It's April 2011. It's past the middle of April, for cripes sakes. APRIL!
Mother Nature is playing some wicked game with us and it's just not right. There was snow in my area just a few days ago. I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous.
So, how's a guy supposed to get ready and in the mood for a full season of riding? Huh? Sure, I have insulated bib overalls, cold weather gloves, heavy coat and so on, but really? Should I have to resort to all that just to get a little riding in?
Enough whining. Let's get on to more exciting things, like the first 'healthy size' ride of the season.
Fort Wayne, Indiana to St. Paris, Ohio to Christiansburg, Virginia, and of course, back home. 946 miles round trip. Leave Friday, return Sunday.
This will be the first trip I take on the new Cheeto. Yeah, that will be exciting!
Stay tuned, my Ride Rangers, and I'll clue you in once the 2011 Ride Season gets underway. That is, IF the snow doesn't fly again, and if the temperature gets above 42. For a whole day. For cripes sakes!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Some cool memories and good ideas
Just a bit of 'stream of consciousness' on past ride memories, which might give you some ideas on places to visit yourself...in no particular order:
Mackinaw City, Michigan and upper peninsula of Michigan -
Just riding across Big Mac (the bridge) is an experience in itself. Not for the faint of heart (and certainly a challenge for those with a fear of heights), because the four lanes of the bridge are 2 paved and 2 grated (that's like riding on ice).
The small city (town?) of Mackinaw City is really a nice little place and very welcoming to bikers. If you get bored there, it's your fault. Be sure to head up to Sault Saint Marie and see the locks there. Travel the northern coast and see spectacular views of Lake Superior. Like waterfalls? Lighthouses? Sweeping tree-lined roads? Yep, it's all there. Just keep your eyes on the gas gauge, because stations are few and far between.
Johnstown, Pennsylvania -
Home of Thunder in the Valley. To be honest, I haven't ridden a lot of miles in this neck of the woods (mainly getting there and getting home). And about half the time it was during horrendous downpours, thunder and lightning. At night.
But I will say this, the roads in Pennsylvania are really made for motorcycles. Can't think of a better place to get your skills tuned up. And whatever you do, make the trip to Shanksville to the Flight 93 Memorial. You will never forget it.
Natural Bridge, Virginia -
Talk about great roads for riding! Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best places to wittle away a few days. Mountain Peaks, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, this area has it all. And they happen to have quite a few 'hole in the wall' beer stops with pretty good grub.
Glacier National Park, Montana -
I cannot stress enough how much every rider in America needs to visit this park. I'm sure there are better times of year than others, but no matter. See it. Experience it. Even zipping through it can be done in about 3 hours, slow down. Take your time. Stop and smell the mountain goat poop. Okay, not really the poop. But at least experience it, and the area around it like Kalispell ,, St. Mary's and Cut Bank. And I highly recommend taking US-2 on both sides of the park. And while you are in the area, head up to Eureka, Montana and (if you are in a four wheel vehicle) get your oil changed at The Pit Stop Oil & Lube. Tell Myles I said hello.
North Vancouver, British Columbia -
Once you get through the urban landscape of beautiful downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, take Canada 1 (or whatever it's called) to BC-99 north. You'll go through a number of gorgeous provincial parks and past Whistler (where the 2010 Winter Olympics had may events) and see some of the most stunning scenery you'll ever experience.
By the time you get to Lilloet, you'll have seen the very best of it. I'd recommend taking another route back south if you don't want to suffer through some desert terrain. And I do mean suffer. At least if it's July. Lilloet is frequently the hottest spot in Canada every year. (And NO, that's not like saying 'tallest midget') But even that's worth it.
Finally (for this installment):
Kitwanga, BC to Hyder, Alaska -
This certainly is one majestic road. If you want wildlife and gorgeous vistas, this is the path for you. Watch out for Elk, Moose, Bear and smaller animals, but really enjoy this ride. The end of the route is also the highlight of it. Hyder is a very small town, and the southernmost accessible-by-road town in Alaska. That's what gives it its charm. Sure, it's a bit of a tourist trap being that a lot of folks make this their "I went to Alaska!" point, avoiding the extra 1,000 miles to get to 'mainland Alaska'.
