extrememarine
Well-known member
As EOM closes in on us, many members are probably knee deep in travel prep as I am. I can paint the scene; my bike is on propped on the center stand and floor jack, the wheels are leaning against the tool box, new tires leaning next to them, tool box open, oil and filter on the workbench, riding gear assembled and staged for packing, road tool kit (including tire repair kit and compressor) out to op check, netbook out with multiple mapping programs running next to the atlas; generally speaking – chaos.
I offer some suggestions and general comments for the group. Just my opinion and .02 cents…
This is the time for us all to take a step back, take a deep breath, and think about what we're doing over the next few weeks. For Annette and me, it is the highlight of the year. Our fall trip, which is typically EOM, has become our most anticipated vacation of the year. Being on the open road, traveling with and seeing some of our very best and closest friends, it just does not get any better than this. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Cumberland Falls next week, and to the good times EOM brings.
There are a few things I'd like to mention, as food for thought, for those heading out to think about and take to heart.
First and foremost is safety. I taught MSF for 5 years in SC, so the safety Nazi in me is crawling out here for a minute. Really, it all boils down to ride your own ride. No one knows your limits better than YOU. Those who ride together often are usually in tune with each other and can have a pretty good read on each other; don't hesitate to ask the question – "how you doing today". And be honest with yourself. I have days where everything clicks so smoothly. From the basics to traversing a complex set of tight curves, it all seems effortless. Then there are other days where it seems I can't get anything right; bad lines, miss judging distance, etc. It's a hard pill to swallow sometimes, but I force it down, take a step back, and refocus on the basics and ride where the comfort zone is. Everyone here at one point or another has probably read or heard about our bad day back in 2008. I can tell each of you that it is not how I ever want to finish a motorcycle trip again. The old saying of "what does not kill us only makes us stronger" has sung true for me. That little voice in my head is stronger now more than ever, and more importantly, I have learned to listen to it. Please, listen to that voice in your head – the one with the halo, not the pitchfork. Ride your own ride, focus on what your body, your bike, the road is telling you.
A piece that I enjoy reading that never seems to get old, the "The Pace" by Nick Lenatsch published in the June, 2007 issue of Motorcyclist. For me, it brings home many things about the ride into focus. I'd encourage everyone to take a few minutes and read through before you depart for EOM.
We have over 100 members registered for EOM at this point, coming from all over the east coast and points further away. Some will travel together, others solo; others will combine along the way. If you find someone traveling along the same general path as you, reach out to them and see if your travel plan mesh. Regardless of whether you're traveling solo or in a group, I'd highly recommend you set up a travel partner. If you're riding together – it's easy to keep tabs on each other. In this situation, try to set up to check in with someone at home or destination each night. If you're running solo, this is even more important so someone knows you made it to your destination for that day safely. I will typically do both. We check in with mission control (aka the house - kids/ mother-in-law) midday and in the evening (gotta tuck the youngest in even if we're on the road). It usually takes us a day to get south, so the first night usually hit the LZ solo – so I'll call whoever we traveling to meet to let them know we're done for the day. I'll also exchange final travel route (GPX file) with that person as well.
Another neat tool is Google Lattitude – you can share your location with specific friends and at a glance, you can see each other's progress. The only downside to this service is that if you do not have cell phone service, then your location does not update continuously like a SPOT tracker does. Of course, if you've sprung the dough for a SPOT tracker, use it!
A few other notes; if possible, add road side service to your insurance plan. Ours has trip interruption coverage as well – covers a hotel if we're stuck waiting on parts (or for the bike shop to open on Monday morning…). Supplement your toolkit with a tire kit, and know how to use it and that it will work. I was able to help out a fellow rider back in May and we were able to keep rolling because my tire kit was a solid set of tools I've used before.
If you are a member of the FJR Assistance list, down load a copy to your smart phone, laptop, or print a hard copy to carry along. If you run into a problem on the road, there's enough of us out there that it's likely someone will be help.
Check out Luvtoride's thread here about travel link up points and list your rough travel plans.
I've still got a few details to wrap up with Cumberland Falls – trying to get a bike wash station set for each night, and go see if I can get a bike only parking area designated. The staff is excited to have us, and seems willing to accommodate where they can.
Here is what I could still use help with:
-We need about 6-8 volunteers to help out with sorting and staging the t-shirts / rally packs Wednesday night.
-We need volunteers to assist with the registration table Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening.
-If there's a photographer in the audience, I need someone to hunt down a good location for a group photo Saturday night; we'll do it right before dinner.
