So again I am aggressively getting ready to get ready. If all goes to plan I will be leaving on another motorcycle trip. This one will be a little different than the rest in that I will be traveling solo. I have done solo trips before, but not to this extent. I am figuring to cover about 4,000 miles +/-. I have a friend out in Denver, Benny who is not doing well health-wise. I have been going out there to visit and have always flown. This is providing me a great excuse to get on the bike..

My sons are busy with that ole work thing and can’t take time this year. Same thing with others, just too much time. Its funny how that works. My rough plan is to head south to the Ohio River and follow that to the Mississippi. Follow that great river south and at some point head west maybe through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and up into Colorado. After spending some time in Denver, head up to Wyoming and visit another friend, Mike. He has a new bike so maybe a few mountain passes while I’m there. On the way home, take the northern route. If weather and time are on my side, head north into Montana, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and then down through Minnesota and home through Northern Michigan. If I need to make time, I’ll cut through the Dakota’s. I went through the Dakota’s, Nebraska, Kansas etc on my last trip west, so it’s time for something a little new.

 

I have individual state maps for just about every state I think I could pass through. Those are for getting on the roads less traveled. Avoiding interstates whenever possible. I have no reservations. When I am tired, I will stop. My route will probably be planned that day.

It’s also Sturgis week. The great Burning Man of all things motorcycles. It is in S.D. in the black hills, by Mt. Rushmore. Sturgis in full regalia is not on my bucket list. Besides we were there (the week after the event) a few years ago. The town folds up quickly. Hence the grand tour. Running into 800,000 of my favorite Harley riders on the interstate is not my goal.

For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been getting the bike ready. I’ve changed the plugs, air filter, oil filter, oil, coolant, brake fluid, and final drive oil. The valves have been adjusted, the brake’s bled and gps updated. I bought a new armored all-weather touring jacket, all weather insulated gloves and.. and.. a new touring seat! Its the seat (hopefully) that will allow the endurance.

Departure date tentatively is Saturday, August 3rd. I have a court hearing with some of my CASA kids Friday afternoon and I am getting a tight delivery on some gear that day as well. The only thing I have is to talk Irena into watering my herb garden while I’m gone. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with it. Once retired, reality blurs.. 🙂

Life is good.