Looking Ahead

My touring schedule for the year is starting to shape up.

I've decided to forgo my usual two week trip in favor of a couple of shorter tours.

If I can get the GS outfitted for distance riding (windshield and luggage rack) by the end of February, there is a big Dual Sport event near Big Bend. There is one unpaved road that I'd like to try, but I don't want to go overboard on DS riding just yet.

I'm planning an 11 day southwest tour in the first week of April. This trip will coincide with the Santa Barbara, CA wedding of a very good friend from college and the STN Region 2 meet in Alpine, TX. I'm currently routing to hit Death Valley and various national parks in Utah. I'm also hoping to schedule a meet up with some Bay Area friends during this trip.

The STN national meet is in June in Eureka Springs, AR. It's mid week, but only a day's ride away. I'm thinking that I'll probably work either monday or friday of that week. I definitely want to attend, but I don't want to take a lot of time off for this event.

In Fall (possibly September) I'm planning a one week (9 day) trip to New England. This may or may not include my attendance at CSTN (Central STN meet).

I'm in tentative talks with a few friends from STN to possibly do a fly/rent to Alaska in June or July. We'll see if that happens.

I'd also like to do Femmoto this year after missing last year. We'll see how finances work out when October rolls around.

As usual, nothing is set in stone until I'm out the door and on the road.

I Didn’t Do It!

Wash the bike, that is. Wild West Honda/BMW did. Aren’t they nice?

I dropped the R1200ST off at the Katy, TX dealer early this morning for new brake pads and a brake system bleed. While I was there, I purchased an oil filter and some new Teknic gloves.

A few hours later, I got a call; “You have some extra wiring and plumbing under the body work, so the labor costs will be a little higher than you were originally quoted.” Sheepishly, I said that was fine.

When I came back at 5:30pm to pick up the bike, the service manager remarked, “You’re a Rider.”

“Oh?” I said, “How can you tell?”

“Well, you have a whole lot of ‘stuff’ installed, and it’s obvious the bike only gets a bath when it rains. We washed off some very ancient dead bugs.”

I gave him my standard response, “Every bug is a Badge of Honor!” before paying and heading out to the parking lot to don my dusty, bug-gut streaked riding jacket and black helmet with white bunny ears.

Evening Ride

When I left work at 6:30 tonight, I fully intended to go home, have dinner with my family, and attack the R1200ST with a hose and bucket of warm soapy water.

When I was about halfway home, I realized that the evening was just too beautiful to waste. I decided that I would gear up and head into the city for the bike night at Ming’s Cafe.

Riding out of my neighborhood, seeing the sun still relatively high in the sky and enjoying the mild evening breeze flowing over me, I somehow found myself turning west on the highway instead of east into downtown.

I raced daylight up to Waller and FM362 where I followed a fellow motorcyclist off the highway. I passed him after a few turns and settled into the business of leaning my motorcycle. It took a few turns to warm up, but I quickly settled into the wonderful feel of setting up for a curve and then accelerating smoothly out.

By the time I hit my favorite close-to-home road, FM2979, I was feeling good. I slammed down the road in 3rd gear, the ST raging out of the corners. The road was lined with yellow and orange flowers, with the occasional stray bluebonnet. The pine trees along the road were casting lengthening shadows when I turned around to do a repeat heading east, away from the setting sun.

I try not to ride backroads at night, so my fun was essentially over at this point. I debated what to do next. I was too far from Montgomery to crash the meet there and too far from the city to have time to talk to people before needing to head home again.

I idly explored east on FM1488, rolling through Magnolia, TX before heading south on 249 to Tomball. Feeling hungry, I stopped at a chain restaurant in Tomball and enjoyed a strawberry lemonade and dinner accompanied by a book that I keep in my sidecase for times like this.

It’s been a long time since I’ve made time for an after-work ride like tonight’s. I can partly blame it on my overriding (pessimistic?) feeling that there isn’t anything close to my house that is truly worth a quickie ride...but the smile that I can’t seem to wipe off my face tonight emphatically says otherwise.

