4 CORNERS - 10/10THS RIDE

[101stpathfinder]

"a quick run up to Halifax, then head westward to Vancouver before returning to Duluth"
The VBR is August 23-25 so can I assume that you will be in Halifax around August 18th?

Canadian FJR

I know you are asking Mike, But we will being riding together from West Palm Beach to Key West to Halifax together. I sent you a PM on ETA.

Refining it a little more:

We hope to depart WPB at 8 pm the 15th. A ride to the Keys and up to Halifax with our goal being 48 hours may be a little too aggressive. I think

realistically, By midnight at least. A rest in Halifax before the western push to Vancouver. SO I think Halifax would be late night the 17th or early morning

the 18th depending on timing up the east coast. We will both be running SPOT.

 

[TripperMike]

I'll be starting my portion of the trip in the weee hours of the 14th. So my 10 days will run out on that following Sat. of the 24th.

Hoping to arrive @ VBR Friday evening, leaving a few hrs of cushion.

Hopefully we'll be able to get our SPOTs set up on the same page. Would make it easier for us to check each other's location in the event our rest breaks don't coincide.

 

[TripperMike]

11 days and counting....

I think half the battle for a ride like this is all in the preperations. Fortunately 101st has been sharing a bit of his experience, in doing runs like this, with me. But it's still a lot to mull over in the few days remaining. Don't want to pack so much that I am constantly moving unnecessary items around to get to what I need; and yet a tad bit concerned I might forget something, that without it, the trip could be miserable. I would have to say though, that even with those concerns (and others), I am looking forward to a ride like this.

Mounted the CT a couple days ago. NBB will be doing a TBS for me next week. Hopefully I'll get my forks issue resolved this weekend. Fresh new batteries for the SPOT and the immensely important alarm clock. Spare headlight bulbs, oil, coolant, tire plugs and compressor. And I sure as heck better not forget my passport. Just imagine how that could muck up my ride if that were left at home.

While I'm thinking about it, why don't I just do my RR now.....

My a$$ hurts a ton, I think, not really sure since I have no feeling in it. My shoulders ache and my hands still feel like they're vibrating.

In all seriousness, I'm looking forward to this. Work always sucks big time leading up to a trip.

Is it time to leave yet?

 

[Canadian FJR]

Looking forward to seeing you two in Halifax. Just waiting for meeting location.

Canadian FJR

 

[101stpathfinder]

Well the bike has 2 new tires and a new rear rotor. (It seems the Nevada trail ride took its toll)

I lost my rear brakes for the 3rd leg of the IBR. Started the rally with new pads and finished with worn out pads and a severely damaged rotor on the rear.

Looking forward to seeing you two in Halifax. Just waiting for meeting location.




Canadian FJR

Scott, I sent you a PM with the Motel name and location. (Hope all is well)

 

[TripperMike]

5 days and counting.

Is it OK to feel nervous about this ride?

This will be the first ride of this magnitude for me. A 10/10ths. Ooofta!

NBB did the TBS and my scoot purrs like a kitten now.

 

[Tyler]

I could use a San Diego witness.

PM Richard/Fairlaner if you haven't found one yet... if he can't do it, I'm sure he'll be able to suggest someone who will. B)

 

[NBB]

5 days and counting.
Is it OK to feel nervous about this ride?

This will be the first ride of this magnitude for me. A 10/10ths. Ooofta!

NBB did the TBS and my scoot purrs like a kitten now.

Mike,

Glad that I could assist with the TBS. Enjoy the ride.

NBB

 

[BikerGeek99]

Dunno what your route is gonna be, but Sooze and I are gonna take a little ride and it's looking like we're gonna stay the evening of 8/17 in Richmond, VA.

Maybe I'll go and put together an outfit like that fella did for the IBR and hang out on an overpass and embaress Sooze.

 

[101stpathfinder]

OK ... Getting everything planned out :

Mike (TripperMike) will be starting it off with a Pines2Palms ride starting out around 6 am or so Wednesday. He will ride to West Palm Beach and meet up with me. After a rest we will head down to

Key West for his Pines2Palms finish and a must have photo. We will then ride north to Maine, where I will snag Madawaska, ME. That will be an option for him as we then ride to Halifax, NS. An over-

night stay before we ride out the next morning on a Trans Canada Gold. Halifax, NS to Vancouver, BC in 75 hours for the gold, 90 hours for the TC.

By then Mike will have just under 9k in under 8 days and will finish out his 10/10ths with a route you won't want to miss.

