Sat. August 8th 2009
Hope BC, Canada
Had a super late start from Seattle. Bought a hotel room for the night here in Hope. Travel Motel. It's actually much nicer than it would seem. And pretty cheep also. $40 or so.
Getting a feeling for the days of the journey.
Wake->Stress about the bike holding up->Rejoice at the end of the day.
Only touched the tip of BC, but it was breathtaking. America and Canada are fairly different. Stores on the American side of the border. Farms on the Canadian side. The strangeness to one another is blunt.
Tomorrow, going to try and make it to Prince George. Not sure the distance at the moment, but between here and there on the map is a place called the "100 mile house". That sounds undaunting.
Hit reserve on the gas tank at 87mi today. Should have easily gotten 100? Not sure what to think about that just yet.
The reason for leaving Seattle so late was my fear I had ruined the rockerbox gasket when I over filled the oil several days ago. The bike's been leaking pretty honestly since then. The dealer in NY assured me that I would make it back to NY just fine....I lied and didn't mention that I was riding to Alaska. Not many people have been to impressed on me taking the Buell Blast to Fairbanks...and I was not in the mood for any possible lip:) It will be a fun story to tell them when I get back to NYC!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Tank bags and Tires and Plugkits oh my!
August.6th 2009
My new tires arrive tomorrow! It's been over a week here in Seattle waiting for this pair before I head off to Fairbanks. I can't imagin what will happen if I need new tire(s) on the road. The plugkit will get me to safty....ah, I don't like to think about it!
Had planned to ride out to Mnt.Rainner today, but my buddy and I stayed up late last night(1am) watching "The Long Way Around" and eating burittos. Didn't wake up super early. Concidering going to the map store(Metsker). Also, I'm seriously concidering going back to Home Depot to buy the 2gl gas can instead of the 1gl that I bought. There is something comforting about doubling my range on the 'little' blast.
I've only looked at the map as far as Dawson Creek and have already found a section 100+ without anything. If I miss that gas stop, or the town is closed....of whatever, the 1gl tank is only going to take me 50+- more miles(ish). My only concern is the weight. I hate to put ANY more weight on the back of that bike. It burns through those street tires as is, and every 7lbs I put on that bike just adds up to more and more. I've got an entire day to think about it.
Going to try packing up the bike today also. A dry run. The best time I had going up the coast was 1:30. Yeah. One and a half hours. Lame. My new large heavy duty 'waterproof' rubber Nortface bag should take 30min off the pack time. I can put everything in the one back as apposed to strapping on every little thing indevidually.
My buddy Joel keeps making fun and not believing me about the weather going through BC and the Yukon. It's one of my big concerns. I've still never ridden in the rain, and I hear reports of others who've taken this trip that I'll probably encounter snow! Yikes. Some biker in the red Woods was telling me he and his wife took the trip last year, just the same time I'm about to. Told me it rained for 14 days straight! Ahh.
In defense, I installed hand gaurds on the bike the other day. The only thing not shielded now are my legs. Whatever. I personally HATE the windscreen. Since the day I put it on. Messes up the handeling on the bike since it's connected to the front fork and not the frame. But it was highly recomened by everybody that I'll need the thing, so I'm still in the process of giving it the benifit of doupt.
In the same vein, since I've not got heated anything, I'm hoping/counting on being able to consume enough calories to get by.
I've got this silly camping stove, wich takes isobutane/propane mixture. I've never used one before this trip, and have no idea how long the little canisters of fuel last or how many of them I should take, or even where to get more for that matter. It's one of those things that I'm tiried of thinking about and planning and am sure will just work out for the best:)
My new tires arrive tomorrow! It's been over a week here in Seattle waiting for this pair before I head off to Fairbanks. I can't imagin what will happen if I need new tire(s) on the road. The plugkit will get me to safty....ah, I don't like to think about it!
