Sunday, June 29, 2008

Eagle has landed.. Home






I am back home after my little 2 day trek. We had a good time and found some nice dirt and gravel roads to explore. Our weekend was not without a few little issues but nothing major.


First we encountered a problem when arriving at Monadnock State Park. The ranger informed us that they were full up at the campground. The good side was that he had just checked Greenfield State Park and they had plenty of available sites. They were maybe 20 miles back up the way we came.


On the way there, Dave took us on a side route to show me an area he has traveled in a lot. In doing so we passed some dirt roads so on the return I lead us down one of those. It was nice, a big loop around and we enjoyed the ride very much. Following that we headed to camp and checked in, then set up camp. It began raining as we headed to the village for dinner at the Side Trax Cafe. It looked to be an old train station and was full up with locals. We each had the haddock dinner, delcicious, full portions and a great meal. We decided we were coming back fro breakfast.


We left and stopped up the street at the store, by now the rain felt like a Hurricane. We decided to back up to the restaurant and sit at the counter with coffee, hoping it would let up. It did, but not much so after an hour we headed to our wet camp. Was not long and we turned in as the rain kept falling, in fact it did most of the night.


Morning came and it was damp, even a slight drizzle. We broke camp and went and found some dirt roads to ride for about an hour and then returned fro breakfast. After breakfast, we decided to head towards home but jump off route at every dirt road we found. Had some great riding and fun, and eventually arrived back home feeling good about our adventure. I think we are also better prepared for VT in 2 weeks.


Pat in NH

Saturday, June 28, 2008

The adventure begins....

The adventure begins. Just leaving Second Wind BMW; heading out toward Monadnock(?). Have a good day. Goodbye. listen

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You cannot finish if...

You cannot finish if you don't start, that's a good phrase we use it often. Dave just called he is ready to get on the road, so it's departure time. I'll meet Dave at Second Wind BMW and then we'll head out to Monadnock Mountain. Goodbye. listen

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Puppy Dog Route

This is the next Planned adventure. This is an off road route from the MASS border to Canada through VT. My friend Dave are planning to do this the weekend of July 11th and will depart on that Thursday for Greenfield MA, ride N to Allis State Park on Friday, Saturday we will contine North arriving in Troy VT at the Canadien border. Sunday will be a liesurely back road ride back to southern NH. This will be a tent camping adventure!

I have picked up a small dome tent and sleeping bag... Today is the "dry run" and Dave and I are heading out shortly for Monadnock state park in NH. We are loaded up as if we are doing the 3 day run and will grab some dirt and gravel on the way out. We will set up camp, spend the night, break camp in the morning and pack up to return home. This will show us how the bikes handle loaded on both on & off road condition. It will also tell us if we are "missing" anything we should have, need to revise our packing for ease of setup, and how easy we can set-up and break camp.

There is some rain possibilities for tonight... so that may be a "test" also.. :)

I will send a couple Jott updates and the tracking mode of SPOT will be on.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?&glId=0Sqs8ICqhvc2TigJXr3Cbf9pLA7L2tgVe
Hope everyone enjoys..

Pat in NH

Sunday, June 22, 2008

The Eagle has landed. Home...

The Eagle has landed. Home safe and sound. Beat the last bout of rain in. It still looks like it's gonna rain again. I'm gonna try to get the bike unpacked and get everything in the house before the rain hits. Safe and sound, good to be home. Hope everybody had a good weekend. Goodbye. listen

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Chelmsford Massachusetts....

Chelmsford Massachusetts. On the last leg(?) home this is a gas stop, just filled up the tank, and I will be home in approximately 30 minutes or so, short last leg, skies are cloudy, doesn't look like rain will get me before I get home, if I hurry. All is good, had a great weekend. Bye. listen

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Southington, Connecticut....

Southington, Connecticut. Rest area, I stopped for a short break and to kind of drip(?) dry(?) here I got caught in severe thunderstorms and got quite wet. So if you got just a bit now and rain has stopped, Clouds are still overhead. I'm gonna take a short break and then get back on the road and try to beat them to New Hampshire. Goodbye. listen

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Newburgh, New York,...

Newburgh, New York, this is the fuel stop. I am also going to grab the sandwich for lunch, gonna try to keep this up to a minimum, looks like storms are coming in and I am going to get wet. I am going to tell you get back on the road fairly quick, but all in all things are going good. Goodbye. listen

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Hershey, Pennsylvania,...

Hershey, Pennsylvania, this is a fuel stop. I'm about a hundred--proximately 100 miles from Scranton and about 200 miles from Newburgh, New York fueling up here and then getting back on the road. It's nice and warm now. Everybody take care. Trips going well, goodbye. listen

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Pennsylvania, I am about...