Roadside Assistance

When I got my license to drive at age 16, my parents handed me a AAA card along with the keys to the car. I vividly remember the first time I locked the keys into the car and had to wait an hour or so for the tow truck to come rescue me. A few of those experiences later and I was sold-for-life on having some kind of roadside assistance plan.

In September 2004 I found myself in Brady, TX with a broken motorcycle and no real plan. AAA (or at least the California version at that particular time) had no coverage for motorcycles, and I was roughly 2000 miles from home. Luckily, my parents lived half a day away, so Mom and Dad graciously wasted a day driving back and forth across Texas to rescue me, and then provided lodging for my Yamaha in their garage until I could drive back and retrieve it.

I was prepared in 2005. The AMA has a roadside assistance program called “Motow” for a little extra money on top of the membership fee. Happily, my mishaps in 2005 were minor or close to home and I never utilized the service. I dropped AMA membership after a year, mainly because I didn’t agree with many of their key lobbying issues (but that’s not a subject for this post).

My motorcycle roadside assistance needs were theoretically covered in 2006 by the plan provided by BMW with purchase of a new motorcycle. I am very thankful that I never needed the plan, because it covers shockingly little…

…which brings me to 2007… and a little matter of running over some lumber in the road. I was 115 miles from home. Through barest luck, my dad was around that weekend and able to drop what he was doing to drive 4 hours round trip to rescue me yet again.

But what if I’d been living on my own? What if Dad hadn’t been available? What if all my other truck-owning friends were out riding and thus unreachable?

For that matter, what if I’d been 1000 miles from home with a broken down bike? It’s happened before and it’s eminently possible that it will happen again, possibly even this summer while I’m out on one of my various tours.

As a frequent long-distance sport-tourer, motorcycle roadside assistance is something that has been on my mind many times in the past few years. I’ve done a lot of research on different plans and options. I’ve read countless discussions on various forums and mailings lists. I *think* I’ve found the best option.

KOA RVRoadhelp.

For about $80/year, you get unlimited towing to the nearest “capable service provider”. From every review I’ve read, unlimited really means unlimited. If you’re 200 miles from the nearest real town in the middle of Nevada, well, the towing is covered. No other plan (that I’ve seen at least) provides this level of service. The plan covers all your vehicles, not just the motorcycles.

It also includes a KOA Value Kard for discounted camping at KOAs. Some people may not ever use this, but it’s been something I’ve purchased pretty much every year for the past few years. I stay at KOAs often when on tour.

I’ve been putting it off, but I finally signed up this morning… so whatever happens (knock on wood) my 2007 summer touring season is covered.

2006 Year in Review

Time for another photostory.

2006 Year in Review

Cool and Crisp

This morning it was 54 degrees, with a clear blue sky and a light breeze. Perfect riding weather, eh?

I could just imagine bundling into my warm new winter gear, plugging in the Widder vest, flipping on the grip warmers, and heading out for an exciting adventure on the road.

Instead I mentally waved to my little sister, Amy. She departed this morning in her pick-up truck on a quick dash from Houston to San Luis Obispo, CA to get her belongings out of storage. She needs to be back by Turkey day, so it's not exactly a pleasure cruise at 1730 miles each way.

I'm still jealous. Did I say that I love road trips?

She called me while I was commuting to work in my truck to ask for advice about a bypass around San Antonio that her GPS is telling her to take.

No worries. Tomorrow morning's weather will likely be a repeat. And Tomorrow (singing: to-morrow!) I'll be loading up the R1200ST for a TWT tech day / campout / BBQ up north followed by a nice long riding day on Sunday as I head home with a detour through the piney woods.

So Jealous

My sister Amy recently decided to move from Idaho to Texas. My mother is helping her with the drive. She needs a bit of help, because she's bringing her bloodhound puppy and towing a trailer with two horses.

Yesterday morning I spent a few distracted hours visualizing them swooping through the Wasatch Mountains in Utah.

Right about now, they are somewhere in Nebraska or Kansas.

I'm so jealous. I love roadtrips. It's pathetic, really....but just being on one of the cross-country interstates makes me feel full of potential. Interstate 80....magical words. Interstate 10...do I really have to turn around now?