Mike's SPOT: https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=774151fbad21a30a8

From Vancouver, BC (As my mileage will be a weak 6.5k) I will ride to Blaine,WA before riding south to San Ysidro, CA (Still need a witness)

I will ride east and return to Key West, FL then home. Key West might be an option - as the ride will be just over 11k in 10 days.

My SPOT: https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=769451f6834a6aa1f

 

[TripperMike]

By then Mike will have just under 9k in under 8 days and will finish out his 10/10ths with a route you won't want to miss.

And this you can take to the bank...in that 9K miles, there's going to be ample opportunities for me to just say "screw this, I'm turning for home!"

IIRC this is bits of a conversation I had with Tony somewheres in Iowa last May...

Mike: "hey Tony I might just be heading down to Florida this year."

Tony: "that's great Mike. When you do, take a few extra days off."

Mike: "Oh sure, it would be great to just relax for a few extra days when I get there."

Tony: "Fantastic! So when you get there, I'll show you around the neighborhood for a few days."

Mike: "Lead the way."

OK so at that time I didn't fully understand just how BIG Tony's concept of neighborhood is.

Now with 2 SPOTs to watch, I offer you people 2 words..... OFFICE POOL. Heck I might even take a part of that action. I'll put $5 down saying I'll........

Truth be told, I'm beginning to chomp on the bit. Bike is nearly packed, fluid levels checked, and both tires been kicked.

 

[user 28803]

I'd be chomping at the bit too! You guys be safe and have a grand ride.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Did a ride up to Mims, FL to have Jim take care of my sticking brake pedal. Pulled into his drive and the bike went dead.

He took care of the brake problem and put the battery on charge while we caught up on "Talk". Then his wife served up a

delicious meal. Bike made it back and Today had to be filed under "Good Day" status.

Tuesday the electrical issue will be checked out...

(Might have to take the '08 (?))

 

[Bill Lance]

Be safe, and have a wonderful time...

 

[TripperMike]

Well this is going to be fun. Can't get my Garmin Nuvi to accept any of the routes for this trip. Looks like I'll be entering locations on the fly. And there's always the good ol' fashion paper method....the atlas.

 

[dcarver]

I just have to wonder why a wonderfully ambitious ride like this gets almost no attention from the LD Ryders on this forum? I mean, phuck, the Candy Butt Ass is apparently more interested than the hard core IBA/R peeps? Something aint right!

Tony, do you have a SD witness yet? I can rattle a few FJR peeps if needed.

You two, just, well, ride SAFE, 'k?

 

[101stpathfinder]

I just have to wonder why a wonderfully ambitious ride like this gets almost no attention from the LD Ryders on this forum? I mean, phuck, the Candy Butt Ass is apparently more interested than the hard core IBA/R peeps? Something aint right!
Tony, do you have a SD witness yet? I can rattle a few FJR peeps if needed.

You two, just, well, ride SAFE, 'k?

Don, I am still looking, might resort to a fire station.

BTW- I will be very interested in Mikes ride! I think he should have posted separate from me with a title like "10,000 miles in less than 10 days"

I think posters get tired of my rides, but Mike is testing these waters for his first time. If he can pull this off ... it will change his whole way

of riding. The 10/10ths is my favorite ride and I am really hoping he enjoys it too. It is pure challenge and adventure. I have expended much

more effort in some of my 10/10ths then I did in the IBR. (A source of guilt now) Mike will hate me for the next month, but his memory bank

will have many deposits ... Good and bad - and the bad will become enjoyable over time. Even though this is my 6th 10/10ths, it will push me

to the point of wandering what the heck am I doing? ... To ride beyond those times is where the character starts forming with a resolve to keep

the wheels rolling. IT SUCKS ... In a most wonderful way!

For me, riding with someone else will be new (I have done a BBG with my bud Jim) and this will be a new challenge. Dog-gone ... Imagine that I am the liability (?)

Mike, Get ready for one heck of a mindset ... oh, do NOT forget the pain killers (LOL)

 

[RiderX]

Very interested! Looks like a hoot.

I can likely be your San Diego witness. Which Day?

 

[101stpathfinder]

Josh,

I am not really a precision rider. Having said that, I would say.... San Diego arrival:

2 days to Halifax...leave Sunday morning...3 days to Vancouver would be Wednesday morning... rest and 24 hours to San Diego...

My ETA? Lets say Thursday noon - night. Does that work for you?

I will rest for a long period of time before heading east. So there will be a window to fit into your schedule.

I will get a "Feel" how the ride is developing by day 4.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

I presume you will be coming up 95, right? When do you think you will be riding through Virginia?