user 28803
Ridin' and smilin'
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Nice RR, man! Thanks for sharing the ride with us.
Redfish Hunter Goes West!
- Thread starter Redfish Hunter
- Start date
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HPTuner
Well-known member
Awesome report as usual! I'm so jealous of people who can actually write a story. I can feel it & think it, but I can't write it!
Thanks again for taking the time.
BikerGeek99
Yeah, it's a concrete corn cob. So?
Nicely done!
Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts to paper, so to speak!
Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts to paper, so to speak!
dcarver
Well-known member
The most interesting component for me was the group dynamic of father, son, nephew, and RFH's concern they too were having a great ride. Well done, RFH.
Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
My friends I appreciate the kind words from everyone. I do try hard to take good care of dear old Dad but I am afraid I worry too much. My friend Hppants would tell you that Dad can out ride me. And he is not ready for the nursing home just yet. I cannot help but feel responsible though, that is what leaders do. I really was wound up over showing them what needed to be seen and riding the roads that needed to be ridden. My cousin usually rides sweep and loves to watch Pop and I play. He rides his GoldWing very well and very smoothly. He knows how to look after his uncle without "babysitting". He is a good man to have on your side.
You might laugh at this but... I had a notebook that I had spent a great deal of time on before this trip. In that notebook I had the names/addresses/phone #'s of 3 hotels in every city/town where I thought we might stay. I had the distance in time and miles between every city and town on my route. Even the alternate routes. This let me make good decisions on fuel stops, lunch stops, and how far we might have to push as the day got late. This extra bit of work took some strain off of me and allowed me to make the ride more enjoyable for us all.
Two years ago in Arkansas my two cousins were studying the routing/directions I had in the clear cover of my tank bag. David who is always good for a laugh said, "Look here, the little bastard even has our lunch written down! I bet he screws that up." I had us sitting down in a restaurant none of us had ever heard of at 12:03 that day.
The trick is to use the information without making the ride too structured. If I can just let the miles flow and judge when they want to "sniff the flowers" and when they want to ride, it all comes out good at the end of the day.
End of the day... I kind of like the way that rolls out. If only I had a great FJR pic to go with that...
You might laugh at this but... I had a notebook that I had spent a great deal of time on before this trip. In that notebook I had the names/addresses/phone #'s of 3 hotels in every city/town where I thought we might stay. I had the distance in time and miles between every city and town on my route. Even the alternate routes. This let me make good decisions on fuel stops, lunch stops, and how far we might have to push as the day got late. This extra bit of work took some strain off of me and allowed me to make the ride more enjoyable for us all.
Two years ago in Arkansas my two cousins were studying the routing/directions I had in the clear cover of my tank bag. David who is always good for a laugh said, "Look here, the little bastard even has our lunch written down! I bet he screws that up." I had us sitting down in a restaurant none of us had ever heard of at 12:03 that day.
The trick is to use the information without making the ride too structured. If I can just let the miles flow and judge when they want to "sniff the flowers" and when they want to ride, it all comes out good at the end of the day.
End of the day... I kind of like the way that rolls out. If only I had a great FJR pic to go with that...
whataboutbob
Well-known member
Great read RFH,thanks for taking us along,
Niehart
Pie Smuggler
Awesome Ride Reporting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting up.
hppants
Well-known member
Good read and pictures. Another awesome adventure for you, R/H. It's fun to read this from the front row.
I know this guy, I know his dad, and I've shared miles with them. R/H worships the ground his dad walks on. And with great reason, the elder R/H is a poster child for all of us. He's made his mark on the world, raised good people who have their own terrific families, and now when he's earned the right to watch the sun set from his front porch, instead he chooses to grab another gear and venture forward. As if the cake wasn't good enough, more icing comes as he gets to enjoy it with his son. The guy rides like a man 1/2 his age, and a day on the bikes with him is truly a blessing.
Which kind of makes me feel, well..... jealous and a little melancholy.
My own son turns 18 tomorrow. He and his 22-year old sister are fantastic people and their mother and I are very pourd to be their parents. I love my son and I know he loves me too. We rarely argue or even disagree but for a long time, I've realized that we just don't like the same things. We have very little in common and because of this, to my disappointment, we don't spend much time together. Oh we cross paths in the hallway, occassionally eat dinner together, maybe watch some T/V, maybe catch a movie, etc. etc. etc. But the quality time - the real bonding time - the kind of time that allows you to see each other's soul and listen to what they are really saying. The kind of time that comes along on a trip like the one. Well for me, that prolly ain't gonna happen much.
Ironically, my own dad and I have tons in common and while he doesn't ride motorcycles, we do share a similar ralationship to R/H and I'm very thankful for that.
Something moved me to write this. It's fascinating, really. I'll have to explore that a bit.
