Crazy roads, ice on the bike again and super hot reddings

It has been a long days ride. To make up for the slow few days traveling i have b-lined it from arcata to redding. Redding is pretty big in comparison to every place i have been through. The oregon coast is pretty sparse, and this certainly has a city feel to it.
I am staying in a holiday inn tonight and will be calling the parents. No internet access unless you have a laptop, so i using the internet at a cafe down the street at 25c a minute.
The road to redding was the most winding and spiraling and close turning road i have been on... Second only to the road to hana, but it is a close call. I spent all day manhandling the bike through the corners. And the tire was getting eatenup by the sand.
I also have been keeping up on the bike maintenance, as the bike is currently in the shop down here at Lees Honda. Thanks to steve and the crew there i am getting a new back tire, chain and an oil change. Hopefully things will be solid once i leave. I beat the crap out of the chain in the sand in oregon more than once, and it was making a wonderful noise even at highway speeds, dispite my consitant attention to relubing.
Also, i am using the hotel here as a stay over, since by the time the bike will be out of the shop it will be 6pm, and i dont want to try and find a place to camp outside of a city in the dark. Bad idea.... That and i need to wash my clothes. I am starting to notice my own stink. I am sure everyone i meet will be appreciating the hygine check up.
Anyhow, moving on to salt lake city over the next few days. Gonna come back via plane to see sanfran and area. Not worth getting stuck in with the bike. And i want to ride across the continent first before it dies, and if it dies on me when i am in sanfran i would have been pretty unhappy.
Well, thats all for now. I'll post more from somewhere in salt lake. BTW. no pics yet again because my crappy camera is kodak. Dont buy one, they need proprietary software.
Best Regards

Richard W.
Professional Adventurer in the USA

Oregon coast, and Californian Redwoods

Well, it has been a while since i have posted. I have finally found a library and will be making efforts to keep this posting process a bit more up to date. The First day down through washing ton got me to Nehalem Oregon where i camped the night at a state park near the ocean. It was nice falling asleep to the sound of the surf. But winters in oregon are nothing to be trifled with. The surf is not like it was when i was in maui, but harder faster and very brutal on the coast. I was told that in the winter the ocean drags most of the sand out to sea and in the summer gently returns it. I can see this myself as i watch the waves crash into the shore.
I spent my second night south of dunes city. A few friends had told me that it was a great place to see. And surely there was alot of sand. It was impressive, but I did not have much of an opportunity to stay and play in the sands. I am spending money on gas food and maintenance of the bike. I have made this a rule as I beleive that the round trip may take me 60 days at the outside.
I kept going until i got to brookings oregon, which is right near the border to california. A great little town that afforded me the opportunity to get some food fuel and water and camp for the night at another state park. These are great from 13$ to 20$ us, i can be garunteed a safe nights sleep. I am hoping that once I am out a bit more into the desert that i can skimp a little and use the vast amount of land avalible for some non park camping.
Other than that, it has been a great trip with some really cool sights. I have seen Stormy coast lines, whales jumping out of the ocean (which i couldn't get a picture of since the camera i have has a delay, and the wales dont pose), and giant redwood trees larger than my motorcycle or my SUV for that matter.
Well, I am off to Arcata, then to Redding and then eastwards to reno then salt lake city. More later. If the bike dies on me now, it was well worth it. I am so glad i have taken the opportunity.

Best Regards

Richard

Chased by Bikers, Captured By Friends

Well, the ride down to langley was a cold one, but the jacket was fantastic. My brother gave me a send off as we rode the last few Km out of town. Thanks Man, that was cool, just what i needed to get started. I fueled up in merrit and hope, as per usual, making my stops to coincide with a bit of a need to walk around.
And then on I went toward chilliwack. Well i have to say it was not uneventfull. As per my usual fare, I wave to the guys (or gals) riding similar bikes, but this time when i waved, I noticed there was a chap with exactly the same bike (older model). I thought it was cool that he waved back and was content in the fact that bike guys are pretty social creatures. No sooner had i forgotten about my passing, but I noticed a square single headlight in my rear view mirror. Moments later, the same bike i passed, zoomed pass me, waved and then signaled to stop by the side of the road. So in the adventurous spirit of the trip, i pried myself away from the 'time table' and stopped to chat.
Well, the excited, (and super informative) gentleman that dismounted, was quick to introduce himself as Norm. And moments later, I had every modification known to man about the KLR passed on to me as he inspected my bike for anything that I had done that he had not done to his. Upon my inspection of his bike, I noted that the only thing that was not customized was the gas tank. There were remounted fuses, modified seats, electrical accessory attachments, headlight toggles, and various things that I am not even qualified to understand, attached, bolted, and refit on his mount.
Truly this was a man with some knowledge. I hope that over the life time of using my bike I can get a few modifications in, but never as close to as much as this man has. He appears to live on his bike, and knows it well.
Moments later, myself and the man who is the repository for all things KLR, went our seperate ways, and I felt better knowing that there were guys out there willing to pull over on the coqu, for a chat about a bike.
A few hours later, through abbotsford and into langley, i stopped at my friends, and spent the evening catching up. My weekend promises to be one filled with activitied and good food. I a truly blessed with this good company.
Monday I will be leaving for oregon, making a quick pass through washington. Onward Ho...

