Cold Weather Riding…How Cold Is Too Cold?

How Cold Is Too Cold To Ride?

There’s been a lot of posting on Google+ lately about cold weather riding.  Most of it focused around, “How cold is too cold to ride?”  Living in Central Texas where the average annual temperature is 69.2° F, I’d never given it much thought.  But for some reason I couldn't get the question out of my head. 

My thoughts turned to a ride I made from San Angelo to Odessa when the early morning temperatures were in the upper-40’s.  I wore a thermal undershirt, long sleeves, and a textile jacket but by the time I got to Midland I was chilled to the bone.  My teeth were chattering and I was shivering almost uncontrollably.  I stopped at a McDonalds to warm-up…after two cups of hot chocolate I finally stopped shivering.  Given this experience and the buzz on Google+, I decided to do a little research and find a definitive answer.  Here’s what I found…

There is no definitive answer.  There’s no magic temperature below which it is unsafe to ride.  Our bodies are quite remarkable and with proper insulation and protection can withstand frigid, well-below-zero temperatures (think snowmobile in the Antarctic).  In the end, it comes down to rider preparation and preference.

Preparation

You need to understand the hazards of cold weather riding like hypothermia (a decrease in core body temperature to a level at which normal muscle and brain functions are impaired) and frostnip/frostbite in order to prevent them.  I discovered on my ride to Odessa that you can suffer from mild hypothermia  even when the outside temperatures are in the upper 40’s.  I had neglected the effect of moving through the air at 70 mph and the resulting wind chill.  If the temperature is 47° F and you’re travelling 70 mph without a windshield, it can effectively feel like 34°.  No wonder, I was shivering! 

Learn from my mistake and dress in warm layers to insulate yourself from the cold.  If the temperatures are in the 40’s and you’ll be riding at freeway speeds, you should also make sure to cover all exposed skin paying special attention to your ears, nose, chin, and fingers, as they’re the most susceptible to frostnip/frostbite. Remember to consider the outside air temperature, your planned speed, and trip length when preparing for a cool/cold weather ride. These considerations will help gauge what you need to wear to stay warm and hopefully, comfortable.

Preference

Only you can decide when it’s too cold to ride.  Everyone has his or her own opinion…and everyone is right.  After all, it is your ride.  Just keep in mind that you can extend your riding season by carefully selecting your gear.  There are lots of choices of leather and textile to build insulating layers and you can even choose heated gear to minimize the bulk.  You don’t have to dress like the Michelin Man to stay warm during a cold weather ride.  :-)

So, what temperature is too cold for you?  What types of gear/clothing do you use to extend your riding season?  Leave a comment and let’s see what we can learn from one another.

_____________________________________

Learn more about Speed and Temperature

Learn how to calculate Wind Chill

Learn more about Hypothermia

Learn more about Frostnip and Frostbite

Learn more about the Science of Cold

First Clasics Prima Leather Motorcycle Vest Video Review

Last month I posted about my First Classics Prima Leather Motorcycle Vest from motorcychouse.com.  I promised a video review in December, and here it is.

I discovered making a product review video isn't as easy as it sounds. But it was a lot of fun.  I hope the lessons I learned making this video will help me make better product review videos in the future.  
Constructive criticism is appreciated, so leave a comment and tell me what you really think.

________________________________
Learn more about motorcyclehouse.com
Learn more about the First Classics Prima Leather Motorcycle Vest

Get Your Heart On

One of the things I’ve discovered over the past couple of years is that bikers have big hearts.  Most people don’t realize this fact and many have some pretty bad misperceptions about the biker community.  Yes, some who ride motorcycles are downright scary, but under that tough exterior is generally a heart of gold.  In my community and many other communities across our nation, bikers are in the front of the line when it comes to supporting great causes.  Whether it be to help raise money for children with cancer, another biker who has been in an accident, or supporting our troops…bikers are always there.

I witnessed this on Saturday when over 115 bikes from all over San Antonio converged at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery to pay tribute to our nation’s heroes during the Wreaths Across America wreath laying ceremony.  It was a heartwarming sight.  Bikers from various clubs and chapters stood side-by-side, forming a flag line to serve as a patriotic backdrop during the official ceremony.  Afterwards, bikers joined others in the community to honor and remember those who served by placing over 16,000 wreaths on the tombstones of the fallen.

As a 21 year veteran of the Air Force I’m proud to be a part of the biker community. I’m thankful for the opportunity to ride with men and women who understand the feeling and meaning of freedom…and who are willing to give their time, talents, and treasures to support it.  It’s my wish during this holiday season and throughout the coming year that we, the biker community, will continue to look for ways to be of service and support the communities in which we live. 

Let’s get our hearts on!

_________________________________________

Learn more about Wreaths Across America

Learn more about Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

One Last Ride

What would you do if you could ride only one more time?  I imagine many have never given it a single thought.  I know I hadn’t.  Thinking about our own mortality is difficult.  We think we’re invincible and that tomorrow will always bring another day. But the cold-hard truth is, we aren’t invincible.  Eventually time catches us all.

If you knew, you had only one more day, one more week, one more month to live, what would you do?   Whatever it is, I hope you do it with the same courage, tenacity, and spirit as a Long Distance Rider named, Jeff Parker.  I never met Jeff but what he wrote about his USA Four Corners Tour on the LDRider List profoundly touched my heart. 

On Saturday, November 30^th, Jeff wrote:

“I have returned from my four corners ride. I'm sorry that I have not posted updates as I promised, but I have been very ill. Leaving the northeast, I started to feel very ill. I made it to Florida, and spent a week there, just recuperating, or trying to anyhow. I ended up being admitted to the hospital where several tests revealed that my cancer had spread. No surprise there. I was told by my doctors that I should be connected with hospice, if I so desired, so I could rest comfortably, and that there was nothing else left for them to do.

