We Need Blood MOTHER NATURE!!!

Warning ❆❆❆❆❆ Warning

Southern Oneida Severe Watches & Warnings

Winter Storm Warning

Issued: 3:20 AM EST Dec. 13, 2017 – National Weather Service

... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6 PM EST this

evening...

* what... lake effect snow ongoing, heavy at times, with blowing

and drifting snow. Plan on difficult travel conditions.

Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches are expected.

* Where... Oneida, Seneca, southern Cayuga, Onondaga, Madison, Cortland

and Chenango counties.

* When... warning in effect until 6 PM EST this evening, though

most of the additional snow will occur this morning.

* Additional details... be prepared for low visibility at times.

Winds will gust as high as 35 mph, causing blowing and drifting

snow including localized white outs. Wind chills will be in the

single digits below zero at times this morning.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather

conditions are occurring. If you must travel, keep an extra

flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an

emergency. The latest Road conditions for the state you are

calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Maine Loop

Maine has always been one of my favorite destinations and one of the few places I would ever consider moving to.  I love it's climate much like ours here in central, northern NY.  It's history and most of all it's diversified topography.

We left Tuesday evening for a quick two hour ride to Troy, NY to spend an evening and night with longtime friend / relative Maria and her family.

First I was to meet Liz at the I90 exit in Utica about 20 mile from home.  She'll be leaving from work.  As I'm hitting highway speeds I'm noticing some unusual sway to the bike.  Not sure if it's the road or bike.  So I cautiously continued and I pulled into a gas station just prior to where I was to meet Liz. Sure enough, my front tire requiring 42 pounds only had 10.  There did not seem to be a leak.  Mr. Grey just got new boots and maybe while I was talking to the mechanic he didn't top it off. I topped it off to 40 pounds and off to Troy we went.

Maria had asked where we wanted to meet for diner.  Liz and I are both adventurous when it comes to trying new foods.  Maria, just pick something different, I told her.  My only stipulation was not fancy as we'll both have our riding gear on.

We met at   Ali Baba.  A very authentic Mediterranean style restaurant, mostly Turkish style food.  Not really knowing what to order we started with a sampler plater and fresh flat bread out of the wood fired oven.  I wish I could recall all that was on it but I'm really not sure what it all was.  Entrees to follow where just as fantastic. 

Waiting at Ali Baba for Maria and Family

It was a really nice evening with Maria and her family.  We also had the opportunity to discuss making our own custom designed new wedding bands.  Maria owns, runs, and teaches at her studio Sawtooth Jewelry Studio.  Hard to believe that in less than eight hours we can design and create our own bands from a puddle of gold.  We look forward to returning and going to her studio in December to "hammer out" our new bands.

The next morning found us searching for a place which could break the bead and remount the tire.  It had lost 10 pounds in less that 24 hours and 150 miles.  Liz, my self appointed Wrench Wench found an area along the bead of the rim gaping.  We are now thinking Greys new shoe just did not get a good bead.

We know of two good bike dealers within the area.  Max BMW and Brunswick Harley Davidson.  Figuring, since we are on adventure style bikes and adventure is their gig, We'd try Max BMW.

To our SURPRISE! Max would not, under no conditions, absolutely nata, in no-way service or assist me.  This shop strictly only services BMWs!  The guy at the desk strongly discouraged me from even using their air to top off the tire to get to another shop.  Must be BMW spicific O2 kinda like Starbucks is to the riders. He did recommend a good gas station where there is ample free air to be used.  I thought, this is BMW's primary gig, adventure riding!  I know it's not a precious BMW but Mr. Grey has feelings and to be treated that way by especially an adventure bike representative is just terrible.

Mr. Grey Shinning at Brunswick Harley

Luckily Brunswick Harley Davidson was just about a mile away.  We Explained to their service department what we thought was the issue.  They took a look and agreed. Rolled the bike right in and with in 30 minutes the tire was remounted and holding air.  The Mechanic even took the time to come out and reassure me, he wet the tire down and valvestem and found no leaks.  And remounted it so it was still balanced.  Super KUDOS to this shop!  They where great!  And only charged a half hour labor $35.00!!










Leaving NY and winding our way through the Green Mountains of VT, we find ourselves riding through a very quaint town of Chester.  Buildings all seem to date to the turn of the century.  With lunch on our minds we stop to have a look.

