| Author | Message | ||
     Themagster |
I am blessed to work for someone who takes a summer trip each year, which is when I get to take my leave. I am in countdown mode now, he will be retiring long before I can and I don't hold much hope that a new employer will give in to my nomadic motorcycling desires. Yep, being responsible sucks! Last summer we rode up through Indiana up into Michigan. Loved Indiana – came across a poker run outside of Richmond and invited ourselves along. Great friendly folks. Along the way we passed through Kentucky and as usual for us we got lost in the countryside. We found Hwy 152 (Mackville Road) from Springfield to Harrodsburg, Kentucky. I don’t know how far south you are in Indiana – but if you ever get the chance to ride this road – do it. It was one of our favorite roads the whole trip. | ||
| Austinuu |
Court: If your ever in central texas or thereabouts drop a line I'd love to grab a beer or two and swap stories.(or anyone else for that matter!) Maggie: nope did'nt keep receipts or any of the documentation I would need. I'll have to keep that in mind next time as well as bit more padding on the seat and some bags for the bike, as it was me, the 'bolt and a cheap $30 jansport backpack that had enough room for a change of clothes and my rain gear (never rained on the ride, only rained during the hike...when I didn't have it with me.  ) (Message edited by Austin-UU on May 17, 2007) | ||
| Gunslinger |
The Bardstown-Maysville run includes the section of 152 you mention. It's all good through there. FYI I am just off I-74 about halfway between Indy and Cincy. I did some test packing last night. I think I can pack all of what I need in the bags I have. There is always the "What if I need this?" hanging over your head. I used to do a lot of backpacking, and that helps. I just have to remind myself I am not going to be at the top of Mt. San Gorgonio if I find out I need something. I was once forced (long story) to ride 700 miles in a downpour. This trip I should have enough flexibility that my raingear will only have to get me to the next town. BTW, I once passed a couple of hours talking to a Katana rider from Kansas City under an over-pass in Kentucky. After the storm passed we rode together for a while, had lunch, and exchanged e-mail adresses. We still exchange e-mails from time to time. Someday I would like to get a bunch of stories like that together, come up with an overarching plot, and write a novel. | ||
| Themagster |
A book would be a great idea. During our trip from Florida to California I began to call it the 'you’re gonna die' trip. Everywhere we went we would run into people who would ask all about our plans and then proceed to tell us how dangerous they were. Along the way we were told that we could get stuck in Glacier National Park (there was still 8-10 foot snow banks along the roadside) 'you’ll freeze to death'. We survived. Then we were told about the dangers of the big game in Oregon 'they jump off cliffs right on top of your bike, poof your dead'. We survived. In California we were warned about HWY 1 'motorcyclists just ride right off the cliff into the ocean'. We survived. Crossing over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range we were told the elevation was too high for a motorcycle and the grade going down the other side would be too much for a bike. We survived. My favorite was the warning about Death Valley. 'People just bake to death, die from the heat – you shouldn’t plan to ride a motorcycle through there'. We survived. All of these dangers are real. But if you use your head, ride within your limits, plan and pack well, You Will Survive!! Last summer we were riding in the mountains of Tennessee and passed a couple of Goldwingers in the curves. Then hit a bad storm. Turned out the guys on the Wings knew the best place to get out of the rain in Teleco Plains. We had lunch and traded stories. Life on the road….doesn’t get much better than that. | ||
| Gunslinger |
Here's a story. Place: Baghram, Afghanistan. Time: late March 02 Chris Lazano and I are marking landmines with orange spray-paint so that we can set charges on them later. Chris: "Do you have any plans for when we get back to the States?" Pat (AKA Gunslinger): I am going to ride out to my brother's place in Kansas City and we are going to ride together down to the Ozarks. Hand me another charge, this one's booby-trapped." Chris: "Here you go. Gee Pat, all those miles on a motorcycle? Isn't that kind of dangerous? Hey! check it out dude, an un-exploded bomb. You want to call EOD or should I?" | ||
| Themagster |
ROTFL You get your own chapter. BTW - Thanks for your service to our Country. | ||
| Gunslinger |
ROTFL? And thanks. You know, I'm almost 40, and my mother still worries about me. She hates motorcycles almost as much as she hated me being in the Marines. I don't see where long trips are any more dangerous than riding around town. The time I got rear ended by a truck I was just a few miles from home. | ||
| Ocbueller |
Ah, Tellico Plains, little place on the river? | ||
| Gunslinger |
Some buddies and I stopped at a very nice(and expensive) restaurant down there. The nest day we went through again and stopped at a hot-dog stand and ate at some nearby pic-nic tables. I think I enjoyed the second meal more. | ||
| Themagster |
