Myanmar

Since a Political/Military Coup in 1962 Burma/Myanmar has essentially been "closed". This country is boardered by China, Thailand, India, Laos and Bangladesh. One-third of Burma's total perimeter is uninterrupted coastline along the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Of course, everyone wants to go where they are told they can't go. And since the military began relinquishing more of its control over the government, and the release in 2011 of Burma's most prominent human rights activist, Aung San Suu Kyi –entrance, communications and relations with foriegn goverments have been eased. I am here at the boarder with the Thai Army (Impressive!)

This is the "Guest House" (a.k.a Hut) in Sop Pong, Pang Mapha (Thailand) where we have been staying while riding around. 19.51616,98.25458

But nothing is more impressive than this site of the Myanmar boarder!

Enjoying the Ride so far!

BMW MOA

I've made the home page (registrant with back to camera, but hey) http://www.bmwmoa.org/ check it out!

The road to Phnom Pehn

From Siem Reap, the distance to Phnom Pehn is approximately 317km. By bus or train you can expect to pay around $7-$10 USD for the four hour trip. The road is all surfaced now and most of the busses feature air-conditioning. There is a daily boat ride down the battambang. The Battambang trip is seriously scenic, but breakdowns are very common. The Boats from Siem Reap leave from the floating village of Chong Kneas near Phnom Krom, south of Siem Reap. The boats dock in different places based on the time of the year; when the lake recedes in the dry season, both the port and floating village move with it. I imagine this may make it harder to find. Therefore; my trusty rental and I make our way back via road. After phnom Penh it's another 175km back to Thialand.

After the Khmer Rouge genocide, Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Rural areas of Cambodia still face severe poverty, lack of health care, and low levels of education, economic opportunity, and resources. Sustainable Cambodia works with sponsors to make a huge difference in the lives of these deserving families in the villages to help them achieve sustainability and self-sufficiency through wells, irrigation systems, schools, training and empowerment. 

This is our group "Ride Cambodia" at the School sposored by so many including a group of Rotarians.  We were all delighted to meet the students and learn more about their daily lives.



To learn more about this organization go to: http://www.sustainablecambodia.org/

On the road to Pursat

On the road to Pursat Cambodia, you will encounter some strange things.  Take this for instance.  Here's a woman taking a break from her ride.  Do you see her monkey on her bike?  I'm not even sure this bike runs, it could be she just pushes it along the road - To Each His Own

Then my riding buddies and I stopped for an icy treat on a hot day.  Looks like even the monkeys were hot.  While enjoying our ice cream along comes this female monkey. She climbed up one arm and down the other to steal my ice cream- RIGHT OUT OF MY HAND. 
My father-In-Law always said "Damn the women, they never can be easy".

Mechanical Repairs

Unexpected Vehicular Repairs in a foreign country can be stressful and costly.  So imagine my concern when my rented Baja 250 broke down on the side of a road recently in Siem Reap Cambodia, not far from Angor Wat.

While I didn't expect AAA I am sure the Cambodians have had to complete roadside repairs before.  This is what I got - Five expert Bike Mechanics, a new relay and the bike was road ready in under an hour.

While I would like to say the repair was priceless, it actually cost a total of $10.00 US.  Gotta love it!

Angkor Wat is the largest Hindu temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world. The temple was built by a Tamil king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura the capital of the Khmer Empire. The Khmer is the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Budhist.

Sadly on the way there, my riding partner, Gary ended up with a flat. Luckily we were able to find a bike shop to repair it. Note the nice bike stand!

Siem Reap

13.35615 latitude, 103.85885 longitude The capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia is Siem Reap, and is the gateway to Angkor region. Siem Reap has colonial/Chinese-style architecture. There is the Old French Quarter, and an Old Market. It is a busy and populated city with craft shops, silk farms, rice-paddies in the countryside, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near the large Tonle Sap Lake. We are now on the door step of the Angor Wat Temple and looking forward to getting into the old city. We've been starting out on our rides early to get some mileage in before the heat of the day gets to us. Grateful to have taken my backpack waterbladder because water sources are not always trustworthy here.

In Kampong Cham 11.99171,105.46487

Cambodia Calling

On Sunday January 13th I set out of Phnom Pen Cambodia on a rented Honda Baja 250.  This is considered a "large" bike by Cambodian Standards.  I am riding with a small group of Americans along the Mekong River riding toward Kampong Cham (11.99171,105.46487).   We are heading North toward the Angor What Temple.  Needless to say the more remote our locations become, the less internet access availability becomes

nbsp; I will do my best to upload photos as I ride.


Like us on Facebook and learn more about Ride for Cambodia on facebook. Keep tuned for more updates.

YES! That's what you think it is! A big bucket of bugs!

The Road is long

The road is long and winding...............and that's the way I like it.  Over 5,600 miles and great weather for the most part.  I couldn't have asked for warmer weather, or I guess I could have, but I don't think I would have.  The high 90's and 100 degrees were more than enough for me.  Great roads and good company so all was good. I will do my best to post some really great videos that I took while riding out west ASAP.  Here's some photos for now.

Rocky Mountain National Park........ taking a break.

Cool poto just before the rain (and the cooler weather)

The Direction I'm heading in - checkout this great Ridgeline..........

