Maiden Voyage: Boston to NC, Ural Style

First of all this is my first time posting on here so if it is a bit of a mess, sorry.

So this adventure began a few months ago with an email from my husband. He sent me an email with a picture of a red Ural gear-up. He decided to buy me a Ural while he's caught in a sand storm some where. I was a bit shocked because I was planning on buying one next year. I had been saying, for a while now, that I had lost my sense of adventure. I never do anything spontaneous anymore. This fueled the decision to fly to Boston, pick up the bike and ride it back to North Carolina. Problem is he can't do it with me. I hope this report helps him feel like he is part of the fun.

When I told my parents what I was going to do they decided to join me. This is where the 1,700 miles comes from. How many parents would drive that far just to ride along with their kid on their first ride? Well, mine did. They left Oklahoma early Friday morning. The first nights stop was in Effingham, IL. Saturday night's stop was in Akron, OH. They stopped in Wilkes-Barre, PA Sunday night and then met me in Boxborough, MA on Monday. Crazy part of the day. I only flew from RDU to Boston and they beat me to the hotel by 4 hours. So they got to see my new ride, set on it, take pictures of it and meet the side car instructor. Of course, as my luck would have it, I made it to Boxborough after they closed so I will just have to wait until tomorrow to see the bike.

My parents ride is a 2002 Ultra Classic Harley trike. I included a picture (hope it shows up). They are pulling a trailer that a friend made for his bike for long rides.

We also pick up one of my German brothers (my parents use to host exchange students) from Boston-Logan airport tomorrow to join us for the journey.

Tomorrow morning I have side car driving lessons, wander around the local area getting use to Boris (the Ural) and then on to our family adventure we will go. We have no real plan other than to make it to North Carolina by August 10. Oh and my mom and I love wine so hopefully we can ride some of the Blue Ridge Parkway to one of my favorite wine stops (Chateau Morrisette http://www.thedogs.com/). Dad just had a brainstorm...if we leave in the morning we can make it to Sturgis in time to the Big Event. I think he is out voted on this one. We will stick to the east coast. Maybe we will see some historic light houses on the outer banks of NC and go deep sea fishing.

For all you guys that drive sidecars, I may be asking for tips after tomorrow. So tune in for the trip and hopefully pictures.

I just have to see this

I'm following along. And just remember the rules here, honey. PICTURES, OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!

Great start and I`m eager to follow this adventure along!

I`m really pleased to read that you`re getting sidecar riding lessons first,and I wish everyone buying their first combo would do....in fact,I think it`s totally reckless for a seller to supply a combo to an untrained person and it should be a condition of sale for both parties concerned.
So...well done to you and may the fun start soon!


P.S. I`m not sure if anyone else is affected by this but due to your photo size it means the writing doesn`t fit on my screen...I have to scroll across and back with each line which is a bit awkward.

The sidecar lessons were great. I really enjoyed the lesson and learned a lot. Of course there is a ton more to learn. I actually got the sidecar wheel off the ground a bit at the end of the lesson, which was pretty scary but now I know what that feels like. I just hope that doesn't happen to often.

The parents on their Harley ready to start this trip

<a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e151/jmo308/Boston%20to%20NC%202011/?action=view&amp;current=CIMG1643.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/j/jmo308_Boston%2520to%2520NC%25202011_CIMG1643.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


My husband told me about factoring in extra time for stops. We now know why. The first stop was a gas station a few miles from the dealer. In the few minutes we were there a family came up to ask about the bike. The kids sat in the sidecar for pictures and I thought we would never leave.

We left Boxborough, MA and headed to Salem, MA via back roads. Thanks to my amazing husband, we were set up with a Garmin Zumo GPS. Although this was very sweet of him, he may have forgotten how technically challenged I actually am. The software that comes with the device looks great and I really wish I knew how to work it. This trip may go a little more smoothly if so. We ended up driving through a ton of small towns, so it was constant stop and go traffic. My wrists are killing me as well as dads. It was amazing how many people will roll down their window at a red light to ask questions about a bike. This happened often. After about an hour and a half later we were at our destination. Tobi met us in Salem so we could avoid driving in Boston. Thank goodness.

Me and Tobi

<a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e151/jmo308/Boston%20to%20NC%202011/?action=view&amp;current=CIMG1640.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/j/jmo308_Boston%2520to%2520NC%25202011_CIMG1640.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

After seeing a few of the sites we decided to hit the road again. We do have to put 500km on this bike for the first service before heading South to North Carolina. Little did we know the route was once again going to be stop and go from Salem, MA to Salem, NH. Most of the ride it looked like the bottom was going to fall out. Last thing we needed was a down pour while on the first day of riding a new bike.