Hospice wasn't an option at the time, and while the doctors may have had nothing left to do, I sure as hell did! I had to ride to San Ysidro, CA to finish my four corners ride! The doctors advised me that I should not ride a motorcycle, because that would be hard on my health. Knowing I was dying of pancreatic cancer, I asked myself how much harder on my health could riding a motorcycle really be? So against medical advice, I departed and headed to the Florida Keys, then westbound.

I rode only 50 miles some days, and 500 miles on other days, depending how I felt. I made it to Texas, and felt reasonably ok. Reaching New Mexico, I started to feel just awful. I spent two days there trying to get well, and just couldn't. I powered through and rode to Arizona, where I again rested two days. I was done. I knew I was no longer able to ride; I wasn't safe any longer. The pain was intense. My mental alertness was gone, as pain is all that I could tune into. So close to finishing my four corners ride, yet unable to do so. What am I to do? I picked up my BMW MOA anonymous book and called a few people, and invited them to coffee. I explained my plight, and humbly asked if any of them would be willing to ride two up on my bike, me on the back, and ride me to San Ysedro so I could finish my four corners ride? They all were delighted to, and the schedule worked for one of them.

We left for our ride, and seven hours later, arrived in San Ysedro. Since I didnt do all of the riding, I am not sure if it truly counts as a four corners ride, but in my mind it does. I had the time of my life! I made it! I bought Daniel an airline ticket home, hugged him good bye, said thank you, and off he went. Thank you Daniel, for making my dream come true.

I am now enrolled with hospice and am comfortable. Should I not have the opportunity to write here again, I bid all farewell, and will be watching you from above. Ride on folks, ride on!”

Jeff’s words struck a chord. Through unthinkable challenges and pain, Jeff’s love of riding kept him going.  Even after realizing he could no longer pilot his bike safely, he found a way to reach his goal.  His determination and grit allowed him to complete an epic ride around the US and realize a dream.   Jeff never gave-up.  

One of the lessons I took from Jeff’s experience is to live more in the moment, to enjoy the here and now, and to make every ride an epic ride regardless of its length.  We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, so we need to make the most of today. At its core that’s what living free and riding hard is all about. I’m grateful to Jeff for helping me see things more clearly and motivating me to think about my “last” ride.  I hope he motivated you as well.

Prologue

Sadly, on Tuesday, December 3^rd, Jeff Parker lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.  I’d like to believe Jeff is riding hard in heaven and smiling on all who share his love and passion for motorcycling. Ride on Jeff, ride on!

______________________________________

Learn more about the USA Four Corners Tour

Learn more about the LDRidersList

The Cure For Motorcycle Vest Envy

Note: This is a sponsored review; however, the opinions I’ve expressed are my own and were in no way influenced by the fact that I got free swag in the form of a motorcycle vest. I hope you find the review informative and entertaining. ~Curt

When I became a member of the Gruene Chapter Harley Owners Group (HOG) one of my first purchases was a motorcycle vest. I was amazed at how expensive they could be and looked for the cheapest vest I could find. I was relatively new to riding and wasn’t sure if I’d like being part of an organized group so I didn’t want to invest a lot of money in a vest. As it turns out, I really enjoy riding and participating in HOG activities. Therein lies my problem.

Motorcycle Vest Envy...I Got It Bad

My cheap ($20) vest isn’t wearing well and I haven’t been happy with it for a long time. It’s made of leather but I don’t know what animal it came from. It was supposed to be buffalo, but I’m pretty sure it’s not the American Indian type buffalo I pictured when it was ordered. Truth be told, I seriously believe it might be some sort of Chinese water buffalo. I thought maybe with some wear it would soften-up but in two years that hasn’t happened. It’s pretty thin, it’s hard, and it feels a little like cardboard. Bottom line…my vest sucks and I want a new one. I really wish I had invested a little more to get a better quality vest. Lesson learned.

Fortunately, the motorcycle gods have been looking out for me because  I was recently contacted by motorcylehouse.com. They told me they’d send me some gear and that I could keep it in return for posting an honest review of the product on my blog. I ask if I could pick out a vest, and to my surprise they said, “Sure.” I was impressed with the selection offered on their website and ended-up picking out a First Classics Prima Leather Motorcycle Vest listed for $99. I placed my “order” and waited anxiously. Turns out, I didn’t have to wait too long. I received a UPS Tracking Number via e-mail within 24 hours of placing my order. I quickly clicked the enclosed link and discovered my vest had already been shipped via UPS from a warehouse in Uniondale, New York and was scheduled to arrive in four business days. Cool!

The vest arrived right on schedule. I was excited to see the box on my porch when I pulled into my driveway after work. Like a kid on Christmas morning, I made a beeline for the package and quickly tore into it. As soon as I opened the box and removed the vest from its plastic protective bag a sweet familiar aroma permeated the air. This was a “real” leather vest, no question about it. I carried the vest to my kitchen table to take a closer look. The leather seemed thick and supple and had a nice amount of heft to it. The vest appeared to be solidly constructed and the stitching was impressive as was the cotton and polyester lining. I examined the metal snaps, all eleven of them…five up the front, two on the scooter collar, two on the outside pockets, and two on the inside pockets. They looked and felt solid, snapping and unsnapping with just the right amount of force. My initial reaction was, “This is a nice vest!”

I Found The Cure!