If you go, and I really hope you will, please stay at the Sealaska Inn and say hello to Gary for me. Get 'Hyderized' there and be sure to have breakfast at the Glacier Inn (literally a stumble away from each other) before you leave the area.
This is another 'watch that gas gauge' route. And I'm serious about that. Top off in Stewart, BC and in Kitwanga (depending on your direction) and make sure you get every little drop in.
Whattaya think?
Mackinaw City, Michigan and upper peninsula of Michigan -
Just riding across Big Mac (the bridge) is an experience in itself. Not for the faint of heart (and certainly a challenge for those with a fear of heights), because the four lanes of the bridge are 2 paved and 2 grated (that's like riding on ice).
The small city (town?) of Mackinaw City is really a nice little place and very welcoming to bikers. If you get bored there, it's your fault. Be sure to head up to Sault Saint Marie and see the locks there. Travel the northern coast and see spectacular views of Lake Superior. Like waterfalls? Lighthouses? Sweeping tree-lined roads? Yep, it's all there. Just keep your eyes on the gas gauge, because stations are few and far between.
Johnstown, Pennsylvania -
Home of Thunder in the Valley. To be honest, I haven't ridden a lot of miles in this neck of the woods (mainly getting there and getting home). And about half the time it was during horrendous downpours, thunder and lightning. At night.
But I will say this, the roads in Pennsylvania are really made for motorcycles. Can't think of a better place to get your skills tuned up. And whatever you do, make the trip to Shanksville to the Flight 93 Memorial. You will never forget it.
Natural Bridge, Virginia -
Talk about great roads for riding! Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best places to wittle away a few days. Mountain Peaks, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, this area has it all. And they happen to have quite a few 'hole in the wall' beer stops with pretty good grub.
Glacier National Park, Montana -
I cannot stress enough how much every rider in America needs to visit this park. I'm sure there are better times of year than others, but no matter. See it. Experience it. Even zipping through it can be done in about 3 hours, slow down. Take your time. Stop and smell the mountain goat poop. Okay, not really the poop. But at least experience it, and the area around it like Kalispell ,, St. Mary's and Cut Bank. And I highly recommend taking US-2 on both sides of the park. And while you are in the area, head up to Eureka, Montana and (if you are in a four wheel vehicle) get your oil changed at The Pit Stop Oil & Lube. Tell Myles I said hello.
North Vancouver, British Columbia -
Once you get through the urban landscape of beautiful downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, take Canada 1 (or whatever it's called) to BC-99 north. You'll go through a number of gorgeous provincial parks and past Whistler (where the 2010 Winter Olympics had may events) and see some of the most stunning scenery you'll ever experience.
By the time you get to Lilloet, you'll have seen the very best of it. I'd recommend taking another route back south if you don't want to suffer through some desert terrain. And I do mean suffer. At least if it's July. Lilloet is frequently the hottest spot in Canada every year. (And NO, that's not like saying 'tallest midget') But even that's worth it.
Finally (for this installment):
Kitwanga, BC to Hyder, Alaska -
This certainly is one majestic road. If you want wildlife and gorgeous vistas, this is the path for you. Watch out for Elk, Moose, Bear and smaller animals, but really enjoy this ride. The end of the route is also the highlight of it. Hyder is a very small town, and the southernmost accessible-by-road town in Alaska. That's what gives it its charm. Sure, it's a bit of a tourist trap being that a lot of folks make this their "I went to Alaska!" point, avoiding the extra 1,000 miles to get to 'mainland Alaska'.
If you go, and I really hope you will, please stay at the Sealaska Inn and say hello to Gary for me. Get 'Hyderized' there and be sure to have breakfast at the Glacier Inn (literally a stumble away from each other) before you leave the area.
