189 Days to the Ride

Last night I watched a documentary on PBS about hiking the Continental Divide. The group took six months to walk from the Mexican Border to the Canadian Border all along the Continental Divide. The photos and scenery were nothing short of spectacular. When they got to Glacier National Park I was really paying attention. Glacier is a place I have wanted to visit since my days as a young lad learning about the world through the lens of a "ViewMaster". My desire has heightened even more. If we could leave this morning I would be ready. I wonder if we should try to figure out how to adapt to the the high altitudes prior to getting out there. Maybe we should all go to New York and camp out in Bob McManus' office to acclimate ourselves. Any of you other guys ever been at 14,000 feet with your feet still on the ground? How about you, Ralph? You must have taken that 18 wheeler through some of those high passes. What can we expect? Should we get a few 02 bottles for our geriatric group of riders? With another milestone (Christmas) having passed I am really getting back in the mode of spending all my free time thinking/planning for this trip. It will be the most thought out "spontaneous" thing I have ever done.
On another note; I received a recall notice from Harley this week to have a modification done on my fuel tank. Good thing the bike is in storage at the shop so I won't lose any riding time for them to do the repairs. Seems minor but I'll get it done. Which reminds me I hope all of you riders will get all your scheduled maintenance completed before we leave. Don't forget to check your tires and make arrangements to get a replacement set while we are on the road if you're going to go over 10K on the current set.
That's enough for today;
Found this website that has some amazing photos along our planned route. This guy did it on a bicycle; makes for some interesting reading. McManus should pay close attention to the descriptions of the "lions, bears and buffalo". You can view it in the "other rides" section on the blog.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

193 days to the Ride

I received a message overnight from our Pacific Northwest host, Don Gentry, and he is going to help arrange a large scale welcoming party for us which will include a stop in Yakima, Washington to meet with Doug Dahlke. Doug is a Submarine Veteran and member of SSMC who lost a leg, among other injuries, while riding his motorcycle. Doug has invited us to have dinner at the Legion Hall along with members of the Yakima Base USSVI and a contingent from SSMC (Silent Service Motorcycle Club). This could turn into a giant reunion and sea story swapping event. If we stay on schedule it could take place on Saturday, July 10th. We'll have to firm that up in the next few months, but for now put it on your itinerary that there will be a stop in Yakima for a dinner and party.
Thanks to Don Gentry for taking the lead on this.

My new summer home

Just got my furniture to go along with the portable summer cottage for the "Ride". I'll be living large.

196 days to the Ride

Couldn't sleep; more riding gear arrived; snowing hard in Michigan and other random thoughts. Got a lot going on in my life right now, combination of work and the trip to Ghana in January so I thought I'd do a little "mind dump" here. The day started out at "Oh Dark Ugly aka 0300" with a walk with my favorite Scottie around the snow covered neighborhood. It's actually pretty out that time of day and I've learned how to do it without breaking my leg. Then I come in to check my e-mail and this photo is what I find. I hope we won't have to resort to this kind of road service but you never know. I wonder if that works on a fuel injected bike?
Merry Christmas shipmates, Marines, Air Force and Army this ride is going to be an adventure.

199 Days to the Ride

We are now under 200 days until we "single up the lines" and shove off on the ride. Seems hard to believe that in such a short time we will be firing up the Harley's, hearing that distinctive sound and heading north across the bridge and into the U.P. I'm not sure if they have Starbucks and bagel shops up there so I've packed some of the VIA coffees from Starbucks to keep McManus placated.
Looking out the window now, at the snow, and watching the flag on the local police station sticking straight out I'm glad we're not on the road now. The temps are in the low 20's and it will be another 4 months before it warms up enough to ride but each day that passes brings us closer. I've completed purchasing all my "road gear" with the purchase of a military sleeping bag system. If it lives up to it's advertising it will keep me warm and toasty down to the lowest temperatures but is flexible enough to be comfortable on the warmer nights.
I'm not sure how many of the participants are reading this but if you are, Have a Merry Christmas and a great New Year in 2010. See you on the ride.
Safe Home;

211 days to the Ride

Had the first dusting of snow overnight so winter has officially come to Michigan. I'm ready for it and also ready for it to be over. Not so much because I dislike winter but to hasten the time so we can get the ride started. Our Aussie participant has gotten a pretty good string going on Facebook about the ride and like all boat sailors the "pings" are flowing freely. This is going to be a good ride and an adventure that will spawn many good stories and memories. Today I will be going to the Harley store to investigate which "full face" helmet I want to get to protect my noggin from hailstones and eliminate the need to wear sunglasses all the time. If I get the right tints I should be able to use the shield instead of sunglasses which I find distort little things like potholes and gravel on the road. Yesterday I was in my local REI store and think I may have found the right sleeping bag/pad combination for the days we will spend camping.
For now it's time to just dream about the adventure; in a few short months we will begin the final planning in earnest and the ride will begin.
Hey Florida guys; enjoy those "winter rides". What is the wind chill when the temp drops to 60F?
Safe Home;

214 days to the Ride

Another page on the calendar has turned and we are now into December. The long winter months have started and here in Michigan there is a hint of snow in the air and darkness fills up more time than daylight. But, there are only 7 months until our big adventure begins and there is plenty to do and think about during the time we have left. The logistics of this trip still intrigue me as to how we will handle the unexpected. We've all been there before but it's going to be interesting and fun to see us come together as a group and pull this off. On my next trip to my local Harley store I'm going to try and interest them in our trip and see if they will do anything to publicize it. I'm also going to write to the editor of HOG Magazine and see if we can get something published in there as well as some photos once we get back. I've read some of their articles and I think we will have something to tell them. As we get closer I'm also going to see if the local newspapers here would be interested in our eclectic group of military veterans and why we're doing this. Of course we'll have to think up good answers as to why other than "why not; sounds like fun".
So as we enter December I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season; keep thinking about what you want to do and what you want to see. "Keep those ViewMaster visions" alive.
If you're still riding; "ride safe"
Safe Home,