The Redfishes ride to California

[Panman]

Wow. This is a good read. A special read at that.........

 

[BkerChuck]

The more of the this I read the more I regret not taking the time off work and attending. All of the ride reports about this meet while similar each add their own perspective and flavor to what must have been an incredible event.

Thanks for sharing

 

[exskibum]

Andrew, I keep coming back to this thread, revisiting two segments in particular: the photo of pants and your Pops on Yokohl Drive with your caption, and this succinct statement about an awareness that occurs far more in later years than in our youths:

Pop and I had been discussing this since before lunch. He wanted to see it too. He told me, "You will probably have a chance to see this again in your lifetime. I probably never will. We'll stay with Joey to the end and we will ride until after dark if we have to. They do have lights on the front of these things you know."

Many memories and regrets for me, raised by two ride reports about three southerners absorbing the several dimensions of the beautiful state in which I was born. My Dad died in 2009, my Mom in 2011. Motorcycles, skiing (esp. Badger Pass), horses and much more - all gifts from them. Deeply indebted. So it brings tears appreciating what you and Joey shared with your Pops.

I rode south more than once on many of the roads you traversed going north . . . on my way to see my Dad in soCal during his last years, "skiing on pavement" in some tribute to his influence. And then a couple other times speeding south on I-5, tears streaming down under the helmet, wondering if he would still be alive when I got there. Thankfully, he was. But I waited too long to do what you two did with your Pops. And all 3 on FJRs! Absolutely priceless: you seized the day. That Tyler, who probably appreciates "carpe diem" more than most, had her hand in making it happen (and led us to the Badger Pass parking lot) must involve some other kind of cosmic resonance.

So, in your storytelling, you've touched a nerve in this reader, with your kindness amid diminishing opportunities - one of beauty, contemplation and debt. Thank you.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Saturday was Picnic with Tyler day.

Somewhere in the melee I finally got to meet Intech, FYB, Bob. I think it was the night before but things were swirling around so fast and we met so many nice folks...

hppants and I also got to meet PuppyChow. Sam was really nice and it was a true honor to finally shake his hand. Puppychow takes some awesome photos and is a real challenge to debate against. It was good to look him in the eye and make sure he knew I was his friend.

AllenC showed up on a cool little Yamaha R3. It was a pleasure to meet him in person as well.





A nice breakfast at the Sugar Pine Café, meeting some more nice FJR peeps, and we were ready. Tyler had thought about cancelling due to lack of interest but when it was time to leave it looked like EVERYBODY wanted to follow her.

More Cat Herding.

I asked The Boss where she was taking us.
"A Magical Place up by Shaver Lake" she said.

We ran down Hwy 49 to Oakhurst and stopped at a Supermarket so everyone could get picnic stuff. Pop and I had taken care of this the evening before so we just hung out in the parking lot.

Hppants was bored with the slow and ponderous group ride. He had Cav47 and AllenC who were both much faster riders than Pop and I so he had some playmates. I told him that Pop and I would stay with Tyler and represent the Bayou State. He got lunch coordinates from Tyler and took off.

When Tyler returned from her shopping I eased over and just stared at her groceries. She was used to me by now.

Tyler:"WHAT?"
Me: "I just wanted to see what an Angel ate for lunch."

Every so often I manage to say the right thing.

I stayed stuck to Tyler like Ugly on Cav47. We rode some great roads, we rode some bumpy roads. We rode roads that were under construction, roads that should have been under construction and we saw some neat country.

At a pulloff by Bass Lake she stopped and it was clear she was unhappy. We had lost about half of the group. There is a certain etiquette and procedure for big group rides and it broke down this time. I had been responsible for following Tyler and making sure that the Guy Behind Me stayed with me. Since that guy was Pop I had no issues.

Notice my '15 is Right Behind Tyler. I was stuck to her like Velcro. And you can see Pop in the background staring into the water. Yes, he is looking for fish.



This guy impressed me greatly. Mr. Jerry. Jer on the forum. He is older than Pop and his hip is so bad he could barely get on the bike. He was often using a cane to walk around. Yet this man had ridden all the way to YFO and fought the pain to ride with us. Pop is tough but he ain't the only one. I sure was honored to spend time with Mr. Jer.



