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People ask me why I ride. I say to them. The smells make it all worth it… lol . The comfort is way better in my F150 but it’s not the same gut feeling. Even when it’s raining or too hot, the best part of the ride always makes up for the shitty parts. The stories and feelings we’ve experienced on the bike together makes Mrs Notgrownup want to go again. At 68 she is a trooper me at 59 full of arthritis I take some prednisone and go for it. In 5 years I want to do a cross country to Vancouver then cross Canada then back down to North Carolina… these rides from folks like you keeps my dream alive. Thank you for taking us with you.
@Dynamick - Well - I did add some motoroil, I found I was low on the stick, and added my 946 ml [ha - Canadian] quart of Amsoil MCV. I did a fresh change before departing, so I'm due for fresh oil once again.
Once Mrs. Adventure flew in to Halifax to meet me, we headed south, as our plans to NL were interrupted by maintenance issues on the ferry. I dropped the motorcycle off at Central Maine HD, and had new rubber installed. The rear was a little bald, and the front was close, so rubber, and new wheel bearings. I usually go with new bearing all around when I do a front tire. [time wise].
I put the RokForm vibration mount back together in Maine. I have yet to see if the HD SENA comes back to life. I will clean contacts and try...
Some people look at me like there must be something wrong with me when I tell them I ride alone. But during my tours, it always amazes me how many other loners are out there putting down the miles in solitude. And when on occasion we chat, there always seems to be an unspoken “I get it” camaraderie.
Congratulations on the successful ride. So. Where to next?
It’s these moments above that keep me sane in this world.
Congrats on this achievement. I could see myself trying such a ride 10 years ago but I'm sure now I'd take at least a week. Thanks for sharing your story. O and by the way you drove right by me as I live just 15 minutes east of Virden.
Some people look at me like there must be something wrong with me when I tell them I ride alone. But during my tours, it always amazes me how many other loners are out there putting down the miles in solitude. And when on occasion we chat, there always seems to be an unspoken I get it camaraderie.
Congratulations on the successful ride. So. Where to next?.
Apologies @North of You - Once I got home, I was clearing out junk and normal emails... I happened across the IBA Newsletter that talked about Mile Eater status, and it was a FREE service for Premier members. As a Premier member, I did some quick reading, clicking and whatnot, then asked to be considered for my bronze status. With bronze status, of course I read into silver and gold and beyond. I realized i was -close- to achieving silver status, especially with my most recent three rides. So -- my good lady wife and I talked, and she suggested taking on another ride to get this darn silver certification -- the only Mile Eater ride requiring it be completed in a timeline. I dusted of my book of ride plans, then considered the I-15 E2E with the drive to achieve gold on that, which should push me into Mile Eater silver contention.
As I'd completely PLANNED the I-15 E2E already during a nice stretch of -40ş winter weather, all I needed to do was prep and execute. I would go solo, and go over my birthday. My wife was disappointed I wouldn't be around for my bday, so she was more than pleased when I kicked it ahead a week. When the new schedule was apparent, I reached out to my two riding friends, to see if they'd like to join in. One did, so the trip plans changed slightly. An extra night in LVNV added, and the ride over to Las Cruces was planned to execute the [already planned] I-25 E2E that came from the same book.
Both executed, Sweetgrass MT - to - National City, CA. Ba00ck tracked to Temecula CA, allowing for an embedded BBG15. The next day rode to LVNV, and the many beers, and good times had around the craps table. Night two was also fun, but slightly subdued, night three needed to be subdued as we rode to Las Cruces NM. We woke in Las Cruces, headed south to catch the start of I-25, and rode our steeds like rented mules, grabbing gold I-25 E2E in Buffalo WY. Stayed at a hotel there, then the next day rode hard to home.
This got me two [three] more ride certs, and two more ticks on the journey to Mile Eater Gold.
Funny thing: I had Mile Eater Silver status prior to the I-25 E2E, but decided to ride it anyhow.
Suggestion if people consider this ride: Stay in Milk River, AB. Better hotel and restaurant. Plan on getting gas in Sweetgrass, MT at 07:01. Everything is closed, and you won't get the starting DBR.
This is just my first crack at video editing a long trip. For this, I bought a new computer, and am running Final Cut Pro. It's overkill for what I need, but - screw it. Overkill is a good Motorhead song, so good enough reason for me.
Have a look if you're interested, about 1.5 hours of your life, you may not get back... ha ha
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