Back in the Swing of Things

I think the title says it all. I am back at it full-time. I am working a lot. I am in a new agency as well as teaching some. Plus other stuff. So, all of those fun things combined with my own school work is keeping me busy. Some days it feels overwhelming. I feel like I want to run away and join the circus.

But, then I get a second wind, and go for another day. Of course, my circus looks more like this:

Ah, yes, the joys of the open road. I spent a few years on the road and enjoyed almost every moment of it. Then, I had to get de-toxed from the road. Being 'out there' is almost like a drug. I felt free and like I was living 'outside of life.' That was nice. Now, though, I feel everything pressing in on me from all directions and just want to take a break for a while. I might. We'll see.

But, for now, all keeps moving along. Nothing extremely exciting and nothing noteworthy to mention. Just more work and little pay and lots of stress. I guess on the good side we are getting "new" bathrooms in the house. I guess that is good....although the ones in the house were working, just one faucet was dripping, so they decided to fix it....and a new toilet, new floor, etc..

Til later,

Wyoming Trip, Part IV

This was our last day on the road, but we didn't know it when we left Dodge City. We slept late and went by Front Street in Dodge. I bought a t-shirt and some gifts for the teens at church. They should worry!!

Then, we were off across Kansas. All I've got to say is that it is better than Nebraska. That is, until we got to Wichita. We were detoured off the highway by several of Kansas' finest. Then, we had to work our way through the city to get back on the 4 lane. This was not fun. Finally, back on the interstate and oops....off on a toll road. Now, this is fun on a bike. So, we stopped at an Oasis where we gassed up and got money out for the toll. When we exited, I made a wrong turn and and to flip back around. More good times.

Then, off across the state...were we passed through Greensburg, home of the World's Largest Hand Dug Well...or what's left of it after the tornado...

We stopped in Springfield, MO for a nice Japanese dinner and then it was off for St. Louis. We arrive home around 11:30....after 14.5 hours on the road. Exhausted, smelly, and ready for a soft bed.

Total miles for today: 639.6

Total miles for trip: 1994.8

Wyoming Trip, Part III

Day 3
Today we woke up extra early...I wanted to get the bike loaded and get outta there while it was cool and damp. My hopes were that the bike would run better in those conditions. So, at 5:45 we pulled out of Cheyenne. The bike was still running slow and rich, but we made it out of town. We had to stop 2 times in Cheyenne to re-bungie the bags.

About 14 miles out of town, we had lost enough elevation that the bike was beginning to purr like a kitten. We rode 104 miles before stopping for fuel in Sidney, NE. We were able to get 87 octane there, so we knew that we were out of the higher elevations.

We rode on to North Platte, NE where we enjoyed a nice Taco John's lunch. We gassed up again and this time put 2 gallons in our portable tank, just in case. Now, it was off across the rugged plains of Nebraska. Oh what joy. Road construction everywhere.

We found a Casey's General Store where we gassed again. Then, the GPS went off kilter. We came upon an intersection and I was not sure which way to go, as the roads were not on the GPS. So, I made a guess...and was right. However, I didn't know how far we had to go to find more gas. I knew that when we came to I70 we would find gas. So....we came upon a sign that said "Cold Beer, Food, Gas" and so we stopped. For at least 2 of the 3. After a brief respit, (and an adventure of buying gas from a co-op) we were off again. In 25 miles, we were on I70 and at a real gas station.

We headed south to Garden City and then to Dodge City. We found that there are many bumps on the KS roads (but also a lot of construction!!). We pulled into the Super 8; showered, and walked to the DQ for dinner. Nice long, safe day.

Total miles today: 445.5

Wyoming Trip, Part II

On Tuesday, we woke up early and packed the bike. I thought that if we got up early, the air would be a bit more damp and cool. This being the case, I hoped that the bike would run better (remembering such things from my flying days!). So, at 5:45 AM, we were bungied up and on the road. Not a half-mile down the road, the bag on the back of the bike came loose. So, we pulled over and re-bungied it. Off we went again. No sooner had I turned onto a viaduct than the bag came loose again. Wilma held on to it while attempting to stay on the bike for about a mile. We found a gas station and pulled in to gas up and re-bungie.

Soon, we were out of Cheyenne for good. About 14 miles down the road, the bike began to run much smoother. Hmmm....probably less than 500ft elevation made a huge difference.

We kept going to around North Platte, NE. We pulled into a Taco John's for lunch and gassed up at a Shell station. It was at this time, since we were beginning to go cross-country that we filled our portable gas can with about 2 gallons of extra gas. And we were off across Nebraska.

Wyoming Trip

Well, our Wyoming trip was interesting to say the least. We did not make it to Yellowstone or even the Grand Tetons. The reason was the elevation. Our bike has a carburetor instead of being electronic fuel injected (EFI) and as such, needs to be re-jetted for higher elevations. So, we rolled into Cheyenne and the bike was getting too much fuel and not enough air. Here is a day by day play...

