12 weeks before launch

Wally sent me a packing list the other day, and it looks a lot like my packing list for the AIDS/Lifecycle ride I've done for the past 10 years. Various camping supplies, warm-weather clothes, cold-weather clothes, tires, tools, sunblock etc. I have about 12 weeks to pull this shopping list together, so I'm building a spreadsheet for this list to show how much I should expect to pay for the gear, and where to get it. Maybe then I can schedule the acquisition of it over the next three months and have it all by the time we're ready to leave.
First on the list: a good full-face helmet, a good riding jacket, and some decent boots,

Inspiration, just in time.


I've been watching episodes of "Long Way Round", a documentary of the trip Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boreman took around the world on BMW 1150's in 2004. the started in Scotland, crossed through Russia, flew to Anchorage, then through Canada, the U.S. and landed in New York.
In one early episode,before they launched for the trip, Charllie and Ewan visit a BMW proving ground to get some training time in on riding their bikes on rough road and in dirt. Seems Ewan had very little experience in that kind of riding, and kept dumping his bike. He was very concerned that he might become a burden to his buddy on the trip because he couldn't seem to figure it out. He eventually did, and his confidence returned, but this put a big line on my list of things to worry about. I don't have any off-road, dirt-bike experience, and I think maybe I should.
Talking with my cousin David Gaebel the other day, I learned he is a Motorcycle collector, with several of-road bikes in his stable. I've asked him if we could schedule some time to get together to practice some off-roading, as well as basic bike maintenance training, so I can feel a little less inept on the road with Wally.
Though it is nice knowing if anything goes wrong, Wally would know what to do, I would prefer the idea of working on my bike myself.


The original plan was for Wally and I to met in Redmond Oregon for the 2010 BMW motorcycle Rally, but since his is my first big ride, and Wally is coming in from Massachusetts, he's deciding it best to drive through the southwest and come directly to L.A. so we can leave for the Rally together. This way I don't spend a single mile on the road without my buddy. That's nice, I think.


The trip total time on the road is estimated at 66 hours. If we ride 8 hours a day (2 shifts of 4) that's about 8 1/2 days to get there. If we ride 5 hours a day it's 2 weeks to get there. Crazy- huh? A simple slow riding day can have us gone for over a month.
This packing list suddenly became very important. I don't just need to get stuff that is good for a weekend, I need to make sure that the gear, and camping supplies I purchase can last a while, if I wear a hole in a cheap pair of socks, there might not be a place to find another sock for a while.

I looked at the google map and there is so much NOTHING for so many miles. zooming in on Google maps I found one tiny reference to the Lac la Hache Motel. Apparently we'll be driving right by it, so I did some research to see where it is and what it looks like. The internet is a wonderful and magical tool.
I know once we get out of Los Angeles area the scenery is going to be beautiful, and outside the U.S., Hell, outside California in General it's going to get Damn gorgeous.

Fellow Blogger/Rider

Found this post today- thought it very interesting, also since he's on the 650 I decided wasn't good enough for me. Interesting . . .

http://www.2wheels2alaska.com/

The view from Chantry Flats. hardly flat, huh?

Uploaded - 3\22\10

First Solo Flight

Today I took the bike with no name out for my first ride alone, ever.
I took her up Santa Anita road to Chantry Flats and checked out the view. I felt a little strange, like my first drive without my learners permit, and scared, like something could go wrong at any moment. A driver on the wrong side, crap in the road, or a squirrel running out in front of me. Anything could happen, so I was on my toes for the entire 1:45. That alone was exhausting. I'm guessing my Motorbike mat very well make me a better driver. I'm certainly more aware of other motorcyclists now.

It's NOT a mid-life crisis

I've decided to buy a Motorbike. I've been zipping along in Los Angeles for the past 8 years on a small, Honda Elite 80cc scooter, and I have always wanted to go big and get something my friend Camber Hill would call more "Age Appropriate". Some of my other friends have looked on this new project as something as obvious as a mid-life crisis. I want to quell that, I'm certain and insistent that it's not. No really!

In July of 2010 I'm looking to make a great Alaskan roadtrip with a good friend of 20 years and we want to do this trip in the style of Ewan McGregor and Charlie Borman (Long Way Round), on bull-headed BMW GS bikes.

The only thing that makes the acquisition of a BMW R1100 GS even remotely resemble a mid-life crisis is in the fact that I'm in my mid forties. That, and the fact that it's sexy, black and HUGE! Other than this, there is nothing there to remotely suggest that I'm trying to compensate for a profound sense of dis-accomplishment or desire for life event what-so-ever.

Fact is, like many mid-life acquisitions, I couldn't afford to make this dream a reality until now. The fact that it's happening during the window of a certain age is strictly coincidental. No, really, it is!

I started looking for a bike of my own after a 90 mile motorbike ride with Wally in Mass. last fall. I had a ball, and have been on the lookout ever since. Wally Suggested the R1100 because he knows what I can handle, and what I will be asking this bike to do. I trust him, and will not question his profound judgment at this time, he knows more about this stuff than I do.

He suggested the 1100, and with that I learned that this specific bike is very difficult to find, where as the R650 GS (a bit smaller, one-piston bike) seems to be prevalent. Wally's explanation for this is that the 650 is a starter bike, and those that outgrow go for the 1100 or the 1150's. There are fewer of those to find (Used, mind you) because you never outgrow and 1100. Period.

I tried on the 1100 and it was scary. She's huge (standing on my tiptoes to hold her upright) She's Heavy (650 lbs) and nothing like what I expected. After climbing on her to take her for the first test ride, I knocked her off her center pegs and she tipped right over onto the pavement like a drunk sorority pledge. I was calm, collected, and horrified. Everyone was watching.


Thinking she was too much, I tried out the 650, and liked it a lot. Now that's more like it! She fit, feet flat on the ground, and I could carry her on my shoulder if the water got too high.
I told Wally I would prolly (aka: probably) get the smaller bike, and he essentially advised me to man up.

"Halfway to Alaska you're going to wish you got the 1100 instead Tom!" he said.
"Oh, really? And why is that Wally?" I asked.
"Because You won't be able to see me in the distance anymore, you'll be running out of gas, and I won't be able to hear you cry because I'm so far ahead of you".

Point taken. I got the 1100 and resigned myself to lowering her a little bit, and strengthening my core so I can lift her myself if I dump her again. In the meantime, I'll pray I never dump her again.

The 1100 also came with a great designer seat,(that I'm trading in for something lower) a large windshield and Panniers (suitcases) that I would pay extra for if I got the 650, so I'm overall very happy with my purchase.

In the next few weeks, I'll be posting images and dispatches about what I've learned, what I acquire (as far as gear) and the overall preparation of the great Alaskan Bike tour of 2010. Check and and see me, post a comment, and let me know what you think. If your an avid Biker, or BMW fan, I want to hear from you.

See you on the road!