Richards Travel Rules # 001

Stay flexible... it will keep your mom happy.

Well, it turns out that my leaving tomorrow @ 12 noon was not the best time to happen. My mother called today and was very dissapointed that I was not able to make it for dinner tomorrow night. So, being the good lad that I am, I am staying one extra day to ensure that I have a full belly of my mothers home cooking, and a nice family gathering.

Actually... I cant turn down a free meal *shrug* who woulda thought. =)

Packing the Mule

Well, I have had to be realistic about what I bring, and what stays home. I have layed out everthing on the basement floor, and taken a good hard analysis of what is needed and what isnt.
All of the stuff you see here, is not even considering my clothes a few days of food and tools that i might need.
I figure I should be able to fit all of this into the cargo container, two saddle bags, tank bag, and dry sack. However, dismounting looks like it may be a bigger issue than planned. I tried it out the other day with a simulated full load, and my only concern is swinging the leg over during a dismount, other than that, everything should stow away fine. I am sure that there will be a stationary drop in the bikes future.
BTW, thanks to Dad @ Richard's Small Engines Fabrication Shop for custom mounting plate for the improvised action carrier rubbermaid cargo container. I was going to mount hard side cases, but I think the saddle bags should be fine. Maybe later when I have money I will install panniers from happy trails. These guys make some really light indestructable stuff. But for now, the nylon saddle bags are enough for me.
Also, I have waterproofed the tent with some tent waterproofing spray. Seems to work good. Water beads right off of it. Fairly happy that it will keep water from sticking to the surface.
Anyhow, off to pack the gear into as tiny a space as possible.

Last Day, First Day

It was the last day at work today. Very moving. I appreciated everyones support and in many cases generosity. Its amazing to realize that I have met so many people at lotteries. Many of which whom I deal with on a regular basis. I am truly blessed to have met you all. I spent at least a half of an hour shaking hands before leaving. The workplace has become a steady environment in which have grown comfortable, leaving was by no means easy. Thanks for making it fun.
And on a lighter note: The trip. I have almost finished testing out the gear, and the luggage container is mounted on the back, ready to be filled. Tomorrow I will help a good friend move, then head home to pack my own gear. Thursday after a good breakfast, head to langley to meet some friends who have gratiously offered up a super comfortable bed for me to sleep in for the night, then on to oregon.

Langley, then Oregon!

This morning was warm enough that I drove to work Sans gloves. Not super warm, but warmer than it has been. No frost, or ice on the road at all. Gloomy clouds and rain yesterday that almost felt like snow, but i think that if I book it over the coquahala to langley thursday, I should be fine.

Also, I have been checking out www.couchsurfing.com in an effort to meet locals where I am going (and travel the most inexpensive way I can so the trip can be a long one). And I have had a number of postive responses from at least 3 to 4 people, but I have gone with the first response and will be heading to Bend Oregon the day after i am in langley (visting friends).

Its very exciting to be finally moving forward with the plan. I had thought at times it would never get to the point where I would be out on the road this year, but things are working out.

Stay tuned for more exciting tales

Planning, Packing, Riding

Well, this week is the wrap up at work, and my final days as a Senior Programmer/Analyst . It has been a bit of a change of mindset looking for something new, but I think its part of the great adventure. Its not quitting a job, but rather finishing up a career, and exploring a new avenue that may have been neglected in the past. Whatever the years ahead hold for me, there is still a future, there is another bend, another road to be traveled, and other careers to be had.

And on that note, I have decided to embark on the trip with the bike. Back to plan 'A', but in reverse, states first, then canada, even if i have to do it in two stages. I think most of this decision was made because the travel time between destinations was 3 to 6 times what it would take if one was to drive it. And i figured that since I was to be waiting in places, and not having a place to sleep in others, I would take the risk and ride the bike. Weather for thursday looks warmer, so it may be thursday or friday that I get out of here rather than the weekend like previously thought.

I will be posting my USA itinerary on monday, so check back soon!

From the smallest acorn grows...