The other half of our group found us in the town of Shaver Lake where Tyler stopped us so she could go searching for them. She really is awesome. I probably would have been fussing and fuming if I were in her shoes.

Somewhere in the forest north of Shaver Lake there really is a Magical Picnic Spot. The toilet facilities could be better and the tables had to be moved into the shade but other than that...

There is a LOT of experience and grit sitting at this table.



Facing the camera: Pop and Glen (senecahome). Back to the camera: Jer and Ed(Castle) I honestly felt like I did not belong there with those men. And I don't often feel inadequate.



I was able to take a few minutes to chat with Mrs. FJRay. Patty probably did not know it but after reading so many good things about her on the forum for so long I was really happy to finally meet her in person. She was as nice and genuine as I had hoped she would be. I was honored to meet FJRay. He is as big and wonderful as the forum showed him to be. A heck of a nice couple.

I stumbled over the rocks so I could feel the water and take this pic:



That water was as cold as a mother-in-law's love.

My Friend:



Just as we were getting ready to leave a Flash of Red across the river caught my eye. It was our friend hppants leading Cav47 and AllenC down a dirt road through the woods. They hesitated but with the encouragement of the crowd they did ride across the wooden bridge to join us. I left them with most of the picnic stuff.

I told Tyler that we were going to cut loose when we got back to Shaver Lake because I had to fix my hair for the party that night.

Okay, I told Tyler that we had to do some laundry and get our stuff together.

Craig (NTXFJR) wanted to tag along. I did warn him that I was going to be slow. He was good with our progress until we pulled off for a leg stretch. Craig has been into the LD thing and with 101stPathfinder training him he just does not need rest breaks. He kept on and we met back up at the laundromat later that evening.

I am embarrassed to say that I was absolutely no help at all either setting up or dismantling the tables for our supper that night. I am not embarrassed to say that I sat Right Next To Tyler and would have fought anyone who tried to separate us. Pop was a bit nervous with so many folks and so many names and so much attention. He kept telling me how nice everyone was to him. I am sure we both were overwhelmed by the goodness of everyone we met. I tried to stay by him as much as I could but with so many forum names coming to life around us I was often distracted.

We were fortunate that Doug (Bugnatr) and his lovely wife Gayle (or maybe Gail) sat across from us. She was of course fascinated by my good looks and Southern Charm. Okay, she wasn't but it is MY STORY so I can tell it like I want to.

I had been conned/shamed/forced by SacramentoMike to buy $20 worth of raffle tickets. Mr. Mike was another gentleman that I had wanted to meet for a long time and he did not disappoint. I did not drop my tickets into any of the jars though. I was happier just donating the money.

What else to say? We visited, we socialized, I flirted with other men's wives... We had a great time. Pop and I were completely out of our element but we still were among friends.

Pop told me: "California has more to offer than we realized."

It sure has added some wonderful memories for us.

Pops Niehart, this is for you. We appreciated it then and we appreciate you always.





Next: Off to Sacramento

 

[Redfish Hunter]

A couple pics of our awesome parking situation:





I shouldn't complain. At least there was no gravel involved this time.

I was up early and my emotions were all over the place. I had met so many wonderful folks, I had dealt with so many nice people, I had made some lovely ladies laugh (and some ugly men too!), I had seen so many beautiful things that my mind could not process it all. Now it Was Over and the next phase of our trip had to begin.

Today was Goodbye in more than one way.

Most importantly it was Goodbye to hppants. I knew he would be fine without us...but the last time we split on a long trip he had an accident and we were not there for him. I worry about my friend even though I know he is a far better rider than I will ever be. We had been a team for 9 days at that point. A change might be good for both of us but still...

It was Goodbye to Cav47. Yeah, I know he sucks and is a doofus but he is my friend. At least we had been able to visit for a brief time.

It was Goodbye to YFO and all the wonderful folks that had made us feel so welcome and a part of a family like no other.

It was Goodbye to Tyler. I did not want that one.

I found Don Carver mounting up in the grayness of early dawn. I waited next to KryZ8 as it sat idling outside his room. We said our goodbyes and I watched him ride smoothly away. Will I ever see him again?