About that time my wife walked over, looked at the vest, looked at me, and said, “Looks a little small, what size is it?” I replied, “It’s a large,” as I slid the vest on to check the fit. I admit it was a little snug on my 5’7” 195-pound frame but an x-large would have been much too big. I definitely won’t be wearing it over a jacket without vest extenders, but hey, now I have some additional motivation to lose those 10-15 pounds I’ve been trying to get rid of. I wore the vest around the house for the rest of the evening and did my best “Magic Mike” impression before going to bed. At the end of the day, my wife admitted the vest looked good on me.

The next afternoon I wore the vest on a short ride and was pleased with its performance. It got a little chilly as the sun was setting but the vest kept me nice and warm. I did decide that although I liked the looks of the scooter collar, it wasn’t practical for me…I’ll probably never ride with it snapped closed. Fortunately that shouldn’t be a problem. Over the next week or so, I wore the vest everywhere to get a better feel for it. Hell, I even wore it to work. The vest is comfortable and stylish. For riders who like to listen to music, you can put an MP3 player in the left pocket and run your ear buds through a buttonhole in the pocket flap. From a real estate perspective, the vest offers plenty of space for patches and pins; however, the back is made-up of multiple panels so a club or chapter patch will overlap a few seams. Overall, I’m very impressed with the looks, feel, and yes, even the fit of the First Classics vest. Only time will tell how well it wears but I have high expectations that it will look great and last a long, long time. I’m already looking forward to putting some new HOG patches and pins on it. Best of all, that nagging case of motorcycle vest envy I caught from my old vest is gone...I’ve been cured. Thank you motorcyclehouse.com!

Coming Soon
To see the First Classics Prima Motorcycle Vest up-close and personal watch for the upcoming Live Free and Ride Hard Product Review Video. It’ll debut sometime in December…don’t worry, “Magic Mike” will not make an appearance.

It’s Official…My Iron Butt Bun Burner 1500 Has Been Certified

I was surprised when I checked my mailbox yesterday and found a big envelope from the Iron Butt Association (IBA).  I wasn’t expecting anything from them for at least another month, so you can imagine how excited I was (or maybe you can’t).  Well, I was more excited than a malnourished tick on a large longhaired dog.  I thought I’d hit the mother lode!   I surgically cut through the envelope taking care not to harm the contents and then eagerly removed the letter, certificate, pin, and stickers.  My wait was over after six short weeks. 

When I submitted my ride documentation to the IBA in October I’d been told it could take three-months to process.  The IBA thoroughly reviews all submitted documentation to verify your ride.  If something in your documentation package doesn’t add up, then your ride doesn’t get certified.  It’s that simple.  The IBA keeps long distance riders honest and in doing so builds credibility within the long distance riding community. If a ride is certified by the IBA, you can be sure the rider met the qualifications and isn’t just telling a fish story. 

 At first glance, the documentation requirements for the Iron Butt SaddleSore 1000 and Bun Burner 1500 seem a bit daunting but when broken down they’re not that bad.  The key to documenting your Iron Butt ride is good organization.  You’ll need signed witness forms for the start and end of the ride, a log of all of your stops, a copy of your gas receipts with good date/time stamps, and a map that shows your actual route with all stops annotated.  I built a documentation package template for my Bun Burner 1500 ride that helped me stay organized and ensured that I didn’t forget something important.  Here’s a pdf version of the documentation package I submitted to the IBA, feel free to use it as an example.

With two IBA certified rides complete, I’m thinking I’ll do either a SaddleSore 2000 (2000 miles in 48 hours) or a Bun Burner Gold (1500 miles in 24 hours) next.  I’m leaning towards the SaddleSore 2000 because I can do an all Interstate route between Garden Ridge, TX and Louisville, KY…and get in a quick visit with my Dad.  I’m sure the 2170 mile roundtrip journey will be a challenge but I think I’m up for it.   Some might think I’m crazy, but I don’t.  What’s more crazy?  Living your life with regret over things you never did, or looking back and saying, “Damn, I did that!”  Life is for living and I want to Live Free and Ride Hard! 

I’ll keep you posted on my ride planning progress...

Self Promotion Is Good, Right?

Over Veteran's Day weekend I rode to Lost Maples State Natural Area with the Gruene Harley Owners Group Chapter and had a great time. This week I had the opportunity to share the experience of that ride as a guest blogger on motorcyclehouse.com.

In an attempt at shameless self-promotion here's a link to that guest post. Hope you enjoy it!

Changing Seasons...A Ride to Lost Maples State Natural Area

Changing of the Seasons at Lost Maples SNA

No Dinosaurs Here…HD to Build 500cc and 750cc Motorcycles

If you’re like me, you may have been a little surprised to learn that Harley-Davidson® will manufacture 500 and 750cc bikes starting in 2014. I mean it’s been 35+ years since the Motor Company sold a HD branded small displacement bike and even then it was from Italian subsidiary, Aermacchi. So why the revival now?  In a word -- DEMOGRAPHICS.

Middle-aged men like me are only getting older and let’s face it, one day we won’t be able to ride those big touring bikes we’ve grown to love.  What about the Motor Company then?  Visions of dinosaurs come to mind, and we all know what happened to the dinosaurs…they became extinct.  In order for the Motor Company to survive and thrive, they need to expand the brand appeal to a much more diverse demographic.  Over the past few years, they’ve worked hard to do just that and I applaud them for it. The Motor Company’s focus on the IronElite, the Harlistas, and women riders has already increased the size and diversity of the Harley-Davidson® family. However, there’s still more work to do in bringing in the next generation of Harley enthusiasts. The new HD Speed™ 500 and 750 should help by appealing to younger riders.