Chester VT

We find The Southern Pie Company.  Well,,, If you know me at all,, you know what happens next! We walk in, and there in an old style case are stacks of treats! Wide eyed, I stand in front of this chilled piece of heaven.  Homemade pies, cheese cakes, and pastries.  It's not if I will have pie for lunch rather which pie I will have for lunch!   The triple berry pie is the winner.  You know I can always justify.  Heck, If I add a scoop of ice cream I'm hitting at least two of the food groups (fruit and dairy).  Everything looked so good even Liz indulged in a half a piece of cheesecake.  DELICIOUS!









Riding out of VT and into NH means out of the Green Mountains and into the White Mountains National Forest.  Really spectacular views.  We chose not to stop for any scenic pictures since it's getting late and we've had ISSUES with riding through dusk in the past.  And, the moose crossing signs have started to freak us out a little.  We love seeing these long legged loafers but neither of us really want a mouth full of one.






Riding out of the White Mountains of NH just before ME I noticed a delay per G maps coming up as indicated in red.  Liz and I both noticed smoke or low clouds passing over a peak.  As we ride up on this area there are vehicles lining the road and low flying helicopters just pulling out of a large pond off to our right.  We pulled onto the shoulder dismounted and found ourselves within view of a raging forest fire.  We took some pics.

Our next two day stop was in Fryeburg ME for a day at the Fryeburg Fair.  And an opportunity to eat my way through another fair.  I highly recommend a visit to this fair.  It's like most state fairs but with more of a local connection.

They called this a Redneck Chainsaw. 

Yes, Liz must touch.

Never saw an oxen competition.

Camp for a couple of nights.

We finally hit the coast of ME Friday.  Explored and of course looked for a Maine type place to eat.  We found such a place in Southport.  Liz had been wanting me to try raw oysters.  One of the few seafoods I'd never had.  She found good oyster reviews (did you know oysters had reviews?) for
Robinson's Wharf & Tugs Pub. 
They where very good.  Not fishy or slimy like I'd thought they might be.  They where tender, sweet, with a hint of saltiness from the ocean.

Thanks to our friends John and Liz Colombo for letting us stay and their beautiful home in ME.  It was a great stay and night out.  Enjoyed the Rockland arts culture and diner.

Thank the Donors

As I encroach on 52 years of life I have been thinking of what I’ve done with my years. Everyone reflects back on their years on earth. However, ours with thal is different. Along with normal daily obstacles we have the added thal related issues.

Through my younger years I hadn’t given blood donors much thought. I’d just show up, get my blood and go. It was more like a medicine than something from a real person. But with maturity came a little wisdom and recognition to the many which took time out of their life for me. So that I could have a life. 

I’ve worked. I’ve played. I raised a family. I probably haven’t always done the right thing but as I’ve matured I think I’ve grown as a human being . I do take the time to think about my actions and try to be a good person. I think a good way to show my appreciation for what has been given to me is to just try to do my part. Live in this world without being too much of a jerk! So, that is what I’ve done. I just tried to be a decent person. 

In my lifetime I’ve (on the conservative side) have had 650 blood transfusions receiving 1250 units of blood. I have no way of really knowing how many individual kind and thoughtful donors actually contributed their time and blood to me. I’ve been thinking, is there any way I could ever thank them for their contribution to my life. All the donors (probably 1250ish) is why I am still alive today. And as I reflect back on MY life, I hope I’ve earned all they have done for me!

Let’s reflect. When diagnosed in 1966 at about eight months old, my parents were advised I would not live to see my teens. As I approached my teens new meds became available. Prognosis was better but still most thal patients where not living much into their twenties. Then of course better treatment plans came out and, well you see how it works. The key is to survive long enough to enjoy the fruits of science, research, and all which had been gained from those who walked before.

Survive! Yes that is it. Some days you feel like that’s all you are doing while others, you feel pretty good. But sometimes we may forget how we are surviving. We are literally surviving on the blood of others. If I can push on to complete my life, I will have personally consumed thousands of units of blood from at least as many donors! That is just mind boggling to me!! Man,, if I could only find some way of thanking them. How could I possibly. Heck, many probably have passed themselves.

There is a quote in the movie Saving Private Ryan which I feel in a small way I can relate to. The last scene in the movie the older Ryan is at Captain Miller’s grave and says “Every day I think about what you said to me that day on the bridge. And I've tried to live my life the best I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that at least in your eyes, I've earned what all of you have done for me”.

