247 days to the Ride

I feel like I've passed another milestone on achieving my lifelong dream of taking the cross country motorcycle ride. Now that my birthday has passed it will happen before the next one arrives. Next year it will all be a memory and we'll be spending our days swapping stories about what we saw, who we met and the things we did. My wife bought me a Harley Davidson Trip Guide as a birthday present and it has some good tips and good maps on scenic rides all along our route. It certainly doesn't have everything but it contains side trips that I will be exploring and considering depending on how much time we actually have. The beauty of it all is if you don't see it the first time you can come back and do it again at a later date.
If you're reading this then keep planning the things you want to do; not sure when I'll post again; guess I'll wait until the spirit moves me or I have something significant to write about; that will be a first.

250 days to the Ride

Not much to write about today but this just feels like a milestone day. I continue to look for interesting sights we can explore on the trip and am amazed by the variety of things to do along the way. It's a shame we won't be able to see and experience all of them but for this "flatlander" just riding through the mountains will be the thrill of a lifetime. From what I've seen, thus far, the Cascades will provide us with plenty of interesting riding and I'm sure that Don Gentry knows some of the lesser known spots to show us. On the way back I'm really looking forward to the ride from Cody,WY to the Custer battleground along the Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Highway. By all accounts they are spectacular. I've also added Deadwood SD to the list of places to see if we can fit it in. Maybe we can do Mt Rushmore and Deadwood in the same day; so many places to see and so little time. Nice problem to have.
That's all for today; I'll keep checking all the resources and see what other recommendations I can come up with. Don't forget; if you're reading this you have permission to comment or post your own thoughts.

252 days to the Ride

The long wait for winter to be over has begun; the Harley has gone into storage with a work order to install "cruise control". I rode up to my dealership in 25 mph winds and heavy rain with a little sleet tossed in. They thought I was nuts but when I explained that riding in the rain was better than letting it sit in the garage they understood immediately. So now the real wait and planning season begins. And to help me through it my wife purchased a Harley Trip Guide complete with maps and log books to record all the good stuff we're going to see along the way. It's got some good rides in it for all 50 states as well as other helpful information to look into all along the way; and during the long snowy months here in Michigan it will help me while away the time looking into sights to see.
I learned something interesting today about storage that I didn't know. Bikes should be stored with a full tank of fuel that has stabilizer added; I figured (incorrectly) they wouldn't want a warehouse full of full gas tanks so I ran mine down to almost empty and had to go fill it back up. It will have a battery tender attached to it and get an oil change plus the cruise control installed and will be ready for me in about 6 months when the snow finally melts and we're ready to go. Then it will get about 1k to 2k more miles put on it; a 5K maintenance program done and we're ready to go.
If you're reading this take a look at some of the places to visit in the Cascade Mountains north of Seattle. I checked them out today and the scenery is awesome. I'm also planning to look at the area around Aberdeen, WA so we can get photos of the Pacific Ocean as well as look up an old shipmate of mine, and fellow Corpsman, from SubMedTech and Squadron 14. I haven't seen the guy in almost 40 years; I found his address on the internet and will send him a note letting him know we'll be out there next summer and hopefully we can meet up.
Not sure what I'm going to do with all the extra room in my garage now that the bike is gone; the place looks barren and forlorn.

253 days to the Ride

Not much to write about today but it seems odd not to put a post out there so that youse guys can get some sleep. Notice how quickly I slip into New Yawkese? Ping>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I'm still trying to get my bike into storage for the winter and get a few things worked on in preparation but the weather has not been cooperating at all. When it's nice outside the dealership is closed and when they're open it's raining. I might have to get a snow tire or some chains and ride through the ice and snow to get it in. I know; sounds like whining to me too.
I'm not sure how much more planning we can do over the winter; Ralph has the route and the list of cities/towns we hope to make each day. He is working on getting updated maps and looking at the list of hotel/motels/campsites we can stay at. We've agreed that flexibility is the key and 400 miles per day may be a stretch but there are days when the riding is going to be so good that we will go further and days when we won't go half that far. What the hell, it's the ride not the destination. I think the next area I'll look into is what we can see and do for the few days we will be in the Seattle area. Meeting up with Don Gentry and the SSMC is #1 on the list and they will have plenty of things to show us but I also want to have an evening where we can get a bunch of boat sailors together and swap stories and build some memories. There are quite a few of them living out in that area so we ought to have a good shot at having some kind of a party while we're there. Of course, the bikes will have to be locked up and we can post a Marine Sentry to keep us from getting in trouble.
If you're still awake; turn out the light; I'm done writing for tonight.
McManus; safe home