As a member of both the National and Gruene Chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG), I’m hoping these bikes will bring new and younger riders into our ranks. If we’re lucky, the launch of the Speed™ 500 and 750 will give us a tool to ignite the passion for riding and love of all things Harley in a new generation of riders.  I believe this will be good for the riding community and will help ensure Harley-Davidson’s next 110 years are as rich with mystique and heritage as the last 110 years. No dinosaurs allowed!

Check out the specs and pass the info along to a new/young rider…let’s welcome the new demographic these bikes will bring into the Harley-Davidson® family with open arms.

        Speed™ 500  (494 CC Liquid Cooled Engine) – priced at $6,700

·       Speed™ 750  (794 CC Liquid Cooled Engine) – priced at $7,500

•      6 Speed Transmission
•      Belt Dive
•      2 Into 1 Exhaust
•      Mid-Mount Controls
•      Single Caliper Disc Brakes
•      Specially Tuned Suspension
•      2 Up Seat w/ Passenger Pegs
•      LED Tail Lights and Bullet Signals
•      V Twin 60° 4 Valves per Head
•      Wheel Size: 17” Front, 15” Rear
•      Wheelbase: 59.5”
•      Weight: 480 lbs (Wet)

Learn more about the bikes at http://street.harley-davidson.com/en_US

To stay informed on whats going on in the biker community check out Biker News Online,  it was one of the first blogs to report on the unveiling of the new bikes in Milan, Italy on Monday.

Texas Tour of Honor - 1545 Miles in 35 Hours

My Texas Tour of Honor (ToH) ride is now history. I'm happy to say that I met my goal of completing the 1500+ mile ride in under 36 hours. I e-mailed the ToH administrator the required photos to verify that I visited the correct locations on Sunday and heard back from her on Monday that my photos had been accepted/verified and that I had been identified on their website as having visited 7 ToH sites. I mailed my documentation package to the Iron Butt Association (IBA) yesterday and am hopeful that they will certify my ride as a Tour of Honor Extreme Bun Burner. Unfortunately, I may have to wait up to 3 months to hear back from them...I'll let you know when I get my certification :-)

I left my house at about 3:30 Friday morning and cautiously made my way to Palacios, TX. Riding at night can be little nerve-wrecking. The reduced viability makes it even more important to watch your speed and your surroundings. Not too far from Palacios some kind of animal ran across the road in front of me making the ol'sphincter really pucker-up. I'm almost certain it was a chupacabra...whatever it was it wouldn't have been a pretty sight if I had actually hit it. The adrenaline rush from the near-miss experience kept me pumped-up for hours. The miles from Palacios to Galveston and then to Tyler were uneventful but watching the sunrise over the coast was magical.

Overall, I really enjoyed the ride but there were times during those many miles that I questioned my sanity. One of those times was riding through Dallas, TX during rush hour. There's not much I dislike more than crawling through traffic on a motorcycle...and after having been on the bike for over 13 hours, operating the clutch and throttle became extremely painful. This was my lowest point in the ride. I really felt defeated and the delay made me question whether or not I was really going to be able to finish in under 36 hours. I made an unplanned stop at a McDonald's as soon as I exited I-20. The short time I spent there did wonders for my attitude. I got back on the bike more determined than ever to complete the ride and meet my goal.

I pulled into San Angelo, TX at about 2:30 in the morning, a little more than an hour after my planned arrival time. In order to make-up some time, I decided to cut my rest period short. I slept for about 3 hours, showered, and hit the road around 6:30. I felt good and the cool morning air was refreshing. As I made my way to Andrews, TX I witnessed another beautiful sunrise. I couldn't help but feel cheerful and blessed. I enjoyed the solitude and beauty of West Texas. There's a quiet stillness there that rejuvenates the soul.

As I clicked off the miles from Andrews to Pecos to Van Horn my excitement and confidence grew. I had maintained a good speed (without speeding) and was on-track to make it to the last ToH site in El Paso, TX before my 36 hour window closed. The last 120 miles to El Paso seemed to drag on forever...I just wanted to get there. The only saving grace in those last hundred miles was the magnificent landscape. Mountains rose up all around me and they were breathtaking. This in one of the most beautiful parts of Texas.

I made my way through El Paso to the US Border Patrol Museum at about 2:30 in the afternoon on Saturday. I quickly took the required photograph and went inside to request a signature on my IBA witness form to document the end of the ride. A museum employee was happy to help me. After getting my witness form signed I went to the gift shop and purchased a US Border Patrol pin for my vest. The date/time stamp on the receipt providing the official end time to my Iron Butt ride...13:39 MDT. I did a little Happy Dance to celebrate riding 1545 miles in 35 hours and 1 minute.

My Happy Dance was cut short when it hit me that I needed to ride another 600+ miles to get home. I spent a few minutes taking in the sights of the museum before saddling-up for the ride home. I decided after 35+ hours with only 3 hours sleep I would stop for the night in Van Horn, TX but not before stopping at Barnett Harley-Davidson, billed as having the world's largest selection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. I spent about 30 minutes in Barnett's. I'll have to say I've never seen a larger selection of Harley motorcycles and t-shirts anywhere. The place was huge.

Realizing I hadn't had anything except a couple of granola bars and some Gatorade in the last 22 hours, I stopped at McDonald's as I left El Paso. I don't think a grilled chicken sandwich, fries, and a diet coke ever tasted so good. Refreshed and refueled I pushed on to Van Horn and checked into a Motel 6. The only thing I can say about my Motel 6 experience is that it was cheap and I got a good 9 hours of sleep. I was back on the bike just after sunrise on Sunday. A short four and a half hour later I pulled into my daughter's driveway in San Angelo. I spent the rest of Sunday and half of Monday playing with my granddaughters and grandson. I look forward to the day when they're big enough ride with me. I think they'll enjoy it. I know I will.

