My how things change...

I wont dive into all the details but a lot has changed since the new year. Due to a lack of funds I have canceled my trip. Maybe next year. Now for the big news... Since January Lori and I have been eating right, working out, and doing the right things to improve our health. Lori has lost 20 pounds and has gone from sedentary life and having to use a wheel chair to get around to being able to walk now and even thinking of walking a 5K. I have gone from not being able to climb a flight of stairs to running in 2 5K's and training for a half marathon in September. Its crazy how this has changed my life. I love it and cant believe I didnt do this sooner. I'm not sure what I was thinking but I joined onto a team that is training for the half marathon. It is so awesome to have others that are like minded and motivated to train with. It really helps. So here's the deal, I am going to try to use this as a journal of my training. Not sure how well its going to work but what the heck, its worth a shot. So later for now. I gotta go rub my calfs.

It's all about the tile...

There I was, minding my own business when all of the sudden the bathroom exploded. Ok, so actually the shower surround was falling apart and needed replaced. I was just putting it off as long as I could. Well it wouldn't wait any longer. After pulling the old surround off I realized that the old plaster walls around the tub needed to be removed as well. So the demolition began. Then Lori decided she wanted a shelving unit removed on one wall too. Once demoed and cleaned up I had to put up a layer of drywall, then a layer of cement backer board so it would all match the existing plaster walls. We chose our tile and a medallion so it'd be pretty. Then Lori throws me another wrench and wants it turned at an angle. I have to admit I am glad she did because it actually looks pretty good. Cutting the holes in the tile was a real pain. A dipshit told me a rotozip tool would cut all the holes I needed with no problem. Well it cut a huge hole in my hand by my thumb. It's lucky I can even use my thumb now. Anyway got it all done and it looks pretty dang good if I do say so myself.
OK, now on to the motorcycle talk. In thinking about communication on the bike with both a passenger and others I have decided to get a pair of Scala G4 bluetooth units. It will allow me to have intercom with passengers, other riders, and have my tunes and other things come in through my iPhone. I have enjoyed riding with my inner earphones but they get a little annoying after 6 hours. The Scala has good reviews and meets all my needs. Some say that having the ability to talk to others while riding ruins the experience. And to a point I agree, however have a little communication does make it nice for making decisions about places to stop and such. I am also hoping to be able to take a special person for a ride soon and I think being able to talk and show her places and tell her about where we are at and such will make it a better experience for her. I hope so anyway.
I have a few other projects that need done around the house before I go. I think I'm going to build a shed/shop. Then do some decluttering. I have been so dang sick the last couple of weeks that I'm amazed I was able to finish the tile job. It'll all come together though.
I need to get a chain and sprockets, and fork seals done. Those are the must do. The rest is preventative maintenance but I want to get it all done just the same. I think it will help make the trip better. As well as getting my fat out of shape tail in shape. Thats about the hardest part.
Well I guess thats about enough rambling for now. Keep it rubber side down!

Lets get started... sorta...

After a couple of weeks without writing anything I realize just how much dedication it takes to keep up with a blog. There is either to much to do to type or nothing to type about.

I spent the last couple of weeks doing pretty much nothing with the bike. I have however done some plowing with my quad. I also rolled it once. Messed up my ribs, neck, and wrist. No big deal it will all heal. I was goofing around and got sideways to fast and hit a dry patch. It reminded me just how easy and fast an accident can happen. I was so careful on the trip north. I will need to do the same for the trip south.

My other little issue has been causing me fits again. I thought it was doing good but it has flared up again. I don't think it will cause me any trouble for the trip but you never know. I'm also a bit worried about the misses. Her face has been getting more numb more often now. So far all her symptoms are pointing to MS.

All the crap aside I was able to clean out my tiny little work room. It is just barely big enough to fit the bike in so I can get working on it. I brought it in, put in on the jack, and pulled the bad chain off it. I saw several links that had lost the o-rings and a few that were almost seized up. Which was really frustrating because the chain only had about 5000 miles on it. The original had 20,000 miles on it. So I will replace both sprockets and the chain and I will spring for better quality for sure this time. It's crazy when I look at the bike. All the modifications, adjustments, maintenance I have done to it. And even more amazing is where it has taken me and it hasn't even complained once. It's going to get some needed babying before the spring riding season hits.

The quad needs some too as well as the suburban, camp trailer, little pickup, house, blah blah blah.

Well I think that covers it for now. I will try to keep up better, perhaps I will blog my thoughts outloud so to speak about what upgrades and replacement gear and such.

Till next time...

The mind never stops planning...

