Getting into the swing of things...

We're down to T-Minus 365 and counting so the serious stuff starts now. I'm sure I'll have lots to do just in the next few months, and I'm hoping that I can wrap up all the details and just play the waiting game when we're about 60 days out. But I'm realistic, so I'm pretty sure that won't happen.

I put up another poll (quite funny, I thought. And apparently, only *I* thought so). You should give it a whirl. After all, you read this far.

Had a few little issues with Cheeto on my last little trip. Like a big dummy, I went and left my driving lights on for about 2 hours and completely drained the battery. So now I own yet another set of jumper cables. Yay. That makes three sets. I also noticed my temperature light started flickering on when sitting at a light for more than a few minutes (after prolonged riding at highway speeds). Went off when I started moving again, so I wasn't too worried. I'm hoping I solved it with topping off the coolant and topping off the oil. That's kind of embarrassing: I'm such a maintenace freak and here I let the oil level drop down nearly 3/4 of a quart. In any case, I'm not completely sure I fixed the problem, but the next ride over 45 minutes oughta tell me right away.

And I've learned yet another valuable lesson (this time from witnessing other people): carry some basic tools like screwdrivers, pliers and a spark plug wrench. I've got all that covered except the spark plug wrench (and I might actually have that in the manufacturer's toolkit stored on the bike. I don't ever even open it up but I will now!).

Since this is a blog about the Vancouver trip, I won't go into detail about the Boogie, Abate of Indiana's annual party. Let's just say it was fun and it taught me that I can carry an awful lot of stuff on the bike for long distances without any issues. Good training for the trip, I guess. If you know me at all, you know I have pictures (about 350 of them), so just ask me and maybe I'll let you look (that just sounds wrong!).

This is a lot tougher than it seems

Sure, I know what you are doing...sitting there click-click-clicking your way around the Internet and thinking...what the heck is that crazy Gordo up to these days? Let me quickly check his blog and see if he's made any more silly decisions.

And you have that little smirk on you face as you read this, thinking, 'well, he doesn't seem to have a fear of traveling, now does he?' Answer: no. But apparently I have this fear of committing to a specific destination or route. Heck, I haven't even updated my website with the most current information yet, because frankly, I'm not sure where the hell I'm going next year.

Yes, the Vancouver Adventure is still on. Yes, we're still planning on hitting Alaska. Yes, we are definately meeting up with Myles and Deb in Montana and going through Glacier National Park. Yes, we are still only doing this trip in our alotted 16 days (hopefully less). Yes, it can be a bit confusing. I don't want to be pushy, so I keep asking Matt for his preference this way or that. As usual, his frustrating response is, 'whatever dude, I'm just along for the ride'. Does he really know what he's in for? Do I?

For instance, this is one potential route for us (and the cities chosen are just for making sure the route stays on the roads I prefer, not necessarily overnight stops for us). Give it some time to load, I've worked poor Google maps to death on this one.

I've heard from Myles and Deb and they plan on joining us for the Glacier National Park to Vancouver portion still, although they are taking a pass on the Alaska portion, and frankly, who can blame them? It does seem a little crazy. Their bikes are below...

Just checked the weather forecasts for out west and it would appear that this isn't exactly the height of their hot weather season. High in Vancouver tomorrow is only expected to be in the low 60's. The high in Hyder, Alaska is only expected to be mid 60's. That's about what we should expect next year. Guess I won't be going with the short sleeves and vest alone. Matt even spoke of getting a heated riding suit. But I think he's gonna settle for good, old-fashioned leather to keep him warm. Come to think of it, I've never seen a cow shiver, have you?

Still a lot to do...start the publicity machine and start trying to get sponsors to help us with some of the expense (and do a little something for the charity too, of course). Anybody know anybody with connections in the hotel industry? I'm not opposed to begging and groveling.

More on this as it develops....

It's official! Counting down from 365

One year from today, on July 3, 2010, this darned journey begins. Although it's still a year away, I feel like there's still so much to do. Perhaps I'm just addicted to stress!
Just finished shining up Cheeto from recent rides and realized that while I had thoughts of changing bikes prior to this trip and getting something bigger/newer, I really think I'll enjoy spending time on Cheeto. We've been through a lot together, and it would be wrong to abandon her now.
On the other hand, depending on how 6,100 miles treats her on this trip, perhaps she'll have to retire after it's over. And maybe I will too!

You ain't gonna believe this one....

Yes, it's been awhile since I've posted, but it's not like I haven't been busy.

Rode more than 2,500 miles over about 12 days, with a side trip to Lansing with the chopper in a trailer.
As Matt and I were looking at a map and checking out our route for the Vancouver Adventure, it occurred to Matt (and quickly to me) that neither of us has ever been to Alaska. Have you?

So, as we looked and measured, and Googled, and thought about it....it took all of about 3 minutes for us to decide that, by gosh, the Southwest can wait for another day. After all, ANY SCHMOE can do that. Heck, that's as easy as riding to LA and back and blogging about it.

So before anybody decides that they want to steal my idea (go ahead, be my guest) at least I'll post it here first. We are changing the route to return from Vancouver via Alaska. It'll tack on about 800 extra miles over all, but it's like a whole nuther country up there, eh? Besides, how many guys on bikes have you met that can say, "Alaska? Oh yeah, I rode up there before." As for me, I don't know any, personally. I'll be happy to be the first one YOU know who can say that.

I've met quite a few really cool Canadiens in my short years, so maybe it's time to Take Off for the Great White North and see how those hosers live. (Bob and Doug McKenzie: I was a HUGE fan of those knobs)

Who knows? Maybe we'll run into some of my favorite bands: Triumph, Rush, Alanis Morrisette, The Rheostatics, Bryan Adams, the Headpins, and many many more!

Or maybe we'll just run into lots of wild roadkill. From the pictures I've seen, there are a lot of bear running around in British Columbia. I like my bear to be splayed out on a floor, flat as can be, NOT running into the road in front of me.

In any case, watch for a flurry of activity now. We're nearing the one year countdown and we've changed the route twice already! By the time it's time to leave, it may be the Venezuela Adventure! I'm nothing if not semi-unpredictable! Or am I?