Topic: Seaweb11's Epic West Coast to Sturgis Bike Rally Journey

[mcpuffett]

I'll second that Andy, i have looked forward to every instalment  , cheers Derek

[seaweb11]

I appreciate the support . Glad you are enjoying it.

I found a page in my journal which sums up a lot of it/
Reflections of Sturgis:

"Where did the 7 days go? This place was like Mardigras meets "Easy Rider". Bars, bikes, live bands, wet T- shirt contests, great riding, people every where, naked women, racing, hill climbs, good food, bad food, old towns, new friends, ........It was a barrage of stimulus like nothing I had ever experienced.

Nothing could compare with this trip, I'm a luck man, thanks Honey I'll see ya soon"

[my78k]

I too am enjoying it Derek...makes me long for the days ahead when I can pull a ride like that off! Seems I am too old to just pack up and go like Shenanigans on his trip living out of a sleeping bag on the road but not established enough (and 2 younger kids) to be able to take the time off work etc to hotel it for a couple of weeks and just ride....some day, some day!

Dennis

[seaweb11]

It'll come. I just threw another $700.00 at my Mastercard  today;)

I would have paid twice what it cost, what does that tell you?

[BobbyR]

I too am enjoying it Derek...makes me long for the days ahead when I can pull a ride like that off! Seems I am too old to just pack up and go like Shenanigans on his trip living out of a sleeping bag on the road but not established enough (and 2 younger kids) to be able to take the time off work etc to hotel it for a couple of weeks and just ride....some day, some day!

Dennis

Dennis, someday keeps getting pushed back until you look in the mirror and realize it is too late. My long trips average about 120 miles roundtrip. I know I could never sit in the seat in the wind day after day all the way to Sturgis, at some point I would be so exhausted I would wreck. So I live through Andy and Shennanigans and Derek. I had my turn and knocked around some in the 1970's, so do it. Work out a way to do it.

What I am trying to work out is getting a buddy or buddies and trailer the bikes out there. If not we will ship them. sure, we could experience Sturgis, but not the excitement of just you and your machine getting there and back.

Time is not on your side.


     

[ofreen]

Nothing could compare with this trip, ...

Except for maybe the next one.  We covered some of the same ground as you did a couple of years ago, plus points further south.  It was the last week of July and the first week of August.  Monsoonal moisture was in command and thunderstorms kicked our butts every day but two of the two weeks we were out, from Montana down through Texas and back to Idaho.  And we were tenting it.  But we had a blast.  This year, we were out 15 days, and made it as far as away as northwest Loosiana. We rode across Wolf Creek Pass in the snow and rode in 110F down in Texas and saw every kind of weather in between.  There is nothing like motorcycle touring, and the crappier the conditions, the more memorable it is.  One thing that your story illustrates, as fun and memorable as the going is, it is what happens when you stop that really sticks with you.  The things you see, the things that happen, and the people you meet. 

[seaweb11]

Nothing could compare with this trip, ...

 One thing that your story illustrates, as fun and memorable as the going is, it is what happens when you stop that really sticks with you.  The things you see, the things that happen, and the people you meet. 

There are still a few surprises ahead

[seaweb11]

08/10/09
OD Start 99379.7
OD End 99891.9
Total for day 552 klms or 340 miles.
Out of town by 10:00am .....bankers hours, I love it@!

North on "I can't remember" through the Louis & Clark National Park" Very pretty ride.



The hills of Montana.


Another 1 block town in a valley


Some road side wildlife.




Strange country Montana


Looks like a good spot to take a load off and have a beer
Next time , I bring a fishing rod.........

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Geez, if I'd known you drank beer I'd given you the cooler to strap on somewhere. 

[754]

Derek, cool ride story, reminds me of the many times we went there.. Has not changed much in attitude.. just mostly numbers & commercialization.

 Broadus should be on most maps, been thru there many times.. we usually stop at the little bar in tiny Alzeda, south of there a bit..

 Miss the road trips I used to do.. finally got to play a bit of catchup, end of Aug with the trip to Bonneville/Miller GP... felt good after 23 months off a bike..

[cb750fbomb]

I just read all of that it it was great. I wish I could have ridden with you the whole time. Those are some great pictures and great stories to go along with them 

[seaweb11]

Anyone want to ride through Glacier National Park!!!!!!!!

So I paid my $12.00 and entered the Park. Within 10 mins my eyes were astounded by the massive cliffs and snow capped peaks. You feel very small here.

I was so stoked at what I saw I held my camera up with my left hand so I could share it with all

Vids were to long so I uploaded them into my own Space. Remember I have no clutch or left steering hand. This does become an issue from time to time, but the Video is almost like being there
http://www.world-playground.com/Sturgis/DSCN5725.AVI

I have 2 more, but will do this one 1st as computer is acting slow

[seaweb11]

Here's a couple more, the last on is along the cliffs during road construction
http://www.world-playground.com/Sturgis/DSCN5738.AVI

http://www.world-playground.com/Sturgis/DSCN5758.AVI

Some stills/
Fricken amazing










riding along

[seaweb11]

I too am enjoying it Derek...makes me long for the days ahead when I can pull a ride like that off! Seems I am too old to just pack up and go like Shenanigans on his trip living out of a sleeping bag on the road but not established enough (and 2 younger kids) to be able to take the time off work etc to hotel it for a couple of weeks and just ride....some day, some day!

