Wednesday, November 30, 2016
First parts have arrived! Let the mods begin.
Mostly small hard parts, but it's a start. The new Wings exhaust is from Slovenia and the auxiliary fuel tank is from the UK. It may take a while before they arrive. As I research better parts, I ordered the Rade Garage fuel tank rather than Rally Raid. Better design and it doesn't alter the bike geometry. More on the tank when it arrives. Time to warm up the garage and get to work!
Wounded Warrior Project® Spotlight
Did
you know tens of thousands of injured service members, their caregivers, and
family members receive support each year through free Wounder Warrior Project programs and services
that are uniquely structured to engage warriors, nurture their minds and
bodies, and encourage economic empowerment. Donate and help us help them.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Monday, November 28, 2016
Winter Entertainment
Thanksgiving is behind us and winter is definitely here. Saturday I met up with a good friend at Starbucks and we rode in the west desert, off-road. It was 52 degrees and partly sunny. We enjoyed a great lunch in Eureka, UT. Highway 6 Diner. It may be the last ride of the season, at least in northern Utah. During winter I read a lot of adventure ride reports, parts catalogs and dream of winter riding in southern areas. The first parts delivery arrives tomorrow for the Crossing America Steed. Work will begin installing ASAP.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Operating Room
Like any surgical operation, an operating room and operating table are needed. Last week during a snow storm I rearranged my garage by relocating my other motorcycles to make room for the operating table. The night of November 23rd, during another snow storm my youngest son and I assembled the operating table, aka motorcycle lift. Typically I construct a make shift set up to outfit a motorcycle, but this one is going to be a marathon. Plus Harbor Freight had a HUGE blowout sale on this lift.
Most of the parts will start arriving in December. After a few rides and more research, the parts list has grown significantly. My order of priority is
1) Performance. The air intake system and muffler choke down the true ability of the bike. The suspension is soft.
2) Fuel capacity. This is a major concern. I need an additional 3 gallons of fuel capacity to navigate between fuel stops.
3) Fitting. The stock bike is setup for the average rider, I'm 6'3". Bar risers, larger platform foot pegs and seat are a must. The stock seat is a torture device at best.
4) Armor. 5,000 miles of mayhem is a lot for any motorcycle. A quality bash plate (skid plate) is a must to protect the engine.
Most of the parts will start arriving in December. After a few rides and more research, the parts list has grown significantly. My order of priority is
1) Performance. The air intake system and muffler choke down the true ability of the bike. The suspension is soft.
2) Fuel capacity. This is a major concern. I need an additional 3 gallons of fuel capacity to navigate between fuel stops.
3) Fitting. The stock bike is setup for the average rider, I'm 6'3". Bar risers, larger platform foot pegs and seat are a must. The stock seat is a torture device at best.
4) Armor. 5,000 miles of mayhem is a lot for any motorcycle. A quality bash plate (skid plate) is a must to protect the engine.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Being Thankful....
Happy Thanksgiving! Like most of you I have a lot to be thankful for... The love and support from my family means the World to me. They put up with my crazy ideas, my wanderlust adventures and endless work schedule.
I also want to thank those who are supporting me on this trek across America to support the Wounded Warrior Project. I may be the person riding the motorcycle, but there are numerous people helping me along the way. Thank you for your support!
While we enjoy time with family, friends and loved ones, please don't forget the men and women in our armed forces who are away from their family, friends and loved ones during this holiday. They serve our Country and insure we can enjoy the freedoms that make our Country great.
I also want to thank those who are supporting me on this trek across America to support the Wounded Warrior Project. I may be the person riding the motorcycle, but there are numerous people helping me along the way. Thank you for your support!
While we enjoy time with family, friends and loved ones, please don't forget the men and women in our armed forces who are away from their family, friends and loved ones during this holiday. They serve our Country and insure we can enjoy the freedoms that make our Country great.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Wednesday Wounded Warrior Project® Spotlight
The Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) mission is to honor and
empower Wounded Warriors.
It has three distinct purposes:
- To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured servicemen and women;
- To help injured service members aid and assist each other; and
- To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs
It's not about the bike...Wednesday Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight.
