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. =)