I passed in front of Tyler's room a few times but she did not emerge. I said a few goodbyes, some pretty emotional to some FJR peeps and then Pop and I had our last breakfast at the Sugar Pine Café. Lisa the beautiful waitress was back and we chatted with her since this morning they were not busy. She told us that in addition to working at two restaurants she also sold real estate. Words failed me at that point.

We got everything ready, everything was loaded... I loitered around Tyler's door and I almost knocked. I looked at the Spyder sitting there and thought that maybe a Goodbye Hug might not be a Good Thing. It might be Too Permanent.

We eased out and pointed our noses North toward Sacramento. Since I was without my impulsive friend Mr. Hppants I had a very neatly typed set of turn by turn directions already positioned in my tank bag map window.

Then it was just Me and Pop.

As good as everything else had been to that point there is a happiness and goodness when it is just the two of us. We are a good team Pop and I.

We took Hwy 49 north then 16 west. We reached my cousin's house in Citrus Heights about lunch time.

We spent a day and a half with my cousin and her husband and they treated us like visiting royalty. They gave us a tour of Lake Tahoe, they took us to wonderful restaurants but most importantly we were able to be "family" for a brief time. Sometimes we overlook the importance of that.

Having close family living so far away that you never learned to be close family sucks.

Next Up: Homeward Bound!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I will share a few of Pop's pics from Lake Tahoe while we were touring with my cousin. My cousin's husband took Monday off so he could drive us around and we appreciated everything they did for us. While we were circumnavigating Lake Tahoe that Monday we happened to see a black FJR covered in bugs with a Fast BMW right behind it. I am pretty sure this was Marty/0face and Petey. They were stuck in sloooow traffic at the time.











This visit was a huge deal to us. For Pop in particular this was important. His brother had died before I was even born. His niece and nephew had moved to California with their mother. California might as well have been the moon, it was so far and so inaccessible, and it cost so much money and vacation time... And of course there are other complications. Pop had been very close to his brother and the chance to visit and talk with his niece was... Next time we will have to find his nephew also. We were on a schedule this time.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Tuesday 6/6/17

By this time I was Ready to Get Home. I missed Mrs. Redfish. I missed Redfish Jr. I even missed the Damn Cat. Yes, we were on The Best Trip Ever but I was glad we were pointing our snouts South and East.

I had A Plan to get from Sacramento all the way back to Prairieville and Port Vincent Louisiana with NO Interstate. I suppose that Hwy 50 leaving Sacramento could be considered an Interstate and it is true that Hwy 287 thru Wichita Falls Texas becomes an Interstate for a few miles but I was willing to follow the spirit of the idea rather than sweat the technical details. This took a lot of planning. I like that.

My cousin cooked us breakfast, we said our Goodbyes and we headed out into the Sacramento Traffic. This visit had been a Big Deal for all concerned because Pop and I had never been out to California to see her and she had been living there since the late 1960s, before I was born. I was feeling a strange sense of loss as we rode away and I know I have an obligation to go back.

Back to The Ride.

We took Hwy 50 NE towards Lake Tahoe and it became very nice.

Echo Lake on Hwy 50



We turned right on Hwy 89



And the views did not suck







We turned South on Hwy 395.

It does not get any better than this. Surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery and in my mirror, I have Pop. This pic tells the Whole Story of riding with Dad. It will be hanging from my wall soon.



We reached Mono Lake





We kept going south on Hwy 395, Pop as always solid and true.



South of Lee Vining we turned East on Hwy 120, then took Hwy 6 across the border into Nevada.

In Nevada the temps started to climb and the roads began to stretch out.



And there was always the Red Rocket in my mirror. An unforeseen advantage to Pop getting the '14 is that the Very Red FJR is much easier to spot in my mirrors.



We stopped for fuel and a snack in Tonopah NV. I had figured almost 3 hours from there to the next town with lodging and fuel. There was a HD Ultra Classic, a HD Trike and a Kawasaki Vulcan 650 fueling up when we stopped. As we left town we passed a sign that said, "Next Gas 163 Miles" You can see that same sign pictured in this month's Rider Magazine. Just past it the three bikes were parked on the shoulder having a discussion.