Although I enjoy exploring on two wheels, this adventure means so much more. This adventure is focused on raising awareness and support for an organization that supports the men and women who have served our Country and returned home with a life altering injury. It is our duty as American's to support those who serve our great Country.
Starting today, and every Wednesday going forward, the blog post will be dedicated to spotlighting Wound Warrior Project and highlight what they do to support our servicemen and women. I hope you will make the time to find out more about WWP and support their efforts with your donations.
Starting today, and every Wednesday going forward, the blog post will be dedicated to spotlighting Wound Warrior Project and highlight what they do to support our servicemen and women. I hope you will make the time to find out more about WWP and support their efforts with your donations.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Around the World...power of the Internet.
A lot of my time is spent researching parts, ride reports from other ADV riders and planning fuel stops, camping areas and hotels (for the weekly shower 😎). It is great to see people from around the World viewing the blog. So far people from Canada, Alaska, Australia, India, Burma, Iraq, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal and Austria have viewed the blog.
A BIG thank you to those making donations from the blog. Have a GREAT Friday.
A BIG thank you to those making donations from the blog. Have a GREAT Friday.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Weekend entertainment....
Overnight, 4" of snow fell in Utah. It is time to prep the garage for the adventure bike build and dream of adventures in warmer weather. To put this trip in perspective and better understand my motorcycle selection, and other adventure decisions, watch the attached video. A group of 3 conquered the coast to coast adventure. It's a 20 minute video that captures what the trip will be like...
Most of the CO, UT and NV trails I've rode during previous adventures. Timing the trip to traverse the Rocky Mountians after the trails open will be a moving target. The snow is deep at 13,000 feet.
Enjoy!
Coast to Coast Video
Most of the CO, UT and NV trails I've rode during previous adventures. Timing the trip to traverse the Rocky Mountians after the trails open will be a moving target. The snow is deep at 13,000 feet.
Enjoy!
Coast to Coast Video
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Gathering support and Why we ride...
First I want to thank those who have financially donated to support Wounded Warrior Project via this blog. THANK YOU!
Several people have contacted me regarding what's going on right now...? In order for 100% of the financial donations to go direct to Wound Warrior Project, my adventure is self-funded. Currently I'm reaching out to motorcycle parts manufacturers who sell the products I need to outfit the motorcycle for the 5,000 mile ride. The cost to outfit the motorcycle is nearly as much as the motorcycle. The manufacturers will have the opportunity to provide in-kind support with their products and you will see their logos on the motorcycle and my gear.
The first organization/person to provide in-kind support for my WWP ride is Sam Correro. Sam charted the off-road coast to coast route. He studied reams of maps and surveyed thousands of miles to create the main route I will follow. http://www.transamtrail.com/ Sam will be providing me the GPS coordinates and maps to navigate my way across America. THANK YOU Sam!
For those who wonder why I ride....below is a great explanation. Enjoy!
Several people have contacted me regarding what's going on right now...? In order for 100% of the financial donations to go direct to Wound Warrior Project, my adventure is self-funded. Currently I'm reaching out to motorcycle parts manufacturers who sell the products I need to outfit the motorcycle for the 5,000 mile ride. The cost to outfit the motorcycle is nearly as much as the motorcycle. The manufacturers will have the opportunity to provide in-kind support with their products and you will see their logos on the motorcycle and my gear.
The first organization/person to provide in-kind support for my WWP ride is Sam Correro. Sam charted the off-road coast to coast route. He studied reams of maps and surveyed thousands of miles to create the main route I will follow. http://www.transamtrail.com/ Sam will be providing me the GPS coordinates and maps to navigate my way across America. THANK YOU Sam!
For those who wonder why I ride....below is a great explanation. Enjoy!
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Veteran's Day!-Thank you and history....
This post is late, due to my travel and no internet access. Freedom is not free and those who have served must be remembered. Although I have not served in the armed forces my great grandfather fought in WWII, grandfather fought in Korea and father fought on the front lines in Vietnam. My mother gave birth to me while my dad was in a foxhole, engaged in a firefight. The news of my birth came over the military radio dispatch, then they passed it on by yelling to the next foxhole, until word reached my dad.
