Safety Inspection

Took bike to Velocity for safety inspection, I do this every year in early season just in case some squirrels moved into my exhaust system or the oil is full of water.

Seems the bike is ready to roll across the country with the exception of having a turn signal bulb replaced.

Getting ready to mount up and ride home, before 3-5 inches of snow tomorrow, a rider approached me to chat some about how big my bike (GL1800 Honda Goldwing) is. I told him it is light as a feather when moving but if you are stopped and you loose your balance do not try to stop the bike from falling over. You can not stop it. Just let it fall and you will have to learn the proper way to lift a GL1800 upright (weights a little less than 900 lbs. wet). He does some 12,000 miles per year and has a bad back. I told him he is looking at the right bike for him.

We parted company and I rode home knowing I have inspired another person to seriously think about a Honda Goldwing.

My work was done.

TTFN
Dick

Getting close to next trip

Well here it is the middle of March.
Snow has melted and several days have been ride able. Getting the itch to get back on the ride.
The 40 To Phoenix ride from Wilmington NC to Phoenix and beyond is just about ready. April 10th is the day to leave Dillsburg  and head west to meetup in Arkansas with the other 106 riders.

I have an appointment Thursday to have the Gold Wing gone over looking for issues to correct before leaving. Hopefully there will be little that needs attended to. Tires have been replace recently, oil changed, trailer tires were replaced last summer with very little miles racked up since then. Gear is in good order from previous trips but inspection will need done between now and leaving.

Plans for riding out are made but plans for returning are very wide open. My friend in Phoenix is sending ride ideas for riding in Arizona. I also want to stop at a few places on the way home but am staying very flexible.

Recently saw and add for Utah and its National Parks. I sure was impressed with Utah in 2013. Going back to see a park is not out of the question however the time of the year may not be warm enough to visit. I will have to check it out once in Phoenix.

TTFN
Dick

So time has gone by--

It has been a while since I have even thought about a blog but now I am planning a ride out to Phoenix with the Gold Wing Road Riders “40 to Phoenix”.

One day at the local GWRRA “Old Farts” breakfast (retired male riders), I mentioned I was thinking about doing this ride in 2015. I wondered if anyone was interested in doing the ride with me. Turns out one of our most active members said he would and he thought others might also want to try the ride.

Turns out there are several people who are interested. Several are going to start the ride at the official starting point in Wilmington NC but I will not be going there but meeting them on their third day out in Arkansas Oklahoma. One rider will be teaming up with me at that point and we will share our room s the rest of the way to Phoenix. He is going to  stay in Phoenix for  several days at his daughters and I will be staying with a family friend who put me up in 2013.

Did some research and found motels from here to Conway Arkansas

Oklahoma and also  am using the ones the ride leaders have lined up and use each year.

So for the past year I have spend much time watching the Food Network and the Triple D series, Ina Garten on Barefoot Contessa and Ree Drummond and “Pioneer Woman”. I have been cooking and eating my way through life. I have also had the experience of finding “No Knead Bread” on YouTube. I have made bread of various types in the past few months. Olive, Fennel, Caraway, Plain, Dill and others. I love this bread, rolls and baguette.

Well this ride to Phoenix will get me to a town I used to live in and  allow me to see old friends who have made a big difference in my life. Bob who allowed me to be a serious bike rider, Peter who allowed me to enjoy meeting people in the most unusual places and Wes who showed our family how to enjoy roller skating and trying new things.

I am thinking about riding around Phoenix and the rest of  the state. There is a route along the eastern side of the state that is on Route 129 for a ride of 100+ miles of twists and turns. I rode to Prescott Arizona last time and want to try it again. Also the Genghis Grill is on my list of places to get to. I want to eat my way through Phoenix.  I also want to cook for our friend Wes who is a bachelor. He recently found redemption by using a pellet smoker for cooking his food(bless him).

On the way home I want to visit the Virgin Atlantic Spaceport in New Mexico. Then  to stop and visit if possible Ree Drummond in Oklahoma. Who knows after that where I will wind up on this ride.