Author Topic: Another bike trip... (Read 294 times)

811952 · « **on:** May 21, 2013, 07:09:22 PM »

Once again I hit the road and highlight my poor planning skills for all the world..

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887449

Many thanks to Groovelines for encouraging my trips to Big Bend, of which this is the fifth so far..

I'm thinking I might aim for California in September.. ;-)

John

pauldo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2013, 08:14:41 PM »

John,
That is very cool.
Great pictures, great adventure.

Have you read Ghost Rider by N. Peart?

bigredbass · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2013, 11:22:59 PM »

Out West aboard the KLR !

But OK, there's the corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine day, there's the flatbed Ford . . . . hmmm, where's the girl ?

J o e y

jacko · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2013, 04:26:18 AM »

Great story and Pics john. Wish i could do the same. Wait till terry sees this - He'll be jealous as hell.

graeme

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2013, 08:03:17 AM »

Wonderful pics! Makes me want to chuck it all and hit the road!

Bill, tgo

tbrannon · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2013, 09:19:39 AM »

I look forward to you posting these, John. Really wonderful pictures and I love that part of the country.

jacko · « **Reply #6 on:** May 23, 2013, 06:09:13 AM »

A question for you John (and maybe Bill can chip in too). I notice on your GPS photos the maximum speed often shows over 80MPh. Can the police use this as evidence to charge you with speeding? I seem to recall some kid over here posting a video of his speedo on youtube as he tore down the motorway (interstate) at over 150mph. he was prosecuted successfully based on the youtube vid.

Graeme

p.s. I'm as guilty as everyone else of bending the speed limit so this isn't intended as any form of criticism.

811952 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2013, 06:42:17 AM »

Thanks guys!

The GPS top speed thing isn't completely reliable. tunnels and such will throw it off and there have been a couple of times where my top speed has been a number well beyond what the KLR is capable of. Generally speaking, though, it's pretty darn reliable. As for evidence, if they use it to prosecute then they'd also have to use it as a defense and I don't think there's much interest in that happening.

That said, with the exception of the occasional passing of another vehicle I don't think there was much speeding on my part except for the one particularly windy day. One beautiful thing about riding out west is that the speed limits are usually high (75 or 80 mph) and traffic really moves most of the time. And then there's the question of jurisdiction and of course did I fudge the numbers to make it look like I went faster than I did to impress my internet friends.. :-)

I will add that I was being passed more than I was passing anyone. I have adopted the strategy of never being the fastest vehicle and so far it's worked.

Excellent question.

John

jacko · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2013, 06:51:13 AM »

Thanks John. When I was over in sept/oct I was so scared of being stopped (based on a lifetime watching US TV shows where there's a cop behind every hoarding) I doubt if I even reached the speed limit :-)

Nice to see a bottle of newcastle brown ale in one shot. Being from the north east of england 'dog' as it's known (being man's best friend) played a major part in my upbringing ;-)

Graeme

p.s. Newcastle brown was also known (in the Geordie dialect) as Jawnee inter spayus (journey into space) - named after a radio show of the same name for reasons that would become obvious if you drank more than 2 bottles :-)

811952 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2013, 08:39:48 AM »

Graeme,

My mother's family (grandfather) hails from Amble, Morpeth and Chopington and (grandmother) Isle of Skye and my father's family is Irish (although we don't have red hair) so my appreciation of the finer things in beer is most likely a genetic expression. :-)

John

(Message edited by 811952 on May 23, 2013)

oddmetersam · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2013, 05:48:39 PM »

John. the unique photographic perspective, narrative that always has a hint of humor, and just overall vibe of this travelog is amazing. Modern nostalgia is how I'd describe it, as you are venturing into more rural areas of the U.S. outside of the experiences of most of us (though I traveled through Needles, CA as a child and apparently passed out from the heat).

As a beer drinker I was digging the Newcastle (Nukie as my friends call it), too. And as a reptile lover (I have a leopard gecko) I liked the dual lizard pic, as well.

811952 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2013, 06:27:21 PM »

Thank you for the kind words. It's funny how I often feel stifled in the small city where I live, yet find visiting these tiny towns utterly liberating. I'm sure there is an element of the grass being greener, but there is more to it than that. Certainly a change of scenery never hurts. I think if I had it all to do over again I would put more emphasis on befriending strangers and less on things. What's that saying, youth is wasted on the young? Certainly applies in my case.

I watched a rattlesnake cross the road one night, and it was captivating. It was moving so slowly and deliberately, tasting the ground I think, maybe tracking something. Its rattle tail was nearly vertical in the air, and I just couldn't take my eyes off the beautiful creature. I assume from its coloring (light and lighter shades of grey) that it was a juvenile diamondback. Anyway, after watching it for awhile it occurred to me that I was in very active mountain lion territory and that while the snake was illuminated by my headlight my feet were not. Of course, this was also quite far from any civilization as well :'O I got going pretty quickly. ;')

John

jacko · « **Reply #12 on:** May 24, 2013, 01:33:28 AM »

John. My mother's family (grandfather) hails from Amble, Morpeth and Chopington . My hometown is Blyth (also namechecked in your blog), on the coast around 10 miles from Morpeth so I know the town well - some pretty good pubs. Also, they have an annual gathering with loads of excellent traditional musicians (including some friends of my elder brother who died this year and had toured with him in folk bands in the 70's) taking part. This year they also decided to 'celebrate' the life of Emily davison, the suffragete who died when she ran in front of King George V's horse at the derby and was born in Morpeth.
I don't know if you've ever visited Northumberland but if you ever get the chance to check out your ancestral home you should take it - one of the last unspoilt parts of England and perfect for biking.

Graeme

811952 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 24, 2013, 06:22:19 AM »

I've been once, when I was 17. I'd love to go back and maybe one day I'll be able to. We stood on the rocks at Amble or maybe Seahouses as the tide came in, which was memorable. I think that was the trip where met John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page when I stumbled into Andy's Guitar Workshop while it was in the basement at 27 Denmark Street in London. Not being a Zep fan at the time, I had no idea who they were. I guess Andy did their setups. If/when I make it back I'm sure I'll track you down, check out your band and down a pint with you. :-)

John

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** May 24, 2013, 05:09:41 PM »

Another nice travelogue; thanks for sharing your trip with us.