In some ways I think I am a bit safer when I am on a long distance trip. Being unfamiliar with the surroundings I think I am a bit more cautious. At home it is possible to become a little less attentive with the routine of riding around in the same familiar places. But there is always danger lurking about us, no matter where we are or what we are doing. The trick is to not let the fear of danger rule our lives. I don’t shy away from doing things that are perilous but I know the limits of my abilities and try not to exceed them. The place we had lunch while waiting out the rain was called the Tellico Plains Cafe. I think we had just come up from Turtletown on 68. The rain came fast and hard. Once it let up we continued into Sweetwater for the night. We are in the processing of trying to figure out our summer trip. Maine has been the focus of our thought processes but we have also talked about going to the Blue Ridge area and just surfing curves for a couple weeks. My Dad thinks my bike, with 32,000+ miles on it should be retired and may not be the safest transportation for a trip to Maine. There we go with the danger talk again. By the way where is the "little place by the river"?? If we are in that area, I wanna check it out. I’ll take the hot dogs and picnic tables any day over linen napkins and fine china! | ||
| Gunslinger |
I have my plan about as done as I intend to make it. I should be in Maine on July 2. I may only be to Burlington, VT the night of the 2nd. I will be riding the coast and heading back starting the morning of the 5th. I will be taking scenic roads heading there, but for the return I am taking the turnpike. Even with a full throttle drive home I will never be doing more than 725 miles in a day, and I have two and a half extra days on the end. A short list of places I will be hitting, Allegheny National Forrest Finger Lakes Adirondack Park Lake Champlain Green Mountain National Forrest White Mountain National Forrest US-1 Coast Road Heading back I might swing by New York City, but I am not sure I want to deal with the traffic. I am only guessing at my total mileage, but it should be about 3000. I have a DeLorme map CD ROM. I am going to plan out several routes just get a better idea of what I am in for. Also to find out what is worth seeing. | ||
| Themagster |
Sounds like an awesome trip. By July I will be wishing to be back on the road again!! We will also be going to Adirondack Park, have friends with a cabin we wish to visit. Will be our first time in that neck of the woods (no pun intended) and are looking forward to it. A few years back we went through the Allegheny National Forest and loved it. Can’t wait to hear your tales of the road. | ||
| Ocbueller |
I'm going to have to watch my vacation video in hopes of seeing the name of that restaurant in Tellico Plains. If I recall it had motorcycle parking and had an open back deck on the lower level right on the river. Pretty nice part of the world. Gunslinger, Consider Ausable Chasm, and Lake George if not out of your way. Lake Champlain is gorgeous. SteveH | ||
| Gunslinger |
I'll check them out. I ran the program, and it looks like about 2300 miles, not counting side-trips and the run up the coast of Maine. Magster, On your blast, I would think a good once-over by a mechanic, special attention to the electrical system, and a good carb cleaning should put you on the road for another 30K miles. The Blast is a pretty hard design to break from what I understand. My Cyclone is pushing 30K and running fine. I'd hate to see you miss a trip. Life is way too short. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
I rode the ULY out west last year..trailered to Kansas..went to Grand Canyon, then to north to Yellowstone then back to Kansas...4605 miles did a bunch of stuff in between like Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands UT was a 14 day trip....Friday, May 25 I leave again from Kansas across the southern route to Death Valley, CA.. north thru CA to Washington then East to Glacier, Park, Mt then south to Yellowstone then across Wy. to Sturgis, SD then southeast to Kansas then back to Indiana. Many stops planned...Moab, Yosemite, Tahoe, Mt Ranier, Mt. St Helens, Crater Lake, Beartooth Pass, Ten Sleep, Wy, Devils Tower, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands... Three weeks are planned all on back roads..the twister the better. | ||
| Gunslinger |
Now that's a trip. I don't have a 3 week block I can use. I love the South-West, but I would have to use up most of my vacation just getting there. BTW, I am just off I-74, about 50 miles East of Indy. | ||
| Themagster |
Adrian When you come out of Death Valley if you can head north on 395 and go to Lone Pine, CA. In town there is a road called Movie Road. As you head north it would be a left hand turn. If you love western type movies (think John Wayne) you will recognize the rock formations, known as the Alabama Hills. Also filmed here: Lone Ranger, Maverick (Mel Gibson), Trial & Error (Charlize Theron) and countless other movies. Jake's Saloon is a neat place to grab a cold one. Pictures from a trip like this will be incredible. Happy Trails | ||
| Unibear12r |
Drop down to My Home Town-Lake Isabella, Feb 28-05 if you would like to see some shots of 395 and the Alabama Hills during a winter ride. Got to agree it's a nice place to ride. Somewhere in that thread is also some pics of riding from Badwater D.V. (lowest spot in U.S.) to Whitney Portal (as close as you can drive to the highest spot in the lower 48). In the summer it's very "cool" to stop off at the Portal for a soda, burger and a great view, up and down! Good riding to you! | ||
| Adrian_8 |
Thanks for the info...we are planning to go south on 395 to to Sequoia NP...but the little side trip up to Lone Pine would be good..always take advice from people who have been there. We are planning to go to the lowest spot in DV, Ca ..We are going right past Lake Iasabela..there is a little road going north..not on all maps from Lake Isabella to Kernville to Johnsondale..then to Ponderosa to Springville..to Milo then North into the Sequoia Natl.Park..Should be a great ride...these are the kind of roads we are taking all the way thru CA. and beyond... | ||