CAMPY

CAMPY

The BMW Club of Colorado has been hosting the Top Of The Rockies Rally for 41 years!  I'm excited to be here.  Held in the City Park of Paonia, Colorado, our setting couldn't be more perfect.  The Weather is also cooperating.  Sadly the Canyon Mixer Ride which features twistys and canyons, was cancelled due to the Wildfires.

However we got some riding in and congratulations to my riding buddies Fred and Irene who received the award for longest distance traveled to the Rally - They started in Maine, I guess if there was an award for second, I could be in the running.  But there isn't an award for second.  (Close only counts in hand gernades).

The Vistas in Vermont are great, but in Colorado the views from The Ridges are AWESOME.

And of course there's the local "traffic"  Check out this photo taken in an Aspen Grove today.

Heading out on Sunday for Laramie, Wy then onto Sturgis to see One-Eyed Jacks Saloon.  We have some friends there, and I'm excited to eat a buffalo steak!  Plus, One-Eded Jacks has the cleanest Biker Bar Bathrooms in the World!

Stay tuned..............

Top O The Rockies Rally 2012

I'm heading out to a Rally in Colorado. I left Vermont early last Saturday with friends, Fred and Irene from Maine. By the end of the first night, we were in Perrysburg Ohio. We made great time and the weather was on our side.

Here I am on the Road with Fred, photo credits go to Irene.

 A quick shot of Irene and Fred in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

We drove from Ohio through Illionois and ended up in Adel, Iowa, then onto Nebraska before crossing into Colorado.  The elevation in Colorado helped with the warm temps!

We've been busy

Sorry - you have probably noticed we've been too busy to post lately. My Father has been ill, so we have been spending some time in Florida with him.


Check out this article on his clinic (this is not him in the photo). http://www.wpmobserver.com/news/2010/sep/15/acupuncture-clinic-offers-relief/

Hoping to be back posting soon..................stay tuned

Spartanburg SC - BMW Factory

We took a trip to The BMW Factory in Spartanburg a few years ago to take an MOA advanced Riders Course.  Here's a quick video clip from that class.  Look close, you have to ride between the small cones, circle the large cone, ride over a plank of wood (without falling off)  - pick up a small cone off the large cones and transferr it - Well you will get the idea.

I am very sad to report the passing of a dear friend and fellow rider.  Dave Segal, who I count among my riding friends, sadly passed away last night.  Dave, I hope we meet again, may you rest in peace.

A new adventure..........

Travel by Dogsled..............

Join me.

Here we are all harnessed up and ready to go. On the trail, Demios, our single leader (weighing in at 76 lbs) leads our team!

Winter is nature's way...............

Winter is Nature's Way of

Telling you to Polish!
This one is not mine, but it looks similar - My bike has a rear pillion seat and a leather saddle and a cafe windshild.
NICE RIDE !

The New Adventure Bike

Yamaha  WR250R.  They are calling it "The New Adventure Bike".  In 2008 Yamaha began to manufacture this  model of their dual-sport line. Capable enough to ride on the road or off. While it's comfortable to sit on, the WR250R encourages you to get up on the pegs and push the bike to it's limits--which are surprisingly high for a Japanese dual-sport.  Its versatility comes from some big bike features that enhance its great off-road manners.  A wide 6 speed transmission, fuss free fuel injection that here is connected to a FMF programmer.  For accessory junkies the alternator puts out over 350 W @5K rpm ... more than the BMW F800 twin!!

Fortunately there are some great aftermarket tanks available to extend the modest stock tank from Safari and IMS.

 

The WR250R has slightly shorter legs, though the components themselves are as feature-laden as the ones on race bikes. The 46mm inverted KYB cartridge fork offers both compression- and rebound-damping adjustability with 10.6 inches of travel, a bit less than the 11.8 on the WR250F.

In the rear a Soqi shock (a subsidiary of Yamaha that manufactures the shocks found on some of the high-end sport bikes like the R1) is adjustable not only for preload, compression and rebound, but it lets you vary the ride height. Travel at 10.6 inches, at the seat -  that’s 36.6 inches tall.

If you’re, say, 5-foot-4 or less (like my wife who I know will want to try this one out) you may want to play with the ride height (and don’t forget to lower the fork legs in the aluminum triple clamps at the same time or else chassis geometry goes to pot).  

Still too high, take heart, if it's still too high - try one of these.  YAMA LINKS  .  Yamaha WR250R, 250X & Super Trail riders of all heights & ability agree this Yamaha lowering link is a "MUST HAVE" for its tremendous increase in traction & improved handling. Gain almost 2 inches closer to the ground (when combined with stock lowering option).

  

And yes, I've carved out just enough room in my garage to fit one in!  Arrived yesterday  I've got the upgraded light on the back and it's detailed to the max. 

Now if spring would just arrive!!!

 

Took some time in Kauai

I was lucky enough to spend a week in Hawaii recently. Above is a waterfall on the Waimea River island of Kauaii

 Famous Wakkiki Beach - filled with surfers

The Beach at Point Poipu

Sunset is a big even on this point everynight

God lives here............

DYNOMITE

While in South America, do as the South Americans will do.........

BOOM