Day 1 (Sunday) 
We left St. Louis around noon, (after church). We geared up with CE armored pants and leather jackets. We had full-face helmet and leather gloves and boots. We rode out I70 to Kansas City and encountered the ever-present traffic problems. (I hate KC!!!). We then turned north through St. Joseph and into Iowa and Nebraska. We finally stopped for the night in York, NE. We met some fellow-travelers at Super 8 who gave us a coupon for a $50 room. Asked if we were headed to Sturgis. We said that we were headed for Yellowstone. All in all, a good day. Rode 494.6 miles today. Dinner was McDonalds.

Day 2 (Monday)
We rode across the Great Plains today. How do I know this? By the signs that I saw that told me so. Saw the
Great Platte River Road Archway Monument. Would have liked to stop...but we had a destination. We battled fierce cross-wind all day. I thought I was going to wear the left side of my tires out leaning into the wind all day. We rode about 10-11 hours. All in the wind. All westward. Finally, we crossed into Wyoming. We filled with gas and rode on to Cheyenne. There, once again was a Super 8 night. We paid $139 plus tax for that room. It was time of the great Frontier Days in Cheyenne, so they were taking the tourists for all they could. Talk about highway robbery. Oh well, I guess it is capitalism at its best (or worst). We un-bungied all of our stuff and checked into the room.

Somewhere in Nebraska

Same Place

Same Place

The bike was not running too good. So, after Wilma ordered pizza and we stuffed ourselves, I went to the lobby to check our elevation. Cheyenne is at 6067 feet. WOW!  Our bike did not like that. It belched black smoke, ran slow, and smelled like gas. Hmmm....it was flooding. So, too much gas and not enough air. What do to? Yellowstone is higher. So, it was time to rethink our plan. Definitely could not go any higher. Rats!!! No national parks. But we kept hearing about bear attacks, so maybe this was not so bad. Today was a short day mileage wise: only 415.10 miles. We stopped for fuel 5 times. Mostly for our bottoms to rest. However, we noticed after we gained some elevation that the mileage on the bike dropped from around 38mpg to around 30-31mpg. Not good. Luckily, we had an anti-gremlin device given to us by our buddy Rick Statler.

Even caught a gremlin!!

All is Ready

I think that we have finally bought everything that we are going to for our vacation this year. And here I thought it was going to be a cheap vacation!

Here is a list of what we are taking (photo to follow later):
1-Motorcycle cover
1-Package cigarette lighters
1-Slime tire tackle repair kit
1-Rubber cement
1-Slime "Tire Top Off" inflater
1-Box "AA" batteries
2-Camp towels
1-Repel (40% Deet) 8.125oz
1-Repel (100% Deet) 1oz
2-Emergency blankets
1-Pack "Wet Ones"
2-Small toothpaste
4-Disposable razors
1-Pack Campers Toilet Paper
1-"Turtle" pocket tool
7-Glo light stycks
1-First Aid Kit
1-Pepto Bismol tablets (30 ct) ....ya nefer know!! :)
1-Old Spice Body Wash
1-Rinse Free shampoo (8oz)
1-Camp soap (4 oz)
2-No rinse shampoo (2 oz each)
2-No rinse body ways (2oz each)
2-Hand Sanitizer
1-Shampoo
1-Lotion
2-Shampoo (hotel size)
1-Mini Mag Light
1-Coleman LED lantern
1-3 person tent
2-sleeping bags
1-2 gallon gas can
--Assorted tools
1-Duck tape (always!!...Learned from my Aunt Wanda!!)
2-Boxes Granola bars
30-Zippered plastic bags (gallon size)
2-Passports
2-Rainsuits

We are packing everything either in the saddlebags, trunk, or one of three rain-proof bags from Bass Pro. We found the boat bags to be the best deal...waterproof and reasonable in price. We first went to Dick's Sporting Goods to find them, but they did not have any. One older worker there suggested to my wife that she go to Bass Pro. It is good to know that there are still good people out there who place doing the right thing above making a buck.

Tomorrow, the plan is to pack what we can (sleeping bags, saddle bags, etc...). This is a picture of the stuff that we are taking....minus clothes, personal items, and sleeping bags.

This is gonna be fun.....heck, it already is fun!!!

Closer and Closer

Our motorcycle vacation to the West is getting closer. On Friday I will post pictures and a list of things we are taking. This should be a fun experience (posting things, etc...).

We are getting more and more committed to going into Canada to Banff and Jasper National Parks. Glacier is a definite now. Yellowstone looks like a resting place. Too many people there. And I want to get away from peeps! Just Wilma, me, and the bike. Yep. A true vacation.

As far as the Alaska trip. Well, we are thinking this one through. We may go with a larger bike such as the Yamaha Stratoliner. It is air cooled, (I like that!) and has fuel injection (also good). Plus, I can get a better bike for less $$ than a Goldwing. So, a couple of years out. We'll see what happens. I like the Stratoliner because it is a Yamaha and because it comes in at 1900cc's. Big is good.

Of course, if  I had my druthers, I'd have a bike like this:

18 Days and Counting

I am counting down by days...will be hours shortly! I have 10 days left before we go on our mission trip to Colorado. That week will fly by....then motorcycle trip here we come!!!

