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

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.......