Pennsylvania, I am about 30 miles out of here, stopping at the rest area, a short break time to loop the chains, the chain loop take a break and now I'll be back on the road. All going well, sun is out, roads are clear and it's getting warmer. Everybody have a good day. Goodbye. listen

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Nearing Interstate 81....

Nearing Interstate 81. I'm still on I-68. Pulled off in an exit at Pilot(?) Truckstop(?) and take a short break. I'm a little tired. Clear skies right now, and out of rain, out of fog, and looking like good roads ahead, so I should do road from here on in. Just need a little rest and some refreshment. Goodbye. listen

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I'm(?) ____ [broken...

I'm(?) ____ [broken audio, please listen]. I've now made it up to Interstate 68, I'm heading East towards 81. I just stopped at the first truck stop, gonna have coffee and breakfast sandwich and warm up a little bit and then I'm going to hit the road in about 5, 10 minutes. Everybody have a good day. See you soon. Goodbye. listen

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Deer, deer and more...

Deer, deer and more deer. I've seen 8 deers so far in the first stretch of the road. Just crossed in the marrow(?) and I'm about 60 miles into the trip. And gassing up on the second(?) sure(?) break, maybe get a light sandwich and then get back on the road. A lot of fog, a little bit of rain. Everything's going good so far. Goodbye. listen

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On the road again. I'm...

On the road again. I'm packed up, getting ready to leave Duncan(?), West Virginia. Just checked out of my room, got all my stuff down, load the motorcycle and I should be on the road in about 20 minutes. Everybody take care, be safe. Talk to you all down the road of peace. Goodbye. listen

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Friday, June 20, 2008

The Eagle has landed....

The Eagle has landed. Actually, the Eagle landed about 8:30 this morning. But the dual Sport rough road ride began at 9:00. So I'd made it in the parking lot joined up with everybody and went on a ride. Great day, just got back to the room. We did have a couple minor incidences, but it didn't involve me I'm okay and had a good time. Great great lunch. Talk to you soon. listen

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Maryland, I'm in Maryland,...

Maryland, I'm in Maryland, interstate 68 heading West bound. I'm almost to West Virginia. I'm making a gas stop here. This'll be my last one before I get the Alkons(?). GPS has been out since Harrisburg. I'm going to try to get that working again here also. Daylight, feeling pretty good. Weather is decent. Good to go. Goodbye. listen

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Getting tired making...

Getting tired making another stop. We have a coffee and a little bite to eat and get back on the road here shortly. This overnight is really good to me. I should be in there probably about 8 o'clock to Elkins(?), plenty of time to go on the ride. Anyway, hope everybody is having a good weekend and miss everybody. Take care. listen

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Carlsville, Pennsylvania....

Carlsville, Pennsylvania. I am getting sleepy on the road, pulled over to a service station, ____and going to get some refreshment and trying just to relax ____my eyes when I get back on the road ____good weather seems a bit warmer, traffic not too bad, heavy trucks, other than that, pretty clean, good bye. listen

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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,...

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I am about 10 miles out at Harrisburg. I am back on the road again. I got about 1-hour sleep. I don't know how good of a sleep it was but I did go of(?) sound for a short period of time. So, I do feel somewhat rested. It's chilly and damp, not too much traffic. I am pretty comfortable overall. listen

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Thursday, June 19, 2008

Ravine, Pennsylvania....

Ravine, Pennsylvania. I'm about 35 miles from Harrisburg. Fuel consumption is little heavy. I was probably driving 70. Had the gas up a little earlier that I planned. Getting cold and I'm getting tired. I think I'm going to take a little rest here, maybe some news for half hour and plan tp hit the road again. Goodbye. listen

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Scranton Pennsylvania,...

Scranton Pennsylvania, about 10 miles outside of Scranton, just working my way in, one last short stop, temperatures are dropping, I'm closing up the vent on my jacket and putting on my sweatshirt, that should get me enough warmth to make it through the mountains, hope everybody's having a good evening. Be safe and I'll see everybody in Elkins West Virginia. Good bye. listen

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Pennsylvania, just entered...

Pennsylvania, just entered the state. I'm at the State Welcome Center at the New York border in Pennsylvania. Gonna make a couple of quick phone calls here and get back on the road. I'm about 60 miles from Scranton. Goodbye. listen

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New bug, New York. I've...

