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

Christmas greeting

December from 328 Stories on Vimeo.

This is from Vinmeo...watch till the end...

I've been busy

I know it sounds like an excuse, but really, it's the truth.  A photo safe came from my buddy Keith who I traveled to South America with.  As if I didn't take enough photos, we now have copies from Keith, and our other friends in Austrailia, Jacques and probably a few more.  I've been trying to catagorize these.............. But trust me, you will be impressed.

Had to Share

Take a look.



The Sea Lions



I've been preparing

While it sounds like a lame excuse, I've been preparing.   I just received a "photo safe" containing multiple photos and videos that I didn't have room for on my ipad while traveling.

So, thanks for your patience, I promise the ride report of South America will be well worth your wait!

Until then, think bikes...........................

I took a week off..............

No bikes, no work, just rest, relaxation and fun in the sun!

 My wife planned the trip and I didn't find out where we were going until we arrived at the airport!

 The biggest joke was the Argentinian Steak house - I just left Argentina a few weeks ago and had my fill of Argentina steaks!!

 Obviously the low season for Cancun Mexico, but we had the beach to ourselves and the water temp was perfect.  Low crowds meant excellent service at the resort, but brutal all out assualts in the Mexican Market places!

 Big Sky, big seas and a good time!

 This picture says it all.

The view from our balcony, I miss it already.

Serious about riding?

I take all riding very seriously..............................

But sometimes others don't take my riding seriuosly.......................

Honda 70cc

Group Photo from the Andean Highlights Tour

Enjoy!

Still working on perfecting the photos - too many to mention.
9000KM + on the ride.......

USHUAIA, Argentina

Or, the end of the earth
Ushuaia is the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego. It is commonly regarded as the southernmost city in the world. Ushuaia is located in a wide bay on the southern coast of the island of Tierra del Fuego, bounded on the north by the Martial mountain range and on the south by the Beagle Channel. Its population is estimated today at about 64,000 (people) and double that population in sea lions and penguins!

View Larger Map

At this point, we can't go any further south without a boat and some really good cold weather gear. So, tomorrow we start our journey back up north! When I get home, I promise to post a boat load of photos. All is good, and when the wind isn't blowing us off the road, the riding is grrrrreat!

Keep watching for updates

Santa Cruz, Argentina PATAGONIA

View Larger Map

 PATAGONIA

If you don't have Google Earth...............get it for this picture alone.

I'm in Santa Cruz - near the glacier (If you have Google Earth, you can see the glacier on the satellite picture).

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=-50.47536,-72.98111&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=-50.47536,-72.98111&spn=0.073196,0.243416&t=h&z=12

The Glaciar Perito Moreno - This huge icefield located in the Los Glaciares National Park in the south west of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. It is one of the largest tourist attractions in Patagonia.

The 250 km2 (97 sq mi) ice formation, and 30 km (19 mi) in length, is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian. This Ice Field located in the Andes system is shared with Chile. It is the world's third largest reserve of fresh water.

Aside from the wonderful scenery, the riding has been great!  Tough, but great, aside from multiple flats per day, we seem to be muddling through.

This is a wonderful Adventure, I hope you keep following along, the best is yet to come.

PUCON CHILE

PUCON CHILE

The Structured part of the tour is over and sadly we said our good-byes on Friday night. The four of us set out early Saturday catching one of the famous South American Busses to pick up new rental bikes. Here we are back in Pucon Chile. Here's a picture of me with the famous steaming Volcano Villarrica (2,847m), towering menacingly over Pucón. It looks like my brain is smoking!

Meanwhile, yes we are still eating like kings!

Here's the link to video of the DYNAMITE FLYING TIRE EXPERIMENT -   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHltb_XFv44&feature=youtube_gdata_player

(sorry I couldn't figure out the HTML Link) but watch the video, you will enjoy I swear!