I hope I have earned what all the blood donors have done for ME!

I’m hoping some donors will read this and know how much they mean to me, my family, and the many others who have received their blood. This is my personal THANK YOU!

My Day Trip Through The Adirondacks

I spent an incredible day on the bike today.  Debated doing so, no regrets!  There is always something to do, but few days are as perfect for a ride through the Adirondack Mountains as today was. Left early, road up to Old Forge for a nice breakfast sandwich on the patio of Ozzie’s Coffee Bar.  The name says it all.  Maybe the best coffee in the Adirondacks.

Ozzie's Coffee Bar, Mr Grey enjoys his espresso

Next stop The Donut Shop in Eagle Bay.  They only make two kinds of donuts. Sugared and plain. Always fresh made on the spot.

*******DENIED!******

The ONLY day of the week they are closed is Wednesday. They may as well close the Adirondacks on Wednesdays! 

Continued my ride north.  Took some pictures of Butternut Falls near Long Lake, NY.  Short walk from the road. I prefer hiking much more off the beaten path but this worked out good with my heavy riding gear.

Watched a couple of seaplanes land and take off.

Then on to Long Lake, NY. Just sat by the lake for awhile.  I love the Adirondacks.  It's nice to just sit back and take it in!

I continued North up to Cranberry Lake then back home through Croghan. With some of the side routes I explored, about a 300 mile day.  It's sometimes difficult to get away but always worth it! 

Who says you have to travel to have adventure?

Sam and I tried to join my SOS sisters for a Sunday ride and lunch.  We took the Thruway to the meeting spot….and my bike started having the EXACT same issue at nearly the EXACT same spot as a few weeks ago when I was heading out on my solo trip.

In fact, I only made it about a mile farther than last time – which at least got me onto the Waterloo exit ramp.

When we pulled over, I did a quick check of the bike.  At first I thought to there was another airbox hole, but I was mistaken (I was looking at previous melting).  At this point, I am 99% sure that the issue is electrical, not related to fuel/ air.

This is Paracord - don't leave home without it!

Sam and I discussed our plan of action.  I had a hank of paracord and Sam knows how to make fancy-schmancy knots, so we decided that Sam towing me off the Thruway with the Strom would be the easiest thing to do.

But if I can’t get the bike started, what happens then? Sam’s truck blew a strut Friday – I was concerned that it would be dangerous for him to go get the trailer to take the bike home.
I called my friend Terry to run the blown strut + trailer issue by him.  We then talked through the bike issue – we were both on the same page that the issue is electrical.  I already had a possible problem in mind, and he gave me a few others to look for.
Both Terry and I felt that when I removed the tank and pulled the carb, I moved whatever was causing the issue, which allowed the bike to start.

Fast forward half an hour, and the KLR and I are back in the same EXACT gas station and parking spot the tow truck left us in a few weeks ago.  I take a few minutes to message a few people, feel sorry for myself, hydrate and think about what I need to do.

When I had the bike apart last week to clean the carb, I noticed a hose from the air injection system was touching the spark plug wire. I moved it and checked the wire, no evidence of arcing. I had already found a huge hole in my airbox, so I wasn’t looking too hard (stupid me).  I tucked the hose so it wasn’t touching the wire and moved on.  After replacing the airbox, the bike started – so problem solved, right?  Well, maybe not.

I stripped the body panels and tank from the KLR and went right to the spark plug wire.  The AIS hose was back against the spark plug wire.  I moved it…and with the sun off to my right…clearly saw a flaw in the wire jacket. Huh.

I tucked the hose away from the wire, and the bike started right up. I put a few layers of electrical tape on the wire to eliminate any issue with the hose contacting it, confirmed the bike would still start and put the tank in place.  Bike starts, but stumbles and dies when I let off the throttle. Okey doke.

Removed the tank again, confirmed bike doesn’t start. Move the hose, bike starts. Aha, progress!
Whip out the zip ties (all good KLR owners carry them), zip tie the hose out of the way, confirm bike starts.

Put tank in place, confirm bike starts.  Hold the throttle at 5000 rpm for 20 seconds to see if the engine misses – nope, running beautifully.

Bolt everything back on and off we go.  I rode the entire way home in a too low gear to mimic the high RPMs of highway travel, trying to stress the bike.  No issue...yet....