257 days to the Ride

Today I started the research on campgrounds along the route and was pleasantly overwhelmed with the number and variety of places to camp that include tent sites and cabins. This could be an affordable alternative to staying in motels all along the way. Yesterday I did some beginning research on motels and learned that we will probably average $75.00 per day in motels ($37.50 if we share rooms) vs about $36.00 per day if we camp. Still plenty of time for decisions and reservations to be made but it's been interesting to see the variety of options available. And, the descriptions of the views are awesome; especially in the mountains of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. We've had some offers of lodging in Washington from SSMC and Sue McLaughlin so I haven't done much research on campsites/motels in the Seattle area. We can do that later.
I'll share my findings with Ralph, our official lodging planner, this week and give him something to ponder during those cold winter months in South Carolina where I hear the temperatures drop down in the 60's and occasionally even into the 50's (shorts and t-shirt weather up here).
That's a ping Ralph to see if you're still reading these "yawners" that I publish. Note to Ralph: don't forget to find places where McManus can get fresh NY bagels and cream cheese to go with his "regular coffee"
As the days grow short, the nights grow colder and the leaves turn to yellows, reds and golds I'm enjoying looking through all the books and websites and dreaming of the days when I make the "ViewMaster" of my youth come alive. Some of these catalogs and websites are like looking through the Sears Catalog at Christmas.

259 days to the Ride

I just got back from Canada and I already know where my next ride is going to take me. Either before our "big ride" or after I am returning to where I spent many a day as a youth; up in northern Canada on the Bruce Peninsula where Lake Huron meets Georgian Bay. We were up there this weekend for a memorial service and had the opportunity to drive further north and see the land of my mis-spent youth. It's as pretty and unspoiled as I remember it with little or no change. The biggest addition up there are the large "wind farms" with the biggest windmills I have ever seen. I guess the Canadians have embraced wind energy and the corn and bean fields are full of them generating electricity for the farming communities. Surprisingly I did not find them offensive or a blot on the scenery. They were actually kind of mystical and I can envision a Rod Serling episode of "Twilight Zone" where they would move about the landscape, but that's a story for another time. I'm getting punchy and ready to make our ride as quickly as possible. This is going to be a long winter of waiting, planning and dreaming.
Cheers,

261 days to the Ride

Temperatures are really dropping here in Michigan and the long wait and map study will begin in earnest by this weekend. The bike is going into the shop for storage and installation of cruise control. When it comes out again next spring we will be in the final preparation stage and I'll be chomping at the bit to just get underway and "ride it".
I've been getting feedback on my questions about riding in the mountains and everyone has assured me that the elevations we're planning, on the way out, are fairly easy (no more than 6,000 feet) and the curves and switchbacks are mild. Once we get out there the president of SSMC has offered to take us for a ride in the "Alps of America" which will be a little more exciting but by that time we'll have a lot more experience and it should be fun. If you're riding this winter make sure you keep practicing following the proper line through the curves and also practice your "panic stops" Remember 70% of your braking power comes from the front brake but try not to lock it up.
The posts will get fewer during the next few months but I encourage all of you to add your own stories and thoughts while we wait out the winter and get ready to go.
More as the spirit moves me to write.
Ride Safe

263 days to the Ride

If this works then it should take you to the proposed ride. For some reason when I try to cross Lake Michigan, via the ferry, to Muskegon and the USS Silversides it forces me to go down through Chicago; I guess it doesn't recognize ferry crossings. From Muskegon to my house is about a 3 hour ride.
I just checked and the link doesn't work; back to the drawing boards.