New bug, New York. I've made a stop here, this is going to be a fuel stop, a short west stop,grab a sandwich for dinner. I'm going to try and work on the GPS, and then get back on the road. Bite one and good, weather is hold up nice, might not too tired. All is well. See you all in Elkins, West Virginia. Goodbye. listen

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I am in Connecticut...

I am in Connecticut the GPS has stop working. It is in the wirings and corrosion. Don't know if I can fix it, i think I can but won't be able to do it at this stop. Hopefully I can fix it before i get to West Virginia because when I get there I'm lost without the GPS. Goodbye. listen

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Near Connecticut. I'm...

Near Connecticut. I'm at a rest area near I94, that's Interstate 94, just before I go into Connecticut. Taking a short break. Life seems to be running well. Cannot find any issues from the little spill this morning. Going good, weather's good. Short break and I'll be back on the road. Goodbye. listen

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T Minus 3 and OOPS!

3 hours to go...
Minor update to my trip... Our companies Lawn service lost control of their large industrial Mower and ran it into my bike, knocking it off the center stand, breaking a turn signal, bending the handguard/barend bolt, rotating the entire left control assembly and scratching the mirror..

Engine Guard dinged (good thing it was there), left pannier scraped up pretty good, though it protected the bike. Concern about pannier frame... wanting that replaced with pannier.

Replaced TS lens from my buddies bike, straightened bar end bolt best I could and re-aligned the controls. Rode the bike and all seems ok... There is a mark in the GPS screen that looks like a bubble... That will have to be dealt with somehow.. its an older 2610..

They are supposed to make it all right... bike is rideable.. What a way to start a trip! I will sit down with them again on Monday when I get back to work.

Still on schedule for departure....
Pat in NH

T-minus 5 and a half...

T-minus 5 and a half hours, I'm at work. The motorcycle is--has gas, ready to go. Just have 5 and a half more hours here at work and I should be able to get on the road. This is a test to make sure the Jott is working to the Blogger. Talk to everyone soon. Goodbye. listen

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T Minus 7 and counting

About 7 hours to go now. I am heading to work in a few minutes. All is packed and ready to roll. I made a last minute change back to the T-Bag from my new Tail Bag. I was not satisfied with my mounting method and had been dwelling on it all night. After my shower this AM, I went out and switched it all around. I feel better this way with a 700 mile trip staring me in the face.

When my new tail Rack arrives I think everything will lash on better. I also picked up my camping tent and sleeping bag yesterday. I am getting ready for my next planned trip, a 3 day dirt road excursion from Massachusetts border through VT to Canada. Thats a story for another time but I will be camping on that "Adventure".

Checking my SPOT signal now.... then will test JOTT.. Then will head out, get gas, and then be ready to roll when I get out of work... Hope everyone has a safe and pleasant weekend.

Bye for now.... "You can't finish if you don't start!"

Pat in NH

Monday, June 16, 2008

Final Packing..

Everything is just about ready now for the SMR run. I decided based on weather to try and wear my textile Tourmaster and pack my lighter mesh Tourmaster. As much of my travel is at night I thought that I better try and wear the heavier jacket for the trip down.

I really cannot pack it.. so I tried to pack the mesh in the panniers, got it in ok, with some slight "persuasion". My only concern now is that I may be too warm but there is also some rain in the forecast and the Transition jacket is also waterproof. I will look Wednesday after work to see if I can find a way to strap that to my Tail Bag should it get too warm on the way down or back.

I did find a couple other items I forgot to pack up so have gathered and/or made a list for them. Finally staging will be Wednesday night as I work at Liberty House Tuesday night.

I have ordered a Tail Rack for teh GS but it will not arrive until after this trip.

I will have SPOT along for tracking duties.... Feel fre to check in on SPOT from Thursday through Sunday.

Pat in NH

Sunday, June 15, 2008

SMR, Getting Ready!

The Summer Mountain Ride in West Virginia begins Thursday the 19th. This is another MTF event and I am looking forward to seeing bunch of old friends and meeting a few new ones.

The first 2 days are Dual Sport Guided and then Saturday is an open ride day. I will not be there in time for Thursday as I have to work but will be riding overnight so that I can join in Friday's Rough Road Ride..

It rained earlier this morning and so I did not ride anywhere. I packed up my clothes and hardware, checked the chain and lubed it, checked the oil and basically made the bike ready. I am taking the F650 GS, AKA Grasshopper... Its about a 700 mile trip and on the short windshield and stock seat it will be a tough jaunt down. Add in the riding overnight, well suffice to say I need to be extra careful. I do plan to be able to stop and snooze a couple times over night which will help.