Dennis

Dennis, someday keeps getting pushed back until you look in the mirror and realize it is too late. My long trips average about 120 miles roundtrip. I know I could never sit in the seat in the wind day after day all the way to Sturgis, at some point I would be so exhausted I would wreck. So I live through Andy and Shennanigans and Derek. I had my turn and knocked around some in the 1970's, so do it. Work out a way to do it.

What I am trying to work out is getting a buddy or buddies and trailer the bikes out there. If not we will ship them. sure, we could experience Sturgis, but not the excitement of just you and your machine getting there and back.

Time is not on your side.   

Trailer.........that's blasphemy
It's the getting there not the destination.  Or in this case perhaps not.  We saw a lot of trailers. I'm glad I rode mine, makes the trip a trip   I may go back again in a few years with the wife and I know her 350 won't do the miles, so a trailer may be in order for that. But if you have a 750 under your ass there's no reason not to do the trip. Either way you either camp or Motel it, what's the difference.?

My younger sister rode her bike there one year from the Coast with a bunch of girls

[BobbyR]

I too am enjoying it Derek...makes me long for the days ahead when I can pull a ride like that off! Seems I am too old to just pack up and go like Shenanigans on his trip living out of a sleeping bag on the road but not established enough (and 2 younger kids) to be able to take the time off work etc to hotel it for a couple of weeks and just ride....some day, some day!

Dennis

Dennis, someday keeps getting pushed back until you look in the mirror and realize it is too late. My long trips average about 120 miles roundtrip. I know I could never sit in the seat in the wind day after day all the way to Sturgis, at some point I would be so exhausted I would wreck. So I live through Andy and Shennanigans and Derek. I had my turn and knocked around some in the 1970's, so do it. Work out a way to do it.

What I am trying to work out is getting a buddy or buddies and trailer the bikes out there. If not we will ship them. sure, we could experience Sturgis, but not the excitement of just you and your machine getting there and back.

Time is not on your side.   

Trailer.........that's blasphemy
It's the getting there not the destination.  Or in this case perhaps not.  We saw a lot of trailers. I'm glad I rode mine, makes the trip a trip   I may go back again in a few years with the wife and I know her 350 won't do the miles, so a trailer may be in order for that. But if you have a 750 under your ass there's no reason not to do the trip. Either way you either camp or Motel it, what's the difference.?

My younger sister rode her bike there one year from the Coast with a bunch of girls

Well you have me thinking. I got some miracle foam I am putting in the seat. If I put a windshield on, the arms won;t be fighting the wind. I dunno, maybe. You have me thinking. DO I have one last shot left in me. 

[myhondas]

See you got your SOHC4 patch and your SOHC4 pin but can't read your sturgis patch.....

as far as trailers....have to when you got more than one to take. real hard to ride two at once thinking i'd like to make it there next year after VMD......but you are right, it's the getting there that is 90% of the fun.

[seaweb11]

See you got your SOHC4 patch and your SOHC4 pin but can't read your sturgis patch.....

as far as trailers....have to when you got more than one to take. real hard to ride two at once thinking i'd like to make it there next year after VMD......but you are right, it's the getting there that is 90% of the fun.

Funny you should ask about the other patch..............
It says
I RODE MINE!
Sturgis 2009

[myhondas]

That's cool   and with all the services available there, no problem getting it put on. My only real question for you Derek is this.... do you have an IRON BUTT patch?  If not, you should....riding a cafe that distance should get you one with pine cone clusters.....

[seaweb11]

Here is the thread on what I did to the seat before my departure.
Worked out GREAT!

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=52672.0

[delay pedal]

great thread A++++ read

[seaweb11]

,,,,,,,,,,thanks, any comments on the last video,? I thought that was my best

[Zaipai]

Seaweb, I just have to say thank you from the hart for all the pictures and videos. For those of us that could not attend its great. I logon every day just hoping you posted more of your adventure for all to share in. I have to say that last video was well worth the wait. Consider this a standing applause!!!!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Scott.

[ofreen]

The video is cool.  I get up that way whenever I can and never get tired of it.  Believe it or not, occasionally the NPS floats the idea of closing Logan Pass to private vehicles and making everybody ride a shuttle over it like they've done in Zion.

[Zaipai]

The video is cool.  I get up that way whenever I can and never get tired of it.  Believe it or not, occasionally the NPS floats the idea of closing Logan Pass to private vehicles and making everybody ride a shuttle over it like they've done in Zion.

Wow that would be truly a shame. I best make it up there while there is still time!

[motocyconomad]

super awesome, so motivating, I totally comend you guys.
Seaweb11 and Shenanigans riders of the year 2009...maybe???