Well, with the exception of this week's belch of cold weather, I'd say that spring is finally here, and none too soon. Heck, the other day I even heard a Harley, so you just know warm temps are here to stay.
Honestly, there has been one thing occupying my mind for the past several weeks, ever since the snow began to fade. Since I have been asked about this on more than one occasion, I know that I am not alone. Those of you who know the name "Stewbert" know that it is synonymous with "epic motorcycle journey". Now that it is finally getting nice outside, I can think of nothing else.
Every summer, Stewbert and I join forces, hit the road, and ride our bikes to some far-off corner of the country. In 2007 we headed straight west, through the Badlands, Yellowstone, the Rockies, ending up in Vancouver, Canada. In 2008, our trip was no less ambitious. We steered south, following the Mississippi all the way to New Orleans. After a jog east along the Gulf of Mexico, we turned north and headed home, via the Appalachian Mountains. Finally, last year we sped north into Canada before turning east, traveling clear to Maine. We drove right into Manhattan, New York City, and sped south through Pennsylvania and the Appalachians (literally, we sped - we only narrowly avoided a ticket).
It is difficult for me to explain the exhilaration of these trips, and the memorable characters that we meet along the way. In 2007, Stewbert and I discovered that the geological center of the United States is clearly NOT where it is indicated on the map. In 2008 we discovered Asheville, North Carolina; a hidden gem of the Appalachians, and the best darn sushi I've ever had outside New York City! Last year, Stewbert and I stumbled upon possibly the best lobster shack in Maine, complete with cigars, Spanish champagne, and a ghost (we also learned that Lake Huron is the red-headed angry stepchild of the Great Lakes, but that story is far less interesting).
These motorcycle trips were all executed aboard our 2006 Yamaha R1 supersports; not the typical ride of a multi-thousand mile road trip. The bikes performed exceptionally, with zero drama. In fact, with 26,000 miles clocked on my 2006 R1, I can safely say that we've seen it all. From snow and sleet to dry heat, from curvy hairpin mountain passes to cruising a beach boulevard, from bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic to 100 miles per hour interstate stretches, from Big Sky country to the Big Apple, my 2006 Yamaha R1 has been a phenomenal machine. Like I said, zero trouble. The only time it has seen the inside of a shop is for new oil and rubber.
Now, you may think that with a tribute like this, I may be hanging up the keys to my R1. True, the bike may never again do a long-distance road trip like those mentioned. However, don't think for a second that 2010 will pass by without rubber hitting the road. As a sneak preview, check out what Stewbert and I have cooked up:
We both agree, that while the 2006 Yamaha R1 supersport is a kick-ass motorcycle, 2010 will see a change in our style. Enter the 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650, a dual-sport capable of both on and off-road travel. Stewbert and I each acquired one late last summer, in anticipation of our 2010 trip. (Interesting side note: I bought my new KLR 650 on Aug. 14, the day before I got married. If you are wondering what my wife thought of this purchase, and the upcoming trip, consider that it was HER idea for us, and the wedding party, to ride our motorcycles from the wedding ceremony to the reception. Oh, yes - that's how cool Ashley is).
So, as a teaser, keep an eye on these pages for my and Stewbert's upcoming dual-sport ride. Minute details have yet to be ironed out, but the skeletal plan of our trip is as follows: We will depart Monroe aboard our 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650s, loaded with travel and camping gear. We will head north through Minneapolis, then west, crossing into Canada at Minot, N.D. Once in Canada we head northwest, through Edmonton. Continuing, we cross through British Columbia and continue northwest into the Yukon. Not even Calvin and Hobbes made it this far with their toboggan.
We do not stop there. Stewbert and I will continue north, all the way to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Yes, you read correctly - Stewbert and I are riding our motorcycles all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Who else can say that they've ridden their motorcycles to each of the four major bodies of water that border the United States, in as many years?
Pondering this, the rest are details, but I know that one essential item I will be packing is an Ashton Prime Minister, or similar light and smooth-style cigar. As I stand there, on top of the world looking out over the Arctic Ocean, I can think of nothing finer to enjoy (well, at least nothing finer that I'm going to write about here).