I told Pop that the Harley Trike wasn't going to make that.

We turned onto Hwy 375 at Warm Springs. That is just a name on a map, there is NOTHING there. At that point the road turned into not quite finished chip seal for MILES. And miles.

Pop and I got caught in an amazingly violent dust devil. We could see it for several miles but it wasn't anything significant until we were too close to do anything about it. It intensified suddenly and violently slinging sticks, tumbleweeds and FJRs all over the damn place. I admit that I was scared for a moment or two when it tried (almost successfully) to throw my bike off the road to the left. When I got myself back straight the Red Bike wasn't back there anymore. Pop's voice was still there and soon he was back on course as well.

We stopped in what was left of the town of Rachell to pull the tumbleweed debris out of our jackets and radiators. It was everywhere.





Often Nevada looks like another country. Sometimes it looks like another planet.



We finally reached the town of Caliente NV and it was quite pleasant.



We secured a room at a very nice little motel for about $60, I petted a cat named Tiger that eventually bit me, and we got cleaned up for supper.



Pop loves it when he does not have to carry his luggage through a lobby or into an elevator.



That little place was clean and neat and just what we needed.

We had a decent supper at The Knotty Pine restaurant. Our waitress Miss Wendy was tired, overworked and Very Busy. We were understanding and we still tipped her decently. I was glad we were nice to her the next morning when we went there for breakfast and she was the cook. You just never know...

As we were leaving the Knotty Pine that evening our 3 bikes from Tonopah arrived. The Harley Trike had run out of fuel 12 miles from town. They had to buy a gas can and go back for him.

They stayed at the Midway that night as well and were nice folks. I love it when I talk to Harley folks and they get surprised that I know things about their bikes. I am not just interested in FJRs, I love bikes in general.

We watched and listened to some military aircraft as night fell on this clean little town. And I was now one day closer to Home.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Wednesday 6/7/17 We did 508.2 miles that day.

We had a Good Breakfast at the Knotty Pine, I took a pic of the train station in town:



And... We were Off and Running. We were officially On the Road at 7:00 am exactly, we crossed into Utah at 7:32 and immediately lost an hour to the time zone change.

There were a couple of things that indicated we might actually be in Utah:



We had turned off of Hwy 395 at Crystal Spring the evening before onto Hwy 93 to get to Caliente. We stayed with Hwy 93 north and east then at Panaca we turned East on Hwy 319. This soon turned to Hwy 56 when we crossed the Utah border. It was a glorious morning for a ride but there was no spectacular scenery until we passed through Cedar City. We took Hwy 14 East from there.

I was wanting to make time and cover miles because I knew that if we could somehow make Bloomfield NM that night (highly unlikely but possible) then I was almost guaranteed to make it home on Saturday, a day early.

For that reason I had decided that I was NOT going to make the short ride North to see Cedar Breaks National Monument. We had seen it before two years ago and we both had fond memories of it. Then I decided To Hell With It. We were still On Vacation, the place was beautiful and it was only about 4 miles up the road. Surely we could stand 8 extra miles?

On Hwy 14 we got behind a Utility Truck that I think was being driven by F1 driver Lewis Hamilton. Pop and I laughed at this guy, he was setting a Good Pace so we settled in behind to watch the show. Slower cars pulled over for him and we stayed with him. The road was Fine.



Yeah, he is barely visible in this pic. When he got a straightaway he took advantage of it.



We took a break at a pull off and that was where we decided to see Cedar Breaks again.



We had seen a high of 95 in Nevada the day before, now we were getting cold in Utah. In June.



Of course we had climbed a bit above sea level:



Cedar Breaks has no cedar trees. And it ain't very big. But it sure is pretty.





We returned to Hwy 14 and resumed our Journey:



We turned south on Hwy 89 toward Kanab Utah.



In Kanab we took 89 due East toward Page AZ. We knew we were bypassing Zion and we were taking the North Route so we would not be going to the North Rim of the Canyon either. It was time to make time.



And my Dear Old Dad was Right There like always.



The scenery headed into Page AZ is unique.



Things were getting warm but 93 is not bad. Especially when it's a Dry Heat.