So here's to you R/H!
Enjoy your time with your Pop and when it suits you, please share it with us. We don't know how much time we have left, and we don't get to decide either.
I know this guy, I know his dad, and I've shared miles with them. R/H worships the ground his dad walks on. And with great reason, the elder R/H is a poster child for all of us. He's made his mark on the world, raised good people who have their own terrific families, and now when he's earned the right to watch the sun set from his front porch, instead he chooses to grab another gear and venture forward. As if the cake wasn't good enough, more icing comes as he gets to enjoy it with his son. The guy rides like a man 1/2 his age, and a day on the bikes with him is truly a blessing.
Which kind of makes me feel, well..... jealous and a little melancholy.
My own son turns 18 tomorrow. He and his 22-year old sister are fantastic people and their mother and I are very pourd to be their parents. I love my son and I know he loves me too. We rarely argue or even disagree but for a long time, I've realized that we just don't like the same things. We have very little in common and because of this, to my disappointment, we don't spend much time together. Oh we cross paths in the hallway, occassionally eat dinner together, maybe watch some T/V, maybe catch a movie, etc. etc. etc. But the quality time - the real bonding time - the kind of time that allows you to see each other's soul and listen to what they are really saying. The kind of time that comes along on a trip like the one. Well for me, that prolly ain't gonna happen much.
Ironically, my own dad and I have tons in common and while he doesn't ride motorcycles, we do share a similar ralationship to R/H and I'm very thankful for that.
Something moved me to write this. It's fascinating, really. I'll have to explore that a bit.
So here's to you R/H!
GeorgiaRoller
Exit Stage Left
gixxerjasen
Well-known member
I've no idea why anyone would laugh. I try to be this guy, all organized and stuff, but it isn't in me. I can't be that guy even though I work so hard at it. That's why I start looking for gas stations when I've got a third of a tank left in West Texas. I've managed to pull it off from time to time though. Moving back to Texas I printed maps with all the truck stops so I could extend the gas on the moving truck. I was filling up at half a tank on our way up to Ohio because I didn't like the uncertainty of not knowing when and where I'd be searching for diesel fuel. I freaking love that you are this organized on a trip, it takes a lot of the weight off your shoulders as the leader when you have the data at hand and aren't flying blind.
Burnspot
Who Me?
Thanks for the report RFH, it was awesome! The group dynamic is an interesting one. 
Travelin Man
Member
Excellent ride report, most enjoyable to hear about rides in other parts of God's creation and your commentary is so well done!
crumpadump
Well-known member
Well Redfish, that, was one hell of a repot! Wonderful description of what you saw and how you felt. I hope to some day go for a ride like that. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into it.
Oh one thing, I really wish I could have seen the results of the grasshoppers, when that happens take pictures.
Hope we meet some time. Thanks!
Oh one thing, I really wish I could have seen the results of the grasshoppers, when that happens take pictures.
Hope we meet some time. Thanks!
Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
Once again, thanks to everyone for the kind words. It really means more to me than you might imagine.
With regards to not having pics of the grasshoppers, I have no good answer. I will be regretting that one for years to come. Pics are a vital part of how I want to present the story and there are parts of the story that get left out because there are no pics to "support the evidence". As most of you know, getting the pics can be a time consuming and difficult thing. Just getting the camera out, getting the pic and getting the camera put back away takes time. I started carrying the camera in the right front pocket of my Tourmaster jacket so that I would always have it with me and there was no digging around in a tank bag or saddlebag.
Pop understood that I was going to write this report and he was very patient and encouraging about the pics. Several times he would point out. "Don't you need that shot for your forum?" Many shots that were used in this report were a result of Pop insisting that I take time, just for the purpose of the Ride Report. That level of support made it easy. Can you imagine what it would be like if your riding buddies got impatient with the picture taking and time wasting?
Yet, somehow I did not get a pic of those grasshoppers all over the FJR and the GoldWing. Then, we got into the rain and the bulk of them got washed away. Replaced by other dirt yes, but no grasshoppers.
Yes, I jotted down a few notes each night about where and what but as I scroll through the pictures on the computer, the story line seems to follow the pictures. It sort of writes itself. If I had the skills of Tyler or GeorgiaRoller, what a tale I could weave!
With regards to not having pics of the grasshoppers, I have no good answer. I will be regretting that one for years to come. Pics are a vital part of how I want to present the story and there are parts of the story that get left out because there are no pics to "support the evidence". As most of you know, getting the pics can be a time consuming and difficult thing. Just getting the camera out, getting the pic and getting the camera put back away takes time. I started carrying the camera in the right front pocket of my Tourmaster jacket so that I would always have it with me and there was no digging around in a tank bag or saddlebag.
