airtwardo 7 #1 July 24, 2013 I know this grumpy old fart that's considering riding his Harley from Houston to Oshkosh next week... Trip is about 1300 miles each way and he says he hasn't done any -long- road trips on a scoot in 25 years! He's one of those candy-ass glory seekin' demo jumpers...says he rode a Super Glide from San Diego to Osh 30 years ago which was the 'first' time he jumped the show there...he's looking at doing a 3 decade later repeat for some dumbass reason. Any input from the bike riders out here on preparations or expectations? His better half is thinking he may have suffered a stroke and isn't thinking clearly...is she right? ~all comments either way on this are appreciated - I'll pass them along to him! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 207 #2 July 24, 2013 No real input other than to agree wholeheartedly with your wife. This is no time for a mid millenium crisis.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #3 July 24, 2013 Ugh. I just did 220 miles yesterday, up over Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake and back. Due to winding roads and traffic, I spent almost 7 hours in the saddle. I don't even want to think about 1300 miles right now. Bike was a Kawasaki KLE650 Versys."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #4 July 24, 2013 airdvr No real input other than to agree wholeheartedly with your wife. This is no time for a mid millenium crisis. You mean "his" wife. Cuz you know, it's 'twardo's friend. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #5 July 24, 2013 NWFlyer ***No real input other than to agree wholeheartedly with your wife. This is no time for a mid millenium crisis. You mean "his" wife. Cuz you know, it's 'twardo's friend. Yup! 'Cause we ALL know I'm much more level headed & conservative that to try a stunt like THAT! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 42 #6 July 24, 2013 airtwardo ******No real input other than to agree wholeheartedly with your wife. This is no time for a mid millenium crisis. You mean "his" wife. Cuz you know, it's 'twardo's friend. Yup! 'Cause we ALL know I'm much more level headed & conservative that to try a stunt like THAT! If you're using words like "stunt," you might want to tell your friend you agree with his wife. lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phillbo 11 #7 July 24, 2013 If he has the time and can break it up into a 3 day trip going up he will know how much time he wants to spend in the saddle each day on the return trip. Tell him to take his time and enjoy the ride. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GooniesKid 0 #8 July 24, 2013 airtwardo I know this grumpy old fart that's considering riding his Harley from Houston to Oshkosh next week... Trip is about 1300 miles each way and he says he hasn't done any -long- road trips on a scoot in 25 years! He's one of those candy-ass glory seekin' demo jumpers...says he rode a Super Glide from San Diego to Osh 30 years ago which was the 'first' time he jumped the show there...he's looking at doing a 3 decade later repeat for some dumbass reason. Any input from the bike riders out here on preparations or expectations? His better half is thinking he may have suffered a stroke and isn't thinking clearly...is she right? ~all comments either way on this are appreciated - I'll pass them along to him! 1. Always plan a route. Have places to stop and chill out. find out if there are biker stops. half the fun is the journey. 2. Always check the weather and plan #1 accordingly. 3. Plan rest stops along the way. Plan at a motel if necessary (whether you pick up some prospect along the journey or if you get tired...i prefer the former). 4. Hydrate and if necessary see #3. 5. I wear under-armor micro-fiber boxer briefs..why? Because a sweaty ass in cotton underwear is so uncomfortable and smelly. 6. Get your bike to a mechanics shop just to make sure it is in the best working condition. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackwallace 3 #9 July 24, 2013 Let's see. It'll be about a 100 out, but that's just the humidity. Full leathers and full face helmet for comfort. Lots of 2 lane roads, full of cats, dogs and chickens. I figure if you took 8 days each way it should be good. Do it.U only make 2 jumps: the first one for some weird reason and the last one that you lived through. The rest are just filler. scr 316 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 42 #10 July 24, 2013 oldwomanc6 *********No real input other than to agree wholeheartedly with your wife. This is no time for a mid millenium crisis. You mean "his" wife. Cuz you know, it's 'twardo's friend. Yup! 'Cause we ALL know I'm much more level headed & conservative that to try a stunt like THAT! If you're using words like "stunt," you might want to tell your friend you agree with his wife. But, in all seriousness, you aren't getting any younger, and there will come a day where there won't even be any question of "Should I?". Do you want to regret not doing it when there was the opportunity? If you do go ahead, just don't forget to make shorter days and give yourself more time than you did back then. Don't scrimp on your accommodations. Think comfy bed, massages and hot tub/sauna availability. Both ways (unless you are going to ship your bike one way and take some other transpiration. If so, think which way you would rather ride.lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorrinRadd 0 #11 July 24, 2013 oldwomanc6 ************No real input other than to agree wholeheartedly with your wife. This is no time for a mid millenium crisis. You mean "his" wife. Cuz you know, it's 'twardo's friend. Yup! 'Cause we ALL know I'm much more level headed & conservative that to try a stunt like THAT! If you're using words like "stunt," you might want to tell your friend you agree with his wife. But, in all seriousness, you aren't getting any younger, and there will come a day where there won't even be any question of "Should I?". Do you want to regret not doing it when there was the opportunity? I completely agree here. Make it happen. You may get tired, sore, experience other discomforts. But a life lived behind the prison bars of comfort is no life at all. Do it!!Why drive myself crazy trying to be normal, when I am already at crazy? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,338 #12 July 24, 2013 Hi Jim, With the 'advantage' of being a few years older than you, I normally would say 'Go for it.' However, you have a drop dead date in Oshkosh. How will you handle that if: 1. Your keester simply cannot take it. 2. The bike breaks down. 3. You get horny & 'need' to turn back. Have fun if you go, jerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 52 #13 July 24, 2013 JerryBaumchenHi Jim, ...However, you have a drop dead date in Oshkosh... That is the key. Save the big ride for a time when you have no deadlines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #14 July 24, 2013 What bike is this old fart going to be riding? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swisschris62 0 #15 July 24, 2013 Boy, the majority of these posts are very negative toward this prospect...and this from skydivers no less....such negativity! It's 1300 miles, it's not forever and a day a way. How did your " friend " feel when he did it 30 years ago? Did he have fun or at that time say, that was nuts, never again? Lisa' post is right on with still being able? It's your, ahem...I mean your friends 30 year anniversary and its something he wants to do. I think he should or forever let it bother him that he didnt. I think Jerry makes some excellent points which are not negative and should be considered. Hey if you have the time, leave 5 days early. Do what you can. Worst case scenario u park it and rent a car or fly the rest of the way. At least then you can say you gave it a valid attempt. Enjoy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #16 July 24, 2013 GravitymasterWhat bike is this old fart going to be riding? That's my question as well. 1300 miles on a bagger is a "no-big-deal" two day ride for me on my Road Glide. I would not make that trip on my rigid-frame chopper though. I can pack ALL of my shit on my bagger no problem and have ridden it cross country four times to skydiving events. I don't stop and bullshit on road trips. I eat/shit/piss, and buy water/snacks for the next leg at gas stops. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #17 July 24, 2013 SkymonkeyONE***What bike is this old fart going to be riding? That's my question as well. 1300 miles on a bagger is a "no-big-deal" two day ride for me on my Road Glide. I would not make that trip on my rigid-frame chopper though. I can pack ALL of my shit on my bagger no problem and have ridden it cross country four times to skydiving events. I don't stop and bullshit on road trips. I eat/shit/piss, and buy water/snacks for the next leg at gas stops. Chuck That's what I'm thinking. I just bought a new Street Glide and I really don't think it would be a problem on a Cruiser. Traded in my Fatboy but I would have made it with no problem on it either. Just don't overdo it. Wear plenty of sunscreen, stop every few hours and hydrate and stretch. Get a good nights sleep and eat right and things should be fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #18 July 24, 2013 SkymonkeyONE ***What bike is this old fart going to be riding? That's my question as well. 1300 miles on a bagger is a "no-big-deal" two day ride for me on my Road Glide. I would not make that trip on my rigid-frame chopper though. I can pack ALL of my shit on my bagger no problem and have ridden it cross country four times to skydiving events. I don't stop and bullshit on road trips. I eat/shit/piss, and buy water/snacks for the next leg at gas stops. Chuck IF it comes about... It would be on a 2005 Fatboy - stone stock, doesn't even have hwy pegs...so it's a softail with all the vibration no rubber mounts allows for. It's got 10,000 miles on it and is going in tomorrow for the 10k 'tune up'. If I chose to do so....I'd probably leave Monday next with the 'absolute' deadline of Thursday night...Friday morning briefing at 10am. I have a buddy flying up so I can stow my gear with him and not have to strap it down...that's a plus. I do appreciate the input...Might be a moot point, father-in-law is having some serious health issues and we're running back & forth to LA every few days - off again tomorrow...so we'll see what happens. Worse case is I ride for a while and bust my bucket and figure it's a bad deal...I can fly the rest of the way up or rent a cage and meow my way the rest of the route in... ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #19 July 24, 2013 JerryBaumchen However, you have a drop dead date in Oshkosh. I don't think it's good luck to refer to a scheduled demo jump as a "drop dead date"."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 767 #20 July 24, 2013 Bring beer money. Bail money too. I always have a flat tire kit, a belt repair kit, and some hand tools as well. Avoid the interstates. Miserable experience on a bike, and stopping occasionally on the smaller roads really helps the legs and back. If you have a factory seat, your ass will hurt. Be safe, take your time, have fun. Call the wife on stops. Take the obligatory pics to post on Fuckedupbook to PISS ME OFF CAUSE I CAN'T MAKE IT THIS YEAR. god dammit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #21 July 24, 2013 normiss I always have a flat tire kit... Speaking of that, do you have any kits you recommend? I've been reading mixed reviews on them."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #22 July 24, 2013 ryoder *** I always have a flat tire kit... Speaking of that, do you have any kits you recommend? I've been reading mixed reviews on them. I've heard the American Express Platinum tire kit / problem solver works about the best...light weight, small...easy to use! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #23 July 24, 2013 airtwardo ****** I always have a flat tire kit... Speaking of that, do you have any kits you recommend? I've been reading mixed reviews on them. I've heard the American Express Platinum tire kit / problem solver works about the best...light weight, small...easy to use! Yeah, that'll work really well when I'm up in the mountains, with no cellphone coverage."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #24 July 24, 2013 2 words for your elderly brethren SHEEP SKIN Oh and a couple more words Ibuprofen. Voltaren oh and THROTTLE LOCK (Cruise control) You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ruruturner 0 #25 July 24, 2013 Do it! Your (I'm sorry "he") isn't getting any younger. So what if it rains so what if it hurts. A year later when you look back, there I go again, "he"looks back he'll be glad he made the trip. Won't remember all the negative parts only the good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