Had planned to ride out to Mnt.Rainner today, but my buddy and I stayed up late last night(1am) watching "The Long Way Around" and eating burittos. Didn't wake up super early. Concidering going to the map store(Metsker). Also, I'm seriously concidering going back to Home Depot to buy the 2gl gas can instead of the 1gl that I bought. There is something comforting about doubling my range on the 'little' blast.
I've only looked at the map as far as Dawson Creek and have already found a section 100+ without anything. If I miss that gas stop, or the town is closed....of whatever, the 1gl tank is only going to take me 50+- more miles(ish). My only concern is the weight. I hate to put ANY more weight on the back of that bike. It burns through those street tires as is, and every 7lbs I put on that bike just adds up to more and more. I've got an entire day to think about it.
Going to try packing up the bike today also. A dry run. The best time I had going up the coast was 1:30. Yeah. One and a half hours. Lame. My new large heavy duty 'waterproof' rubber Nortface bag should take 30min off the pack time. I can put everything in the one back as apposed to strapping on every little thing indevidually.
My buddy Joel keeps making fun and not believing me about the weather going through BC and the Yukon. It's one of my big concerns. I've still never ridden in the rain, and I hear reports of others who've taken this trip that I'll probably encounter snow! Yikes. Some biker in the red Woods was telling me he and his wife took the trip last year, just the same time I'm about to. Told me it rained for 14 days straight! Ahh.
In defense, I installed hand gaurds on the bike the other day. The only thing not shielded now are my legs. Whatever. I personally HATE the windscreen. Since the day I put it on. Messes up the handeling on the bike since it's connected to the front fork and not the frame. But it was highly recomened by everybody that I'll need the thing, so I'm still in the process of giving it the benifit of doupt.
In the same vein, since I've not got heated anything, I'm hoping/counting on being able to consume enough calories to get by.
I've got this silly camping stove, wich takes isobutane/propane mixture. I've never used one before this trip, and have no idea how long the little canisters of fuel last or how many of them I should take, or even where to get more for that matter. It's one of those things that I'm tiried of thinking about and planning and am sure will just work out for the best:)
Can-Can
August.2nd 2009
In Seattle. Yesterday went out with some friends to the CanCan down on Pike right next to the market. A friend of a friend got us all in without having to pay the cover charge($40 on a friday! yikes). It was amazing. Somehow the performers captured the eroticism of the old can can show in a strip tease sort of way. It was all performed to modern music you'd hear on the radio(dancy stuff). An amzing time. If you are ever in Seattle, you'll have to check it out.
Took the bike out for a little ride because it was so nice. Some little highways, wound up near(at?) Scoqualmie where there was a car show going on. Had to check that out. Then why walking back to my bike, there was a train museum. While buying postcards, I asked how much it was to ride the steam locomotive train they had restored to take people to the falls. $10 he said. What?!? You bet your ass I was on the next train to the falls! Wasn't much of a view in the end, but it was awesome riding on an old train like that! Even though I feel like an imposition on my buddy, I'm having such an amzing time here in Seattle.
Tomorrow is the last trip to REI to get the remaining gear for the next leg of the trip.
I just want to get back on the road. Everything about motorcycling is easier when NOT in a city. Tomorrow is tank
In Seattle. Yesterday went out with some friends to the CanCan down on Pike right next to the market. A friend of a friend got us all in without having to pay the cover charge($40 on a friday! yikes). It was amazing. Somehow the performers captured the eroticism of the old can can show in a strip tease sort of way. It was all performed to modern music you'd hear on the radio(dancy stuff). An amzing time. If you are ever in Seattle, you'll have to check it out.
Took the bike out for a little ride because it was so nice. Some little highways, wound up near(at?) Scoqualmie where there was a car show going on. Had to check that out. Then why walking back to my bike, there was a train museum. While buying postcards, I asked how much it was to ride the steam locomotive train they had restored to take people to the falls. $10 he said. What?!? You bet your ass I was on the next train to the falls! Wasn't much of a view in the end, but it was awesome riding on an old train like that! Even though I feel like an imposition on my buddy, I'm having such an amzing time here in Seattle.