I will replace the spark plug wire, remove the useless AIS, then do another nice long test ride at high RPMs.  I had intended on removing the AIS when I upgraded the piston last year – but didn’t (stupid me x2).  I will also check over the wiring harness again, just in case…

Liz's Trip - Day 3 & 4 - 1025 Miles to Dubuque, Iowa

There was no excitement for day 3 until I got to my destination.
I was hoping to snag a first come, first served campsite at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, but no luck there.  The ranger told me that all federal and state parks in the area were filled, and directed me to a local campground/ RV park.

When I dumped the tent out of it storage bag, I realized that I had grabbed the wrong one.  Mine is a Eureka - Sam told me where the tent was stored - and I grabbed the Eureka. Unfortunately, this Eureka was Sam's old tent that probably hasn't been used in the 6 years we have been together.
The walls were mildewed, it smelled like wet dog and mildew (if you can even image what THAT smells like), the mesh was ripped, and a patch that was holding the side together was coming off. Major ick.

Hotel space was limited in the area, and what rooms were left were really expensive. It was getting to be dusk, so I didn't want to ride to the nearest town (we all know what happened the last time I tried that...), and I'd already paid for the campground - so I grumpily made the best of it.

I dosed myself up with every prescription allergy medicine I had, and took a couple Benadryl for good measure. I only put my sleeping pad and bag in the tent, because I wanted to limit what was exposed to the stench. I survived the night, and tossed the tent in the dumpster in the AM.

My first task for the morning was to get the BMW up on the center stand to check the oil. When I arrived at the campground the night before, I noticed a spot of oil on my right boot. Yeah, uh oh.
I checked it out, and there was a little leak. I looked up how to check the oil in the manual - the digital readout said the oil level was OK.

I called Ken, who assured me that the leak was not new, and that the oil level doesn't change much. He told me to check it on the center stand, using the sight glass.  I've never owned a bike with a center stand, and I knew the odds of me getting it on and off the center stand without tipping it were slim. *Very* slim.

I stopped at a local auto parts store, fortunately one of the staff rides and was willing to help me get it onto and off of the center stand. Oil was where it should be, so I will just keep monitoring it.  I have bikers in rooms on either side of me now, so I am lying in wait to see if one of them will help me this AM.

After I checked the oil, I was off to have some fun! The Dunes park had a tour of Pinhook Bog listed for that morning. I wanted to do it, but decided to check with the rangers. Good thing, because there was a misprint, the the bog tour was actually the day before. The ranger suggested that I walk the trail that runs next to the bog, so that is what I did.
(NOTE: I apologize for the poor picture layout, I can't seem to figure out how to make them appear side by side.)

Yes, that *is* a spine in the tree.

After my little hike, I saddled up and headed for the Iowa border.  Once I got past the Chicago congestion, I got off the Interstate and worked my way west.  I hit some pretty bad crosswinds in western Illinois, but other than that, the ride was unremarkable.

Once I got to the Missippi River, I headed north.  Someone who heard about my itinerary advised me that Iowa was boring, that there was nothing to see.  The eastern edge of it is beautiful - it actually reminded me a lot of Vermont, with farms built into rolling hills.  It was interesting looking at house built along the Missippi, some were on stilts, others were just normal houses.  Beautiful area!



Liz's Trip - Day 1 & 2 - My Adventure Quota Has Been Met

Thursday AM, I was ready to go!  I was riding to work, then heading off on my trip as soon as my
boss let me out.

Frosty definitely knew something was up, and was being very pathetic.

I left work around 3:30, it felt so good to be on the road.

About 30 miles from Syracuse, the bike started running badly.  When I gave it throttle, the engine would bog.  I moved out of the passing lane, just in case I needed to get to the shoulder.

Eventually the bike died. I got it onto the shoulder, and tried to start it - it would start, but die again as soon as I gave it throttle.  Eventually it stopped starting and an odd electrical tic showed up ...the tach needle would bounce up and down when I tried to start it.

Hmmm, fuel or electrical issue?

When I got off the bike, I quickly realized that the wind created by passing semis was going to push it over...and that my phone was almost dead.  I'm on the side of the road trying to keep my bike upright and rummage through my luggage for my battery pack.  Happily, my pannier lid was the perfect size to wedge against the side of the bike.  It gave it just enough support to prevent it from tipping over.

Yeah, ADVENTURE.

