Day to Day Touring

For long distance touring, it really boils down to four riding categories: Solo, two-up/one bike, touring with a buddy (2 bikes) and larger groups. I have done all multiple times and they each have their good and bad points.

Although I enjoy each for different reasons, I dedicate one trip - my long Summer trip - as a solo trip. I am one of the most social animals around and I thought I would find solo touring to be a lonely

venture. But that turned out to be pleasantly not the case at all. I find it to be almost a retreat atmosphere and do some of my best thinking all alone on the open road.

First of all, unless you have bike-to-bike communications, you're pretty much alone with your thoughts even while riding in a group. So, all I had to be concerned about - on the lonely front - was when I stopped riding for the day.

This is where I have found having a routine is helpful. I usually try to stop riding for the day at around 3 or 4 pm. I try to get on the road at or just after sunrise, so that is a good 6 or 7 hours of riding when you factor in gas, lunch, stopping for the largest 'Ball of Twine' roadside attraction and stretch breaks....and the occasional nap. That's enough riding for me for a day.

My routine is usually the same: Since I like to camp the majority of the time on the road, I find a nice place, set up camp, unload the gear and get the lay of the land. I talk to the proprietor(s) and ask about local places to go for good food and any evening doings that may be going on. Even if it's for the night - and I am usually dog tired - I like to know what's going on. Sometimes to go there - as in a weekend jazz contest in the town square in Fort Collins, CO, which was awesome. Also, sometimes you want to know what's going on so you can avoid going there, as in a cattle auction that was being held in a nearby town near Billings, MT which was going to kick up a lot of dust and clog the roads near town....let alone the smell.

I will also make a round or two around the campground - and met some of the most nicest people that way. I met a nice couple when I stopped and told them their renovated Airstream trailer was so cool...and it was. It turned out they were members in an Antique Airstream Trailer Assoc. and we had a great conversation over lemonade about those amazing silver trailers.....or as my wife calls them,'hot dog' cookers.

Any motorcyclist at a campground will give you a quick and polite nod which is good conversation starter. "Where you from? Where you headed? Anything cool down the road?"...are all good starters. I met one woman riding a big ole Harley who was camping solo, struck up a conversation, and she told me of the "Beartooth Pass" heading into Yellowstone National Park..which I never heard of but ranks as one the best rides of my life. It pays to talk and be flexible with your itinerary.

I have often found dinner companions that way...either invited to their BBQ or deciding to go out and eat in town together. Every once in a while, sitting and reading at my camp-site, some large group of campers will invite me over to hang out and offer a meal and some good company.

You just don't get those types of experiences at a roadside motel.

Most of the time though, I end up going out to eat by myself. I grab my maps and use that time to plan the next days general routes, or find a wi-fi spot and update this blog. Before I leave the campground (or even the motel), I always plug in the coordinates of where I am staying in my GPS. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to dinner in daylight and tried to return after dark and couldn't find my way back to the campgrounds because I was unfamiliar with the local roads. All I do on my Garmin is press the screen and it logs my current position as a waypoint, so I can find my way back.

I have never had any of my stuff ripped off at a campground when I leave camp for dinner. That said, I don't leave my stuff lying outside the tent, and anything of real value is with me or on the bike. I did have riding gloves stolen once when I left them on the dash behind the windscreen. My own fault for leaving a tempting target, but I use vented, rubber-armored mechanics gloves you can get from Wal-Mart for $20. For most of my riding over 45 degrees, these work great and is not a hug 'hit' if they get feet and walk away.

Road food can get a little tiring after a week or so and I don't carry a backpacking stove and related cooking gear. But I will have plenty of water, trail mix, fiber bars and, believe it or not, fruit on board. You'd be surprised how little fruit you eat dining at local eateries, dives and greasy spoons. Without some fruit in you're touring diet, you'll start to feel like a pirate with scurvy in short order.

Unless you have to be at a certain place on a specific date, I would suggest not blowing through all these little towns and cities. Relax. Make time to take a tour of the huge paper factory that employs virtually the whole town. Visit the 'Canal Museum,' and see the trails where mules teams pulled barges down the waterways. Find that Zip-Line proprietor and take a ride of your life over vast mountain sides. Get up early at a hot-air balloon rodeo and watch them come to life as they rise above the morning mist and defy gravity.

My motorcycle is important to me as an experience in itself. But it is also a magic carpet that allows me to visit new places, meet new people and have different experiences. The saddle got you there and will take you back. But life and adventure also happens when you get off your trusty steed.

