Weather has turned cold here in Michigan with low's in the 30's F and daytime highs only reaching the 50's. Not time to put the bike away for the winter but time to start thinking about it and the maintenance that will be required to be ready for next year. I will probably hit or get close to the 5,000 mile mark before I put it up for the year so I will definitely get the required maintenance package while I have it in storage. I will also add the rider back rest and the cruise control package and that will most likely be all the upgrades/maintenance I will do to the bike before we leave. I will have the brakes and tires inspected and changed prior to the trip if they appear to need it. Tires are still a guess and I am going to reserve judgement on them until about a month prior to departure. I can either change before we leave or make arrangements to get a tire installed at a Harley dealer along the route.
The coming winter months will be spent planning/re-planning/modifying and researching things to do along the route and listing places of interest. This is where I need input from the other members of "the ride". Start thinking about what you want to do or we'll end up doing my stuff and you'll just have to sit back and enjoy or whine; your choice.
Some time around next March we will have to set up an on-line chat or e-mail forum to confirm everyone's participation and whether they are in for the full ride or partial. The reference to partial applies to McManus (Bob was planning to fly back from Seattle) and Blue (may join in Seattle or decide to come to Detroit); either way works for both of them. I think the rest of us are committed to the full round trip from Michigan to Seattle area and back to Michigan. I'm going to develop my route map and points of interest and send to each of you in the next month or so for review and your input. Remember, if you don't make suggestions then my route is what we will follow. Maybe I'll get a patch for my vest that makes me the "Ride Dictator" or "Road Czar". Seriously, everything I've learned thus far is that we have to have a definite plan in order to pull this off with enough flexibility in it to cover contingencies and allow for new things discovered that we want to see or experience.
Another thing that is important is we should write down our emergency contacts and any medical conditions that the rest of us need to be aware of in case of emergency. None of us are youngsters, except for Blue, and we all know he is accident prone (check his RAN medical records). I have two more trips to the "Roto-Rooter Doc to clean out my esophagus before we leave but should be fully recovered in plenty of time. We should also keep a list of our meds for the same reason. (I just can't stop being a Corpsman).
That's enough for today; I'm starting to piss myself off with my arrogance.
So, if you're reading this; enjoy the day; keep thinking about what you want to see and do and keep making your preparations. July 4, 2010 will be here sooner than you think.
"Road Czar"; I kind of like that.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment