With Mike coming in two days to pick up both me and Rocket for the ride to Tennessee to join the group heading to Hyder, I am starting to panic about preparations. I thought I would just ride like normal and be able to compete, but it looks like the decision to not use an auxiliary gas tank was a bad one.
I ended up buying a 1 1/4 gallon spare tank that fits well on the rear rack. I should only need it on a couple of runs where the gas stations are far apart, but I will have to stop twice on normal days where the gas stations are spaced well. I can plan on 130 to 140 miles on a full tank, plus an extra 80 using the spare. But using the spare costs me one extra stop unless I can get super mileage. I still want to finish well, but it will be behind the fast guys and girls who can run the entire day without stopping.
It is also going to be colder than I expected and I didn't go for heated or super winter gear for the cold days. So today, I looked to improvise by seeing if my Bilt rain jacket would fit over my old, armored mesh jacket. It does so I am feeling better now. I can layer up with a long sleeve tee shirt, turtle neck, sweatshirt, mesh or Alpinestars jacket with the rain jacket over. That should work fine as I rode through northern Indiana last year in 41 degree weather with less to keep me warm and I was fine. That was a 600 mile ride from Chicago to eastern Tennessee that was very cold for half the day.
Then I realized that I would like to use a Spot, so I ordered it today. It should come in on Friday. Now I have to get it set up.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Tuesday Dinner Ride. Brucci's Pizza
The club ride tonight was to Brucci's Pizza toward the beach. We had seven riders and two more met us there. I took my usual lead position and we headed out. The ride out was hectic as traffic was heavy and lights poorly timed. We got separated several times.
The pizza was very good. I sat with Tanya, Russ and Geezer, so it was a good time. But Tanya offered a coupon for a free 12 inch pizza with a paid 16 inch one. When the bill came, those thinking that the were getting one for free found out that the discount was divided to all pay groups, so they didn't save much. They wanted the others to chip in. Sorry, we said. They weren't happy.
But the evening's highlight was yet to come. I needed one more quick ride and the ride home offered a fine opportunity. I rode south to Butler Boulevard, then up I-95 to Park Street. Rocket was up to it as we ran an indicated 80 to 85 mph the entire way. I was passed by one car the entire way. I must have passed at least a hundred. It was a lot of fun. Rocket is ready.
The pizza was very good. I sat with Tanya, Russ and Geezer, so it was a good time. But Tanya offered a coupon for a free 12 inch pizza with a paid 16 inch one. When the bill came, those thinking that the were getting one for free found out that the discount was divided to all pay groups, so they didn't save much. They wanted the others to chip in. Sorry, we said. They weren't happy.
But the evening's highlight was yet to come. I needed one more quick ride and the ride home offered a fine opportunity. I rode south to Butler Boulevard, then up I-95 to Park Street. Rocket was up to it as we ran an indicated 80 to 85 mph the entire way. I was passed by one car the entire way. I must have passed at least a hundred. It was a lot of fun. Rocket is ready.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Big Rocky Mountain Ride, Glacier to Denver
After leaving Many Glacier Lodge, where we had lunch and hiked a small trail, we headed back to Denver. The first road we traversed was 89, heading south to Browning. What a fantastic road for riding. We will be bypassing this great road on the Cannonball, but can take it if losing 20 minutes doesn't matter. I will take it if I am not near the top of the classification when we get there.
From there we headed south to Great Falls for the night. Nothing special there, but we did have dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Not bad.
The next day we headed south through the Lewis and Clark National Forest, through Big TImber and Red Lodge, where we had lunch. Red Lodge is at the north end of the Beartooth Highway, that we took to the junction with the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Both were spectacular with smooth roads and wonderful views. Beartooth was twistier and more elevation change, ending at the pass at around 11,000 feet. Chief Joseph was faster with less elevation change but still terrific. My brother says that these are his favorite motorcycle roads in the US.
We spent the night in Cody and headed south the next day to Fort Collins to end the trip. The highlight of this leg was a spectacular canyon south of Thermapolis. We finally got bad weather after this and rode through spotty rain all the way into Fort Collins. We didn't mind because it was so good to that point.
After sending Drew off to Kansas, I rode around Nederland and the hills and canyons back to the motorcycle rental shop where I dropped it off. I put 2750 miles on it in 8 days. The owner of the shop was glad that I got it home in one piece. I believe that he didn't have confidence in my riding ability, but I proved him wrong.
From there we headed south to Great Falls for the night. Nothing special there, but we did have dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Not bad.
The next day we headed south through the Lewis and Clark National Forest, through Big TImber and Red Lodge, where we had lunch. Red Lodge is at the north end of the Beartooth Highway, that we took to the junction with the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Both were spectacular with smooth roads and wonderful views. Beartooth was twistier and more elevation change, ending at the pass at around 11,000 feet. Chief Joseph was faster with less elevation change but still terrific. My brother says that these are his favorite motorcycle roads in the US.
We spent the night in Cody and headed south the next day to Fort Collins to end the trip. The highlight of this leg was a spectacular canyon south of Thermapolis. We finally got bad weather after this and rode through spotty rain all the way into Fort Collins. We didn't mind because it was so good to that point.
After sending Drew off to Kansas, I rode around Nederland and the hills and canyons back to the motorcycle rental shop where I dropped it off. I put 2750 miles on it in 8 days. The owner of the shop was glad that I got it home in one piece. I believe that he didn't have confidence in my riding ability, but I proved him wrong.
You never know what you will find on the roads
Red Lodge, Montana
At a stop on the Beartooth Highway
Another from that stop
Me at the Beartooth Pass
A bridge along the Chief Joseph Highway
Another nice view
Drew in front, riding along the Chief Joseph Highway
Autocross at Amelia Island Airport
Yesterday, my friend Drew and I entered my Miata in another SCCA Autocross event, this one at the Amelia Island Airport, about 40 miles north of Jacksonville. It was the second time the local SCCA Buccaneer region has held an event there, but it is a location where my father took me and my brothers to the first auto race I ever attended, back in the mid 60's, watching drivers like Peter Gregg in his Porsche 906 Carrera. It started me following auto racing my entire life.
Unfortunately, the surface we have to drive on is asphalt that has been baking in the Florida sun for at least 40 years. I did poorly on it last time and repeated that this time. We didn't stick around for the results, but we had similar times that were a second and a half slower than my friend Larry had driving a similar Miata. I just can't come to grips with this surface. The first two runs felt good but I hit at least one cone on each. Then I spun twice. Drew did too. Before our last runs we noticed that the right front tire was corded, but we ran anyway. I got all of 6,000 miles out of that set. Dunlop Direzza ZII tires. Very good for autocross that will probably last 20,000 miles in normal use. We wear them out quickly.
Edit: Got results yesterday. I was second in EStreet out of five. Drew was third. Overall Pax (with the handicap multiplier) I was 14th and Drew 20th out of 60. The real disappointment was that my fastest time was on my first run. That never happens as the first run is to see the course to find where to go faster. It progressively got worse. Not sure what it was, tires, surface or just driver.
Unfortunately, the surface we have to drive on is asphalt that has been baking in the Florida sun for at least 40 years. I did poorly on it last time and repeated that this time. We didn't stick around for the results, but we had similar times that were a second and a half slower than my friend Larry had driving a similar Miata. I just can't come to grips with this surface. The first two runs felt good but I hit at least one cone on each. Then I spun twice. Drew did too. Before our last runs we noticed that the right front tire was corded, but we ran anyway. I got all of 6,000 miles out of that set. Dunlop Direzza ZII tires. Very good for autocross that will probably last 20,000 miles in normal use. We wear them out quickly.
Edit: Got results yesterday. I was second in EStreet out of five. Drew was third. Overall Pax (with the handicap multiplier) I was 14th and Drew 20th out of 60. The real disappointment was that my fastest time was on my first run. That never happens as the first run is to see the course to find where to go faster. It progressively got worse. Not sure what it was, tires, surface or just driver.
Drew driving sideways. Very slippery.
Spare Wheel
Because I have my friend Leslie's GT while she is living in Italy, I decided to use her rear tire as my spare for the Scooter Cannonball. Saturday was a good day to take care of the last remaining items to prepare Rocket for the ride so I decided to take the wheel off in my garage. The rear wheel removal on these involves removing the exhaust and the rear swing arm, both of which came off easily. I couldn't get the wheel nut off using my standard socket set, just couldn't develop the force needed. I considered having Boris come over with his tools and strength, but he just gave me his 24" breaker bar to use. The nut came off easily using the leverage from the tool, so I went out and bought a cheap one at Harbor Freight. Now I have confidence that I can do most of the work that might be needed on the scoot during the ride.
