AM in R3 & AK

Discussion in 'Trips & Events' started by A.M, Mar 1, 2017.

  1. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Thursday, June 29th to Kansas


    So I woke this morning knowing I'd prolly piddle the entire way home (and extra stopping giving moto breaks and checking coolant levels).

    Didn't leave Idaho Springs until after 10 and got home around 1:30 am, maybe 12:30. I can't remember because my clock was not set back to Central time yet.

    Lots of stops to refill reservoir with water. Equal amounts of procrastinating to home.

    As I continued further into Kansas, the water fill stops went from about every 60 miles (30 minutes) to a couple hours to being fine.

    That was a huge relief to know moto wasn't struggling much anymore.

    The fan even kicked on at its normal for moto (219 to 221 degrees) at a pull off and worked to cool it down and shut off normally.

    I was booted out of Colorado by riding through huge storms...

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    ...riding through this...

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    ...and welcomed into Kansas...

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    ...armed with moto's lifeline for the day...

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    ...with storms chasing me the entire way home.

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    The whole day was extremely hard for a myriad of reasons. I had to intentionally try to smile and sometimes I was unsuccessful.

    Thinking on the fun things and all I've seen on this huge adventure helped, as well as being thankful moto didn’t get sick in Alaska. At least moto waited until I was closer to home.

    Can't really blame moto. I worked him harder than I’ve worked anything in my life besides myself.

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    Moto was tired and filthy and had to deal with me riding him ragged for 41 days straight and 15,136 miles.

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    As I parked moto, I leaned over and wrapped my arms around moto. And I had many breathes and tears sourced from overwhelming feelings of excitement, sadness, joy, relief, pride, and humility that moto brought me home despite how hard he worked...and a shocking disbelief that we made it when the map of where we had been flashed in my head.

    A couple of last trip photos were taken:

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    Then I went inside,

    and hung up the key.
     
  2. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Hip hip hooray! Miss AM, you are an inspiration to us all! Hell with Long Way Around, this be "A.M.azing Moto Journey!"

    I think we need to honor her with her own official VFRW Moto holiday....mail her a year supply of propel and beefsticks as a showing of our appreciation! Hey, maybe you should even market a long distance Moto survival/prep pack....with autographed (smiley) pictures of you and Moto for an extra fee?!

     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2017
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  3. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    So picked up the keys again...

    We gonna finish this thing!

    Starting with original backwards selfie of us:


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  4. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Drama with moto the entire way to CO on Friday, but finally made it and fixed up moto yesterday.


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    Then finally made it up Pike's Peak!!
    Moto's cooling system performed flawlessly! The trip plans have finally been complete even though it took a while to make this final leg.


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    Heading out soon to ride CO more.
    More details laters.

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
     
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  5. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    GoGo gadget tire fix!!!

    I think if you had a ride without issues you'd be like....wait, something is missing???
     
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  6. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Summer trip encore on Colorado is complete!

    And yes, it started with moto woes. Well, really tire woes.

    The evening was gorgeous and moto looked fabulous!! Although moto felt anything but..


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    I purchased new tires on Sunday from the local Cycle Gear. They are too small a store to mount and balance tires so they send out the work to an individual. The tires were mounted on Monday and I rode around town and was pleased.

    BUT I had not ridden very fast. Once I got on the road to Coloardo on Friday, I realized something was terrible wrong, especially in speeds of 83+ mph.

    Shake shake shake, shake your moto, shake your moto!

    But instead of dancing, it felt like I was riding a jackhammer! Everything was rattling the whole way. Even me. OUCH

    And it was dangerous. Slight highway curves at high speeds had me skipping across the lane.

    Oh no! Tire drama! I pulled over to check for tire damage and to check tire pressure. Nothing was amiss. Pressures were perfect. Nothing visually on moto looked menacing.

    Sigh... my tires aren't balanced.

    I accepted the fact and continued into the CO sunset knowing I had to find a place to get it taken care of.


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    Turns out that Marrib, who was there to ride up Pike's Peak with me, needed a rear tire service. Perfect! He found Cycle Gear in Colorado Springs that could help with new tire and that would take a look at my front.

    So first stop for both of us Saturday was to rent a torque wrench then head to Cycle Gear.

    We set up work space in street parking. Ray, who manages the new Cycle Gear there, was very happy to help us walk-ins.

    Marrib was getting new rear fitted.

    Then after we got creative propping up moto, they checked front:


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    Weights misaligned and 1.75 ounces off. Once weights were repositioned, there was a need for an additional 0.5 ounces.

