Back to the REAL World...?

After being home for 5 days, my gear is unpacked and put away, I'm still nursing sore knees, the Steed has been unwrapped, minor repairs completed, and assimilation back to my normal life has begun. No more washing my clothes in a sink, brushing my teeth at a creek, waking up at 5AM to finish a vlog, checking over the Steed, lubing the chain, kicking the tires, eating my meals from a bag, packing the gear and feeling the fresh air on my face on a crisp morning.

Life changes fast. As of today, donations have stalled at $38,177. Although $38K is a hefty sum of money and I'm grateful for all the support, my goal is $50K. Our wounded heroes deserve it. Please send this to all of your friends and ask them to donate to www.crossingamericaondirt.com . 100% of the donation goes to Wounded Warrior Project. Next week I will post my final vlog of the trip.

Thank you for riding along with me on this trek across America and for all of the support. Helping our wounded heroes is an honor.

My Wanderlust is already kicking in, dreaming of the next adventure....Central America, South America, Africa....? In January I turn 50 years old...what is a suitable adventure for a half century birthday celebration?

Stay tuned...

Wounded Warrior Spotlight - Physical Health and Wellness

Physical Health and Wellness (PH&W) programs for veterans are designed to reduce stress, combat depression, and promote an overall healthy and active lifestyle by encouraging participation in fun, educational activities. When wounded warriors commit to making a positive change in their physical recovery, Wounded Warrior Project is ready to help. Goal-setting, coaching, skill-building, physical training, and other opportunities provide the resources warriors need to make long-term changes toward a healthy life.

The PH&W coaching model focuses on warriors with the greatest physical needs, offering multi-day events covering fitness, nutrition, mobility, recovery and goal setting and followed up with bi-weekly calls. Regional physical activity sessions and fitness challenges are arranged for warriors to connect with and support each other in reaching their health and wellness goals. Online educational seminars are available on various topics including nutrition and building a workout plan. Wounded Warrior provides ongoing physical health and wellness opportunities to warriors, their family members and caregivers to help them learn and practice healthy behaviors and habits within the community.

Thank you for helping me help our wounded heroes by your generous donations to WWP or by your corporate sponsorship of Crossing America On Dirt.

It's been quite a ride!

Coast to Coast in 60 Seconds

Just the FACTS...

Start date: July 1, 2017
End date: July 28, 2017
Total Miles: 5,776
Total Days: 28
Days on bike: 24
Most consecutive days on the bike: 18
Rest days: 3 home/1 Bend, OR
Number of States: 13
Flat tires: 3- all rear; 2 Georgia, 1 Oklahoma
Tire changes: 2 rear; 1 front
Tubes: 6
Oil changes: 2
Fuel consumed: 116 gallons
Brake pads: 1 set front, 1 set rear
Zip ties used: 30
Crashes: 3
Most miles in a day: 370
Shortest day: day 6, 120 miles
Nights in tent: 9
TV interviews: 3
Radio station interviews: 6

The End! Day 28!!!

On the 28th day I reach the Pacific Ocean.  It is hard to believe that the CAOD ride is complete.  What an adventure!  The people I have met along the way will be with me forever.  This adventure had a purpose, and that is to help our Wounded Heroes.  It has been an honor to help those who have served our country.

Although the ride is over, helping our Wounded Heroes continues.  www.crossingamericaondirt.com remains active, please make a donation today.  The goal is $50,000 and we are sooooo close!

Thank you for riding along on this once in a life time adventure!

A special thank you goes out to Susan Richards, Sue Pyles and Amanda Reese.  You helped me make this adventure possible and I am forever in your debt.  You all ROCK!

Oregon Mountains..day 27. Dead end and low fuel.

The end of the ride is getting close!  After a wonderful rest day in Bend, OR, it is time to press on.  The OR high country offers spectacular mountain top views and challenging rides.  My bride met up with me in Canyonville after a road closure and I ran out of fuel....my auxiliary tank did not feed into the main tank.  I had to siphon fuel from the aux tank to the main tank.  After a good dinner at the Casino, my bride scored big at the slot machine!!!