265 Days to the Ride

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr; took what may be my last ride of the season other than putting the bike in storage. The sky is clear, the fall colors are beautiful and the temperature is 41F with a 10-15 MPH wind. Man, it was cold. But, my FXRG jacket performed well, my chaps kept me fairly comfortable but my gloves are not sufficient for this kind of weather. Just another thing on the shopping list. I also determined that a set of "long johns" would be a good idea for longer jaunts in these temperatures. On the plus side it was a nice ride, not much traffic, the colors around the lake were beautiful and I enjoyed it. I also need to get an air pump for the tires because with the temps dropping the pressure was affected and I could feel it in the handling; there goes another expense. These are all the things you learn that don't ever considered when driving a car. Another plus is when you come in from out of that cold a bowl of chili really tastes good and warms up the "innards" nicely.
Yesterday I learned that we may have the opportunity to leave on Saturday July 3rd instead of Sunday July 4th. I was counting on the parades both being on Saturday followed by the band party but it turns out that one town is having their parade on Saturday and the other is holding to Sunday. I don't want to wait until Monday to leave so I might as well blow off both parades and get an extra day of touring out of the deal. That will give us more flexibility out in Washington to see the sights.
So if you're reading this set your plans to leave Michigan on Saturday, July 3, 2010. Now I have to adjust the calendar; so many little details to attend to.

267 Days to the Ride

The dreaded call came last night; the call from the Harley Dealer asking me when I was going to put the bike into storage for winter. I'm not ready for winter and I'm not ready to put the bike away for the next six months but it is coming soon. We're struggling to get temps into the 50'sF so it will be soon but why did they have to remind me of it this week? On the plus side this means that the trip is drawing ever closer and the real preparations can begin in earnest by next March. By then we should have the following items completed:
1. Confirmation of who's making the trip
2. Finalization of the route out and back and sights we want to see
3. A good handle of where we will be staying each night (subject to conditions, of course)
4. The bikes should have all required maintenance done with only minor items requiring service prior to departure
5. The practice season to hone those dormant riding skills will begin in April for us Michigan residents; our two Florida residents will be riding all winter long.
I hope all you participants are getting as excited about this as I am.

To Bob Mcmanus; hope your recovery is on schedule and uneventful. We're looking forward to having you along for the "ride"
Safe Home

269 Days to the Ride

Ralph, our resident expert on driving through the mountains, has given me time to reflect on what we need to know to safely ride through the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. We're all flatlanders and have limited experience riding on the "twisties and windies" of Michigan let alone the elevations and switchbacks of the Rocky Mountains. So, I have undertaken a mission to learn as much as I can about riding through the mountains so that when we get there we will know as much as possible before we have to actually experience it. For starters, I've contacted Bob Opple, of SSMC for advice. Bob made the trip this summer and I'm sure he will have some good advice. I will also contact Tim Sheridan, author of the 4Cornersride website. Tim has been very helpful and I think he will give us valuable tips on what to expect. I also found a couple of good websites about riding through the mountains of Europe. The bikes tend to be more of the Metric Style tourers rather than our heavier Harley's but at first glance the advice and tips look to be valuable. It all centers around knowing your bike, your skills and limitations and riding smart. With winter rapidly approaching this will give me plenty to do while my bike is in the shop getting some additional modifications.
Meanwhile, Ralph is busy reviewing our itinerary and looking for $5.00 per day 5 Star hotels that serve coffee and danish each morning to anyone with a valid Manhattan address.

Mary, if you're reading this let Bob know that we're all pulling for a complete recovery and anticipating that he will accompany us on this "mission of lunacy". And Bob, if you're reading this; Get Well Soon;

270 Days to the Ride

I've made contact with our shipmates at Silent Service Motorcycle Club (SSMC) in Washington and we have an invitation to ride with them to Yakima for "a Minerburger" and to Leavonworth "for the best brats in the world". We should have fun riding and exploring with Don Gentry and the other members of SSMC for the few days we hang around the Seattle area. I can hear the sea stories now; our poor "non-SS" riders are going to be shaking their heads in wonder.

Ralph is evaluating our trip itinerary and will be getting back to me on the feasibility of us holding to the schedule I've proposed. There will be lots of riding and hopefully some time for sight seeing and visiting with shipmates. Just think, in the time it takes to have a baby (9 months) we will be leaving for, what I hope will be, the adventure of a lifetime. It will be for me anyway; the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

While researching things to do in the Seattle area I decided to take a look at the shortest route to the Pacific Ocean; I determined that it was a 100 mile ride to Aberdeen and then remembered that I went to NucMed/SubMedTech with a Corpsman who ended up on the John Marshall. We were good friends back then and had stayed in touch after we both got out but gradually lost contact with each other. Turns out he now lives in Olympia Washington and I'm going to try and contact him and let him know I'll be out there next summer. Perhaps we can link up with another boat sailor and maybe even recruit him into USSVI. He became a Physicians Assistant (PA) after leaving the Navy and seemed to really enjoy the work. I suspect he's retired now.