I couldn't call AMA for a tow until my phone charged, so I decided to drain my carb while the phone was charging. I was hoping that if there was crud in the carb causing my issue, it might get flushed out.

While I was working on the getting the drain screw loose, a car pulled onto the shoulder - it was my friend Ken! He was on his way to Buffalo and noticed a yellow KLR just like mine on the shoulder, lol.  He called AMA for me for a tow.  Unfortunately, only one company can tow off the Thruway, and they (of course) do not accept any travel club memberships.

While waiting for the tow truck, Ken offered me the use of his BMW GSA1200 for the trip.  I was astounded, excited and a wee bit scared, as I've only ever ridden KLRs, and Sam's V-Strom (twice). I didn't want to jeopardize my meeting Brenda and riding to Ketofest, so I decided to go for it.

Oh, the indignity

When the driver arrived, he asked what the issue was.  I explained the symptom, and that I expected I had crud affecting the main jet. His response was to ask whether I had gas, and whether the bike was rideable.  Really? You think I'd pay you a bunch of money to tow a rideable bike instead of limping it on the shoulder?  He also told us that he doesn't let his wife near his bike.  

Yeah, this is going to go well.

If Ken wasn't there, I'm not sure we would have been able to get the bike on the tow truck.  Even though they routinely tow bikes, there was no motorcycle dolly.  We had to stabilize the bike as the driver winched it onto the flatbed, avoiding stepping on oily areas on the already slick steel deck. (Well, Ken did the stabilizing, I steered)
The drive took the bike to the nearest exit, and unloaded it in a gas station parking lot.

AMA found and sent a company who would get us back to Rome for a reasonable price, we finally got home around midnight.

This morning, I woke up early to retrieve Ken's bike. The garage door of the facility broke the day before, so Sammy came along to lend a hand with opening and closing.  I was doubly grateful he was there, as we also needed to roll a Jeep around to make a space big enough to get the bike out.

I made it home with the Beemer, got it packed, and realized I had to RTFM to adjust the electronic suspension. (Seriously, electronic suspension).

I was back on the road a little after 10am, and made it to my first night's destination around 3pm.

Lara is my oldest (um, longest?) friend.  I've really enjoyed spending the afternoon and evening with her and Paul.  There is always stimulation conversation!

I didn't get much sleep last night, so I am heading off to bed now!

Tea & High Counts

I was a part of a study which was published January 4, 1979.  I’ve attached for easy viewing. 

In 1979 I was 14 years old and participated with five other thalassemia patients in a study conducted out of Rochester, NY.  I really don’t remember much of why or what the outcome was.  As a kid with a chronic illness since birth you tend to not ask many questions.  You just kinda try to do what other kids do.  The more tedious daily worries like staying alive are solely on the shoulders of those who love and care for you.

 I wasn’t told much about the study going into it.  But I had been poked, examined, and tested all my life so I really didn’t give it much thought.  I was told it was a research study and we would need to drive out to Rochester (NY) up to several times a week for many weeks.  And, this was the big AND.  AND I could not chelate during this time. We called it using the desferal.  Well, for this sweet 14 year old this was like a vacation of a lifetime. Time off from school and no DESFERAL!  NO needles every night, no itchy belly from the chelation! Every night free without being attached to that dreaded pump! At this time the pump was the size of a small coffee pot!

I remember driving out as a group the first time.  The head of hematology took us out the first day.  We piled into the doc’s family truckster. If you’ve seen Family Vacation, that’s what I remember his station wagon to look like.  On the way out there was a loud explosion.  Doc handled it calmly and pulled over to find a hole in the sidewall of the front tire the size of a grapefruit.  

Following the initial visit I do not remember the doctors continued attendance.  However we did continue to go as a group. Sometimes half at a time depending on schedules.

This is what I remember of the tests.  We arrived early in the morning following an overnight fast.   We were given plane, I think two hamburgers (at least one) from the local BK diner (BurgerKing). Then a laboratory type person suited up in a blueish suit. You know, the kind you see in the movies.  Only minus the backpack style oxygen tank. She’d (always a girl) be carrying a led container with the standard radioactive tape and markings on it.  There was a syringe for each of us.  She’d squirt the contents of the syringe on to a tablespoon of applesauce. Then, we’d eat it.