Getting high (in elevation) in Oregon....Day 25.

Great day of riding, cool temps in the mountains, brutal heat in the valleys.   Made it to Bend where I met up with my Bride.  First stop in Bend is Giant Loop HQ.  Met Mr. and Mrs Giant Loop and the GL Team.  Giant Loop has been a great sponsor of the CAOD trip.  The GL Team consulted with me to determine the best gear and it worked perfect!  My gear was dry and safe through torrential rain, mud, 3 crashes and a lot of rough riding.  If your riding for the day, week, month or RTW, Giant Loop is the gear for you?  #giantloopmoto

24th Day...Day at the Spa for the Steed and 200 miles.

What a productive spa day for the Steed; new tubes, tires, new brake pads, fresh oil, clean air filter, chain and replacing a few missing nuts and bolts.  After the spa treatment, I rode 200 miles to John Day post rain shower.

Day 23, Camping, Sawtooth Mountains....and a long re-route.

Day 23 ended up being a long day due to a 121 mile re-route caused by a landslide.  Great camping and a lot of dust.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Thanks for your Generosity

Thanks to the generosity of the American public, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) provides free programs and services to address the needs of wounded warriors and fill gaps in government care. The demand for WWP programs and services has grown from serving a handful of injured veterans to now serving tens of thousands, and they continue to receive hundreds of new registrations from injured veterans, their families, and caregivers each month.

The purpose of Crossing America On Dirt is to raise awareness and donations to help support America's wounded military men and women through WWP. My motorcycle trek will be ending soon, but the plight and the needs of our wounded warriors will continue. Please find it in your heart to help them all you can - through your DONATIONS or by volunteering your time to those in need.

These Wounded Warrior Members found support and recovery programs through WWP.

You can read more about their stories by clicking HERE.

Hello Idaho...from the plains to the mountains in one day.

Departing from my home visit, back on the trail to conquer ID and OR.  It was a long day, riding nearly 370 miles to camp 20 miles outside of Sun Valley, ID.  Great day!

Please click the donate now button to help me help our wounded heroes!  Thank you for the support!

R&R = rest and repair. Day 19-21

After 18 consecutive days on the motorcycle and 20 days away from my family I finally made it home.  It was great to spend time with my loved ones.  I also gave the Steed some love as well.  It needed a thorough cleaning after Colorado and Utah BDR trails.

Please follow me on Facebook and Instagram as well as refer me to your friends.  Donations are going well, I am 74% of the goal ($37,077) as of today.  Thank you for the support.

Total Amount Raised

Thank you one and all for your generous donations. No amount is too large or too small. 

>>>PLEASE DONATE<<<

18 days and 4,200 miles behind me.

What a ride it has been....it is surreal that I have 1,400 miles in front of me.  Please take the time to click on the 'Donate Now' button to help me help our wounded heroes.  The ride has a purpose, it is to serve those who have served our great Nation.

Saturday morning the ride continues.

18.2 is all riding.

This is all riding, no narration.  Central UT mountains rising up from the desert floor.  Great riding and I end at my house.  It is great to see the family after 20 days!

Back in Utah day 18.1

Leaving Moab, riding the Utah Backroads Discovery Route (UTBDR) to my home in Salt Lake City.  Its been 20 days since the last time I saw my family.  Anxious to get home.  I will stay home to rehabilitate my knees and fix the motorcycle before departing Saturday morning to conquer ID and OR.  18.1 is riding the desert floor to Wellington, then start the ascend into the mountains.  18.2 will be the mountain portion.

Day 17.2 to Moab....

This is the 120 mile stretch, entering Utah and landing in Moab.  We crossed the LaSal mountains in the rain and mud.  

Riding Ophir Pass on Day 17.1

Day 17 was a treacherous descend from Ophir Pass.  The most dangerous of the entire ride.  There will be a 17.2 for the ride to Moab, UT.

Day 16.3...final descend into Ouray, CO. Last vlog for day 16.

Final descend into Ouray, CO.  It's dry but dangerous drop offs....

Day16.2; Engineer Pass.

