| Author | Message | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2009 Registered: 10-2003 |
More motorcycle drivel from me, and the write-up is not yet complete, but I think there may be some content which might be of interest to one or two of you.. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=725900 John | ||
| groovelines
Senior Member Username: groovelines Post Number: 694 Registered: 4-2003 |
John, thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed every little bit, absolutely wonderful. Mike | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2010 Registered: 10-2003 |
Visiting with Ron, Susan and Mica was definitely a highlight among highlights. John | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1431 Registered: 11-2004 |
I've said this before, but I love reading through these trips. Fantastic photos. The pictures from the visit at Alembic are fantastic- Lots of stuff there that I've never seen before. Seems like there are a lot of 'wood' pictures floating around, but not much in terms of the electronics side. Very cool to see all those. | ||
| kilowatt
Intermediate Member Username: kilowatt Post Number: 128 Registered: 12-2004 |
John, I absolutely love when you post your trip pictures and descriptions. As some of the members of your riding site stated, I felt as though I was on the trip with you. I need to hit the lottery, take a year off, and travel all over this amazing landscape! Regards, Pete | ||
| bassfingers
Advanced Member Username: bassfingers Post Number: 304 Registered: 11-2005 |
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.Great pics from the mothership. Best wishes, Simon | ||
| chuck
Advanced Member Username: chuck Post Number: 267 Registered: 3-2005 |
A pioneer amongst us. an amazing trip and great photos, I left my leather boots outside my tent one night in Colorado and one was carried off by a coyotye Game warden told me they love to chew on them. Chuck. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2011 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks, guys. I am amazed and humbled at the hospitality shown by our family at Alembic. Turns out I'm pretty sure Ron and my father have worked together in broadcasting in the distant past, and when I get the chance I'll ask Dad about it. Small world. Amazing how interconnected our lives are, and of course the bike trip itself highlights this. The fellow who hosted the rally in Oregon grew up across town from me, in a house I've been in, but we didn't know each other until now. Others I know through friends in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. And of course, it's impossible to not meet and make new friends along the way.. Some of us were talking about coyotes and their love of motorcycle boots at the rally. Makes sense, and I guess I was lucky or my boots just smelled too bad.. I hope Ron, Susan and Mica have time to scan through it as well, and that they approve of what and how I've posted the Alembic bits.. John | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1772 Registered: 9-2002 |
Anytime I'm somewhere where I'm required to drive or ride across those cattle guards in the (dirt) road, I'm happy. NICE trip and tagalong photos, John ! J o e y | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10391 Registered: 5-2002 |
Just finished reading; wonderful as always. Thanks for sharing with us! | ||
| wayne
Intermediate Member Username: wayne Post Number: 197 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wonderful narrative and pictures! My wife and I completely enjoyed reading this. Question: What model Canon do you use? C-Ya...........wayne | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2012 Registered: 10-2003 |
Cattle guards on a dirt road are always a good sign on a motorcycle trip! The motorcycle has been liberating for me. No other way I could afford the experiences it provides. I'm using a Canon EOS50D with a Tamron 10-24mm zoom lens. I am quite happy with this setup. I only wish now that it would do HD video. I am one needy fellow. ;-) I highly recommend two-wheeled adventuring to anyone and everyone. There is no better way to see what the world is about, imho.. John | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2013 Registered: 10-2003 |
And of course, now every time I post I think of the little box under Ron's desk grinding away to make it happen..  | ||
| jon_jackson
Member Username: jon_jackson Post Number: 98 Registered: 12-2008 |
I don't ride a motorcycle, but I always enjoy your posts/photos of your trips. -Jon | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1773 Registered: 9-2002 |
So John, the inevitable question, after your 'extended test drive': V-Strom or KLR, or something else? J o e y | ||
| tncaveman
Junior Username: tncaveman Post Number: 35 Registered: 2-2011 |
WOW John, that looked like a really cool trip. Great shots and commentary. Loved the Alembic factory tour shots. That place looks amazing. We did our first adventure out west this year - Tennessee to New Mexico with 14 of us from our Scout Troop. We went to Philmont and backpacked about 60 miles or so - I have about 1000 pics and need to do a write up. Too much cool stuff not to share. Stephen | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 670 Registered: 6-2006 |