My wife had driven to San Angelo on Thursday so we left together at about 1:30 Monday afternoon. The sky looked like it would open-up at any moment but it never rained. As we got closer to home, the clouds broke to reveal a beautiful blue sky. When I pulled into my garage at 6:30 my trip odometer read 2181 miles. That's the most miles I've ridden in such a short period of time. I know to some hard core long distance riders that isn't a lot but it is to me. It was an adventure I'm sure to remember for a long time to come. I'm excited to see where my next adventure will take me. Now more than ever I want to Live free and Ride Hard!

SpotWalla Tracking Map of My 2181 Mile Adventure

______________________________________________

To view more photographs of my adventure across Texas, please visit my Facebook Page.

To learn more about the Iron Butt Certification rides, visit the Iron Butt Association website.

To learn more about the 2013 Tour of Honor, visit the Tour of Honor website.

Happy Dance Time...

Wow, it’s hard to believe that I haven’t posted in over a month. I’ve wanted to post but each time I thought about sitting-down and putting pen-to-paper, my attention was diverted…and then I was off in a different direction. Between work and family visits there didn’t seem to be a whole lot of time left for writing or riding for that matter. Unfortunately, I think my mental health has suffered for it. I get a little anxious if I go without any saddle time for a while. Riding helps me clear my head and motivates me to work harder in other areas of my life. Riding calms my soul. 

Provided the weather isn’t too extreme on Friday, 11 October 2013, my soul should be doing a happy dance. I plan to start my Tour of Honor Bun Burner Extreme Iron Butt ride between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. If all goes as planned, I should cover the 1500+ miles in under 36 hours. I’ve mapped out a route that will take me from my house to the farthest Tour of Honor site in the state, the National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso, TX. Here’s an overview of my planned stops:

A. Home
B. Camp Hulen Historical Marker, Palacios, TX
C. USS Cavalla SSK-244, Seawolf Park, Galveston, TX
D. Gas Stop, Centerville, TX
E. Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, Tyler, TX
F. US Veterans Museum of Granbury, Granbury, TX
G. Cedar Park County Veterans Memorial, Cedar Park, TX
H. Gas Stop, Brady TX
I. Rest/Sleep Stop, San Angelo, TX
J. Andrews County Veterans Memorial, Andrews, TX
K. Gas Stop, Pecos, TX
L. Gas Stop, Van Horn, TX
M. National Border Patrol Museum, El Paso, TX

Given my bike’s 4.5 gallon tank, I’ll be getting gas at each Tour of Honor stop as well as the gas stops listed. The nice thing about having a smaller tank is you have an opportunity to stretch your legs more often but the downside is the more stops you make the more difficult it becomes to maintain a good average speed. I’m hoping I can improve my average speed between stops and possibly reduce my stop times to give me a little more wiggle room to complete the ride in the allotted 36 hours. As it stands now, if I don’t increase my speed averages and decrease stop times I’ll only have about 15 minutes to spare before running out of time. Let me know what you think of my detailed ride plan:

While I’d really like to accomplish my goal and earn an additional Iron Butt certification, safety will be my primary concern. I won’t push myself if I get tired and I’ll ride within my limits. I’m a little nervous about the hazards wildlife poses at night but will lower the risk of having a wildlife encounter by maintaining a slower speed and maintaining good situational awareness. At the end of the day, I’m riding for my personal enjoyment, not to earn a certificate.

If you’d like to “follow” me on this adventure, I’ll be using BubblerGPS and SpotWalla for tracking. You can check on my progress here. The SpotWalla map should initialize between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Unlike a SPOT tracker, my BubblerGPS app will only upload my location when I have a good cell phone signal so my “track” may appear a bit sporadic.

I’ll post a full ride report and pictures as soon as I can once I’m back. Until then, wish me luck and Godspeed. Gotta get ready for my Happy Dance…

Ready to Ride…Texas Tour of Honor 2013

It’s official; I received my Iron Butt Association Saddlesore 1000 certificate this past weekend from the certification ride I completed in May. I’m now a member of the Iron Butt Association (IBA), member number 56055. I know it’s just a certificate, but I’m proud of the accomplishment. Not everyone is bold enough (okay, maybe crazy enough) to attempt to ride a motorcycle 1000 miles in under 24 hours. I can say, it wasn’t overly difficult but I did have to pace myself…especially in the 106-degree heat in West Texas. I believe if you’re truly determined to stay in the saddle mile after mile, in fair shape, and don’t have any underlying medical issues; anyone can safely cover the distance in the allotted time. The thing is, most just don’t have the desire and/or determination.

Ever since completing the Saddlesore 1000 with Hoagy’s Heroes I’ve been thinking about what to do for my next Iron Butt challenge. I can happily report that I’ve figured it out. I’m going to attempt a Tour of Honor Extreme Bun Burner. Riding 1500 miles in 36 hours or less is a challenge in and of itself, but I’m going to add to the challenge by completing it while visiting the 7 designated 2013 Tour of Honor memorials and monuments in the State of Texas. During the ride, I’ll visit sites located as far East as Galveston and as far West as El Paso. It should be a wild ride.

The Tour of Honor is self-directed and runs from 1 April thru 31 October 2013 with memorials and monuments designated in all 50 States and Canada. This year, $10 of the $75 entrance fee will go to the Wounded Warrior project…the rest covers a Rally Flag, T-Shirt, and a commemorative pin and completion certificate (provided you visit 7 or more sites). I haven’t picked an exact date to start but have established my route and departure time. I’ll be starting at 4:30 a.m on a Friday and completing the ride on a Saturday afternoon. With a little luck, this schedule should allow me to visit sites with specific operating hours during regular business hours.