Ascending Engineer Pass and peak descend in the rain!  GREAT views!

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - It Takes a Nation

“It takes a nation to build an army. It also takes a nation to welcome that army home and provide care and support when they return,” said Jack Hammond, executive director at Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program. Home Base is part of Warrior Care Network®, an innovative partnership between Wounded Warrior Project, four top academic medical centers, and VA. Warrior Care Network offers intense outpatient programs that provide more than 70 hours of clinical therapy in two to three weeks.
You can help be part of the nation that helps get our wounded heroes back on their feet. Donate Now.

Day 16,1. Fun in the Rockies.

Day 16-18 are long days with great scenery and riding.  It may take 2-3 vlogs per day, at 10 mins each.  There is a lot to see and worth every minute.

Day 15, Hello Colorado

Day 15 was a long day.  Decided to ride asphalt through NM to give my knee time to recover after a long night of rain in OK and NM.  Colorado was awesome!  Great views, rain, mud, dust...CO had it all on the first day.

Day 14, Flat Tire, Rain, Mud, Good Bye Oklahoma.

Day 14 was a good day, and a full day of adventure.  After a long day I reached the board and spent the night at the Great Plains Bunkhouse.  Great place for TAT riders to stop over or spend the night.

Day 13, crash #2

Sorry I'm running behind on the updates.  Day 13 was a hot day with a great stop in Shidler, OK.

Have a GREAT Monday!

Day 12, rode extra 135 miles due to route error! Hello OK!

Enjoy the long vlog!  It was a looooong day and night.

Sorry I'm running a few days behind posting.  Spotty internet service in the middle of nowhere.

Total Raised for Wounded Warrior Project!

To DONATE NOW CLICK HERE!

Remember to buy your RAFFLE TICKET HERE for a chance to win this Patriotic KLIM Helmet. Proceeds go to Wounded Warrior Project.

KNWA Television Interview

If you haven't see the KNWA NBC Interview, here it is.

Day 11, AWESOME riding in the Ozark National Forest, plus a bear, bobcat and turkey sighting.

Day 11 was packed with great riding.  Then I went off trail to Fayetteville, AR to see good friends and drop off the Steed at the KTM dealer for fresh oil and a new rear tire.

Wounded Warrior Project - Why Your Donation Matters

As of July 1, 2017 Wounded Warrior Project serves 103,942 Alumni and 24,190 family members. For WWP there is a difference between members and alumni; the term alumni indicates a mutual shared experience and denotes your place in an organization was earned. There are no dues since they were already paid by wearing the uniform on the battlefield.

Due to advancement in battlefield medicine and body armor, the number of soldiers that survive horrific injuries and endure unspeakable situations have increased dramatically. Our nations' military heroes are coming home without arms and leg, with debilitating brain injuries, and the majority with such sever post traumatic stress that they cannot return to their old life. They suffer - their families suffer!

One of the hardest tasks is to know where to get the help they need for the myriad of physical and emotional issues they struggle with. And help is needed! Loneliness is real. Fear of crowds and loud noises is real. Financial burdens are real. Divorce is real. Suicide is real....

Wounded Warrior Project is the hand extended to encourage our warriors to keep striving for the new normal. Every Dollar You DONATE through this website will go directly to help our wounded military men and women have the support they need to achieve new triumphs. Please GIVE!

Taking a break in Fayetteville Arkansas

It was nice to take a break in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Steed spent come quality time at the Freedom Power Sports shop while I enjoyed the hospitality of Bill Locke and the Admiral Moving Team. Thank you one and all!

Hello Arkansas, and mud! Day 10

Day 10 had a lot of mud in the beginning, then turned into long, straight country roads.  I passed out a lot of CAOD stickers at my fuel stops.  The bike attracts attentions.  I stayed in Clinton, AR for the night.

Day 9, Good bye Mississippi in 1 Day....

- Rode 330 miles.
- 10 hrs in the saddle
- 3 bridge closures

Day 8, Flats and Blessings

Day 8 was the toughest so far...kickstand up at 6:30 AM, 100 miles behind me before 11 AM, then 2 rear flats on top of riding over 240 miles,  The good news, it was a dry day and the Steed was blessed!