The more I got to thinking about what needed done to the bike I remembered Brake pads, some aux power wiring, and maybe even a little painting. I knew I'd come up with more stuff.
I have been debating with myself as to the need to carry extra tubes. I'll run my favorite Kenda K270, 50/50 tires. They have always served well and done everything I have asked of them. There are enough places on the route I think I would be able to get a tube if I total one out. I hope anyway. I am debating as well shipping some road tires to swap out for the slab ride home. The only real reason would be because the knobbies can get a little buzzy on the slab.
I officially scheduled the time off from work, July 6 - 22. That should give me plenty of time to finish the ride. It's starting to sink in a little bit now. I am actually planning this trip. I remember when I left for Canada. It was so surreal. Even as I loaded up and pulled out of town it seamed like just another day ride. It didn't sink in until I had been on the road for a while.
Another question to mull over is helmet com. I wont be riding with anyone but the convenience of everything, phone, tunes, gps, cb, running through my helmet sounds pretty nice. The inner ear phones I wear now are comfortable and I wore them for the Canada trip but they can get annoying after a while. And Yes, I have to have tunes while riding.
Another thing I need is to get SPOT up and running again. I let it expire because I hadn't done any riding last year. SPOT will be a must for this trip. Not only so I can send both OK and SOS messages, but those that want to can follow along with its live tracking capabilities.
It seams funny to be thinking about this so much with 6 months time to go. But with life moving along, and everything else that needs attended to, my time will be stretched thin to be sure. And I'm going to need several training rides as well.
Each day that passes is one day closer to departure.

Planning Planning Planning

It's rather amazing how much effort there is put into planning these types of trips. From bike preparation and maintenance to what tunes to listen to. One huge help has been from the Advrider.com forums. There are several ride reports there and some have the .gpx files for use in your gps. I downloaded one that has a compilation of tracks and waypoints from a few trips. What a time saver and huge bonus as it also shows sights to see along the way. That cut 2 months of mind cramping planning right there. Now I can just review and edit where needed.
The bike prep needs to start soon. I need to go over it with a fine tooth comb. It needs new fork seals, chain and sprockets, valve's checked, a good going over and greasing. I'm sure once I dive into it I'll fond more things needed. Time to clean out the workroom and bring the bike in so I can get started tearing it down.
Another thing that needs prepared is me. I have gained a few pounds and gotten rather sluggish in my old age. So a workout plan is in the works as well. Now where did I put that glass of V8?

The new year brings a new adventure...

With the new year I am planning to finish my continental divide ride. Beginning in July I plan to finish the trail through wy, co, nm, and home through az, ut, id. 3100 miles in total. I have a lot of planning and preparation to do beforehand.

Mobile posting test.

I'm thinking of starting this up again and I see there is a mobile option so I figure I'll test it and see how it works.

Almost there!!!

Tomorrow July 27th I will be able to visit Roosville port and then I will head to Polebridge and then Columbia falls. Its hard to believe I am this close to being done and turning around to head home.
I finally broke down and bought a night in a hotel in Kalispell. One of the first things I learned is that no matter how much planning you do, something will change.

I met a couple of guys doing the whole ride north to south. One was on a Honda XL650 and the other was on a Lime Green 06 KLR. It looked really familiar. LOL
They had stopped to fix a flat on the KLR and were just finishing when I rode up. They told me about a really bad section and advised that I avoid it. Not one to scoff at fate, I took their advise and later that night I worked out a different route.
I was going to spend my first night at the Canvas Cafe / Jeff Davis lodge. When I got there after riding all day and doing 260 miles I found that they had closed up. Hmmmm, Now what. I decided to ride to Banock state park and camp there. It was actually really nice.
276 miles for the day.

Day 2
WOW, It sure takes a while to pack up. Especially when I was tired and moving slow. I was up early, made oatmeal for breakfast and leisurely packed up. I was shocked when it took almost 2 hours. I need to get better at this.
I routed around the bad section but was able to ride some really awesome roads. Mostly paved but really great non the less.
I made my way to a Good Sam campground in Helena. Having a covered tent site and showers and a flushing terrlet was really nice. It even had a power outlet so I was able to charge the laptop, GPS, phone and iPod. I know, its a lot of stuff but I could not have done this without the GPS, family wouldn't let me go without a phone and having tunes is a must for me. The laptop, could have done without but times like this its really nice. I am able to pull my track log for each day and save it as well as use mapsource and streets and trips to figure routes. Its working really well so far.
208 miles for the day.

