Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Actually, Christmas in now in the rear view mirror and the New Year is in sight.  Only 219 days left before departing for Sturgis and another summer of adventure.  I didn't get the helmet camera I was expecting so I'll take a look at what is being offered at the International Motorcycle Show that will be in Detroit in early January.  That's where I bought the bike and they usually have some pretty good deals on "stuff" there.  Right now I'm considering the "DriftHD" and the ContourROAM.  They are comparable in price with the ContourROAM geting nice reviews. 

The temperature here in Michigan is still in the 40's and I'm tempted to go for a ride but there is still too much salt on the roads from the previous snow so I think I'll continue to work on things around the house and dream about riding in the spring.  I'm sure winter will return.

Happy New Year to you West Coast guys; looking forward to linking up in Sturgis.

Winter has us in its firm grip

Snow on the ground, bike on the battery tender and nothing to do but dream about next riding season and my first official visit to Sturgis.  Is there anything sadder than your bike on "shore power?"

I'll be very surprised if I can sneak in a ride before sometime in March, or even April.  Even if the temps rise and the snow melts Michigan puts so much salt on the ground that I don't like to get that junk on my bike.  So, I'll have to devise some other activities to keep me occupied while waiting for the trip to commence.  Did I mention that it starts in 241 days? 

Maybe I'll make out my Christmas List from the Harley Store and leave it where my wife is sure to find it.  I wonder if she will get me an MP3 player?  Ya think?  

Enough foolishness for today;

when the sun shines....

You need to take advantage. So the day after Thanksgiving, we here in Seattle had a very nice, though cold day. The lure of the sun could not be overlooked. Besides, you need to run that oil, right? Not a long ride, but along the waterfront, through the city, and a couple of outside roads.

So far i have been fortuate to get the bike out ever two to three weeks. IT is good for the soul, and the crisp air is not so bad either.

But looking forward to the warm rides of spring, and of course, the trek out east to Sturgis next summer.

But until then, as long as we get a break in the day, the bike will be calling, and i will answer.

Happy Thanksgiving

All the snow has melted and the temps have warmed up to unseasonable highs in the 50's.  Not sure I'll do any more riding this season but if the opportunity comes I'll take advantage of it.
Starting the official countdown today at 251 days until I leave for Sturgis to meet up with Don, Bonnie and Brian.

If you're reading this today "Happy Thanksgiving".  I'll be spending the rest of the day with family and watching the Lions play the Packers in the annual event.  GO LIONS!

End of the Riding Season

We had our first snowfall yesterday and even though it was just a dusting it is time to put the bike up for winter and begin counting the days until riding season starts again in the spring.  For us here in Michigan that will be on or about April 1st 2012; a mere 134 days from now.  Temps were in the teens overnight and only going into the 30's today so as much as I would love to get one more ride in it's time to put the battery charger on and get it covered up for the winter.  Sure glad there is room in my garage for it.
Start the countdown to Sturgis:  257 days until I leave to meet the Seattle Crew

It's Veterans Appreciation Weekend at the Harley Store

I think I'll take a run down there today since it looks like the weather will be decent.  Maybe I can pick up a good chili recipe for cooking around the campfire next year.
You guys like chili?  I'm also sure there is something made out of chrome that I absolutely have to have.
Maybe I'll upload some photos later if there is anything good going on.

Not much going on at the event and attendance was pretty sparse.  The food was decent and the ride was crisp but enjoyable.  I bought a couple of maintenance items and that was it.  My next adventure will be to watch paint dry.  I was going to watch grass grow but with winter fast approaching that activity will have to wait until spring.

Today may be the last ride of the season...Not!

It's a clear day in Michigan with little or no wind.  Still cold but supposed to get into the 60's later.  This may be my last day to ride before the "witch of November" arrives signifying the arrival of winter.  The predictions are calling for snow in the middle of the week.  I'll see if I can get any photos of the remaining colors.

We got the ride in and it was gorgeous.  Are there any sweeter words than your wife asking "is it too cold to ride?".  We only went about 40-50 miles but the weather was crisp but sunny and the fall air is full of the aroma of  cut crops, turned soil and burning leaves.  I love this time of year and with luck there will still be a few more rides to take before winter.  If not, then at least we didn't let this day get away from us.

After today the blog may go silent for long periods (sort of like being on patrol) but as I dream up anything I think is interesting I'll add it.

Don and Brian don't hesitate to add any "pearls" you may come up with. 

Safe riding; see you in Sturgis

Doc

The Doldrums of Winter

It's been raining here for well over a week and the temps are struggling to get out of the 40's.  Riding season is about over and the time between now and next spring will be measured in months, weeks, then days.  Over the winter I plan to make a few more modifications to my bike to be ready for the ride to Sturgis to meet Don, Bonnie and Brian.  I'll be adding a sound system and a safety light bar to my brake and turn signals.  I like how the 3 flashing lights get the "cagers" attention when you're stopping or slowing down.  Around here (Detroit area) you can't be too careful when out on the road. 
I'll probably also put some new tires on and maybe replace the brakes.  That should put the bike in top shape for the two major trips next year; Sturgis and Norfolk.