I’m not sure if it was the same day or the following day but following the apple sauce, at some point we also drank plain black hot tea.  Then we each individually had to sit for several hours in the vault.  If you’ve ever been in a bank vault or seen one in the movies that’s what this was.  The inside of this vault was about 8x12 with a dental type reclining chair.  I vaguely remember not being able to have any metal on us. Like belts, zippers, jewelry.  Once inside on the chair reclined to a “comfortable” position, the huge metal door was shut.  There was light.  And they would pipe in music.  We were encouraged to bring our favorite albums and books.  This is where we’d sit for several hours.  Alone and extremely board.  I learned to come tired.  Sleep was the best passer of time.  I'm still not sure how the vault worked but somehow it was connected to a machine able to measure the iron in the body.  The radioactive juice withing the syringes had something to do with it.

I still see and am close to one of the other contestants. She is my age so we have a lot in common.  We occasionally think back to this study and wonder why our parents would allow us to be radiated. We always come to the same conclusion.  They were just looking for someone to cure their child.  Or at least something which would allow their child to live.  As difficult as it sometimes was living with thal, I’d hate to be a parent assigned the duty of raising a thal child.  I have a Son and would not want to spend the endless hours at his bedside watching them in white stick needles of all shapes and sizes into my baby!  Yup, they had to make the tough decisions.  But always looking for the miracle.  

Of the six of us who experienced this study only two of us survive to this date.  No, no deaths were the result of the study.  Thal took them.  Most not many years followed before they succumbed to thalassemia. 

After all these years I never knew much about the results of this study I played a part in.  All I remember being told is, let’s try to keep the counts high and drink tea.  Now that I have the actual publication I find it interesting.  I don’t have any medical background so my interpretation may not be right on. 

1. Tea can reduce the amount of iron we retain from everyday foods.
2.  And with a higher hemoglobin we retain less iron.

I’m not sure how overall accurate it can be with such a small sample and really no control group.  Also has it been duplicated?  However, I am living proof that a normal iron level can be reached.  I do still drink plain unsweetened fresh brewed iced tea. Not every day but quite often.  At least several days a week and I usually order it when out for dinner.  Recently I have been attaining a much higher hemoglobin (8.5ish to now 9 – 9.5) and even with receiving more blood more frequently my ferritin has dropped to the lowest it has ever been (131).  This made me think of the study and I wanted to read and see what its conclusion was.  I’d be interested to hear from today’s doctors and researchers regarding the results of this study.

Special thanks to my niece Samantha for helping me find and get my hands on the publication. 

CAF Confrence (The Ride Out)

Mr Grey resting in his stall

Mr Grey and I made it to MD.  Ride out was a met with some obstacles.  Ride through NY and PA was pleasant and DRY.  As soon as we hit MD the skies opened up!  Take note, even if your phone is waterproof.  It may not be WATER proof.  Humidity and or water seeped into the charging port and prevented it from receiving any charge even though it clearly had a battery with the charging signal.  Eventually it died and I had to navigate old school.  Yup, transferring map info to paper to place in the clear window of my tank bag to read as wheels rolling.  Do people still do this? yuk!!  Dried phone with a hairdryer at the hotel.  Seems ok now.

My riding "pal" thal tried to come alive today.  Between the early morning (kickstand was up at 5:30 am) and no breakfast.  I started to feel a little icky.  I made a quick pitstop and fueled up with breakfast and a coffee shake.  Don't know what it is but the sugar and carbs seem to work every time!

Had a great offer from some new friends to go into DC to the Cheesecake Factory but this old man is too tired to hang with the youngsters tonight.  Settled for a great burger.

Local IP and one of the best burger I've had in a long time.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

CAF Confrence

Mr. Grey and I are ready to put this town in the side mirror. Kickstand up first thing in the AM. It'll be a full eight hour ride with stops down to Hyattsville, MD.  With the forecast of rain and possible thunder showers for most of the day all along the route, I'm sticking to the interstates this ride.  Hopefully we can avoid anything too sever.  Always an adventure!

It'll be great meeting others living with Thal. And seeing what they are doing to make life good.  Additional posts to follow. LIG 😎

Liz's First Long Solo Trip!

This Thursday after work, I will be heading west on my first solo adventure.

Right now, the plan is to head west to Iowa, ride along the Missippi River up to Minnesota, then head to the Chicago area to meet up with a friend and continue on to New London, CT for Ketofest.
In all, it will be about 3500 miles for me and the Moose.