 

Total Raised for WWP

To DONATE NOW CLICK HERE!

Remember to buy your RAFFLE TICKET HERE for a chance to win this Patriotic KLIM Helmet. Proceeds go to Wounded Warrior Project.

American Pride...Day 7

Day 7 stats:
- Rode 268 miles
- Red clay mud
- Rode Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee
- Met awesome people!


After helping our wounded warriors, the next best part of this trip is the people I meet along the way. Today was no different, meeting Penny, Kent and Rachell at the Cornerstone Restaurant.   American pride in our Soldiers and Veterans is alive and well.  

Enjoy today's vlog.

Monsoon Rain!- Day 6

After a short day due to monsoon rains, and another night in a hotel,  I don't  know if I should review my routes or start pairing up animals for an ARK.

Day 5 Wrap up...wet day 6 ahead

First day on the official Trans America Trail-wild day!

Stats:
- rode 162 miles, most of it dirts
- completed 5.5 sections of Tennessee's 21sections (770 miles total in TN)
- 1 crash
- 4 creek crossings
- 1 torrential thunderstorm
- 1 very long vlog...10 mins!

There is a lot in this vlog, I will leave a narrative tomorrow.

You will see pics of Tammy in the vlog.  This was a great meeting.  When I pulled up to this tiny road side motel in the middle of the forest to grab an ice tea, this lady sitting on the bench goes, are you the guy riding across America for the soldiers?  When I reply yes, her face lit up.  She has been following my journey with her friend Hines, who suffers from PTSD.  Tammy shared that she lost a daughter in the military as well, so she has a lot of interest in people helping our Veterans.  The World can be a small place, what a coincidence that Tammy would be sitting outside when I rode in.  

Also want to thank Sam Correro again for his support and for mapping out this awesome Trans America Trail!

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Get Moving Again

One of the major challenges wounded veterans face when returning to civilian life is maintaining a

healthy and active lifestyle. That is why Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) hosts physical health and wellness expos and opportunities around the nation, not just to get warriors moving again but to connect with other local warriors who share their life experiences.

"Crossing America On Dirt" is at the heart of moving - riding a motorcycle coast to coast to raise awareness and donations to support WWP and the many programs available to our nation's wounded heroes. To show your support DONATE by CLICKING HERE.

I am a Dragon Slayer...Day 4

Great day of riding, of course with a few hours of rain.  My day started with a visit from a friend and fellow UGI Board Member, Barry Vaughn.  Barry and his wife have a summer home 20 minutes from my route.  It was great to chat and see a familiar face.

Day 4 had a lot of curves...Rattler and Tail of the Dragon.  Bucket List check offs!

Wrap up day 3-NC is in the rear-view mirror

Happy Independence Day everyone!  

Riding in North Carolina

Enjoy!  Tennessee is next!

Day 2 is behind me...

After my first WWP Veteran interview with John, who was inspirational to say the least, and a quick pic in front of Fort Bragg, I rode 200 miles.  Long day but one of the best!  Please watch the attached vlog and visit soon to see the full interview with John.

John, his wife Vicky and his life coach James were kind enough to spend time with me at the WWP Fayetteville, NC office.  After 23 years of service, John suffered a brain injury which started severe PTSD.  After the first 1 1/2 years of staying in his house, John saw an ad for WWP and ask Vicky to call.  That was a life altering encounter.  WWP was able to help John change his life.  It was a honor to meet John and his wife Vicky.  I will remember our visit for the rest of my life.  John has come a long way to get where he is today, but he is a great example of courage and persistence.  John was kind enough to make me a few gifts and one of them is a wooden coin.  The coin is made from a baseball bat from OR (my destination) and the star from a retired American flag.  You will hear more about my interview with John later.

I also want to thank James, at such a young age his is making a difference in John's life.  And also thank him for his hospitality as he rode beside me until my departure from Fayetteville.  A motorcyclist's hospitality.

That all for now, I've got to ride!  If all goes well I will ride through the Smoky Mountains today....

CAOD Day 1 is History!