I want to say THANK YOU to those who have served this great country and fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. No matter who you voted for last week, you participated in one of the greatest freedoms we have, selecting the new leader of the nation.
History of Veterans Day
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, andWhereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; andWhereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."
President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts
On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.
In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.
The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
A BIG thank you and the initial parts list
Hello. Sorry for the delay in posts, this past week I was traveling on business. I want to thank Susan Richards and Sue Pyles for their creativity with the new site and creating all the links. It looks awesome. Susan and Sue will be with me the entire time during this adventure, well not on the ride but they will insure the social media is up and running. I couldn't do all of this without them. HUGE thank you!
It was exciting seeing the Facebook announcement regarding the trip on Mesa Moving & Storage's page. In addition to donations to support Wounded Warrior Project, I want to raise awareness of how they benefit those who serve our great Country. Please pass this blog around, the more the merrier. Soon we will launch a Facebook page to help get the word out.
The planning is in high gear right now. I'm finalizing the route, fuel, camping spots, etc. I've also started reaching out to in-kind sponsors to help with outfitting the Steed. It needs a lot to be fully prepared for the adventure. Below is a parts list to date needed to make this motorcycle a adventure Steed. This is the beginning of a winter long outfitting project.
I plan to use the Montana 680 GPS, purchased for the Baja ride. Tire selection is important. The terrain is mixed, so a higher mileage knobby tire is needed.
It was exciting seeing the Facebook announcement regarding the trip on Mesa Moving & Storage's page. In addition to donations to support Wounded Warrior Project, I want to raise awareness of how they benefit those who serve our great Country. Please pass this blog around, the more the merrier. Soon we will launch a Facebook page to help get the word out.
The planning is in high gear right now. I'm finalizing the route, fuel, camping spots, etc. I've also started reaching out to in-kind sponsors to help with outfitting the Steed. It needs a lot to be fully prepared for the adventure. Below is a parts list to date needed to make this motorcycle a adventure Steed. This is the beginning of a winter long outfitting project.
Black Dog Ultimate Skid Plate |
Black Dog Platform Low Foot Pegs |
Friday, November 4, 2016
Wounded Warriors Project
Notice the new blog look, caption and purpose of the ride? With Veteran's Day less than a week away, it is exciting to announce that my adventure is dedicated to supporting and raising awareness for the men and women of our armed forces who have served and been wounded.
During my adult career I have been involved in several projects that benefit our troops, normal people who put their lives on hold to serve our Country. In 2008 I was honored to receive the Minute Man Award for the efforts that supported 720 deployed troops during the holiday season. Programs like Feed Uncle Sam and the ongoing support of Operation Give (http://www.operationgive.org) . In addition to supporting projects, Mesa Moving & Storage (my employer) relocates thousands of active military families every year. It is an honor to serve those who serve our Country and allow us to enjoy our freedoms and be safe in a sometimes treacherous World.
While crossing America I will be focused on raising awareness for Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) as well as driving donations to support the programs that directly benefit American men and women who serve our Country, who need our assistance. We owe it to them for their sacrifice. We cannot forget them and what they've done for each of us.
This is the first of many posts as I work to support Wounded Warrior Project.
During my adult career I have been involved in several projects that benefit our troops, normal people who put their lives on hold to serve our Country. In 2008 I was honored to receive the Minute Man Award for the efforts that supported 720 deployed troops during the holiday season. Programs like Feed Uncle Sam and the ongoing support of Operation Give (http://www.operationgive.org) . In addition to supporting projects, Mesa Moving & Storage (my employer) relocates thousands of active military families every year. It is an honor to serve those who serve our Country and allow us to enjoy our freedoms and be safe in a sometimes treacherous World.
While crossing America I will be focused on raising awareness for Wounded Warriors Project (WWP) (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) as well as driving donations to support the programs that directly benefit American men and women who serve our Country, who need our assistance. We owe it to them for their sacrifice. We cannot forget them and what they've done for each of us.
This is the first of many posts as I work to support Wounded Warrior Project.
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