Honestly, there has been one thing occupying my mind for the past several weeks, ever since the snow began to fade. Since I have been asked about this on more than one occasion, I know that I am not alone. Those of you who know the name "Stewbert" know that it is synonymous with "epic motorcycle journey". Now that it is finally getting nice outside, I can think of nothing else.
Every summer, Stewbert and I join forces, hit the road, and ride our bikes to some far-off corner of the country. In 2007 we headed straight west, through the Badlands, Yellowstone, the Rockies, ending up in Vancouver, Canada. In 2008, our trip was no less ambitious. We steered south, following the Mississippi all the way to New Orleans. After a jog east along the Gulf of Mexico, we turned north and headed home, via the Appalachian Mountains. Finally, last year we sped north into Canada before turning east, traveling clear to Maine. We drove right into Manhattan, New York City, and sped south through Pennsylvania and the Appalachians (literally, we sped - we only narrowly avoided a ticket).
It is difficult for me to explain the exhilaration of these trips, and the memorable characters that we meet along the way. In 2007, Stewbert and I discovered that the geological center of the United States is clearly NOT where it is indicated on the map. In 2008 we discovered Asheville, North Carolina; a hidden gem of the Appalachians, and the best darn sushi I've ever had outside New York City! Last year, Stewbert and I stumbled upon possibly the best lobster shack in Maine, complete with cigars, Spanish champagne, and a ghost (we also learned that Lake Huron is the red-headed angry stepchild of the Great Lakes, but that story is far less interesting).
These motorcycle trips were all executed aboard our 2006 Yamaha R1 supersports; not the typical ride of a multi-thousand mile road trip. The bikes performed exceptionally, with zero drama. In fact, with 26,000 miles clocked on my 2006 R1, I can safely say that we've seen it all. From snow and sleet to dry heat, from curvy hairpin mountain passes to cruising a beach boulevard, from bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic to 100 miles per hour interstate stretches, from Big Sky country to the Big Apple, my 2006 Yamaha R1 has been a phenomenal machine. Like I said, zero trouble. The only time it has seen the inside of a shop is for new oil and rubber.
Now, you may think that with a tribute like this, I may be hanging up the keys to my R1. True, the bike may never again do a long-distance road trip like those mentioned. However, don't think for a second that 2010 will pass by without rubber hitting the road. As a sneak preview, check out what Stewbert and I have cooked up:
We both agree, that while the 2006 Yamaha R1 supersport is a kick-ass motorcycle, 2010 will see a change in our style. Enter the 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650, a dual-sport capable of both on and off-road travel. Stewbert and I each acquired one late last summer, in anticipation of our 2010 trip. (Interesting side note: I bought my new KLR 650 on Aug. 14, the day before I got married. If you are wondering what my wife thought of this purchase, and the upcoming trip, consider that it was HER idea for us, and the wedding party, to ride our motorcycles from the wedding ceremony to the reception. Oh, yes - that's how cool Ashley is).
So, as a teaser, keep an eye on these pages for my and Stewbert's upcoming dual-sport ride. Minute details have yet to be ironed out, but the skeletal plan of our trip is as follows: We will depart Monroe aboard our 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650s, loaded with travel and camping gear. We will head north through Minneapolis, then west, crossing into Canada at Minot, N.D. Once in Canada we head northwest, through Edmonton. Continuing, we cross through British Columbia and continue northwest into the Yukon. Not even Calvin and Hobbes made it this far with their toboggan.
We do not stop there. Stewbert and I will continue north, all the way to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Yes, you read correctly - Stewbert and I are riding our motorcycles all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Who else can say that they've ridden their motorcycles to each of the four major bodies of water that border the United States, in as many years?
Pondering this, the rest are details, but I know that one essential item I will be packing is an Ashton Prime Minister, or similar light and smooth-style cigar. As I stand there, on top of the world looking out over the Arctic Ocean, I can think of nothing finer to enjoy (well, at least nothing finer that I'm going to write about here).