200 Miles later and about 150 left and right turns, with 500% humidity.  Wishing for more dirt!  After the WWP interview tomorrow I will climb in elevation and enjoy some dirt and hopefully camp in the mountains. #TAT #KTM #WoundedWarriorProject

Total Raised for Wounded Warrior

Air

Everyone has to inflate their tires, right?  I've been inflating my tires the same way for decades....obviously like a neanderthal.  The Best Rest Products CyclePump is the bomb!  Why am I so excited about a tire pump...?  It's easy, plugs into the 12V outlet on the bike, inflates fast, it has an inline gauge.  No more removing the pump, checking the PSI then repeat, several times.  You watch the gauge and remove when you reach the desired PSI.  This is the pump of all pumps.  You can tell this pump was designed by a rider.

If you ride, you need this pump.  No matter if your ride dirt or pavement, you need air for those tires!

Last minute bike mods are complete...this is for the moto geeks

This morning I installed the new mirror and the Perun Moto heal guards and Rear Brake Reservoir protector.  Also installed a set of break way mirrors.  The stock mirrors are attached to the brake and clutch reservoirs, a hard crash could render you without one or both.  The break away mirrors are a uni-body construction with Ram ball mounts that fail before you damage important parts.

There is no comparison to the OEM heal guards, they are flimsy plastic, the Perun version has slots to tie down my Giant Loop Coyote bag and there metal.  The Rear Brake guard is a simple install and worth its weight in gold.  The reservoir is vulnerable to rocks, trees, etc.  Whatever you crawl over or hit can damage it and then what?  No rear brakes!!

Heal Guard and Rear Brake reservoir protector

Finally at Ground 0 The start of CAOD

Yesterday was a long travel day, 2 planes, 2 Ubers and a 60 mile ride to the coast.  The humidity on the NC coast is amazing, UT humidity isn't this bad when it rains.  My travel to NC was nothing more than a normal travel day, but it turned into a day of 'signs'.

My day started with an Uber ride from an Army Veteran (George) to the SLC airport.  George is a UT native and drives for Uber full time.  Nice guy and very appreciative of CAOD and it's efforts to help the Wounded Warriors.









After 2 planes, my next Uber ride to Jacksonville, from New Burn, was from a gentleman named Willard.  He is a retired truck driver and a fellow adventurer.  After hearing my story, Willard immediately called a few friends and worked on getting some type of media exposure in Morehead City.  Willard could not believe what I was about to embark on and he wished he could go.  He has a dirt bike as well.  Once Willard delivered me to the Mayflower warehouse, where the Steed has been stored, he asked if it would be OK if he followed me to my hotel to make sure everything was good with the motorcycle.  After a quick call to his wife for permission, we were off to Morehead City.  What a genuine and helpful person.  Willard has been planning an around the World trip with his wife for 3 years, on a 50' boat.  They depart next year to sail around the southern tip of Argentina, to Alaska, then to China.  They have purchased a home in China, where he and his wife plan to retire.  Now that's an adventure!

View from my room

When I arrived at the hotel after sweating profusely in what felt like 99% humidity, I unloaded the Steed, checked in, grabbed the new gear that was shipped UPS to the hotel and started the process of unpacking, downsizing, repacking, replanning, etc.  The new Giant Loop bags are awesome and will make organization on the trail a lot easier.  The hotel is on the beach!

My room as a war zone

After a long day of travel, I took Willard's recommendation and dined at the Shark Shack, a locals outside seafood restaurant and enjoyed fresh Mahi and a cold beverage.

After dinner I walked the beach and contemplated all that was about to happen.  This is going to be an adventure of a life time.  Solo ride across America on a dirt bike, on dirt to serve the people who have served our country.  It's hard to imagine that a thought that started a year ago, has now turned into reality.  WOW!

On the Plane...headed to North Carolina. T-minus 2 days to start.