271 days to the Ride

Today's post takes a little different direction but I feel it must be addressed before we get way off track on the direction of this ride. I have had a couple of inquiries by members of the submarine community about joining us and I have decided that I must tell all newcomers the answer is no. Every bit of advice I have received from experienced riders who have made similar journeys is that the smaller the group the better. We are now at seven members (4 on bikes and 3 in Ralph's truck). That's larger than what I expected but I think it is workable. Anything larger than that makes the logistics of getting everyone up and on the road each day more and more difficult. Therefore, I'm going to hold firm that we limit the ride to the current roster of participants and NOT replace anyone who for some good and valid reason is not able to make the ride next year. If individuals want to join us for segments of the ride or meet up with us somewhere along the ride then that is acceptable and I, for one, would enjoy it. Actually, I'm hoping that all along the route we will have the opportunity to meet up with shipmates and spend some time with them.

I hope each of you will consider this as protecting our own self interests. But, if you have comments or concerns about my decision then please comment or send me an e-mail so we can discuss it. Don't hold back; if you disagree then say so. Next July when we commence our trip is too late.

273 Days to the Ride

The first draft of the proposed route has been sent to Ralph so he can apply his "truck driver" skills and assess the feasibility that we can hold to the schedule. I've allotted some time in the Seattle area to get together with shipmates and see the sights in and around Seattle.
While Ralph is reviewing the route I went off and had the final patch added to my SSMC Vest; now I'll be "street legal" when we meet up with the National Chapter next summer. Click on the photo and you'll get a better view of the "Bottom Gun Plankowner" Patch.

I also bought some "highway pegs" to give my legs some variation on those long straightaways in Montana and North Dakota. I'm going to wait to install them after I get the bike cleaned up. Still got bugs on it from the last ride but with this cold weather "bug season" may be over. Got a nice deal on them from the place that sewed on my patches and they even gave me a "Veteran's" discount. You meet the nicest people in motorcycle shops.

I see Blue and Roy haven't accepted the invitation to join the blog yet; Blue must be busy making his reservations and trying to get his large bike license for over here.

275 Days to the Ride

Today I'm going to take another "cold weather ride". The temps in Michigan have gone down into the high 30's F as the "witch of November" stalks us so I'm going to test out my cold weather riding gear as a practice session for riding through the Rocky Mountains at high elevations. Admittedly, the simulation is not a perfect situation but it's the best I can do here in the flatlands; plus I want to get as much riding in as I can while the weather is still decent. The fall colors are starting to show and a ride out into the country is just what I need to keep me from the doldrums of the impending winter; that and the fact that we're slated for rain this weekend so "ride while the sun is shining has become my new mantra"

I've about finished the "trip route", my version anyway, and will be asking the riders to agree or offer alternatives in the near future. Ralph has offered to ask his daughter to help us find accomodations along the way (cheap ones Ralph; none of those 5 Star Hotels that McManus favors). The itinerary and list of "target cities" each day is based on trying to ride about 400 miles each day. It remains to be seen if we can maintain that pace or even want to. We have a lot of exploring to accomplish during the three weeks on the road so flexibility will be key.

Enough on that topic; probably going to take a few days off from posting unless I come up with anything intersting or that needs to be shared. I met with Ray Frase yesterday and he reluctantly agreed to be our "Road Captain". He said trying to get Bubbleheads and Marines to go in one direction is like "herding cats" but feels he is up to the task. He felt that Roy (Air Force) would be easy because Air Force guys are accustomed to having strange voices in their headsets tell them when to turn and go up or down.

Enjoy the day; if you're riding then "ride safe"

Just got back from a ride to the country; rather brisk but exhilarating. Every time I ride in rush hour traffic around here I'm reminded of why I hate riding in rush hour traffic. Too many boneheads on cell phones. But, once I got away from the crowds and the road opened up it was great. I think the dreaming about the open road phase is beginning for me.
Life is good;