My ride plan includes all 7 designed sites in Texas. I’ll visit each of them, take a photo with my bike and rally flag, and be on my way. In order to cover the 1500+ miles in under 36 hours I won’t have a lot of time to stay in one place…but I do have a 6 hour rest period planned. Here’s my planned route: 

          1. Home 
          2. Camp Hulen Historical Marker, Palacios, TX 
          3. USS Cavalla SSK-244, Galveston, TX 
          4. Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, Tyler, TX 
          5. U.S. Veterans Museum, Granbury, TX 
          6. Cedar Park County Veterans Memorial, Cedar Park, TX 
          7. Six Hour Rest Stop, San Angelo, TX 
          8. Andrews County Veterans Memorial, Andrews, TX 
          9. National Border Patrol Museum, El Paso, TX

Of course, I’ll still have a big ride ahead of me (500+ miles) after I reach El Paso but I won’t be under any time pressure to get home so I’ll probably take a day or two to get back. Safety will be my primary concern, so I won’t break any traffic laws and will always pull over and rest when I’m too tired to ride. 

I’m getting excited just thinking about the trip. Watch for an update once I’ve selected a definitive date to start and then a complete ride report once I’ve completed the ride. Until then…Live Free and Ride Hard!

__________________________________________

For more info click on the links:

Iron Butt Association (IBA) 
Tour of Honor

Long Distance Virgin - Part 2

Continued from 12 August 2013 Post...

Friday, 12 October 2012

At 5:00 I woke-up to the sound of a torrential downpour.  It's amazing how loud rain can be in an otherwise silent cabin.  I thought for a moment that his wasn't the best way to start the day but quickly realized how blessed I was...I was originally going to camp in my tent.  I rolled over and went back to sleep hoping the rain would pass through before my planned 8:00 a.m departure time.

When I got up at 6:30 it was still raining pretty hard and every now and then lightening lit up the dark sky.  The thunder sometimes rattled the windows and I could feel the cabin shake around me.  It was peaceful listening to the rain on the cabin's metal roof.  As the clocked ticked past 7:00 and the rain continued, I decided that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't leave at 8:00.  I ate a Snickers Almond candy bar and realized this was what people meant when they say, "It's not about the destination, it's about the journey."  I was definitely on a journey.

It was still raining at 10:30 and check-out was at 11:00 so I accepted the fact that I was going to ride in the rain.  By the time I loaded the bike and donned my rain suit it was 11:15. I cautiously headed for the ranger station as the roads in the campground were narrow and had standing water in several low lying areas. I dropped off my cabin key and made my way back to the Trace.  I rode in a steady rain for about an hour.  I was nervous at first but quickly gained confidence.  I was fortunate my first rain experience was on the Trace because there was very little traffic and the speed limit was only 50.

As I got over my fear of riding in the rain, I was able to enjoy the ride.  The sights along the way were beautiful and the fresh smell of the air after the rain was amazing.  I'm not sure I've ever felt quite as free and alive.  I stopped several times to take pictures...a gorgeous overlook, an interesting historical site, and several places along the side of the road.  I thought about stopping more but was mindful of my late start. I pressed ahead.

I had originally planned to be in Canton, Mississippi at the Ratliff Ferry campground by 5:00 but didn't get there until 7:00. I didn't want to set-up camp in the dark so I decided to go another 25 miles down the Trace to Jackson, Mississippi and look for a cheap hotel.   Riding the Trace after dark was nerve racking. With only two lanes, no shoulder, and heavy tree cover 15-25 feet from the edge of the road I was ever mindful of the collision hazard posed by wildlife.  I saw several deer, a fox, and what I think was a raccoon.  By the time I exited the Trace in Jackson at 7:35 I was ready to get off the bike.  I quickly found a "cheap" hotel and unloaded the bike.  Even with the morning rain, it had been an excellent day of riding.

Saturday, 13 October 2012

I left the hotel at 8:00 and headed for breakfast.  It was a glorious morning.  The sky was clear and the air was crisp…perfect riding weather.  As I ate my egg McMuffin and drank my orange juice I had mixed emotions.  I was happy for the opportunity to complete the Trace but somewhat saddened by the thought of my adventure coming to an end.  With only 103 miles before reaching Natchez, Mississippi my time on the Trace would soon be over and I would make my way back to the Interstate and my next overnight stop, Lake Charles, Louisiana. At least I’ll be riding I thought.

By 8:40 I was on the Trace making my way south to Natchez.  Everything about the ride was magnificent.  The morning sunlight filtered through the trees and the cool breeze made the leaves fall to the ground like snowflakes. I felt very much alive and connected with my surroundings…I felt close to God. It was spiritual.

I stopped several times to take pictures and to enjoy the beauty around me.  The entire Natchez Trace Parkway is steeped in history.  From beginning-to-end there are numerous pull-offs with signs and displays of historical significance.  The Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Natchez Indians thrived around the Trace and left behind built-up mounds where they erected temples.  The Trace served as an early trade and postal route and was used for troop movements during the civil war.   At one stop, I could feel the eerie presence of those who travelled before me as I walked along a short portion of the original trail known as the Sunken Trace.  At Mount Locust (one of the oldest structures still in existence in all of Mississippi), I could almost hear the voices of the travelers who stayed there during the early 1800s.