Brenda also rides a KLR. It isn't too often you see women on KLRs, let alone two of 'em travelling together.  I'm way more excited about it than I probably should be!
This is Brenda's first multi-day motorcycle trip, she has been planning this for months.
Her bike is in nearly pristine condition, so the only work she needed to do is to increase her comfort.

Yes, I'm scared.
I have no idea how different things may have turned out if Sam wasn't there to advocate for me when I hit the deer in South Dakota.

I'm doing things to protect myself - carrying the SPOT tracker, and I upgraded both brakes and lighting on the Moose...but still...

Patiently waiting to hit the road.

Americade 2017

My first multi-day adventure of the season is to Americade.  I departed solo and will meet up with Liz in Lake George, NY the following day.

Beautiful day. Allot of bikes on the road.  On the way to Lake George I'm on a more remote road noticing the grass on the sides of the road seem to be unusually tall. The local towns and counties usually keep grass gut back.  Makes it essayer to see deer or any other critters grazing or thinking of crossing the roads.  Do to the salting of the roads the deer tend to graze the sides.  Like all mammals they too require salt and will crave it.  They can find an ample amount within the grasses growing along the road.

I'm slowly but steadily gaining on a pair of bikes.  I'm thinking I'll eventually need to slow and ride with them or eventually pass them.  But, by no means am I in a rush.  They temporarily disappear around a bend.  As I round the bend I'm once again looking for them. Something doesn’t look quite right.  I'm quickly scanning from left to right and back trying to get my brain to compute what is strange about this view.  I don't see the bikes as I should by now.  Something is moving in about the middle of the road.  I quickly determine it to be a struck deer.  Then to the right one of the bikes are off the road. OK, where is the other and is that deer going to get up and if it does which way is it going to run?  Amazing in such a short among of time how much your brain can be computing! 

I rolled off the throttle and down through my gears.  First pass the injured deer, I'm ready for evasive maneuvers if this beast bolts into my lane. As my rear tire clears the downed struggling deer my attention moves onto scanning the tall grass for the downed rider.  I pull off the side of the road, flick on my emergency flashers and leave the rest of my lights on and flashing as I have a strobe headlights.  Figuring the better to be seen as other motorists will be approaching.  

The biker hobbled out of the grass on his own.  As I walked up to him I tried to assets his condition.  He seemed ok.  All parts attached that are supposed to be attached with no extra parts hanging out.  I asked how he was.  He assured me he was ok.  He advised he never went down.  He apparently hit the deer and ran it right over. Probably luckily to the rider as the deer did not hit him or the bike.  He was extremely lucky and skilled to keep the bike upright and maneuver to just off the road and lay it down only to end up with a sore ankle.  Probably from putting a foot down following the impact.  His riding partner missed the deer and eventually turned around. It wasn't long before another bike with a couple pulled in behind me.  We all were able to help with getting the bike out of the tall grass and on to the side of the road.  

Figuring nobody there probably knows less about the mechanics of the bike than I, I left the first aid of the bike up to them and kept an eye on the rider.  After the rider gathered himself mentally and the bike was deemed safe to ride, they decided to ride on as they too were heading to Americade.  I've seen firsthand what a deer strike can do to a person and a bike and although this deer may have been half the size of the deer that took out my wife Liz almost a year ago it was still hard to believe this bike survived without a scratch.  I gave it the quick once over to see for myself.  I remember the bits of fir still attached to Liz's tire between the rim and rubber.  Yup, there it is right next to the dented rim. I notified the rider and advised he may want to check tire pressure for a slow leak.  Sure enough, it was leaking.  So the mechanically challenged found it! Their weekend now cut short, they would return home not far from the accident.

Before we left, myself and another rider along with his wife went back to check on the deer still in the road.  It was still alive but had at least two compound leg fractures preventing it from getting up.  It was struggling to move itself off the road and into the woods where I’m sure it would feel safe.  I asked several if they were carrying (a pistol). None had one on them and we were out of cell coverage.  All we could do is drag it off the road into the tall grass and hope nature would do its thing quickly.  It was a real sad thing to need to leave it to suffer and possibly die a slow painful death.  I kept thinking maybe shock would set in and take it quickly and or the coyotes or coy wolves would come put it out of its misery.  

The rest of the trip would end in Lake George without Incident. 

Halfway to Lake George

At the motel Mr. Grey seems lonely without his riding partner.

Amazing machines at Americade.  This was a V8 twin turbo dual chain drive. 

Together Again

And Together Again