I got my gps routes all completed and loaded. That includes my down and back, the MTF flower sniffer routes and some DS waypoints Andy sent me.

Thats about all for now... all is good and I am excited for the trip.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Eagle has landed...

The Eagle has landed it's approximately 2:10 in the afternoon about 4 hours and 45 total elapsed time to make it back home from Americade, Lake George, New York, home safe and sound _____ relax a minute before I start to unpack. Have a good day. listen

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Thursday, June 5, 2008

Dual Sport @ Cade

Today was the Americade Dual Sport Ride. I had a route sheet in advance and was able to get it all in the GPS before starting. It was about 95 miles on the first leg, finishing with a lunch stop. The 2nd leg was about 48 miles back to Roaring Brook.

I am a real NOOB on a dual sport so while this may not have been the toughest route in the world, I had a blast and learned alot. I skipped the 2 small "hero" sections and probably wisely so.. Both a 1200GSA and a KLR went down over the logs and broke some plastic.

There was probably around 20 bikes in this event. I was the only F650 GS, though there was also an F650 Classic. I also saw several KLR's, a half dozen larger 1150 and 1200 GS's, a single Vstrom 650, 2 KTM's, and smattering of other more dirt oriented bikes from 250 to 450CC

I am really looking forward to more of this riding and hope to find some nice areas in NH to ride also. The West Virginia SMR by the MTF is coming up in a couple weeks and I will be riding down for that... Both the seat and windshield need some work for distance riding but that will have to wait a while.

Pat in NH



Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Ride along Lake Champlain

I am gonna do a little paved route up to Lake Champlain, cross over to VT and then some nice paved riding back to the the Village. It rained a little last night and it is slightly overcast this morning and cool.

Yesterday I spent most of the day at the Expo. Enjoyed the Twisted Throttle display with adventure riding stuff. Gave me some windshield ideas, looked at the Barkbusters (very nice), and some of there luggage and cases.

Picked up a Lee Parks tail bag and a Tourmaster mesh jacket. I did not buy them but think I found my boots in a pair of Tourmaster also.

Tomorrow is the Dual Sport ride. I stopped at the Holiday Inn to see if they still had openings and they did. I did not sign up at pre-reg as I did not have a DS Bike at the time. That will be fun and a learning experience.

Have a great day.. Time to get my boots on and Ride.

Pat in NH

Monday, June 2, 2008

A Little Dirt...

I did some route planning today for a Dual Sport ride later in the week. Today I headed out in the morning along the Schoon River and managed to find a couple gravel roads along the river. I even managed to see a deer off in the field. (Later in the afternoon I saw another as she ran across the road in front of me.)


I went to check in at the Holiday Inn but the line was around the building and it was still 40 minutes so Iheaded back out again.. riding up to Warrensburg, checking out some vendors and grabbing some lunch.

I checked in later and picked up my packet., managed to visit Roaring Brook Ranch for the Gold Wing Drill Team and visited the BMW tent to see the new F800 GS. Its a real beauty, looks very rugged, yet is really too tall and too heavy for me.Back to the Flamingo... got some dinner and visited with the neighbors. Tomorrow the Expo opens and I will be visiting there after breakfast.


Ride safe...

Sunday, June 1, 2008

The eagle has landed....

The eagle has landed. I've made it to the Flamingo Resort. I got in about 10:30 this morning. It's now just after 12. I'm in the town of Bolton Landing. I came up here to get some grocerie supplies to stock up my little kitchenette. So I have some food for this week. All is well, all is good. Overcast, little bit cool but no rain, every thing's great. Hope everybody has a good weekend. Be safe. Goodbye. listen

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Fort Ann New York, just a...

Fort Ann New York, just arrived here, getting gas, last stop before I get to the Flamingo resort. I am about 30 miles from the resort, may be 15 miles away from lake George, I should be there shortly and it is currently about 10 o'clock so I should be in close to 10:30, trip is going well. Weather has been good, had a nice ride. Hope everybody is safe. Goodbye. listen

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Rutland Vermont. Just...

Rutland Vermont. Just stopped in Rutland. I've stopped at little Denny's, going to have breakfast, it's approximately 8:30. We're about 125 miles in, another 50 miles or so to go. We'll gas up in Fort Ann, New York. And then we'll proceed to Lake Geoge. So we're having breakfast now. Everybody have a good day. Goodbye. listen

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Americade, I am on the...

Americade, I am on the way. It's approximately 5:30, and just made a gas stop here just outside the town fill up the tank and going to be heading out to across toward Keene and to Bellows Falls, Vermont. And then across the Rutland Vermont. Have a good day. listen

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