Day 3
I was up at about 7:30 and packed up in good time (1hr 30 min) including another morning shower. I gassed up the night before so all I had to do was hit the road. I routed around the bad section and picked up the route on Stemple Pass rd. I took it to Seeley lake. What a great road. All dirt but it was graded and in really good condition. I also got to ride some really nice slab out of Seeley lake. I landed in a motel in Kalispell. Having a real bed, internet, AC, and a TV. WOW I feel like im in heaven. I even splurged and grabbed Pizza Hut for dinner. No boiling water and having freeze dried tonight!!!
I called ahead to Columbia Falls and found a campground that has nice tent sites with showers and such. My plan is tomorrow I will go from Kalispell to Roosville Port. From Roosville, after taking a trophy photo, I will take the trail route to Polebridge for one of the famous sweet rolls. From there I will push on to columbia falls to the campground. Spend the night and then do going to the sun highway in Glacier and back to Columbia falls for another night. Then I will truly begin the trip home.
Im excited to get there. Im so close I can almost feel it. But I also cant wait to get back home. I miss my family and there truly is no place like home.
I would have uploaded photos but I forgot a card reader and the camera has a plug all its own. (how lame is that?) Oh well, it will give you something to look forward to.
I plan on doing a full trip report when I get home.
210 miles for the day

Things I've learned so far, I brought way to much stuff!!!! If I really tried I could lighten my load quite a bit.
The bike is running great and handling the load but I sure can tell its loaded. The first part, the rail road trail from Warm River realy beat me and the bike up. Long, straight and large whoops. What a pain in the whole body!
I found a small hole that got worn into the edge of my saddle bags. It hasnt gotten any worse so I think its going to be fine. Im not doing that damed part again.

Good dress rehearsal for more trips!!!

T-Minus 15 hours...

So I packed everything up and loaded it onto the bike, Checked it over again, cleaned and lubed the chain, checked tire pressure, and anything else that I could think of. I must admit that I am getting a little nervous and excited. Am I ready for this? Can I handle 12 – 14 days on the bike? Do I have what I need? I guess there is only one way to find out and I will put myself to the test first thing in the morning.
I found it interesting that a few months ago I felt like I had more time than I needed to get ready, now with the deadline fast approaching I feel pressured and rushed.

My family is being very supportive. They all know how much I love to ride and how much I am looking forward to this trip. The kids are being kids; trying to be playful and helpful at the same time. I’m sure I am going to miss them. No matter how frustrated I get with them, they are fun and entertaining to have around.

Well its time for Dinner, Hamburgers!!! Then some final inspections and then its early to bed.

Getting Ready

On July 24th, 2008 I am embarking on the northern part of the Continental Divde Ride. I am doing that part of the trail that is in Idaho and Montana. I have planned for alot more time than the ride will actually take; but I want to take my time and really enjoy the trip.
I am planning on camping for the whole trip except for a couple of nights at motels to get a good shower and do laundry. I have planned for 14 days as to give me plenty of time to go sight seeing if I choose. Maybe even take a day or 2 and just rest. I'll see what happens.


I am doing this trip solo. It is in part a soul searching, pondering, resting, and adventure trip all wrapped into one. The first for me of what I hope to be many more.
Those that dont have a passion for motorcycling or adventure touring have a hard time grasping the reasons I want to do this. When I talk about doing this or other trips I get many different responses.

There are those that say I'm crazy. Those that say they wish they were going with me. Those that say they dont have time. Those that say they cant afford it.
Its all a state of mind. I am crazy, just not stupid. Lots of planning and practicing will hopefully see me through.
I didnt have the time to go either, but I decided to make it. Do I have the time not to go?
I cant afford the trip either. But can I afford not to go. Its amazing how saving your pennies can add up.
And finally, can I afford to give up the peace of mind and serenity that comes from being astride your motor, twisting the throttle with nothing between me and mother nature.

So after several months of planning its all finaly comming together. I think I finally have all my gear ready. It sure looks like alot when you scatter it out all over the place.

(click on photo to see full size)



I thought it would be heavier than this.




I still have alot to get ready; going through and packing it all up and sorting and removing buly packaging. Im sure I'll take some out and probably add stuff, but thats how it goes.

I have gone over my bike and I belive it to be eager, willing and ready as ever.
My bike is a 2006 Kawasaki KLR650. For this trip I outfitted it with Kenda K270's. I know there are those that dont like them; however this is my second set and they really fit my riding style well. I chose Nelson Rigg CL850 saddle bags. They are built very well and are huge! I really like them.




I changed the oil and filter today, cleaned and oiled the air filter, lubed the chain and again checked it over. I think its more ready than I am. LOL

I am hoping to be able to update this on a nightly basis but that will depend largely on internet access.

5 days and counting!!!