I did notice that her Pirelli tire was showing its age. Over 4000 miles on it along with being around 5 years old. So I ordered a new Michelin City Grip for the spare. I am running a City Grip, 120/70/12 on the front and a Michelin Power Pure 140/70/12 on the rear. I got a 130/70/12 as the spare as it is great for the rear and will work for the front in a pinch.
The other need was for a spare fuel tank to get me through the long runs in Canada where gas stations are rare. I bought a five liter tank and found a way to secure it to the rear rack using strong bungee cords. I am fine for 200 miles between stations now.
I did notice that her Pirelli tire was showing its age. Over 4000 miles on it along with being around 5 years old. So I ordered a new Michelin City Grip for the spare. I am running a City Grip, 120/70/12 on the front and a Michelin Power Pure 140/70/12 on the rear. I got a 130/70/12 as the spare as it is great for the rear and will work for the front in a pinch.
The other need was for a spare fuel tank to get me through the long runs in Canada where gas stations are rare. I bought a five liter tank and found a way to secure it to the rear rack using strong bungee cords. I am fine for 200 miles between stations now.
Now it sits in my garage like this until I return
The power of the breaker bar did the trick
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Scooter Cannonball Logistics
Will, the support truck driver, sent instructions today. They are quite detailed and very fair for everyone involved.
I will be taking Rocket to Tennessee with Mike, from Fort Lauderdale. Mike is driving and using a borrowed or rented trailer. We go up Saturday, May 24, returning the next day.
The truck and trailer leave Tennessee on May 27 with five scooters and three people. They pick up Frank in Omaha on May 28.
Mike and I are flying separately but will meet them in Prince George, BC.
I found out in the message that there is no room for me or Mike in the truck so we will be riding the remaining 440 miles to Stewart BC./Hyder, AK. in two stages. One is to Smithers where we spend the night, the next to Stewart.
I will send as much of my stuff as possible on the truck, leaving a carry on only for the flight. It all has to be light because I will be bring it all home on the scooter from New Orleans at the end of this adventure.
It is getting real now.
I will be taking Rocket to Tennessee with Mike, from Fort Lauderdale. Mike is driving and using a borrowed or rented trailer. We go up Saturday, May 24, returning the next day.
The truck and trailer leave Tennessee on May 27 with five scooters and three people. They pick up Frank in Omaha on May 28.
Mike and I are flying separately but will meet them in Prince George, BC.
I found out in the message that there is no room for me or Mike in the truck so we will be riding the remaining 440 miles to Stewart BC./Hyder, AK. in two stages. One is to Smithers where we spend the night, the next to Stewart.
I will send as much of my stuff as possible on the truck, leaving a carry on only for the flight. It all has to be light because I will be bring it all home on the scooter from New Orleans at the end of this adventure.
It is getting real now.
Glacier National Park
The destination of the big Rocky Mountain ride was Glacier National Park. Drew and I arrived there after four days riding. We stayed in Kalispell, Montana, about 30 miles from the west gate. We got to the hotel early enough to venture into the park the first afternoon and took an unusual path. Drew wanted to try some dirt roads so we headed north for a few miles until it became apparent that the road was no fun.
So we headed down the Going to the Sun Road with a destination of the Lake McDonald Lodge. That worked well as the conditions were perfect and I took some wonderful photos of the lake from the dock. Also had a Huckleberry Beer.
From there we rode to a Brew Pub in Lakeside, the Tamarack Brewing Company for dinner.
Another long but wonderful day on the bikes.
So we headed down the Going to the Sun Road with a destination of the Lake McDonald Lodge. That worked well as the conditions were perfect and I took some wonderful photos of the lake from the dock. Also had a Huckleberry Beer.
From there we rode to a Brew Pub in Lakeside, the Tamarack Brewing Company for dinner.
Another long but wonderful day on the bikes.
On the way to Kalispell
The dirt road wasn't very nice...
But the views were great
Lake McDonald
Road under construction. Dirty bike.
Along the Going to the Sun road
iPhone panorama at a stop along the Going to the Sun Road
Tamarack Brewing Company. Nice way to end the day.
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