After a great night with the family, I'm sitting on the plane, working on map routes, going over things to do and missing my family.  As a tradition before a BIG adventure, the kids shave my hair.  This tradition started when our kids were young and they would get a kick out of shaving my hair before a long ride.  Back then, most of the long rides were via bicycle and a few motorcycles trips.  Short hair is easier to manage when your riding and camping your way across America.  No reason to pack a comb or hair gel 👦

After landing in Atlanta, I have a VERY short layover (I'll be running to the gate) before boarding a plane to New Burn, NC.  Then I'll Uber it to the warehouse in Jacksonville, NC (thank you Murray Transfer/Mayflower) where my trusty Steed has been waiting for me.  After removing the Steed from the skid and a quick change into my gear, I will ride 60 miles to Morehead City.  My hotel is on Emerald Isle, on the beach.

Friday I will download final routes, reconfigure my gear, swap out a few items, install the new mirrors and heal guards, check and double check the motorcycle,  then play tourist until Saturday morning.  

Wounded Warrior Project - Help give them Hope

On average 22 veterans and active duty service members are lost to suicide every day - and hundreds of thousands more struggle with mental and physical issues, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brains injury (TBI). This crisis impacts military from every generation and

branch of service, as well as their families.

Wounded Warrior Project and other military member support organizations need your donations to offer help to our wounded warriors in need.

Join me on my fundraising quest to raise $50,000.00 for Wounded Warrior Project. Our service men and women deserve our help. Donations made through this link are tax deductible and 100% goes directly to WWP.

Last CAOD test ride...

The Sidi ADV 2 boots are awesome, comfortable right out of the box.  First time I've purchased a boot that was ready to ride.  The Sidi ADV 2 will serve me well over the 5,000 trek.

Still playing around with motovids.

Last Weekend Home...update

After celebrating my oldest son's 18th birthday yesterday, it is back to final preparations for the Crossing America On Dirt ride.  After a test ride this morning to shakedown the new boots, I will pack my box of gear to shipped to the Morehead City hotel, and two drop boxes along the way (Fayettville, AR and Denver, CO) with fresh clothes, food and maps.

The reality is starting to set in with the family and me, that I won't see them for the next 3 weeks, until I ride into Utah.  Being away from my family will be the most difficult part of this adventure.

The wounded hero interviews are still in the works, the latest schedule is Fayettville, NC and Colorado Springs.  I hope these interviews materialize.  It will be an honor to meet these Veterans.

Also, Tuesday morning I will be interviewed on Park City Television.  This will be a great opportunity to raise awareness and donations.  It is exciting to see the donations at 58% of target before the ride starts.

Thank you to everyone for the support.   This is not a one-man show, a lot of people have extended their knowledge, experience, skills and products to help me get this far.   Please support the sponsors who have helped me make this adventure a reality.

Father's Day Ride 2017

This is my first attempt at editing video.  I'm not giving up my day job!!!  This was our 3rd annual Father's Day ride.

Exciting Milestone for Donations...

Wednesday afternoon donations reached 51% of the $50,000 goal!  This is awesome.  It is easy to get so involved in the ride, but this isn't about the ride...it's all about raising awareness and donations for Wounded Warrior Project.

                                                        
Thank you to all of the people that have donated so far.  If you have not made a donation please do.  Your donation is tax deductible and 100% goes to Wounded Warrior Project.

Countdown and changes....

This time next week I will be on a plane, flying to NC to retrieve the Steed. Yesterday my new Sidi riding boots and Giant Loop gear arrived.

New packing gear arrived. The Tillamook bag is perfect, versatile. The Gas bag is genius...the perfect way to carry 1 Gallon of fuel and the Possibles pouches will enable me to make a few items easier to access. #giantloop rocks! The gear works together and integrates into a complete system. Giant Loop has been a great supporter of the Crossing America trek. Thank you Giant Loop.

Swapped the Sidi Crossfire2 for the Sidi ADV 2. Need to break'em in. Way too shiny! Trading a little protection for more comfort and Gore Tex waterproof.  Thank you for the support Motonation.

Last but not least, my family surprised me with a little Father's Day gift that will be useful during the adventure....