| Unibear12r |
Yoooo Hooooo!!!! You've picked a GREAT ride! Esp. Ponderosa to Springville and up in Sequoia. The road running the back side of the lake to Kernville has nice sweepers as does Walker Pass. But it's all good and good views. You will miss the BEST hammer'n twisties road tho (if interested someday) as it runs south out of Lake Isabella to Caliente (sp?) and is called "The Lion's Trail". The Lake Isabella and the Octoberfast threads will have lots of pics of all your route. Geez, give me a call when you get close and I'll ride it with you!!!! (Message edited by unibear12r on May 25, 2007) | ||
| Adrian_8 |
Unibear12r...PM sent..sounds good.. | ||
| Themagster |
Gunslinger: Thanks for input on the Blast. The bike will get the once-over here this coming week, new rear shock and rubber. I was sort of ticked about my rubber wear with this set of tires. I got such high mileage out of Avon Tyres and then I couldn't get them for the Blast. My rear tire has only been on since late March and has just a little over 3,200 miles. In the interest of getting on the road by June 9 I will put a rear Pirelli on for now. I know it will probably be toast by time I return at end of June and will explore options then. Thanks again for your guidance. Adrian: Enjoy the ride Yippy-eye-ky-ay (sp) Happy Trails | ||
| Gunslinger |
The moto-media has always hated Buell for some reason. With all of the articles talking about how so few riders can really use all of the power of new sport-bikes, or people starting out with bikes to big for them, and how there is a need for smaller, more practical bikes, there should be more articles about the Blast! It is one of the most under-rated bikes there is. Good luck on your trip Magster. Mine is really starting to come together. I am trying not to over-plan, but I am doing research on the areas I am going through to makes sure I don't find out later that I missed something. For example, the Finger Lakes were along my route, so I figured I would swing through there. After a bit of Googling it is now one of my "don't miss" items. Oh, I missed a state on my list. I will be passing through about 10 miles of West Virginia near Wheeling. So, 12 states counting Indiana. | ||
| Court |
>>>>The moto-media has always hated Buell for some reason. Huh? | ||
| Gunslinger |
It's funny, but even the mags that clearly try not to say anything bed about a bike so they don't loose advertising bucks (I know, that's debatable), always quantify their compliments. I think a big part of it is that Buells do not handle like anything else. About five years ago one of the major mags did a "best streetbike" showdown. The XB-9 beat everything but the CBR600 (which was about 1.10th of a second faster) on a timed course designed to test handling. They then went on to complain about it tending to fall into low speed corners, grabby brakes etc. A recent article on the Uly ended with something to the effect that it was fun to ride, but no match for the GS or KTM. Similar for the TT which was said to not be a real super-motard. The Brit mags often use the term "tractor" to describe engine performance. Look, I know, we all love our Buells or we would not be here. I have my own beef with the motorcycle press. A good example is an article I read about the Ducati 999 vs. the 1098. The reviewer was a seasoned professional racer who based a lot of the comparison on tenth of a second lap times, and how long it took his pit crew to dial in the suspension. Like I care! Get a better than average street rider to take it on a local twisty road and tell me which one he had more fun on. I do remember one of the first reviews of the XB where the writer said that if you wanted a better handling bike, "lift up the gas-cap and park a 250 GP bike under it." | ||
| Gunslinger |
I picked up a tent over the weekend. There are still a few small items I want to get, but otherwise I am ready to go. I am still not sure how much I am going to camp out, but at least a few nights. I still have not heard back form the friends of the family in Maine, so I may be camping more than I thought. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
I just got back from a 6,400 mile trip on the ULY...was going to hook up with Unibear in Ca. but a buddy on a BMW broke down in Sequoia NP and this threw a wrench in our plans. My ULY ran fine after I had a new fuel pump installed in ST. Charles, UT by Zion HD...they did a great job on getting me on the road the next day after the ULY broke down in Bryce Canyon, UT. | ||
| Unibear12r |
Good to hear that the rest of the trip went well for you. I thought that the fuel pump thing might have changed your plans. A bimmer broke eh? Well there's always the next time! Anytime a Badwebber's riding through I'll try to ride with them if I can. I was in Zion HD a couple of years back and they seemed to be very good people and quite pro Buell! | ||
| Blake |
Yo Adrian. You are planning to share more exciting details and photos from your epic moto adventure, yes? Please? ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Adrian_8 |
I will try and post some pics...it is kind of a pain in the axle...the beemer broke down because the ignition would not recognize the key..two week old bike...kind of beemer like...they engineer a solution to a problem that does not exist.. and the solution is the problem...ANYWAY...the trip...the weather extremes were fun....hot as hell in Death Valley, CA....snow storm in Crater Lake, Oregon...heavy rains in South Dakota with Tornado conditions...and super windy conditions. It was in fun walking in the Pacific ocean when you rode there from the midwest on the ULY... |