VERY cool. Epic travel story. Pictures are great. thanks John! | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2014 Registered: 10-2003 |
Jon, glad you enjoy. I can't recommend the motorcycle enough. It makes my soul happy. J o e y, the verdict is still out. I think the Yamaha Super Tenere or BMW F800GS are the answer, but they aren't cheap. The Wee-Strom ate up the asphalt and was an absolute blast to ride everywhere that wasn't deep-ish sand, rocks or whoops. The KLR would have made me crazy across the Great Plains and would have struggled with the high passes. It would have been about perfect for the Bend area though. *sigh* So many choices.. ;-) Stephen, I have a friend who works Philmont in the Summers. From all I gather, it is truly a special place. Post a link to your write-up when you get the pics sorted. I'd love to see it. Pauldo, thanks! We need to compare notes at the next Chicago gathering. See you in May! John | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1305 Registered: 12-2004 |
John, Your trip logs fill me with a deep sense of wanderlust. The photos and trip details are wonderful. Bradley | ||
| rustyg61
Advanced Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 322 Registered: 2-2011 |
John, you are my new hero! I got rid of my dual sport this year & now just ride my Harleys. I would love to do a cross country trip like this on a road worthy dual sport, mine was a WR250R Yamaha & geared more towards dirt than street. You are a man after my own heart in many ways, you ride bikes, hit close to 100mph every day, play an Alembic, & have toured the Mothership! You got some amazing pictures, thanks for posting! I toured the factory in June, but didn't get to see the electronics room, so this was way cool seeing your pictures of it! If you ever do a trip to Texas, look me up & I'll meet you on the road! Rusty | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2016 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks, Bradley! Wanderlust is not a bad thing at all.. ;-) Rusty, I've done a few trips to Big Bend and love it there. Hope to drag the family down there someday soon before it gets civilized! They're building a new border crossing that's supposed to be done in April I think. I'd love to be able to walk across into Boquillas for lunch, which is definitely on my list. Life's too short, and I'm going to live as much of it as I can while I'm able. John | ||
| rustyg61
Advanced Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 323 Registered: 2-2011 |
Hey John, I have never ridden to Big Bend, been there deer hunting, but never on the bike. I've always wanted to go though. If you make that trip, let me know & maybe I can tag along! Rusty | ||
| benson_murrensun
Senior Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 536 Registered: 5-2007 |
Hey John, Just got home from vacation and saw your moto journal. Very nice! Thanks for sharing. I have been to some of those places, and on a bike, as well. But the non-paved sections were all new to me as I stay on pavement. Hmmm, maybe it's time for an adventure bike.... I like those V-Stroms alot. I was off to the annual meeting of the Fur Peace Motorcycle Club, our 10th annual. I chose the Buell and Sheila chose her Ninja; they fit in the back of the truck better than our bigger bikes. Yes, we had to haul them for various practical reasons, but the riding in Southern Ohio was outstanding, and those were the right bikes for the purpose. I'm on my last day of vacation, back at home, and your story has made me decide to spend the day riding. Shiny side up! Ben | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2022 Registered: 10-2003 |
I used to think poorly of hauling bikes, but recognize that there are indeed times when it's the most logical thing to do. My *plan* had been to haul a small bike out there, but it would have cost twice as much in fuel and I wouldn't have gotten to ride almost 6k miles on some very very sweet roads (but I could have slept inside the Jeep every night and would have stayed dry and warm, for better or for worse). Maybe I'm just fickle, but it seems every bike I get one (with only a couple of exceptions) is my new favorite. Two wheels is two wheels! :D John | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 680 Registered: 6-2006 |
". . . new favorite" I heard that! I was looking for a new hi-vis multi season jacket and made the mistake of stopping at the local BMW dealer. Talk about a severe case of GAS! | ||
| benson_murrensun
Senior Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 537 Registered: 5-2007 |
One of these days I'll get a Roadcrafter from Aerostitch, when I hit the lottery. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2026 Registered: 10-2003 |
The BMW Rallye Pro 3 suit is one very nice piece of kit. I'd like to get a look at the Klim Adventure Touring suit, but it's like two grand or something. Of course, the Roadcrafter is pretty much the standard against which all others are judged (and for less money). So much nice stuff, yet so few dollars in the bank account! |