  

100 miles went by in a blink of an eye and I found myself at the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway. It was somewhat anti-climatic as there was no large structure or crowd of cheering people to commemorate my ride…just a sign on the northbound side saying “Entering Natchez Trace Parkway”.  I stopped briefly to take a picture of the sign and to turn on my GPS. I exited the Trace and focused my attention on the next leg of my trip.  I followed my GPS’s directions across the mighty Mississippi River into Louisiana.

I rode about 10 miles down LA131 before deciding I might be in trouble.  I had crossed into Louisiana so quickly I hadn’t stopped for gas in Natchez…and now I was literally in the middle of nowhere.  There were no signs of civilization to be seen.  I pressed ahead thinking that there would be a town just around the bend but there was nothing.  My concern over running out of gas distracted me from a great ride through the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area.  Several bridges and a hydroelectric plant made for great photo opportunities but I didn’t stop, I was too focused on my trip odometer and watching the miles slowly pile up.  I had never ridden over 150 miles without stopping for gas and I was getting nervous.  When the trip odometer read 170, I said a prayer and relegated myself to the fact that I might end up stranded on the side of the road.  Then I saw it.

I pulled into Lucky13 after having ridden 172 miles since my last fill-up.  I was relieved.  I don’t know how many more miles I could have gone but was thankful I didn’t have to find out.  I gassed up and decided to eat some lunch at the restaurant inside.  The chicken fingers and side of red beans and rice were excellent.  I checked the weather forecast along my route before leaving.  The weather looked good all the way to San Antonio, Texas but only for the rest of the day.  Sunday’s forecast indicated there was a high probability of rain from Houston to San Antonio.  I began to think I might need to forego camping overnight at Sam Houston Jones State Park in Lake Charles and make my way home.

The state roads from Lucky13 to I-49 left a lot to be desired. I’m not sure there was a single mile of smooth asphalt in the 60 or so miles I rode to get to I-49.  By the time I reached the Interstate I felt like I’d been beaten.  Needless to say, the Interstate was a welcomed sight. It’s amazing how fast 75 mph seems after going 45-55.  The miles were flying by and before I knew it I had reached I-10 and was on my way to Lake Charles.

Somewhere along I-10 I decided I would definitely skip camping at Lake Charles and get as far down the road before nightfall as I could.  I figured that if it did rain in the morning, I’d be that much closer to home. I stopped in Westlake, Louisiana (west of Lake Charles) for gas and quickly got back on the Interstate.  The slow, leisurely pace I enjoyed while on the Trace was over. I was in mile eating mode and focused on covering as much distance as possible in the shortest amount of time.  I let out a little “Ye Haw” when I crossed the Texas state line and kept on the throttle.  Riding at Interstate speeds is tiring but a lot of fun.

I stopped at a McDonalds in Katy, Texas (west of Houston) just before sunset.  I was hungry and physically drained.  I ordered a Big Mac and a PowerAde.  They hit the spot and after a short rest I felt rejuvenated.  I had spotted several hotels when I pulled-in and was now ready to call it a day but decided to check the weather first.  The probability of rain in the morning all the way from Houston to San Antonio had increased.  I was faced with a choice; continue to San Antonio in the dark or wait until morning and most likely ride in the rain.

I chose to ride in the dark.  Although my visibility would be reduced and the hazards of wildlife encounters were higher, I wouldn’t have to deal with both reduced traction and visibility…not to mention being uncomfortably warm in my rain suit.   Keeping an attentive eye for both traffic and wildlife helped the 166 miles from Katy to San Antonio to go quickly. My mind did play a couple of visual tricks on me…most notably when I crossed Allen Creek.  At first, I thought the sign read “Alien” Creek and I began to wonder if there had been some type of alien encounter in the area.  Anything to pass the time, I suppose.

I pulled into my driveway at 10:30 after having spent 14 hours making a push for home.  I felt a huge sense of accomplishment.  I unloaded the bike and went to bed…with a big ass smile on my face! J

My first long distance motorcycle road trip was complete.

Epilogue

Over the course of 5 days I rode some 2,300 miles across 8 states.  I rode in hot weather, cold weather, in rain, and at night…and I believe I’m a better rider and person because of the experience. I learned that having a ride plan is good but that you shouldn’t stress over deviating from it.  More importantly, I gained a healthy appreciation of motorcycle travel and came to realize there is an enormous difference between riding by and riding through.

In a car, bus, train, or plane we ride by…separated from our surroundings by a cage of metal, glass, and plastic.  We are isolated from the environment.  We are just on-lookers, not active participants.  On a motorcycle, we ride through.  We are one with our surroundings able to truly experience the sights, sounds, and smells of everything around us.  We can feel the wind, the heat, the cold, the rain…we are active participants, vulnerable, unencumbered. Riding through means feeling more connected, more alive, and more free.

They say you always remember your first time.  I know that’s true. My first long distance ride was awesome and I’m already looking forward to the next one. Watch for me on the road…I’ll be riding through!

_______________________________

For more information on the Natchez Trace Parkway, check out:  http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

Long Distance Virgin - Part 1

It's been almost a year since I lost my virginity...my long distance riding virginity, that is.  In October of 2012 I embarked on a solo journey to visit my Dad and ride the Natchez Trace Parkway.  I wrote a trip report but never published it anywhere, until now.  Here's part 1 of my adventure...

Prologue

The idea of riding my Harley-Davidson Sportster cross country had always intrigued me, but having never ridden more than 275 miles in a day I was nervous about attempting it.  Fortunately, the sheer excitement and personal challenge of a possible long distance ride outweighed my nervousness. I knew one day I would be on the open road.