Everything is coming together.  The reality of leaving my family for a few weeks is settling in...  My plan is to visit my mom and dad in Colorado and then my wife and kids in UT.  Leaving my family is the toughest part of the trip.  The flight to NC will be lonely.  Leaving loved ones is tough, but it is for a short time. Our active military on deployment leave their families for 9 months or more each deployment.  Wow!  What a sacrifice to serve our country and fight for the freedoms we all enjoy.  

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Invisible Wounds

Wounded Warrior Project has services and programs that support and take care of not only our wounded heroes that suffer post-traumatic stress, but family members and caregivers as well. PTSD affects everyone - not just the warriors. It takes real strength for those returning home to reach out for help, especially when their wounds are invisible. You can help support their ongoing assistance by DONATING now. 100% of donations go directly to WWP.

T-Minus 9 days

Nine days before I depart via plane to NC, where the Steed is waiting.  While the Steed and gear have been waiting for me in NC, I've been obsessing over every little detail, basically rethinking my gear, route, etc.  It will be good to get the wheels rolling and have fun.

At the warehouse prior to shipping 

If all goes well, I recover the Steed the afternoon of the 29th in Jacksonville, NC, then ride to Morehead, NC where I will work on the bike on Friday.  While re-thinking most of my gear and supplies, I've changed out a few items.

First is the actual tail bags, the two orange bags will be replaced with the Giant Loop Tillmook dry bag.  The fuel canisters will be replaced with one Giant Loop Fuel Bladder, doubling my emergency fuel to 1 gallon.  I'm also adding 2 Possibles Pouches to the non-fuel side of the Giant Loop Coyote bag for additional carrying capacity, taking a few items out of the Coyote and making them easier to access.  Thank you Giant Loop for helping me organize my gear and bags.

Next change is footwear.  The Sidi Crossfire 2, which are a great dirt riding boot, are being changed out to Sidi Adventure 2 Gore Tex boot.  The Sidi Adv 2 is waterproof and more comfortable to walk in, while giving me the support needed during dirt riding. Trying to find the right mix of comfort and protection for 4-5 weeks of riding.  Thank you Motonation for the assistance and support.

Last, I'm adding the Perun heal guards and rear brake protector.

Please check out Facebook and Instagram for addition updates.  The satellite tracking icon has been added to the right side of the blog.  This is where you can track me live during the ride.

Wounded Warrior Project Spotlight - Benefit Services

Navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department if Defense (DoD) benefits systems can be a complex process. The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Benefits Service Team is staffed with experienced professionals dedicated to helping wounded warriors and family members obtain the benefits they earned. The Benefits Service program ensures warriors have the information and resources necessary to achieve financial stability for themselves and families. Your DONATION helps support these services provided free to our wounded veterans.

Built to Last....

Although the Steed is en-route to North Carolina, the work to make it the best ADV Steed continues.  In addition the the Perun subframe tank re-enforcement and rack installed in December, I'm adding Perun Heel Guards and Brake Cylinder guard.  The OEM heel guards are plastic and a weak point.  The heel guard is my tie-down for my Giant Loop Coyote Bag.  The metal Perun Guards are metal and will hold up to the task of keeping my gear attached to the Steed.  The brake cylinder is a potential problem, due to it being exposed and easy to hit when climbing over a stumb, rock, etc.  The brake cylinder guard keeps it from being destroyed...my brakes will come in handy during the ride :)

The Perun rear cargo rack is well built, designed to follow the lines of the KTM 690, looks great,  and will hold up my Giant Loop Coyote bags the entire 5,000 mile trip.  The heel guard and brake cylinder guard will be installed when I arrive in NC.

Thank you for the support Perun Moto!

Tank Re-enforcement kit

Rear Rack

Heel Guard

Rear Brake Cylinder Protection

Krios ready for testing!

Krios helmet complete, tinted shield, Pinlock lens, communication device...ready to test! I look much better in a helmet!


#klim #crossingamericaondirt #woundedwarriorproject #advrider #klimlife

Protect your head!

The new Klim Krios helmet arrived today! This helmet is wicked light, damn sexy looking and fit perfect out of the box! Can't wait to test it. This helmet is universal, enabling me wear goggles without dismantling the visor or shield. Thank you for the support Klim.