We took a break just outside of Page AZ at the Glen Canyon Dam.



After we cross that bridge we are in Page.



I consulted my directions and maps and GPS and decided it was Gonna Happen. I called the Best Western in Bloomfield NM and secured a room.

Riding with the right partner makes decisions like that easy. If I can make it I know Pop can make it. He always says, "We came out here to ride our bikes and that's what we are doing."

And we rode across the bridge into Page. After Page we took Hwy 98 then Hwy 160 to Kayenta. We got fuel in Kayenta but hurried out again. Hwy 160 from Kayenta to Mexican Water is always tough for me. I don't know why.

These fences with the T-posts driven into solid rock along Hwy 160 amaze me. The fence has got to be worth more than the land itself.



We stayed on Hwy 160 across the New Mexico border, thru Shiprock:



Don't try this at home. Taking Zoomed in Pics with a camera off a motorcycle at 75 mph is best done by trained professionals.



From Shiprock to Bloomfield is one long, hot, dry stretch with lots of traffic and no decent speed limits. I hate it.

Our hotel was nice as always and the Roadside Restaurant is an easy walk next door. We have done this a few times now and we are comfortable staying here. I did some laundry and called it a night.

I went to sleep thinking about the green and the humidity of Louisiana. I missed Home.

 

[puppychow]

Finally caught up to you and Pop's RR.

It was an honor to meet Pops and you, and to shake your hands.

Met many new friends courtesy of YFO. Hope our paths cross again in my travels and theirs.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Thursday 6/8/17 394.4 miles

Breakfast at the Roadside Café next door to the hotel in Bloomfield, a quick fuel up and we pointed our snouts East on Hwy 64. I really enjoy this road and this morning it was more green than we had ever seen it and it was very nice. Usually we are riding it in the other direction and it is the End Of The Day with the setting sun in our faces. This morning it was glorious.



And where was Pop?



Just like Always.

We stayed on Hwy 64 to Chama, took Hwy 84 south to Espanola and we enjoyed ourselves greatly. The pressure to Get Somewhere was off, I knew we had this one wrapped up. I told Pop we were going to stay cool like Fonzie and with regard to temperatures. I was going to keep us at elevation as much as possible and we were going to see things from the saddle today.

At Espanola we turned north on Hwy 68 and soon we were alongside the Rio Grande River.



We took Hwy 75 east to Hwy 518 mostly because every time I had passed that intersection I had wondered about that road. It was Very Nice.

On 518 we stopped to look at the creek and chatted with a trout fisherman.

Water always makes me smile.



Pop seemed to be in good spirits. I kept telling him, "A little to your left, a little more..."



In the town of Mora which seemed to be prospering from recent rainfall we took Hwy 94 south. That turned out well and soon we rejoined 518 and entered Las Vegas (New Mexico).

We turned onto Hwy 104 and...



No matter which way the road turned the rain seemed to be there.



At our favorite overlook we decided it wasn't really going to rain on us.



As soon as we descended into the plain it started raining. We welcomed the cooling effect although the wind got a bit wild. It actually lasted longer than I expected and I concluded that it was traveling with us, we had just outrun it.

I think this place is supposed to be a desert but it sure doesn't look like it now.



I really like Hwy 104 in New Mexico.



And there is my Pop, just as solid as the rocks surrounding me:



We easily made it to Tucumcari for the night. Mt. Tucumcari:



We stayed at:



It was literally 1963 at this place. I paid $60 for the night and it was a bargain.





Of course I was right and the rain was in fact going in our direction and it caught up with us here. How I can make it rain everywhere I go I have no idea. I must have done some mean stuff in a past life.





We had an excellent supper at Del's, drank a beer or two while I rinsed off the bikes and chatted with the motel's owner. He offered the use of a water hose and there was a "retired" towel in the room to wipe down if I wished. This is definitely a good place for a motorcyclist to stay.

I was another day closer to Home.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Breakfast in Tucumcari is always at:



We took Hwy 209 due South out of town.



My efforts to avoid Interstates made things difficult in some ways but much nicer in others. I had a couple of cards left to play, we were still on vacation after all.

Approaching Friona Texas we got into some windmills.