Are you in a rut?

From Bamarider's latest trip report (link in sidebar):

"I think folks go in a comfort zone, and get stuck in a "rut." I believe you have to break out of it to live a full life. Go to work, come home, rub the kids, eat, pass out in front of the TV each evening. Riding a motorcycle across America, solo, certainly qualifies as a means out of Rutville. Not always easy, lots of uncertainty, but NEVER boring, I can't measure how it has enriched my life the last few years.

Take a rat, put him in a cage, with no interaction with the outside world, and see how long he lasts.

If you long to ride cross country, but talk yourself out of it by, "I don't like being by myself, I get nervous when I'm too far from home, I might get wet, it gets too hot, what if I have a breakdown, and the list goes on- just go do it. All of those things might happen, and all on the same day, but so WHAT?" Overcoming those things will make you better, you will walk in some cafe in podunk and folks will feel your confidence in the air, anything bad I might get on the road is far exceeded by the enjoyment."

Reading this brought to mind several friends who WANT to go out on that great American road trip, but seem to keep finding reasons to postpone it. I firmly believe that you just need to throw all those thoughts away and GO! It'll always work out.

I've been reading Guy's trip reports for a few years now. They are wonderfuly detailed, with great pictures. Guy has somehow magically found a way to slow it down and talk to people while still getting some serious mileage in. He's retired and takes his ST1300 and R1200RT on frequent multi-day trips. His packing tips page has several great ideas that I've adapted.

My GPS has set me free.

I had an epiphany this evening as I swooped through the forest to get to a local bike night.

My GPS has set me free.

It used to be that I was locked into a predetermined route, too scared of getting lost to dare to explore. I rode along, encumbered by traffic and freaking out at the thought of missing my exit or making a wrong turn.

I know that some people can handle and even enjoy riding off into the complete unknown, but I never have. Always, I must have a plan.

Case in point:

My usual route to this particular bike night is straight up I45 with a left on Highway 105. It’s simple, easy, and absolutely boring. But it’ll get me there every time. I *know* this route.

The problem is that I45 is currently under construction between The Woodlands and Conroe. It narrows down to a very slow two lane that is torture on my clutch hand.

Tonight I decided to try something different. On a whim, I exited at 1488 and headed west. I knew that somewhere along that highway would be an opportunity to go north. I knew this because I had a dim recollection that I had crossed 1488 on a recent “fun” ride.

Sure enough, a few miles in I came to the intersection with Egypt-Honea Rd. I’d been on it before and I knew it was curvy and scenic. It wouldn’t get me all the way to Montgomery, but it would get me close and connect to a road that would.

Sure enough. I arrived safely and within my desired time frame.

If I hadn’t had the gps, I doubt I’d have dared to try something different, too afraid of being late to the event. Thus, the GPS has set me free to explore new territory without stressing.

May Pie Run & Leading a Group Ride

The TWTex May Pie Run was held last Saturday up in Hico, TX. With the location over 200 miles away, only two riders (me included) from Houston were initially signed up to attend. I planned a nice route and sent map files to the other rider for review. The night before the event, two other riders PM’d me asking for the location of the meet point. I replied with that information as well as gps files of the planned route.

Thus it was that at 7AM on a sunny Saturday, I found myself leading a group of four to a far-off destination. Reason: no one else knew the route.

I. Don’t. Like. Leading. Groups.

And for the most part, I haven’t ever really had to. I mean, how much directing do you need to do when the route is 80 miles, turn left, 50 miles, reverse? Even when we did more complicated rides, like Napa/Berryessa, I (the planner) always led from the sweep position with bike-to-bike radio to the leader.

But Texas is more complicated. You seldom spend more than 15 miles on a road before needing to turn onto something else. That is, if you want to find the twisties.

Anyway.

So I sucked it up and led the way there and back. I can be very self-critical sometimes, and there were a lot of things on my mind during that ride. Let’s just say I had a hard time staying relaxed, and consequently was much more sore than usual after a mere 500 mile day.