My Dad’s 70th birthday presented the perfect opportunity. I started crafting a detailed ride plan a month in advance.  My plan included turn-by-turn routing, the specific location of gas and rest stops as well as estimated departure and arrival times for each stop. What started out as a simple trip to celebrate my Dad’s birthday in Louisville, Kentucky turned into a full blown 8 state motorcycle adventure. 

Thursday, 5 October 2012

I left San Antonio, Texas at 5:30 in the morning and travelled to Little Rock, Arkansas where I stayed the night at Little Rock Air Force Base. As I approached Little Rock on I-30 it threatened rain but I managed to stay dry until I reached the base. It started sprinkling just as I was passing through the Base’s main gate. Fortunately, I didn't get too wet and was able to unload the bike before it really started to pour.  I rode almost 600 miles in just under 9 hours…making it my longest ride ever.  I had been apprehensive about the distance but felt really good at the end of the day so I knew I could make it to my Dad’s in Louisville without a problem.

Friday, 6 October 2012

I woke up to unseasonably cool weather...it was 41 degrees in Little Rock and the forecast called for no more than 55 degree temperatures all the way to Kentucky.  I was able to put on enough layers to stay warm so I headed northeast to avoid the interstate. I travelled several US Highways and Sate Roads through Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee. I picked-up the Interstate in far southwestern Kentucky and made it to my Dad's house in Louisville by 6:20 in the evening.   

Although it was overcast most of the day, it was a beautiful ride.  I chuckled to myself when I rode through Goobertown, Arkansas (just northeast of Jonesboro) wondering why anyone would name a city Goobertown. I raced a train only to be caught by it at a stoplight...I think it must have been the longest train I've ever seen because I was stopped for what seemed like an eternity.  I was amazed at the majesty of the Mississippi River and the bridge that crossed it as I entered Tennessee. And I was equally impressed by the changing colors of the leaves along the Western Kentucky Parkway. The 500 mile ride from Little Rock to Louisville went smoothly.

With an 1100 mile, two day, 5 state motorcycle ride under my belt I was no longer a long distance virgin.

Saturday-Wednesday, 7-10 October 2012

I spent 5 nights with my Dad and helped him build and set forms for a garage addition. We celebrated his birthday at a Mexican restaurant by drinking a couple margaritas and watching several performers sing old country music songs.  He was surprised when two women pulled him up front and sang happy birthday to him. We had fun! I would have liked to have spent more time with my Dad but my return trip was ahead of me and I was looking forward to being back on the bike. 


Thursday, 11 October 2012

I pulled-out of Dad's driveway at about 11:10 and rode to the Hebron Cemetery to visit my Mom.  She died almost 5 years ago after a long battle with lung cancer and COPD.  I was very close to my Mom and have always felt that she’s my guardian angel.  After telling her about my trip and saying goodbye I headed for the Natchez Trace Parkway.  The Trace is a 440 mile long National Parkway that runs from just south of Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi.  I wasn't sure what to expect when I got there but everything I’d read indicated it would be a very scenic ride with lots of historical significance.  The 180 mile ride from Louisville to Nashville went quickly. As I made my way down I-65, I made a quick stop at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky for a photo opportunity and then in Franklin, Kentucky for gas.  Next stop the Natchez Trace Parkway.

After entering the Parkway at its northern terminus, I immediately knew I wasn't going to be disappointed. The first 15-20 miles were absolutely amazing!  Curve after gentle-sweeping-curve on the most tree lined patch of silky smooth asphalt I have ever ridden on.  I’m convinced the Trace was built for motorcycle travel. Mind you, not all riders will appreciate it because the top speed limit is only 50 mph (40 mph in some sections)...but I thought I was in heaven.


I rode about 70 miles on the Trace before reaching my destination for the night.  I arrived at the KOA campground near Hohenwald, Tennessee at about 5:00 just as it was starting to rain. After grabbing a burger at the campground's Trading Post I checked-in, rode to my cabin, and settled in for the night. It wasn't the Ritz-Carlton but it had electricity, a bed, and a bathroom.  What more could a guy ask for? Heat would have been nice...but I made do. I turned the 4 burners on the stove to “Med-Hi” for about two hours before turning out the lights. Needless to say it was warm and toasty under the covers with my sleeping bag opened up on top for extra warmth.  I slept well.

To be Continued...See 19 August 2013 Post...

Who Cares What You Ride...As Long As You Ride

Does it really matter what kind of motorcycle a person rides? I’d like to think the answer to that question is a resounding, “Hell, No!” Unfortunately, if you listen to how some motorcyclists talk about one another you might think differently. It amazes me that there’s not more camaraderie within the motorcycle community. 

I was on the /r/motorcycles sub-Reddit the other day when I came across a thread discussing the customary motorcyclist wave. The consensus seemed to be that Harley riders are pompous assholes that never wave to anyone but other Harley riders. As a Harley rider that waves to everyone, I was a little surprised. Almost to a person, the Sport bike riders who had commented related horrific stories about how they had been wronged by a poser on a Harley. All I could think is, “really”? 

It’s sad that any one group of riders would disparage another. But, I suppose their perception is their reality and the fact is I have heard a few Harley riders make unkind remarks about those who ride “Jap” bikes…or basically any bike that isn’t a Harley-Davidson.  As bikers, we should all accept some good-natured ribbing about our rides but we should avoid becoming mean-spirited and ugly about it. 

Regardless of what we ride, we’re still a part of a unique and exciting community…and we shouldn't forget that fact. I don’t care what type of bike you ride as long as you ride. If I see you on the road, I’ll wave. I can only hope you’ll wave back and acknowledge that we're both part of something bigger than ourselves. We’re part of a community that loves life and knows better than most what true freedom is all about. 

Let’s work harder at accepting and respecting one another. Let’s live free and ride hard!