<a href="http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e151/jmo308/Boston%20to%20NC%202011/?action=view&amp;current=CIMG1639.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/j/jmo308_Boston%2520to%2520NC%25202011_CIMG1639.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

We lucked out. It waited until we checked into our hotel. Thankfully.

End of the day one and the stats are: Three kids getting pictures in the side car, four people walking up to talk about the bike, one guy followed us to a gas station to take pictures of it, and one lady hanging out of her truck to give a thumbs up. All in all I say it was an ok day.


Now I have a few questions that maybe some experienced divers may be able to answer. Why does it pull so hard to the left when you let off the throttle? Does the steering get easier? I feel like I am fighting it and I am tired.

All I have for now.

I can`t see your photos but I guess you`ve got a sidecar on the right hand side of the bike....so when you let off the throttle,the unpowered freewheeling sidecar will try to 'run around' the bike and thus you`ll get a bias to the left.
It`s not actually pulling to the left but the bias is to veer that way.

Likewise when moving away from a standstill,the reverse situation happens with the static sidecar causing the bike to try and run around the sidecar initially,and needing you to subtly correct for it.

Once you`re used to riding a combo,the 'run around' effect on throttling off can be used to great advantage when corning at speed.

You`re tired because you`re not used to riding a combo and aren`t relaxed.
It`s a physical experience and uses all kinds of odd muscles....I ached in places I didn`t know existed after my first decent combo trip,and that was with me having over 25 years solo experience......a combo is totally different and is ridden in a different way.

As the miles pass and the experience builds you`ll get used to it and start to relax...then you`ll really start enjoying it!

Hmmmm....can't see photos. That means I probably screwed up when I reorganized the photos in my photobucket account. I swear I tested it first! Darn OCD.

Sorry my husband moved the pictures around. I put new links up.

I have no idea what happened to day 1. It was there and now it is gone. I am not typing it all again so I will just put the picture links

Parents


Me and Tobi


Rain



Jeff please stop being OCD. I am technically challenged enough.

Yes Ma'am!

Oh dear....all of the first day posting has disappeared.

Not sure what happened there,guys....but at least the photo size is spot on now.

Don`t be disheartened.....carry on regardless!

RED



http://sovietsteeds.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17515

Gadget Boy rocks!

And looky there, Day 1 is back too!

We got a bit of a late start, but no big deal. We don't have much of an agenda. Tobi figured out how to map out a route with the GPS software, but then it wouldn't upload to the navi. Eventually we will figure this thing out. It worked well enough for Tobi to input a way point, we would arrive there and stop and he would put in the next.


We spent most of the day on the Mohawk Trail. That was a lot of pucker factor to deal with on a first ride. We were almost taken out twice by people trying to pass in no passing zones. Oy! It was a pretty ride.





The views were great.










Half way through the ride the camera was having problems so we didn't get as many pictures as we were hoping. Now it is fixed so hopefully day 3 we will have more pictures




We did cover three states in the days journey. Which is great because Boris (the bike) is now at 490km and ready to head to the dealer this morning for his check-up. Then we are going to start heading south toward North Carolina.

Good stuff!

Very cool of your parents to make the trip too

Red is my favorite color! Oh, and because it looks great.

for the first bike service Tobi let me download his pictures.




One of my favorites!




In Salem, MA.


The Mohawk Trail

This morning we left The Colonial Inn in Gardner, MA and drove through Harvard then on to Boxborough, MA. Boris had his first service at 532km. Thankfully the guys at Ural of New England were able to adjust the seat, clutch, and brake to make my ride more comfortable.


So far on this trip we have passed countless Dunkin Donuts. East coasters must love some Dunkin Donuts. It has become a game to see who can spot them first. Who ever does taps their helmet. Before we left Massachusetts we had to stop at one for some coffee and a donut. After the stop the GPS got confused and we drove around on “goat trails” until it decided to find a descent route.








We passed Berlin, so Tobi got a couple pictures of signs.






A memorial before getting on the interstate.







We spent most of the day on the interstate. This was alright when it was only two lanes. Boris could keep up with the speed limit for the most part, but that didn't matter. Most people were flying past like we were setting still. Worcester traffic was pretty hectic and I was wishing we had chosen a different route. Then we went through Hartford, CT. Ummmm, HOLY KIT KATS that was intense!!! The interstate went from two lanes to six and we found ourselves smack dab in the middle of all the crazy. The plan for the rest of the trip is to never get back on a blue shield highway again. One day of traffic and people cutting us off at 65mph was more than enough.











We finally decided to stop for the night in Danbury, CT. It looks like tomorrows route will be through New York state and into Pennsylvania.

Be very very careful with your GPS routing here. I went that same route last month, and mine sent me straight through downtown NYC. You thought Hartford was bad, try New York! Glad you are enjoying your first long distance ride! Sheryl and I are jealous!