I casually asked Pop if he would like to get a close look at one.

A few minutes later he said this was Close Enough.



We took Hwy 214 south out of Friona. That is a Wheat Farming community. We were not aware that they grew wheat on that scale in Texas.

We took Hwy 86 through Dimmit TX, and stopped for fuel and a snack where 86 crossed I-27 at Tulia TX. A blue GoldWing rolled in with a guy in a brand new blue Aerostich. We chatted a bit and he left me with some thoughts about riding partners.

He told me he had left Denver CO at 3am and was going to be home in Houston that night. He and his riding partner had gotten into an argument and went their separate ways.

He told me, "He is an Old Man and cannot ride hard like I like to do."

I pointed out Pop just emerging from the store and said, "That is my Daddy. He is almost 72 years old and we are on our way home to Baton Rouge LA from Sacramento CA."

My new friend stared at him a moment, looked at the shiny red FJR and laughed. He told me, "Maybe my friend should get an FJR!"

I wished him a safe ride, we shook hands and he rolled out.

Yeah, the wrong partner can make or break a ride. Pop and I had been on the road long enough that The Little Things were starting to grow bigger. The way he took his time getting his helmet on and getting his gloves on... He had been fussing about some of my maneuvers in traffic...

I resolved to be more patient and remember just how fortunate I was to have Pop riding with me at all. Strange how Little Reminders can show up at The Right Time. 3 minutes earlier or later and we might not have met that guy at all. I am sure my friend Garyahouse has some thoughts on this and I agree with him.

Our snack. The little metal Coke bottle was so cute I had to get a picture of it.



We stayed on Hwy 86 thru Silverton TX and then took Hwy 256. This was a little bit out of the way but I wanted to sit at a certain picnic table overlooking Caprock Canyons.



This little guy did not want to visit with us.



We took a right on Hwy 70, then rejoined Hwy 86 to Estelline TX.

There is a sort of town square, park thing there and it had Shade Trees.



We got on Hwy 287, pointed ourselves southeast and set the cruise controls.

It says 95 degrees. But it was a Dry Heat.



We stopped at a very nice rest area on Hwy 287 and I soaked my shirt in the sink to take advantage of that Dryness for some evaporative cooling. When I walked back to the bike the wind had shifted direction and felt...cool.

The temperature dropped to 84 almost instantly. The dryness disappeared and I could feel the humidity for the first time in over 2 weeks. That shirt did not get dry until I washed it at home two days later. It was 80 degrees when we got to Sherman TX for the night.

Our favorite little Rest Area on Hwy 82 just east of Henrietta:



We stayed at the same LaQuinta Inn at Sherman and ate a lackluster Chinese Buffet for supper. It was an easy walk from the hotel and at that point we were all about easy.

We had ridden 508 miles that day and we were both doing fine. I am amazed at how tough Pop is. I figured I would have some short days on this trip and would have to skip some things. If I could ride it, he could ride it.

Or maybe I am the wimp.

I wanted to Get Home.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

The Last Day. For me a 525 mile day, for Pop just a bit less. Yeah I wanted to get home but I was also kind of sad it was about over. Of all the trips and all the rides this one had been the Biggest and Most Epic. The people we met, the things we saw... My words and pictures cannot cover what we felt during all of this. I knew we would be approaching 6000 miles for this trip and we had not so much as dropped a bike in a parking lot.

Maybe Miss Tyler had done some magic to protect us on this ride. Maybe she had done it for all of us that attended YFO because as far as I know there was not one crash or injury for the whole event and all the rides there and back.

I know for a fact that there is something magical about Miss Tyler. How she uses that magic I do not pretend to know.

There had been plenty of times on this ride that Pop and I wished that my two retarded cousins would have been there with us. There were plenty of times we were glad that they were not. This last day it would have been nice to see them in my mirrors.

An early breakfast at IHOP:



I took small Texas backroads and weaved my way South and East.

A rest stop by Lake Fork in Texas:



At a fuel stop just East of Marshall TX we took a break in the shade. Pop moved his bike to the edge of the parking lot by an abandoned building and apparently did not realize the photo opportunity he left for his evil son.

How Appropriate!