Tomorrow is the last trip to REI to get the remaining gear for the next leg of the trip.
I just want to get back on the road. Everything about motorcycling is easier when NOT in a city. Tomorrow is tank
Friday, July 31, 2009
Watching the clouds go by.
July.31st 2009
Sitting in my friend's appartment here in Seattle. Even though my tires are not that worn down, on a whim(and an air of caution), I decided to get a new set before the long ride to Fairbanks Alaska.
It's about 3,000 miles from here.
Upon rolling up to Seattle, I realized that it's probably one of few major cities I've not been to in the US. Our family was rather nomadic when we were growing up. We were various ages for the cross country trips, but we saw most of it. As an adult nearly every place I drive though or visit I get a sence of having been to the place already in a dream. This was different though, it was new and exciting.
Quick bit about the ride up to Seattle.
The Pacific Coast Highway is amazing! Highly recomended to anyone on a motorcycle! Tons of twisties. And the Redwoods are there! I went and rode the Ave.Of the Gients 3 times I think:)
North was definatly the way to travel the road if you are a new biker(which I was/am). You travel on the inland side of the road, not the clif side.
Don't know if it was the time of year...but for 1,000mi, there was a head wind. Only noticed on the bits of road that dip inland and the speedlimit increase to 50....so people drive 75-80. The little Buell Blast with me and all the stuff had a hard time of it. Thing was thumpin like crazy. Not sure if I was hurting the bike riding it like that!? Ahh. There is so much to learn about motorcycles? Maybe riding to Alaska though the middle of knowwhere canada wasn't the best first choice:)
The coast was colder than I expected. Temps hovered around 50-60 deg. Wound up wearing my rain jacket all the time.
Sitting in my friend's appartment here in Seattle. Even though my tires are not that worn down, on a whim(and an air of caution), I decided to get a new set before the long ride to Fairbanks Alaska.
It's about 3,000 miles from here.
Upon rolling up to Seattle, I realized that it's probably one of few major cities I've not been to in the US. Our family was rather nomadic when we were growing up. We were various ages for the cross country trips, but we saw most of it. As an adult nearly every place I drive though or visit I get a sence of having been to the place already in a dream. This was different though, it was new and exciting.
Quick bit about the ride up to Seattle.
The Pacific Coast Highway is amazing! Highly recomended to anyone on a motorcycle! Tons of twisties. And the Redwoods are there! I went and rode the Ave.Of the Gients 3 times I think:)
North was definatly the way to travel the road if you are a new biker(which I was/am). You travel on the inland side of the road, not the clif side.
Don't know if it was the time of year...but for 1,000mi, there was a head wind. Only noticed on the bits of road that dip inland and the speedlimit increase to 50....so people drive 75-80. The little Buell Blast with me and all the stuff had a hard time of it. Thing was thumpin like crazy. Not sure if I was hurting the bike riding it like that!? Ahh. There is so much to learn about motorcycles? Maybe riding to Alaska though the middle of knowwhere canada wasn't the best first choice:)
The coast was colder than I expected. Temps hovered around 50-60 deg. Wound up wearing my rain jacket all the time.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Fully Awesome.
July.23-27.2009As it turns out, riding a motorcycle for full days on end is completely awesome! Whoa! I simply had no idea. Motorcycling is fun. Traveling in fun. But who thought the combination would be so perfect!?!?
Up up up the coast. Stayed in some nice campgrounds, and met interesting people.
Here are some highlights:
Having dinner with a perfect stranger at the Ilwaco KOA just on the border of Washing. He pulled up at the same time into the 'Dunes' KOA. The managers had the foresight it seems to placed in adjacent campsites. My new buddy was traveling on a pretty BMW sport touring bike. He was a tall guy and the bike fit him perfect. The seat literally rested between my navel and pecs! (I'll keep to the little blaster master I think!)