Pop understood that I was going to write this report and he was very patient and encouraging about the pics. Several times he would point out. "Don't you need that shot for your forum?" Many shots that were used in this report were a result of Pop insisting that I take time, just for the purpose of the Ride Report. That level of support made it easy. Can you imagine what it would be like if your riding buddies got impatient with the picture taking and time wasting?
Yet, somehow I did not get a pic of those grasshoppers all over the FJR and the GoldWing. Then, we got into the rain and the bulk of them got washed away. Replaced by other dirt yes, but no grasshoppers.
Yes, I jotted down a few notes each night about where and what but as I scroll through the pictures on the computer, the story line seems to follow the pictures. It sort of writes itself. If I had the skills of Tyler or GeorgiaRoller, what a tale I could weave!
garyahouse
newbs need the forum
Having read your report, you did leave something out.
Me. As a matter of fact, I'm sure many of us are feeling the same way.
Would have loved to tag along on this one.
But in a way we did. For those who would take the time to read what you've written carefully, we just took an amazing trip through the eyes of another.
Guess I can say I know a little bit about what it takes to put together a report like that, though I do lack your amazing photography skills, as well as time and energy to stop and get all the really cool pictures. So I can appreciate all you put into this report. If you're like me, many of the entries don't just pop out. They are the result of planning, copying/pasting, proofreading, editing, rewriting and a lot of time.
On behalf of many, thank you for making this happen.
Your labors have both entertained and inspired.
If just one forum member makes the decision to do a REAL ride, it will have been worth it. Picture below borrowed from my ride report. But that's OK because my name is Gary House and I have approved this message:
America is too glorious to sit around dreaming. Somebody out there needs to make some plans, spend whatever it takes, and see it in person.
Gary
darksider
Me. As a matter of fact, I'm sure many of us are feeling the same way.
Would have loved to tag along on this one.
But in a way we did. For those who would take the time to read what you've written carefully, we just took an amazing trip through the eyes of another.
Guess I can say I know a little bit about what it takes to put together a report like that, though I do lack your amazing photography skills, as well as time and energy to stop and get all the really cool pictures. So I can appreciate all you put into this report. If you're like me, many of the entries don't just pop out. They are the result of planning, copying/pasting, proofreading, editing, rewriting and a lot of time.
On behalf of many, thank you for making this happen.
Your labors have both entertained and inspired.
If just one forum member makes the decision to do a REAL ride, it will have been worth it. Picture below borrowed from my ride report. But that's OK because my name is Gary House and I have approved this message:
America is too glorious to sit around dreaming. Somebody out there needs to make some plans, spend whatever it takes, and see it in person.
Gary
darksider
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Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
Part of my motivation was indeed to take all of you, my forum friends along with me. By doing it this way none of you had to ride slowly, you could take the curves as fast as you wanted.
Honestly, the story sort of writes itself. As I scroll through my pics, the story unfolds, the words form the
The part about inspiring others hits very close to home. If I knew that just one of you took a ride to check some items off "The List", I would be overjoyed. Fortunately, that spirit of adventure is strong on the FJR forum.
Gary, your last line nails it perfectly. I will say I think that was every bit as eloquent as anything I ever posted here. Which says a lot considering what a klutz you are. Now, quit adding posts to my report, get your butt to work finishing your RR. Do you realize you have over twice as many views as I do? You need to FINISH!
garyahouse
newbs need the forum
You know what's funny? We're all klutzes sometimes. However, most men rarely admit that kinda stuff, and some NEVER do so. As a gender, typically we don't ask for advice, we don't admit it when we make mistakes, and we rarely talk about them when we do. Working in a tool and die shop for years, I saw this. Working as a carpenter for years, I saw this. Working as a teacher for years (my final frontier) I see it all the time. We have much to learn from our female counterparts when it comes this. Will we ever gain the ability to talk about our fears, our failures, our forgetfulness, or even our faith? When ya think about it, it's kinda sad that my klutzmanship stands out as unusual.
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Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
Gary, your "klutzmanship" is a little over the top but that is not all that unusual.
What is unusual is finding someone as honest as you are. Truth, is a rare thing. It can be very beautiful and yet very dangerous. Truth, and honesty are valuable. You seem to have gotten more than your share.
I won't even get into what I am trying to learn from ahhh, how did you say it? "Our female counterparts" I think? Mrs. Redfish Hunter while a quite honest woman, remains forever a mystery to me.
What is unusual is finding someone as honest as you are. Truth, is a rare thing. It can be very beautiful and yet very dangerous. Truth, and honesty are valuable. You seem to have gotten more than your share.
I won't even get into what I am trying to learn from ahhh, how did you say it? "Our female counterparts" I think? Mrs. Redfish Hunter while a quite honest woman, remains forever a mystery to me.
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