At 11:58 am there was this beautiful scene:



About 2 miles before we got to Pop's I told him we had a problem. We only needed another 200 miles to make this ride an even 6000. I suggested we ride around a bit and then go home.

He reminded me that Mom was supposed to have supper waiting and that I really did not want to have to explain that to her.

At about 5:30 that evening I had Done It. I had led my Pop all the way to California and back. He may look a little old and tired in this pic but he is still kicking.



Pop's fatsided 190/55 rear tire had done well.



He had started this ride with about 50 miles on the PR4GTs.
Front 5.5mm tread
Rear 8mm tread

5800 miles later he had:
Front 3.25mm tread
Rear 4mm tread

Those measurements were to the bottom of the groove just off the center line. Obviously the wear indicators are shallower.

My patience was tested by the drivers I encountered on that last 14 miles to my home. I used the FJR motor properly to smooth those wrinkles away.

I had been away from home for over two weeks. My grass was belly deep to a giraffe, my bike was covered with dead bugs, and I was ready to Get Home.

I had some vague fantasy that my evening would end with our garden tub filled with steaming bubble bath, surrounded by aroma therapy candles, there would be a glass or two of red wine and I would read a few select pages from Fifty Shades of Gray to Mrs. Redfish.

Instead I took a shower, put on some nice clothes and we went out to celebrate my niece's 21st birthday.

The End.

 

[gregory]

EPIC X 2!

 

[SacramentoMike]

Nice job, Andrew. Lot of effort involved in this report, but we appreciate it. Great ride, great story. Hope we meet again at some future meet, somewhere. YFO 2018 even.

And personally, I think any 71 year-old who pulls in on a motorcycle should automatically be allowed to park in the blue spaces anyway.

Good job for you too, Hilary!

BTW, I've stayed in the Midway Motel in Caliente a couple of times, and recommended it too. It's one of those nice surprises you sometimes get on the road.

 

[senecahome]

Andrew, it was great meeting you and your dad at YFO.

Thanks so much for this ride report. Wonderful pictures and narrative. I don't know how you remember so much detail but it helps those of us with less robust memories.

(Maybe age has something to do with it.) Anyway, I really enjoyed reliving this trip through your report - we hit some of the same places and roads so that helps me remember.

Ed and I had a great time to/from the YFO event. Hope our paths will cross again sometime - Virginia has some great roads too.

Again, Thanks. -Glen

 

[Fred W]

What a fine ride, and ride report, Andrew. Even though your facial expression never shows it, I know that you realize fully that you are one lucky sumbitch. Having this time to spend with Pops on the road, with that (apparently gluttonous) Pants character, and just the ability to go and see these things that many never have the chance to.

But perhaps the one thing you should be most grateful of is that you could travel with two stellar examples of the most beautiful 2014 FJR. I'm sure that is an honor that you will not soon forget.

Nice work!

 

[Viper Pilot]

FANTASTIC!!! Thank you so very much for a truly wonderful RR. Good job!

 

[Jeff F]

What a great RR! I read it right through start to finish. It was getting late but I couldn't stop.

Thank you.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Many memories and regrets for me, raised by two ride reports about three southerners absorbing the several dimensions of the beautiful state in which I was born. My Dad died in 2009, my Mom in 2011. Motorcycles, skiing (esp. Badger Pass), horses and much more - all gifts from them. Deeply indebted. So it brings tears appreciating what you and Joey shared with your Pops.

That Tyler, who probably appreciates "carpe diem" more than most, had her hand in making it happen (and led us to the Badger Pass parking lot) must involve some other kind of cosmic resonance.

So, in your storytelling, you've touched a nerve in this reader, with your kindness amid diminishing opportunities - one of beauty, contemplation and debt. Thank you.

Thank you for your kind words and thank you for getting a lot of what I was trying to convey. I had originally intended to use Pop's recovery, courage, and toughness as more of my focus with this RR. After meeting Jer, Petey, Senecahome and a few others I realized this event had more than one Tough Old Man in attendance. So I sort of backed down on the emotional part of the narrative.