I was constantly looking back. I was also analyzing every situation ahead and how it might affect my group. In the forefront of my mind was every action by the leader that I’ve always hated having to deal with when on a group ride.

- On single lane, passing every car in sight and then charging ahead before the group is finished: It means that the last people in the group must speed to catch up. I hate that because I’m usually that last person.
- Not selecting a side of the lane, making staggered riding awkward: The leader doesn’t have the visual clues to remind him/her to stagger, but it’s even more important that he do so. When a leader can’t stick to one side, the rest of the group will have to adjust constantly. Dangerous. And the leader looks like an ass.
- On multi-lane, lane changes that split the group: If the leader puts his signal on, the sweep is supposed to move over and make room first. If the leader just charges in, it tends to split up the group. And then the last people have to speed and make lots of lane changes to catch up.
- Consistent speed on the superslab: If you go too slow, the riders behind will wonder what’s wrong. If you go too fast, they’ll think you’re a crazed speed demon. If you do both, you’ll drive them nuts.

Actually, Bluepoof did a great post on this a year or two ago (a much more entertaining read than mine). I admit I was thinking about it both last Saturday and that day several months ago when I was on a ride with her and a few other ST.Ners. The leader on that particular ride was particularly bad.

With all this on my mind, I'm sure I was a pretty good leader as far as being considerate to the group, but they weren't the only things bothering me. Another reason that I don’t like leading is that I’m not that fast in curves. Furthermore, I absolutely hate it when someone is behind me to observe my awful lines and “parking” whenever I fear gravel or other traction issues.

But really, I had a great time on Saturday. The ride up was uneventful and the twisties on the way home were a lot of fun. Compared to most sportbike riders, the group (a R1150GS, V-Strom1k, and a VFR) had pretty iron butts. We took breaks only every 80 miles and I’m told they could easily have gone longer than that. I focused on keeping a smooth, relaxed pace with only a few hiccups (read “parked it”) on a section of gravelly chip-seal. When we got closer to home, one of the other riders took over because he knew the route from there better than I did. This helped my state of mind immensely and I was able to have even more fun following him.

Do try the banana-blueberry pie at the Koffee Kup if you’re ever in the area. I’ll post a photo or two later.

I had way too much time on my hands...

So I spent some time today gathering pictures from the 2+ years I had with my yzf600r and compiled them into a photostory. Enjoy!

It's Been Nice (hosted on Putfile for better streaming)

Another great place to visit

I've been collecting other blogs on my blogroll lately and this one is particularly enjoyable right now. Deloeste is a motorcyclst from Detroit taking a cross country trip and posting pics and reports daily. It's always fun to wake up in the morning, grab the laptop, and see where this traveler is. He takes pretty good pictures and has an enjoyable writing style. He crossed Nevada yesterday heading westbound. It was fun to get another take on roads I've ridden in the past.

Deloeste's Journal

It's a funny thing, riding alone... I never feel like I *need* to stop, but my mood and attitude definately take a downswing when I haven't eaten or rested in a while. I always find that if the trip isn't any fun, stopping at a gas station for a balanced ration of jerky, chocolate, and some other convienience-store item lik cheese & crackers or trail mix makes me fel 100% better. I was complaining to myself when I got off the freeway, but happily singin along with Kool & The Gang as I got back on the on-ramp 25 minutes later."

I'm totally with you there, man. Cheese and crackers from the gas station rock to force yourself to take a real break. I'm often guilty of "200 miles, gas, repeat" when I should really stop and let circulation restart in my legs and butt.

Take me home, country roads. Or not.

Well, after much waffling, I decided to attend the Montgomery county TWTex gathering at Phil’s Roadhouse in Montgomery. This is an every Thursday meet which rotates locations within the county. It’s kind of far away for me, 34 miles or 1:15 driving time, but I didn’t have much else to do tonight except sit and watch TV with my parents.

I left home just after 6 and took some back roads out of my community to get over to FM2920 to SR249 to FM149 (Lots of 9s).

It’s interesting to compare the whole roads paradigm to California. In CA, all the roads basically run up valleys or over mountain ranges. If you cross too many valleys or go too far up some roads, you’ll have a hard time getting home and have fewer choices in routes to do so. Each day of riding requires careful planning to get home by dark.

