Hi all;

Got home yesterday afternoon from the RoadTrip I'd planned back in December. I satisfied my need to ride across Hoover Dam before the opportunity is gone for good later this year. We explored an interesting piece of old Route 66 west of Kingman and up to Oatman, before rolling into Scottsdale for a week at a golf resort.

From our basecamp in Scottsdale, we enjoyed some great rides to Sedona, a loop around the Superstition Mtns., Tombstone, the Mesa Marketplace, South Rim of the Gr.Canyon, etc. Ended up being a party of 6 riders; 4 of us 6 brothers, one nephew, and a friend. We had no bike issues, egos, or any negative stuff. For excitement, we got caught in a 40-mile sandstorm on Sunday, and a solid downpour from Hood River, OR all the way to home yesterday. All other weather was good to great.

I look silly as hell with my MAJOR "reverse raccoon", but it'll fade fast back up here under the perpetual gray skies. I'm not into "numerology", but found an amazing coincidence in that my total miles on my "B" Trip Meter is exactly the same as the last 4 of my home phone number; 4376. My '08 roadtrip was exactly 4200. Kinda weird.

Brother #2 bought the Ultra from me a week before we left on the trip. The only question now is whether I'm gonna get my '07 Road King back from bro #4...he is a long-time Harley-hater who's been having the time of his life for the last two weeks!

Hope you've all been enjoying some great rides; thanks for reading.

Patrick

 

Sounds like a blast, Patrick ... the rain on the last leg probably helped make you feel at home ...! Bet it feels great to be back ....

I guess you're a regular H-D missionary ... need to get brother #4 to break the lock off his wallet and then replenish your stock for the other brother and nephew ...! LoL

R/
'Chop

 

Sounds amazing! your my kind of guy patrick!! My buddy and I rode from Montreal to Mt.Washington N.H. On monday it was a glorious 468 mile day!

Scary ride up to the top but I'll never forget it!

 

Thats awesome! I got home from doing New Jersey to las vegas 2 weeks ago, i also got the chance to ride over the Hoover dam; at one point i was able to shut down by bike and cost down the back side of the dam

 

Yeah, Chop. Bro #4 has had Kaw & Zook touring bikes, but has been bikeless for the last 10 years. All three of us younger bros grew up (60's-70's) with a negative view of HD's. #6 broke the mold first, with his purchase of a Wide in '05. After riding his a couple of times, I (#5) was next with my Wide. Then I bought the two salvage Tourers in October; knew I'd keep the RKC, but planned on rolling the Ultra. Bro #2 was present to help unload both bikes from the trailer and I could see the gleam in his eye toward the '03 Ultra. I gave him dibs on it, after I repaired it.

Bro #4 was hooked on the trip after watching the 40-min video pitch I made promoting the ride. He had his choice between #6's '03 Heritage and my RKC. After test-riding both, he opted for the six-speed and cruise control on the King. Nephew (son of #2) bought his E-Glide a month before the trip...another victim of my video! Bro #1 was all set to tag along in his '57 T-Bird, but decided against it due to a compromized immune system from chemo for a non-Hodgkins lymphoma (all tests/scans clear as of last monday). #3 has never ridden and probably never will.

Both #1 & #3 lived the ride vicariously thru our calls, emails, and camera-phone sends from the road. It really was a blast, and a great way for the bros to reconnect over a Tombstone Saloon Beer, some campground cigars, moldy-oldies and old TV-show theme songs on the iPod external speakers, and retelling classic family stories.

I'd urge anyone to plan a ride like this; use your own trip photos, downloaded/converted YouTube videos ("Open Road" by Joey J & The Shovelheads is sure to hook them!), and "Easy Rider" Byrds/Wasn't Born To Follow, "Bronson" intro video, and slideshow with narration/titles/backing music. I used Photo Story for Windows, and MS Movie Maker (both freeware) to assemble my video pitch. A video pitch will do far more than any verbal description/invitation.

 

Welcome back Patrick! Glad you and your bro's had a safe trip. I dang near gave you a call yesterday evening to see how the trip was going. Let me know when the saddle sores start to heal up and we'll try to git Tige and Don out for a spin.

 

Gonna be several days cleaning the bike, especially the red dust & grit from the sandstorm. I'm still diggin' out red boogers & earwax; makes me kinda scared to toss-off a round from another important orifice ! ! !

 

Sounds like an excellent trip, Patrick. Welcome back to reality. lol

 

Sounds like a fantastic trip to some really fine places and great memory making. Are you/have you posted trick pictures?



Like one of your bros, I was a Harley Hater too..... glad y'all waited for me.

 

I'll post a few pix once I get them uploaded from the camera. Still winding down from the trip, and warming up from the drenching we took yesterday.