Double Vision

For the last several years I've run two GPS units on Moose. I picked up a Garmin zumo 550 when it was first released and it's my primary navigation tool. A Garmin V also resides on the shelf primarily because it has the best Trip Computer page in the business. During the Run What Ya Brung rally in 2008, the zumo began shutting down intermittently, leading me to believe I might have to finish the rally the old fashion way; with a paper map. Since zumo also provides XM radio and cell phone communications, having it fail mid-rally is a significant event. Having a backup is prudent.

This year a 2820 is replacing the Garmin V. It has all the same capabilities as zumo (navigation, mp3 player, XM ready and bluetooth) in a different form-factor with some enhanced navigational features. And while the Trip Computer page isn't quite as complete as that of the V, it's a compromise I'm making to remain competitive.

A side note about safety and distracted driving. Some question the ability to monitor all this electronic equipment and still pay attention to what's happening on the road. So far I have to say having two GPS on the dash might actually be safer than one. With the 2820 set on the Trip Computer page, I'm actually operating the GPS less, scrolling through less pages than with one GPS.

Music to my ears.

For the last several years, I've been using custom in-the-ear speakers from Bob Weiss at earplugco.com. These little gems provide 25-27 db attenuation while piping sound directly to the ear drum. This makes it possible to listen to music or GPS directions while protecting your hearing from the ravages of hour after hour of wind noise. This is important for a guy who already suffers from tinnitus and has significant loss of hearing in at least a couple of frequency ranges. Recently the left mini-transducer, contained directly in the ear mold, has been intermittently failing. While I've been happy with Challengers, I'd heard from a couple of well-respected LD riders about another custom ear monitor from Al Schibi of Meza, Arizona.

The difference between Al's plugs and the Challengers is the driver location. Al's larger drivers are located in a small box in between the electrical wire and the air tubes connected to the ear mold. Al's design allows for larger drivers that move more air, resulting in deeper base and a significant improvement in sound. At least, that's the company line. Hesitantly, I decided to give them a try. Al was as nice as could be and had a set delivered to my place about two weeks after he got the impressions of my ears.

I'm happy to report the claims are true. Al's plugs produce significantly better bass which means better sound, at least to my ears. While Al's plugs cost about 50% more than the Challengers, the alternative rock of XM's Lithium channel has never sounded so good. Al's a bit old school (no website), but he can be reached at customearplugs@cox.net .

Whoa, baby!

Poor Moose was in pretty bad shape. I've had some serious pulsing coming through the front brake lever since summer and the once sharp handling of my Ohlins/GP Suspension had been been deteriorating. Dave confirmed the problem; the Ohlins had a slight leak and I'd been slowing loosing fluid over the autumn months. No doubt the seal failed on while negotiating boulders on my way to the Spiral Getty during SPANK. George Z finds some pretty pathetic excuses for roads. With the suspension rebuilt and repaired, I took the opportunity to upgrade my front discs to some Braking Wave rotors. Spring is looking good.

Dutch Treat is getting longer

After six months of no additional stores, word on the street is a new Dutch Bros location is going in next month in Kelso, Washington. The ride is now 157 locations in 157 hours. This store poses no problem since my route from Lacy, WA to St. Helens, OR had me traveling right through Kelso anyway. The bigger question is what other stores might open between now and mid-June.

Hovercraft

Well, not really a hovercraft, Moose is legless. The forks and Ohlins shock I purchased from GP Suspension 50K miles ago are due for a rebuild. Thanks to Ky for helping out and to Dick McWay and H Marc Lewis for the excellent how-to over at fjr1200.info. It came in very, very handy.

Dutch Treat! is a go.

It's official; the decision has been made. In May or June I'll be conducting another fundraiser for Shelly's House of Salem Oregon (www.shellyshouse.org). In 2009 I rode to every prison is Oregon and raised over $4,000 for the house. This year I,ll be riding to every Dutch Bros Coffee location in the nation. Dutch Treat! will have me riding about 5,000 miles in 7 days and visiting 156 stores plus the corporate HQ in Merlin, Oregon. 156 locations in 156 hours. Once again the ride will be internet interactive. I'll be mobile blogging during the ride and my location will be posted in real time on the 'net. Periodic updates to follow.

Awards

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Low speed fun

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SPANK Scoring.

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Right room, wrong hotel.

A pre-rally night isn't too exciting...unless you're into maps. The night before a rally usually entales some last minute checks or repairs to bike and equipment, a good meal and sufficient hydration and then a fitful couple of hours as you try to get to bed early. It usually doesn't involve a visit from an attractive woman.

Ten minutes ago there was a knock on my door. I answer to see an attractive women holding a bottle of wine with a surprised, startled look on her face. I obviously wasn't who she was excepting.

"Oh, I'm sorry", the woman says.

"That's alright. Wrong room?"

She glances at the number on my door and without missing a beat says "Right room, wrong hotel". And off she went.

The Jackass is in the Pen

It was after 11 AM when I finally departed the good folks at Stephan Wade Motorsports and got on the road for a very indirect ride to Bluff. Thanks to Brian, Joey and Neil for taking care of me. The Pirelli Angel Street has a nice feel and easy turn in. A few miles down the road it occurred to me I had read a review of this tire in a magazine a couple of months back. The tester liked it but mention the center of the tire is solid with no tread pattern to disperse water. Something to remember in the rain.

I enjoyed a nice, uneventful ride today that took me in and out of Utah and Arizona twice. My route took me Page, AZ and then (eventually) north to Bluff. Monument Valley is beautiful: I'm sad Esther missed that during our SW trip several years ago. I have to bring her back someday.

No sign of the rally master in Bluff, so I pushed on to the nights lodging in Monticello about 40 miles north. My stinky LD Comforts are washed, I'm fed and now its time to get into rally mode.

Rally HQ

Glen canyon dam

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New shoe!

Maybe not...

George Z put not one, but two bonus locations in Kansas City, MO. On the assumption that they're be mega points there, I've plotted a little route that goes from Bluff to Austin, TX and then on to KC. There seems to be quite a bit of weather in the mid-west right now though. Hmmm....the points would have to be good.

SPANK Gerlach bonus

Gerlach is a location near and dear to the Long Distance motorcycle community. Situated in the Black Rock desert of Northern Nevada, Gerlach is home for the Iron Butt Association's Guru Lane and Bruno's Country Club. It's also a bonus location for SPANK. Check out Reno John's report of who made it to Bruno's for a little old world ravioli. http://www.goraiders.org/bike/100807SPANK_Gerlach/1.html

Luck caught up with me.

For the first time in a decade of LD Riding and rallies, I managed to pick up a nail in one of my tires. Riding through the mountains just outside of Rachel I noticed that the bike wasn't handling the way it should. In the small town of Caliente I found out why: the rear had a nail and 12.5 pounds of air pressure. The edges were seriously cupped and the center of the tire bulging slightly. I filled the tire with air and limped into Cedar City. The tire seemed to be holding air pretty well, indicating that I picked up the nail early in the day but just didn't notice o n the long Nevada straights that don't require a lot of cornering.

I'm now in St. George, Utah, at one of the nicer Motel 6s and waiting for Stephan Wade Powersports to open tomorrow morning. I'm sure they'll have a tire that fits althought judging by the number of sport bikes on the showroom floor it might something with a life span measured in hours when on a ladened FJR in rally mode.

Bad tire! bad, bad tire!

Rachal, NV

Stokes castle, austin