The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on May 07, 2008, 08:24:17 PM
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I am.
And I might have a good time, this time!
It is a long ride to SE Oklahoma from where I live. I have started out to go to this thing at least 4 or 5 times, but I have only made it once!
It seems my body and my gear have been getting older, without me realizing it!
The first trip was cut short mostly because I had a 'round' helmet on my 'oval' head! That does not make for good all-day riding.
The seat has been an issue for a long time, as well. Hopefully I have that solved. I know the new seat is a lot better around town.
Last fall (they have this rally twice a year!) I was beat back by extreme winds. I think I made it 50 miles into the next state, before I turned back for home.
I don't remember a year ago's failure. Too many, I guess!
The Fall of '06, I was all packed and headed out. I only got a couple of miles down the road before turning around. I think it was about 35 degrees, that morning...
Spring of '06 is when I DID make it. I got to meet Justin! I also crashed my bike going too fast in some tight stuff on the way down, but, since I had a riding partner along (Stephen, from Canada), I toughed it up and kept going. It wasn't too bad, and the visit at the rally was well worth the pain.
This trip I am taking plenty of time. One of my problems is my internal clock. I work evenings, and typically stay up until about 5 AM before going to bed. That makes early starts (well rested) kind of hard.
I took an extra day off before the rally, thinking I could force my clock. After thinking about it, I decided to leave that first day, around noon, and spend three days getting down there.
The first night I am going to camp in KY, next to the Mississippi River. Then I have a short mileage day on day 2, but I am going to spend some time checking out the Kentucky Exclave. This (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=36.521225,-89.504929&spn=0.37468,0.6427&t=h&z=11) is a map of the area. This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Bend) is Wikipedia's take on it.
And THIS (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=3075615098339768512,39.047690,-86.792380%3B9877634061812449319,38.590270,-87.658570%3B9428834534898665766,37.856600,-88.405990%3B15306234255077272498,37.374200,-88.893780%3B8840917044452204423,36.492763,-89.499303%3B1302327338362983165,37.085977,-90.768257%3B11140814271949902059,36.985320,-91.012097%3B17650149528096391171,36.968223,-91.033717%3B10192452333089526514,36.257350,-92.623740%3B17406791531857190600,35.997320,-93.702230%3B16849653733406324855,34.643030,-94.675116&saddr=8241+E+50th+St,+Indianapolis,+IN+46226&daddr=IN-54+%4039.047690,+-86.792380+to:150N%2FCR-9+%4038.590270,+-87.658570+to:US-45+N+%4037.856600,+-88.405990+to:US-45+%4037.374200,+-88.893780+to:columbus,+ky+to:TN-22+%4036.492763,+-89.499303+to:36.377068,-90.038452+to:MO-34+%4037.085977,+-90.768257+to:MO-103+%4036.985320,+-91.012097+to:NF-3280%2FSkyline+Dr+%4036.968223,+-91.033717+to:US-62+%4036.257350,+-92.623740+to:AR-127%2FAR-23+%4035.997320,+-93.702230+to:CR-N4700+%4034.643030,+-94.675116&mra=dpe&mrcr=2&mrsp=7&sz=8&via=1,2,3,4,7,8,10,11,12&sll=37.204082,-90.351562&sspn=2.970556,5.141602&ie=UTF8&ll=37.422526,-90.043945&spn=5.922886,10.283203&t=p&z=7) is my planned route!
And I got me a Kermit chair, and some Helen2Wheels bags and straps, a fresh seat (!!!) and Monday night I just installed Hyper-Lights (http://www.hyperlites.com/) on the back.
Did I mention I will see only the slightest Interstate highways on this trip? (SO boring!). :D
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We won't be there, I have a new job where I work weekends and Barbara is basically raising our grandkid so even if I could go it wouldn't be very fair...
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What is the date of this.
Don
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The weekend of May 17.
Big Cedar, Oklahoma.
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That same weekend is the Natural state rally in Morrlington AR. and there is a car show close to home. Need to split in half.
Don
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Sorry you will be busy, Don.
They do it in the Fall, too! (dates TBA)
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That's the weekend of the Oregon Vintage Motorcyclist's ride and show. Not that I wouldn't skip that to go to Big Cedar, but man that would be weeks.
I'm rooting for you Rob, you've done it before and you can do it again!
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Hey Rob! Tell us you made it there and back again!
You have pictures? Picture? ....
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I think they replaced his wheel bearings. Maybe he's not home yet?
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They have had more than their fair share of violent thunderstorms in this area for the last month or so, plus an earthquake thrown in for good measure !!!
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Oh, that's right! That was this last weekend. Well, it's only Tuesday. It will take him a few days to get back home. And if it's bad weather it may take him a bit longer.
Rob, I know you'll let us know when you get back! Can't wait to see pictures. 8-)
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Where are you Rob....when do we start to worry guys??? :-/
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He posted on Boxerworks, he's fine but tired. I'm sure he'll fill us in on all the fun, so we can enjoy it vicariously. ;)
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Can't wait to hear your trip report, Rob!
Took about half a gallon of 100 proof margs to help me feel even a little better for missing the big party...
And someone told me you loo, twenty years younger now but wouldn't tell me anything more?! Dag!
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Can't wait to hear your trip report, Rob!
Took about half a gallon of 100 proof margs to help me feel even a little better for missing the big party...
And someone told me you loo, twenty years younger now but wouldn't tell me anything more?! Dag!
Joan, check the Ride Report section. Good story by Rob.
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And someone told me you loo, twenty years younger now but wouldn't tell me anything more?! Dag!
...I don't even know what that means. I'm afraid to know, but want to anyway.
Isn't that how the atomic bomb (not a drink!) got invented?
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Sorry for the confusion, guys. I don't have REAL LIVE ride reports very often, so I started a new thread in that section.
http://suraklyn.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1211511990
And yeah, I returned Tuesday, and Wed. was the Doctor's for tick bites (25+), Thurs. was two loads of laundry, bill paying and mowing the grass. It's been a busy week! But now I have a 3 day weekend to recup!
Gathering of the Clans is coming up! Sue???
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25 tick bites??!! Maybe I can live without going to Ken's rally. Does he have ticks in the fall too? I have deer ticks here, but whilst I've caught them wandering around me, only once has one got up the nerve to try a bite. He failed to pick a place where I wouldn't feel it, and got no time to get attached. No lyme disease around here, though I guess these could carry Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever.
I hate ticks.