If you can help out with any of these things, send me a PM.
And lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has already pitched in for all their hard work in bringing this event together. Annette and I will see everyone in Kentucky soon!!
Wayne
I offer some suggestions and general comments for the group. Just my opinion and .02 cents…
This is the time for us all to take a step back, take a deep breath, and think about what we're doing over the next few weeks. For Annette and me, it is the highlight of the year. Our fall trip, which is typically EOM, has become our most anticipated vacation of the year. Being on the open road, traveling with and seeing some of our very best and closest friends, it just does not get any better than this. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Cumberland Falls next week, and to the good times EOM brings.
There are a few things I'd like to mention, as food for thought, for those heading out to think about and take to heart.
First and foremost is safety. I taught MSF for 5 years in SC, so the safety Nazi in me is crawling out here for a minute. Really, it all boils down to ride your own ride. No one knows your limits better than YOU. Those who ride together often are usually in tune with each other and can have a pretty good read on each other; don't hesitate to ask the question – "how you doing today". And be honest with yourself. I have days where everything clicks so smoothly. From the basics to traversing a complex set of tight curves, it all seems effortless. Then there are other days where it seems I can't get anything right; bad lines, miss judging distance, etc. It's a hard pill to swallow sometimes, but I force it down, take a step back, and refocus on the basics and ride where the comfort zone is. Everyone here at one point or another has probably read or heard about our bad day back in 2008. I can tell each of you that it is not how I ever want to finish a motorcycle trip again. The old saying of "what does not kill us only makes us stronger" has sung true for me. That little voice in my head is stronger now more than ever, and more importantly, I have learned to listen to it. Please, listen to that voice in your head – the one with the halo, not the pitchfork. Ride your own ride, focus on what your body, your bike, the road is telling you.
A piece that I enjoy reading that never seems to get old, the "The Pace" by Nick Lenatsch published in the June, 2007 issue of Motorcyclist. For me, it brings home many things about the ride into focus. I'd encourage everyone to take a few minutes and read through before you depart for EOM.
We have over 100 members registered for EOM at this point, coming from all over the east coast and points further away. Some will travel together, others solo; others will combine along the way. If you find someone traveling along the same general path as you, reach out to them and see if your travel plan mesh. Regardless of whether you're traveling solo or in a group, I'd highly recommend you set up a travel partner. If you're riding together – it's easy to keep tabs on each other. In this situation, try to set up to check in with someone at home or destination each night. If you're running solo, this is even more important so someone knows you made it to your destination for that day safely. I will typically do both. We check in with mission control (aka the house - kids/ mother-in-law) midday and in the evening (gotta tuck the youngest in even if we're on the road). It usually takes us a day to get south, so the first night usually hit the LZ solo – so I'll call whoever we traveling to meet to let them know we're done for the day. I'll also exchange final travel route (GPX file) with that person as well.
Another neat tool is Google Lattitude – you can share your location with specific friends and at a glance, you can see each other's progress. The only downside to this service is that if you do not have cell phone service, then your location does not update continuously like a SPOT tracker does. Of course, if you've sprung the dough for a SPOT tracker, use it!
A few other notes; if possible, add road side service to your insurance plan. Ours has trip interruption coverage as well – covers a hotel if we're stuck waiting on parts (or for the bike shop to open on Monday morning…). Supplement your toolkit with a tire kit, and know how to use it and that it will work. I was able to help out a fellow rider back in May and we were able to keep rolling because my tire kit was a solid set of tools I've used before.
If you are a member of the FJR Assistance list, down load a copy to your smart phone, laptop, or print a hard copy to carry along. If you run into a problem on the road, there's enough of us out there that it's likely someone will be help.
Check out Luvtoride's thread here about travel link up points and list your rough travel plans.
I've still got a few details to wrap up with Cumberland Falls – trying to get a bike wash station set for each night, and go see if I can get a bike only parking area designated. The staff is excited to have us, and seems willing to accommodate where they can.
Here is what I could still use help with:
-We need about 6-8 volunteers to help out with sorting and staging the t-shirts / rally packs Wednesday night.
-We need volunteers to assist with the registration table Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening.
-If there's a photographer in the audience, I need someone to hunt down a good location for a group photo Saturday night; we'll do it right before dinner.
If you can help out with any of these things, send me a PM.
And lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has already pitched in for all their hard work in bringing this event together. Annette and I will see everyone in Kentucky soon!!
Wayne