I have been reading websites to find out what is "out there" that I want or need to know about. But, other than campsites, I think I'll just let the road unfold in front of me.  The only part of the trip that I dread is the heat in the Midwest as we leave St. Louis. I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures in the mountains and the challenge that riding in the mountains will bring. I am also looking forward to turning off the phone and not having a computer for a couple of weeks.

Now, for the Alaska trip....we are seriously considering purchasing our first KLR650. I think what makes me nervous is that once we purchase the bike, we are one step closer to really making the trip. Suddenly it becomes less fantasy and more reality.

We have thought about riding the Continental Divide next summer as primer for the Alaska ride. We are thinking if we can ride 2800 miles in the mountains then riding to Alaska will not be a problem. The website that really got me excited about the CDR is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0NMABAul-w&feature=related.

Not to Trailer

Alright. So, after doing some wicked internet research, I decided not to trailer. Several reasons popped up for this. First, the bike has a 458 lb. weight limit. I come in around 240 and my wife much smaller :)  So, even thought we and our luggage come in under the weight limit, adding a trailer would bounce us over the magic number. Plus, as one guy said on an undisclosed website, "If you need a trailer, you're carrying too much stuff. Travel light. Travel fast."  Good advice. So, no trailer for the V Star 1100.

Speaking of this bike, what to name her is the question of the day? Our old GPS was "Maggie" after the Simpsons character (and it was a Magellan). Our new GPS is "Midge" after what Moe calls Marge. (It too is a Magellan). So, now the bike needs a name (one that preferably I can use in public and around polite company...if ya know what I mean!!).

I was also concerned with the altitude. The bike has a carburetor and is not electronically fuel injected. So, after once again doing copious internet research, I found that my only problem should be a fall of of power over 9,000 feet in elevation.  That said, it shouldn't be too bad even then. Plus, we won't be at elevation for too long at a time. So...only time will tell about that.

We did some more shopping today. Got some tire repair stuff and a portable tire pump that will work off the power port we have. Also got a small LED lantern, some more bungee cords, a camp hatchet, some lighters, and other odds and ends. I think we are getting close to being ready!

To Trailer or Not to Trailer

I know that when we do the trip to Alaska, we will pull some type of camper behind the bike. But, the question of the day is: Do I invest in a trailer for this summer's trip? I have found a local trailer for a very reasonable price. I do not have a hitch, ball, or wiring. But, I know that I could have those in by this weekend and have time to have them installed. So, the question is, do I do it or not?

Advantages: can carry more stuff (like camp chairs, more clothes, etc...); keep the bike more balanced; able to lock most everything up.

Disadvantages: Can carry more stuff; more cost; lower fuel mileage.

So, I don't know. If my wife is agreeable, I may plunge ahead and get one.

A Bit More

I realized that I left out some really good information about myself and the trip. First, I am a PhD student and hope to take the trip as soon as I finish my coursework and before I hit the dissertation full-on. I think 4-5 weeks away before I start serious research would be a healthy break for me. So, that makes this trip look like perhaps the summer of 2012...just a few months before the end of the world. I guess then, if I'm gonna make a trip like this, doing it before the world ends is a good thing.

I have been to Alaska before. In 2007 my wife and I, along with her parents, drove the Alaska Highway. It was a good trip, but I still want to do it on a motorcycle. Take my time and see the sights and smell the smells (and run from bears, and...well, you get the picture). 

We are excited about our test trip to the West this summer. I have thought about, and may, go into Canada just so I can get the experience of crossing the border on a motorcycle. Plus, then I can say that I have ridden in two countries. 

I do love me some Canada!!!!!

Test Run This Summer

Well, this summer we are taking off on our first long motorcycle trip. In essence, this is to get us ready for the long trip to Alaska. We will be going from our house to at least Yellowstone National Park. Google tells me that it's about 1300 miles one way. That's a bit over 25% of the way to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. I think this will be a good test run for us. Of course, we will be using a different bike when we go to Alaska and will have some type of tent trailer or something like that to pull behind us to sleep in and to store all the stuff we need.

So far, we have spent quite some $$ getting ready for this trip. However, from reading all the blogs of others, I know that you do not want to go on a motorcycle trip unprepared. So, in the coming couple of weeks, I will list everything we are taking as well as take a picture of everything before we pack and after we pack.

Hang on, this should be fun!!


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The Start of the Adventure

Hi. My name is John. I am planning a motorcycle trip to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. I do not have a firm date set yet, but it will probably be at least two years. I think it will take that long to plan. So, you have the enjoyment of following my rambling thoughts as I get prepared for the trip.

I plan to take four weeks (maybe most of 5) off work for this trip. I will ride from St. Louis, Missouri to Prudhoe  Bay, Alaska. This trip is approximately 4,300 miles each way. I am thinking about what motorcycle I will need to take on this trip. If I do not take a KLR650, I will rent one in Fairbanks for the Haul Road portion of the trip.

I would like to take a larger bike with a pull-behind camper so I can stay along the Alaska Highway.

I also think I would like to do the ride for a charity. I am considering charities now. So, if you read this and you know a charity who would like to work with me, please contact me. I have some time, but I think it would be great to do this, get sponsors and raise some money and awareness for a need.

Until next time....