I still plan to play around with this blog a bit to "spice" it up but that will be on days when I'm really looking for things to do.  Maybe I'll see if I can add a "countdown" calendar to it.

Hope you west coasters are all doing well.

Outta here; there's coffee to be consumed

Note the license plate holder

In about a month the background will be snow covered; this photo was taken the first day we were snow free in 2010.
Looks like the photo doesn't show the license holder; it says "USS Skipjack SSN 585" on top and "Submarine Veteran" on the bottom.

I'm getting the itch to start packing it up and heading west.

Reporting for Duty

Needless to say, when I was invited to Breakfast at the Testy Chef, next August 1st, it took all of about three seconds to realize what was up.

Having known Don for the past few years, I am looking forward to meeting Fred, Doc, on next year’s adventure. I am honored to be riding with the two vets through some of the best motorcycle roads and beautiful country I have had the pleasure to ride in.

Although, with a couple of submarine vets, and my lack of standing in such a prestigious crowd, I have to hope that I do not end up as the sacrificial cabin boy. Though it would not be unwarranted I suppose.

But all kidding aside. I look forward to the trip with the two prior gentlemen. Bonnie, who I have known for close to eight years now? And enjoy every moment of it. I also look forward to seeing the Midwest crew I was fortunate enough to meet last year and share camp with.

Yes, will be my third trip back, and I already can’t wait. fluid levels are checked, and will be numerous times again before the trip.

Thanks for the invite, looking forward to the year of preparation. Just 297 days until opening ceremonies. Let’s Ride.

Having some fun with the photo options in the blog.  When I get my helmet camera I'll try loading some videos just to see how that option works

A Road Trip with the Diesel Doc

At long last, Doc and I will get some serious road-time together. I missed a lot of Doc's time in the Northwest due to pressing needs in the family but we are certain to completely tire of one another's company this time around! :)

My Sturgis memories are only a few months old and the last of the hail-stone wounds have finally healed ;) That last trip was my second and very different from the first. Trip three will be a new adventure with a slightly different cast of characters - yet many the same and it will be good for the soul too see them again.

Well Doc, here's to life on the road. Bonnie and I can't wait for that morning breakfast at the good ole Testy Chef just before we throw the kickstands up and fire up the big v-twins. Oh yeah... just found out last night that my very good friend and hockey teammate (not to mention Harley transmission specialist) Brian will be riding out with us - his third voyage as well.

Road trip anyone???

Time to survey the camping gear

Since it is going to rain for the rest of the week I think I'll amuse myself by breaking out all my camping gear and making sure I have everything I need to spend almost two weeks in a tent.
Doesn't take much to amuse a sailor

Loaded the campsite into my GPS

Now the Garmin Lady keeps telling me to "drive to the highlighted route"  Sure is tempting but I'll have to wait until next August.

The trip is on

Doc and Don in Seattle

Yesterday I got an e-mail from Don Gentry asking if I could make Sturgis in 2012 instead of waiting for 2013.  I wasn't sure if I could swing two big trips (I also plan to ride to Norfolk, VA for the 2012 Submarine Veterans Convention in September) so I checked with CinCHouse and she immediately gave the OK.  I think she wants me out of the house. 

Don and I first met via the internet somewhere between 8 and 10 years ago.  We are both former Submarine Sailors from the Detroit area.  Don is a youngster and I'm an old pharte but that doesn't interfere with our ability to relate to each other and get along.  We have a love for riding Harley's and reliving some of our escapades when we served in the Submarine Service of the U.S. Navy. 

I first communicated with Don when he had some kind of secret surgery that all Nukes get.  I'm not sure if they put a brain in or took it out; it's all that secret stuff they do so they can work on nuclear reactors and then return to the real world of non-nuke people.

As a former Navy Corpsman (also nuclear trained) I know I gave him great counsel on how to behave in the hospital, how to relate to the medical staff (particularly the nurses since I'm married to one) and how to handle the rehabilitation process.  He would probably tell you that the advice I gave him was out of date, not worth a crap and that as a nuclear trained, qualified submarine sailor, he could handle anything the medical profession could throw at him.  But, I'm in the Eastern Time Zone and he's in the West so I get to tell the first lie, I mean story.  He can tell his version when he wakes up and logs in.

We finally met in person last summer (2010) when I realized a lifelong dream and rode cross country from Michigan to the Pacific Northwest and met up with Don and a number of other former submarine sailors for some great riding, great stories and memories that will last a lifetime.  You can read all about that adventure on the Ridetothenorthwest blog.

Now we're going to do it again in 2012 at Sturgis.  Don has promised to show me some of the outstanding rides I missed when I passed through area last year but didn't allot enough time to see.

That's all for now; this blog will grow over the next 10 months as we continue to plan for the trip and culminate when we link up at the Katmandu Campsite near Sturgis in August 2012. 

Don will be bringing his girlfriend "Bonnie" who I had the pleasure of speaking with last night while they were preparing to make a batch of beer.  She sounds like just the kind of person to keep the young whippersnapper in line and I'm looking forward to meeting her.  Anybody who makes beer is somebody I'm going to be nice to.