    When Ray brought the newly balanced front tire out and delivered the news, I had to remove the rear and get it checked.


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    Good thing. The rear was off 1.5 ounces. Whooohooo...so happy to be here and have time to get help.

    Once we had our rears back, we torqued them up. Marrib torque wrench hero with getting the tool!


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    We then cleaned up, went on high speed test (moto was sooo smooth!!), gassed up, and headed up the Mountain!

    Marrib had to take it easy because it was raining when we first started up mountain. Plus his new tire.


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    I'm thankful we didn't have rain the whole time though! It was beautiful and cloudy up top.


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    First time for Marrib on the mountain and first time for me to be up it on moto.

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    The ride up was easier than I thought and both motos performed well. My moto's cooling system performed flawlessly!


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    We took some pics on the edge on the way down.


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    And on the way down, Marrib decided to take a route to scuff up his tires.


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    Great choice, Marrib!!


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    We got very lucky with tire repairs and rain not falling down on us all day.

    If you have never ridden up the mountain, do it!!

    And do this thing I did next while you are in Colorado...
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2017
  7. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    ...continued...

    Summer Trip Encore

    ...Do Mount Evans!

    Higher than Pike's Peak and amazing!!

    I did this in June, but had to do it again! Plus I couldn't miss a Colorado back roads tour!

    So Sunday morning I headed to meet another friend, Miguel!


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    We had amazing riding up roads I'd never know to ride!!

    We pulled over at a scenic stop and was treated with the sweet sound of sport bikes screaming up the mountain.


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    The views here are spectacular!


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    Unfortunately we came across a bike that was down. The rider was okay, but we stopped to help and they got moto pulled out.


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    The roads were in excellent condition, so curvy, and the scenery was so beautiful.


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    We flew through Squaw Pass on the way to Mount Evans, and had fun toe scraping. LOVED that road...really all the roads...


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    Mount Evans...WOW with clouds and sun and fog!!


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    Here's the similar area with fog rolling in and covering the stone castle and observatory. I LOVE watching the fogs roll in and cover things and roll out!!


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    So foggy, cannot even see beyond the sign!!


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    The top of the mount was beautiful and super hot with the sun beating down on us. So hiked the rock pile with no jacket, but kinda wish I had it...


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    The fog chilled the mount, but the scene was still gorgeous!!

    Snapped fun in the cloud photos!!


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    And the goats again!!


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    This sign cracked me up!!


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    There were rams causing traffic jams all over the road. But it was so cute to see because of the babies.

    The motos worked hard getting up the mount, and had fun passing cars all the way down.

    There was a stretch of fog so thick that we couldn't see that far ahead of us. Good thing it didn't last very long. Overall an amazing day on the mount!!

    Once down the mountain we had eats on Idaho Springs and had fun on more twisties into the evening.

    Had 10 hours of riding that day, but know there are hundreds more to do.

    So much in Colorado, I cannot wait to go back...

    This was an amazing end to my summer ride. Couldn't have asked for a better ending. I'm very proud of moto!

    1,550 miles this weekend, plus his 50th birthday!! We have had 45,000 amazing miles together since October 2015!!


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    We made it home happy and without squared tires!! So far these Bridgestone 21S are awesome, especially when properly balanced.


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    I'm even more happiers to have spent time with friends one last time this summer before I have to go back to work.

    It's such a treat to ride with others in amazing places. Hope you are able to get out this year to ride someplace new with a friend or a loved one!

    So...is this my last summer hurrah? Strong possibility.

    But then again...

    When not riding, I'm planning.

    Until next time, go ride...


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    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2017
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  8. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    maybe some advance notice next time?
     
  9. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Thinking of this weekend again...

    Rain in AR
     
  10. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Hockey Saturday morning and Sunday night. Otherwise we should be around.
     
  11. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Sweet!

    I'll let you know by Friday if I head that way. Still watching AR as rain chances keep getting pushed back.

    Maybe we could ride a bit if the rains have moved out. :)

    If not this weekend, another time. I love riding your area and it's fairly close!
     
  12. Marrib

    Marrib Insider

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    You will show up when we tell you to and like it.
     
  13. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Trying to boss me around like you think you're my child or something?
     
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  14. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    Domination Pizza.
    You'll get it when we're good and ready, with whatever toppings we decide.
    No soda, and no napkins! Now call! Or Else! :p
     
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  15. Marrib

    Marrib Insider

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    Listen, Dad, I'm sending you off to take a paternity test!
     
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