. When your done, rotate the sealing lid to cover the opening and that kills the flame. Then you can screw the lid on and the un-burned alcohol is saved and stored inside the burner with the gasketed screw top. But I would need a transporting vessel for the denatured alcohol. I think REI makes a small container for transporting fuels that might work. I am leaning to this set-up for the sheer space savings.

More work to be sure, but I would be eating better and saving a bit of money. I also like the idea of being self-sufficient.

2012 Summer Trip Planning

My annual solo trip is starting to take shape. There have been a couple of decisions that I have been reticent to make; mainly, whether to go North or South from Brooklyn.

I finally decided to go south. I always wanted to see and ride the bridges to Key West, plus, I will be leaving at the beginning of June and, although it will be hot, it shouldn't be the same sweltering hot as...say in August. Florida in August may be a bit much for this mid-west boy. So....Key West it is.

So, from the home-base of Chgo, I will head straight along I-80 all the way to Brooklyn, NY to see my daughter. After a visit, the adventure begins as I make my way south along the coast and inland a bit.

I hope to see some extended family in and around Orlando, and an old friend North of there. Different from last years trip, I plan to really explore some areas instead of just making time. I want to experience new things, meet new people and write about them here on the blog.

The major waypoints are Brooklyn, Orlando, Miami/Southbeach, Key West, Tampa and Panama City. From there, I will probably head North, through Alabama and see a friend for lunch in Marietta, GA on my way to Deals Gap to ride the Tail of the Dragon. From there I will try to find an interesting way to find my way home.

So there it is. That's the plan.

My Winter plan now is finishing my PC800 project (you can see this by clicking the 'page' tab on the right side of the home page) and planning for the trip. The GW is mechanically ready but I need to figure our some packing and GPS set-up stuff.

Come on Spring.....

The Latest Acquisition - Goldwing

So, I got back from my trip around Lake Michigan, and was telling my wife how lovely it was; the small, quaint lakeside towns and winding roads, and she told me how she wants to go on 'those trips.'

I was equal parts thrilled and furious. She specifically told me her long-ride days were over - which is why I got my Honda ST1300. Although capable of two-up touring, that bike was for me and for solo riding. But I was excited to have my favorite riding partner back. The happiest time in my married life - aside from kid stuff - was when we use to take long trips on the 97 Goldwing. It was us against the elements and world and life was good.

Well, with that dynamic now here again, I wasted no time and found a 2005 GL1800 Goldwing. As usual it seems, I save a couple of grand if I buy used and from Tenessee or just South of Illinois for some reason. Sure enough, on CycleTrader.com, I found the requisite GW outside of Little Rock, Arkansas and made the deal. Oh, and I sold my ST1300 in one day on Craigslist - for what I paid for it.

The bike: 2005 GL1800, 12k miles, dark charcoal, runs perfect and no cosmetic issues. In addition, it has some feature and farkles I would have wanted to add anyhow: hwy pegs, lower chrome accents, vented windscreen, luggage rack, CB, center stand assist, drink holders, beefed up horn and trailer hitch.
The only things I want to add was a Utopia backrest (done) and get a comm system for driver-to-passenger and bike-to-bike talking. Other than that, I am set. I paid $13k even....which I think is a not a steal, but a good deal, and certainly worth $300 to go and get it.



I recently hooked up with a groups of riders who go out every Sunday morning for rides. Many GW's and they seem like a great bunch of people who enjoy safe riding.

As far as touring goes, here's the dealio: My wife still doesn't want to do week long trips, but 3 or 4 days trips are good. So, perhaps one weekend jaunt in the Spring, one in the Fall to see the trees change in Michigan or Wisconsin, and we both are happy.
I still will do my Summer, solo long trip. So now, I have the best of both worlds - and imho, the best touring bike imaginable to ride.