In the Houston area, there are major roads just a few miles away anywhere you go. You could easily pick a direction and go out and get yourself lost. Getting home is just a matter of pointing yourself in the right direction. There are pretty much guaranteed to be roads to take you where you want to go.

Anyway, so tonight I went up some new country roads. They were very rural. There were fields of dairy cows, old barns, and cute little crossroads stores. It almost felt like Wisconsin. There were even a few curves as I got closer to Montgomery. I’m told the road gets even better past that city. I’ll save that experience for another time.

I arrived at Phil’s a few minutes before 7 and parked. I didn’t see any other bikes, but recognized a few faces in the window from Tuesday night. I came in and had a thoroughly enjoyable dinner with the crowd. I especially enjoyed talking to a few women, one of whom had her own motorcycles and the other wanted one but was dealing with the objections of her husband (also present).

The food was excellent. I had the Santa Fe Chicken, a marinated breast with grilled onions, mushrooms, and cheese on top. The Caesar salad was also good. Highly recommended. The raw peanuts in baskets on the table were a nice touch too.

It was 8:30 when I started to gear up. I’d decided to head for I45 instead of taking back roads home, so I was fiddling with my GPS when another attendee offered to let me follow him to the interstate. I gladly accepted and was safely home within an hour and a half.

I’ll definitely be going to more of these meets. They’re relatively far away from Cypress, but I really liked the people.

My sister Amy arrives tomorrow for Spring Break. It sounds like she wants to attend a rodeo on Saturday. We'll see how that goes. I'm hoping it doesn't rain this weekend so I can get out and sample some local roads. And actually have some pictures to post instead of these mini-novels.

Thoughts on turning 27

I've been putting this off for a few days. (my birthday was Monday, the 6th)

Well, first of all, I'd like to thank those who sent cards and gifts.

Everyone always asks how the day went. Well, it was definitely a highlight of the week. I got off work a few hours early, with enough daylight left to run the BMW up highway 9 to Boulder Creek and back. There were a few wet spots past the hairpin on the backside after 236, but nothing to spoil the fun. There was a good amount of traffic heading into the mountains, but the run back was AWESOME! Didn't see more than a few motorcycles out there, and mostly cruisers.

With darkness setting in, I relaxed at the new Saratoga Starbucks with some coffee while waiting for Tony to get off work. We then went to Planet Granite (local rock climbing gym) to do some climbing.

We planned to go to Willow Street Pizza in Willow Glen for a semi-special dinner, but were both way too pooped when we got home, so we made some quick pasta. I'd had birthday cake from work, so I really didn't miss the calories.

Now for the *thoughts* part:

I guess 27 isn't so bad. It's definitely way closer to 30 than I'd like to be. 26 still felt safe.

I'm the same age my mom was when she had me.

I'm definitely not ready for anything like that. I feel only marginally more mature than I did when I graduated from college.

As far as life experiences, I've made progress on my dreams. Went across the country again. Acquired most of my dream bike. (gotta get it painted green one of these days) I'm doing design work in architecture, not just the dreaded bathrooms that Arch. students talk about.

Goals to still be fulfilled? Well, I'd like a house of my own, a dog, my architecture license (my fault, must get more motivated), and lots more vacation time to spend riding.

I guess I've come pretty far in the last 27 years.

It was such a *moment*

I went into the dealer on Tuesday to buy oil, had a neat experience...

Guy comes up to help me and I say I need some oil. I tell him what model I have and he helps me grab the right kind. I then say I want 3 bottles so I don't have to come in again so soon. Concerned, he asked me the mileage and what it's burned so far. I tell him about a quart in 1400 miles.

He says I'm fine but then says (and i know i"m mangling it, but it was such a *moment*)

"You tell anyone who asks that the hispanic from England but no british accent who's really columbian told you that if the bike doesn't move when you twist the throttle, shift down."

The guy reminded me of Antonio Banderas. Another thanks to San Jose BMW for a great ownership experience. ( so far)