A couple of high points of my day in Yosemite involved you and Miss Teri. When we posed for the Group Photo and I stood Too Close she stepped away. I said, "No, stay close. You and I are the prettiest ones in the picture, we need to stand close." She moved right back against my shoulder and by doing so won my undying loyalty.

Later that day when I saw you two laid out like alligators next to the water I Really Wished that Mrs. Redfish could be there with me to see that place.

The more of the this I read the more I regret not taking the time off work and attending. All of the ride reports about this meet while similar each add their own perspective and flavor to what must have been an incredible event.
Thanks for sharing

This event was beyond incredible. There was Tyler. But it seems that all of these folks are nicer and better in person than our forum personalities suggest. Except for Niehart. He is Always Awesome.

Finally caught up to you and Pop's RR.It was an honor to meet Pops and you, and to shake your hands.

Met many new friends courtesy of YFO. Hope our paths cross again in my travels and theirs.

You were a High Point for me. In many ways. You have a friend in the Bayou State.

EPIC X 2!

Please tell your lovely wife that I mentioned her in this RR. She was Super Nice.

It was a pleasure sharing that carport with y'all.

Nice job, Andrew. Lot of effort involved in this report, but we appreciate it. Great ride, great story. Hope we meet again at some future meet, somewhere. YFO 2018 even.

And personally, I think any 71 year-old who pulls in on a motorcycle should automatically be allowed to park in the blue spaces anyway.

Good job for you too, Hilary!

BTW, I've stayed in the Midway Motel in Caliente a couple of times, and recommended it too. It's one of those nice surprises you sometimes get on the road.

I don't think that sign was for Mental Handicaps. I am pretty sure that's what his problem is.

Pop did Good. He was tough and uncomplaining from start to finish. I know he still hurts but he never said a word about it. He knew this was a Big Deal for both of us.

It will not surprise you that I had researched lodging in that area and already knew that the Midway was where I wanted to be.

It was so good to finally meet you in person, that meant a lot to me.

Andrew, it was great meeting you and your dad at YFO.Thanks so much for this ride report. Wonderful pictures and narrative. I don't know how you remember so much detail but it helps those of us with less robust memories.

(Maybe age has something to do with it.) Anyway, I really enjoyed reliving this trip through your report - we hit some of the same places and roads so that helps me remember.

Ed and I had a great time to/from the YFO event. Hope our paths will cross again sometime - Virginia has some great roads too.

Again, Thanks. -Glen

Pop and I rode in Virginia last year and it was fantastic. Pop in particular loved that state. If we head back that way...

I hope you and Ed liked the pics of that picnic table by Shaver Lake. Y'all ain't very pretty but the four of you made a Great Picture. That was one of my Moments.

BTW, I keep a journal with the high points each night. Going back over that along with the pictures puts things in order. Of course a trip this big is difficult to process.

What a fine ride, and ride report, Andrew. Even though your facial expression never shows it, I know that you realize fully that you are one lucky sumbitch. Having this time to spend with Pops on the road, with that (apparently gluttonous) Pants character, and just the ability to go and see these things that many never have the chance to.
But perhaps the one thing you should be most grateful of is that you could travel with two stellar examples of the most beautiful 2014 FJR. I'm sure that is an honor that you will not soon forget.

Nice work!

My SoCalledFriend hppants captured me smiling a couple times in his RR. I am thoroughly pissed about it, but he posted them anyway.

Pop is happier and more comfortable on the '14 than he ever was on the '07. While you and I agree that the '14 Red is a bit...loud for an older gentleman, it is beautiful and Noticeable. It was much easier to see in my mirrors than the '07. Those '14s make opportunities for some fantastic pictures.

FANTASTIC!!! Thank you so very much for a truly wonderful RR. Good job!

What a great RR! I read it right through start to finish. It was getting late but I couldn't stop.
Thank you.

Thank y'all. I try to do a lot of different things with these RRs. Comments like those make it worthwhile.

 

[Morecowbell]

That was a superb ride report, with so many great pictures and the narrative to go along with it. I plotted out your route on Streets & Trips so I could follow along with the story. You covered a lot of roads that I've seen in the past, and a LOT of roads that I hope to see in the future.

Thanks for taking the time and effort to post up such a great story. I know it's a LOT of work!