Happy Trails.....

Camping

There are as many ways to camp as there are riders. I have been camping while touring and seen a Goldwing trike pull in next to me towing a 'bunkhouse' trailer. I befriended them and got the tour, and watched them set it up. It was cool and I could appreciate it, but its just not me.

I also saw a long distance Ninja rider have the 'bare-bones' camping set-up and have this individual bivvy - like a tent coffin - where the top of the 'tent' was about 6 inched above his prone face while sleeping. Again, cool set-up but not my idea of how I enjoy camping.

My first foray into motorcycle camping involved a '2-person' tent (and that is a manufacturer misnomer) that fit well on my then bike, but barely held my air mattress and left no room for my bags or gear.

Let me tell first why I like camping versus motelling. First and foremost, I get to talk to people. I always walk around the campsite once my rig is set up and strike up conversations with all sorts of people. A quick comment on their set-up or rig, and the conversation just flows. I met some of the nicest people that way - and ended up having a cold one or sharing dinner with them.

I just don't get that same experience at motels.

I also like sleeping with and on my own stuff. I like setting up my tent and making everything just the way I like it. It is a familiar ritual - and these little familiarities on the road make me feel connected to the process of traveling but being in control of my surrounding.

Let's talk about the gear.

Tents - Well, I have had three tents in all, and I don't know if I found the 'mother of all tents.' I started out with a nice North Face Frog tent, that was nice, but I broke a pole which could not be replaced. The second tent I bought was too small.

My current tent is a 6 person tent I bought on the road at Cabela's in Wyoming. To much tent? Yeah, I admit it. I would have bought a 4 person tent but, out West and on the road, I couldn't find one driving through three etates. But I can strap it on my bike and it offers many benefits.

In actuality, there is enough room for 2 persons and all their gear. But here is the real reason I like it: I can stand up in it at the center point...and I am 6'3". Ever try to change your clothes in a small tent? Miserable experience - especially as I get older and bit less flexible. Also, there have been occasions when I was stuck in a tent due to weather, and it is nice to have room spread out and relax.

The amount of room I lose packing and hauling a slightly larger tent is offset by the above features, in my opinion.

Air Mattress - I am not a camping purest in that I need to sleep on the ground or have some high-tec, wafer thin sleeping pad that doesn't make me comfortable. I make room for an air mattress...and the requisite air pump. Yes, I lose some packing room for shirts, socks and/or underwear...and I don't care. I like sleep...and I sleep better when comfortable. Not only is this old boy sleeping much 'cushier' on an air mattress, the trapped air acts as an insulator from the cold ground - making me that much comfier.
Once, I set-up camp in the dark where I didn't have a chance to get the lay of the land and see the high point of this assigned tenting site. I later learned I was in low channel, and the storm during the night (which I slept through) created a running creek through and in my tent. I didn't notice because I was perched high on my air mattress (aka, raft) and was bone dry. There was an inch of standing water in my tent and all I did was chuckle. So, when I camp on the beach and my tent gets dragged to sea in high tide, I will be safe on my raft!

Sleeping Bag - I have a Sierra Design, 3 season bag rated down to 30 degrees. I also have the kind that is squared at the bottom, instead of the mummy bag. I like it better because I can roll without the bag wrapping itself around me. Also, I can unzip my sqaured bag and just use it as a cover if I don't need to trap all my body heat. The lowest temp I camped in was in Yellowstone Natl Park and it got down to 30 ish degrees. I was toasty warm except for my head - but once I put on my ski mask I use when cold riding, I was set for a good nights sleep.

Towels - Man, micro-fiber towels are worth their weight in gold! No more terry or cotton towels that take forever drying. I have two small ones for washing and drying the bike, and a bigger one that I use to shower with. I can shower, dry off, wring it out and by the time I pack up the tent, it is dry and ready to get packed. No, they are not as cushy as your towels back home. When you buy one, rinse it out a few times to make it softer. You won't regret having these!

Water Bottle - Listen, when its 35 degrees outside at night, and you're snug and toasty in your sleeping bag; or, it is a muggy night and you hear the telltale sounds of squadrons of mosquitoes buzzing around, the last thing you want to do it exit the safe confines on the tent. I keep a wide-mouth empty water bottle close at hand for these encounters. Man, it is a life saver. Have one in a different color so you don't confuse it with your drinking water bottle....you don't want to make that mistake.

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.