After setting up camp, we still had all our riding gear on....and since it was only 3:30 in the after noon, we hoped back on the bikes and went foraging for food. That was pretty fun. I'd never ridden with another person before! I'm going to have to get a little pack together when finally back in NYC! In truth, I was a little embarresed riding around with my gear 'shit-rigged' to the bike. Many of the other tourers were husband and wife pairs riding big Honda Goldwings or the like. Everybody talks about the same stuff though. Tires, gas, the heat or the cold. Big fairings or little fairings. That was nice.
The ride up the coast it self was amazing. The northern coast is alien and severe. Steep mountains fall straight into the largest ocean in the world. Then nearly all the beaches have small upsets of land jetting out. Little galapigos islands that seemingly refused to submit to the relentless sea. As small as car, to as large as bank buildings in down town NYC. And as the coast streaches on for hundreds and hundreds of miles, you realize the few of these rocks which have be highlighted in nature books for various reasons, not only aren't unique, simply are not the close to the most amazing natural structures on the coast! Giant Arches unbelievably balanced over the sea, toped with dirt somehow, with grass fields and even trees!
The weather was fairly cold all the way up the coast. At one point feeling the lost of my beloved Red Woods(rode the Ave. Of the Giants 4 times!), I decided on a suggestion of a couple I met that morning to head into Oregon towards Creater Lake. The pass turned right into the deepest section of the Red Woods Nation Park. There would be national campgrounds to sleep in....and hopefully a perfect 55mile good bye to the beloved trees!
Camp ground after campground wound up being full. Panther Flats, Grassy Flats, even Grassy Flats lodge comicaly had no room at the inn. So I decided to head through the park, into Oregon and find a motel or something. As soon as I got through the tunnel on the north east side of the park I was greated with 'loosely paved roads', and scourching heat. Later at the bar across from the RV park I camped at, I discovered it was 105! Not just that. It seems this was just the first or second day of a projected 2 week heat wave! WHAT?!?
I did the only respecable thing a guy could do. I drank myself into a stooper, and was in bed alseep by 7pm! (The bar itself is a good story also!) By 8am the next morning it was already into the 90s, and I could not have gotten out of there fast enough. Back through the park(so wonderful!) and back to the safty and cool of the coast! Putting on all my gear to stay warm in the 45-60s is was on the coast was at least do-able. I don't know how people ride motorcycles in that heat. Hell, I don't even think my little air cooled engine could handle much above 80! And how are the tires rated? Can my little Pirelli's withstand 190deg blacktop?!?
Some where between Coos Bay and Ilwaco I saw the greatest sign in the history of people. It was too hot to stop and take a picture, so I will share the image I took in my mind:
40foot tall sign, like a gas station off an interstate. Quite large. Smack in the middle of this town(where I ate at Pig'n Pancakes). The sign was oval and tall. White, yellow trim, and a dark black border. In such a small town, this thing was set against the sky and was pretty un-ignorable from any vantage point in a 2 mile radius I would say. The image in siloette against the while background, was two adults, a mother and father. The middle siloette was of thier child, gender unspecific. The scene was that of love and protection. Pretty good since there's not alot you can do with a siloette. Under this icon of loving and protecting parents was this message in GIANT print:
"Porn Hurts Everyone."
OMG! So amazing. I mean. I get the message. Child porn = not cool. But seriously folks?! How much child porn is happening in your town of 500 residents?! Is that really going to stop the one dude who is probably going to do it anyway? Ha! But there is was. Everyday. On the way to the grocery store, to get gas, to take the grandchildren to freaking Pig'n Pancakes. Porn. Right in your face. Who is going to see that sign and not think of porn? People are awesome.
My next post will probably be from Seattle. Going to gear up there. Try and find a slightly better solution to getting everything on and off this bike which is currently taking me no less than 1 1/2 hours every morning! ug!
Ride safe everyone!
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