This is another 'watch that gas gauge' route. And I'm serious about that. Top off in Stewart, BC and in Kitwanga (depending on your direction) and make sure you get every little drop in.
Whattaya think?
Monday, January 31, 2011
When the cold wind brings snow and ice...
...It's time to start letting the mind wander to warmer times.
Since we're supposedly in for a doozy of a winter weather system, my mind is racing and thinking of places I can escape to.
Clearly, I can't just up and go, but I can start thinking of warmer climes to head for when the winter starts to break, just so I can get a quick relief from these chilly temperatures and frozen precipitation.
Memphis, for example. Now today it's 66 degrees (F) there. By Thursday it'll be just 33 for a high, but still, it's better than our planned 16 degree high for that day. Surely by late March, Memphis will be in the 70's (or better) and that would make for some good riding weather. Memphis in August versus Memphis in March. Easy answer.
Want another? New Orleans. Today's high 67 degrees. I could live with that. Again, it's far better than burning up in the Big Easy in August.
How about Florida? Yeah, there's a reason Daytona sets Bike Week on the first full week of March. Because all of us up north are suffering from cabin fever. We could really use an excuse to get a jump on the riding season. But rather than fight the crowds in Daytona or Daytona Beach, I think I'll meander on over to Pensacola where the high temps average about 70 in March.
And yes, I'm fully aware that the first day's ride from Fort Wayne will be a cold one. No matter where the destination is. But you gotta take the bad with the good.
So I'm looking for suggestions... where can I take my happy, frozen butt in March to get warmed up and not have to ride more than 2 days to get there? You tell me. I'm always open to suggestions!
Since we're supposedly in for a doozy of a winter weather system, my mind is racing and thinking of places I can escape to.
Clearly, I can't just up and go, but I can start thinking of warmer climes to head for when the winter starts to break, just so I can get a quick relief from these chilly temperatures and frozen precipitation.
Memphis, for example. Now today it's 66 degrees (F) there. By Thursday it'll be just 33 for a high, but still, it's better than our planned 16 degree high for that day. Surely by late March, Memphis will be in the 70's (or better) and that would make for some good riding weather. Memphis in August versus Memphis in March. Easy answer.
Want another? New Orleans. Today's high 67 degrees. I could live with that. Again, it's far better than burning up in the Big Easy in August.
How about Florida? Yeah, there's a reason Daytona sets Bike Week on the first full week of March. Because all of us up north are suffering from cabin fever. We could really use an excuse to get a jump on the riding season. But rather than fight the crowds in Daytona or Daytona Beach, I think I'll meander on over to Pensacola where the high temps average about 70 in March.
And yes, I'm fully aware that the first day's ride from Fort Wayne will be a cold one. No matter where the destination is. But you gotta take the bad with the good.
So I'm looking for suggestions... where can I take my happy, frozen butt in March to get warmed up and not have to ride more than 2 days to get there? You tell me. I'm always open to suggestions!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A New Blog!
It's about time to start a new blog. So here it is.
I'm hoping to share some details of rides I've done, those I'm planning on doing, and get some ideas from you on where and when to have a fantastic time on a motorcycle.
Probably will get off to a slow start, but it should be fun.
Brand new this time around will be my 2005 Honda VTX 1800N, nicknamed Cheeto II. Just got her in December, 2010 from a guy in Missouri.
So please return and of course, feel free to give me feedback, you know I love that!
Giddyup!
Gordo's Rides.
I'm hoping to share some details of rides I've done, those I'm planning on doing, and get some ideas from you on where and when to have a fantastic time on a motorcycle.
Probably will get off to a slow start, but it should be fun.
Brand new this time around will be my 2005 Honda VTX 1800N, nicknamed Cheeto II. Just got her in December, 2010 from a guy in Missouri.
So please return and of course, feel free to give me feedback, you know I love that!
Giddyup!
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