I just thought i would take a moment out of my day to post this. These folks are lending their backs and sweat to a good cause to people who have been devistated by Katrina. I am always amazed at stories about how people put such amazing effort into helping others.
http://acorn.org/index.php?id=10223

Canadian Itinerary

Well, with the ample amount of time I have had to plan I have put togeather a map of where I will be heading in canada. The USA Map will be up as soon as I can put my list together. The more I look at the whole traveling thing, the more I realize, that I can travel for the rest of my life and still not see everything. Well, here is canada. red is a location where I will be heading, blue is a location where I might head if I have time or I can get to it. Just click on it to open it in a new window

October Mornings

Typically october mornings here in BC tend to range from near freezing to mildly cool. Today in kamloops it was cold enough that the dew on the car outside had frozen, and the golf course across the street was covered in a white layer I almost mistook for snow. Enjoying the sight for a moment, I almost forgot that I was going to riding the bike to work today.
It wasn't so bad, though I am glad I bought the gloves last night. Springing 40$ for a warm ride to work was the best decision I have made this fall, as this was the coldest morning thus far.

I really want to get moving before the snow falls. The more time I spend sitting here waiting for the job to wrap up, the less money I have for the adventure, and the less time I have to accomplish it.

Currently I am on plan B) and possibly C). Of which (B) is getting a discover pass from greyhound for 620$ and touring north america. (C) is hitch hiking across canada, but its getting late in the season for that to be comfortable. Mind you, if this guy can walk across canada and start in january on vancouver island, I think managing to thumb rides might be easy in comparison.

More to come as decision time gets closer. I am not even going to mention plan (D)... heheh

Cold Mornings Warm afternoons and Cartoons

The sting of the cold BC air is evident as you get up at 7:30 and drive to work. Both my brother and myself are faced with the same issue most mornings as we drive our bikes to or from work. At this time there is a light frost on the car windows in the mornings, and I am reminded that the only reason I am spared the scraping of the windows, is because I am riding the motorcycle. The comfort in that fact is short lived with the realization that I have yet to buy gloves.

On a more positive note, I am reviewing my trip plans, and still intend to take a trip regardless if I have to hitch or not. So stay tuned.

Oh, and since do not have a related image to upload, I will upload a funny comic from my favorite strip 'get Fuzzy'. To those who know about my crazy custom voodoo doll idea, i think you will get a kick out of this.

On a day like today

Oh I am telling you, on a day like today it would be great to get on the bike and make a run for the border. Its nice out, a bit crisp, very few clouds and sunny. It would be easy to do....hmm... Second thought, i dont think work would be too happy about me booking it. And also, I need to get settled and figure some things out. All this change is not comming easy, but in the end I am very sure it will pay off.
On a happy note, I am sleeping in my old bed courtesy of my parents *thanks* , and my bro has been kind enough to change me rent so that I can have a place to eat and sleep while I get my bags packed for the coolest trip ever.
It is looking like the dirty dog plan is going to be it. I have to figure out how to get all of my gear, enough appropriate food, and clothes into my backpack so that I can travel lightly and carefully on what I hope is less than 7$ a day.
More to come soon...

Things Change....

As usual my life is always a mix of good and bad. Things have changed for me in recent days, and in some good ways and in some bad. I am still making plans for the trip though. My brother is encouraging me to go to australia in january if i can afford the trip by then, but I have no idea how I am going to get 1500$ together for a round trip ticket. the idea of camping and backpacking sounds like a great idea. But I suspect that It would be a bit on the expensive side. Mind you, there are very few people I know who have flown to australia.

Well, there is one person I know, but he lied on a job application, couldnt do his job, spent two weeks on the beach before they revoked his work visa before they booted him in the rear and jettisoned him back home. Mind you he has become a bit of an urban myth as of late.

A cold turn south?

Well, the weather has turned cold and doesnt look like its going to let up much. I have two options now after plan (A) which was to ride the inexpensive KLR650 across canada, now it appears (B) get a bus ticket and head east, or (C) hitchhike east and see where I can get or (D) drive south, and see if I can outrun the snow.

The odds are against me though. It appears that at this point, I am facing having almost 0$ for the trip. I am hoping that my last pay cheque will be able to finance this endeavour. I really do not want to put this off until next year, as I have a number of things to do between now and then, and as we all know 'tomorrow' never seems to come when you negotiate with yourself enough.

Labrador and Edmonton have Snow

Alright.... I admit it. The idea for the cross canada trip is a bit crazy. Edmonton has snow...period...fullstop. Has forcasts for below 0 degrees. I think that the trip might now not go as originally planned. I have a bit of time to do some research and decide what i want to do.

But for some really good news: I found a very cool game I thought I would share with everyone.