'Merican Month at 40

Land · 07-18-2010, 12:38 AM

I turned 40 in January.

I also became a full-fledged civilian as of June 1. No more Army for me. Those seemed like as good-ah reasons as any to go on a long ride this summer.

I left my home in South Carolina Thursday, June 24.

This is me and the bike, a 2000 BMW R1150GS.

About the bike: You know the old saying, "This is the knife my grandfather made. My father replaced the handle, and I replaced the blade." This bike is kind of like that. After it ate its clutch splines for the third time -- and on the first day of my summer break from my teaching job, no less

-- I jumped on a 2000 GS for sale in the FM a little over an hour away from my home.

I spent a couple of hot, hot days in my driveway switiching most of my aftermarket goodies from my old 1150GS to my "new" 1150GS. I also added some Hepco and Becker crash bars. After ripping open a valve cover on Imogene Pass a couple of years ago ...

You get the idea. Meet the new bike. Same as the old bike.

I call her Rewind.

After about 1500 miles of shakedown, some fluid changes and a new rear tire, Rewind and I hit the road. That was nearly 4400 miles ago, and I'm posting this from a hammock at the BMWMOA rally in Redmond, OR. I'll be at WestFest next weekend.

Let me start telling you about the trip so far.

You know, rewind.

This is my first motorcycle-camping trip using a hammock/tarp combo as my shelter. I am camping in my Warbonnet BlackBird 1.7 double-layer hammock with a SuperFly tarp, an ArrowHead Equipment KickAss Quilts Lost River underquilt, and I'm using my old Moonstone mummy bag as a topquilt. I, umm, also picked up an ENO Doublenest hammock on sale at the Colorado Springs REI since I've been on the road.

I camped at Deals Gap/The Tail of the Dragon the first night.

The next morning, I had the 318 curves pretty much to myself. Both ways.

After the Dragon, I headed west over the Cherohala Skyway and stopped in to see fellow ADV inmate MiniMike at Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters.

Leaving town, I spied a thumper at the gas station and realized that it was none other than Boojum. I took a pic of him, but the camera dumped it and a couple of others.

The next three nights, I spent with friends and in motels. I stopped in Paducah to see what I could see. The National Quilt Museum was closed for the day. Drats! Maybe next time.

This locomotive was cool, though.

Wanna know more about it? Go to Paducah.

Walt and Kimberly, the friends I stayed with in Manhattan, KS, had an extra ticket to the Country Stampede. Walt and I dipped into his cigar stash and listened to an awesome show by Montgomery Gentry. "I'm part hippie, a little redneck."

The fifth night I camped up a gravel road -- Jackson Creek Road -- in Colorado. The elevation was just under 8,100 feet.

The next morning, I hit the road for Denver.

I'll tell you why, but my laptop battery is getting very low, and it's past my bedtime.

Stay tuned ...

Chris

red bud · 07-18-2010, 04:51 AM

GB · 07-18-2010, 05:04 AM

Looks good! Mike at Tellico Moto Outfitters is a great guy, always willing to help

mb90535im · 07-18-2010, 05:13 AM

I'm in.

Why the 1150 vs. 1200? (just curious)

phideaux · 07-18-2010, 05:47 AM

If I were to change this life I lead,
I'd be Johnny Palmetto Tree.
Cause I know what this country needs..
is a Palmetto Tree in every yard you see.....

Looking forward to your report Chris!

And yes, MaryElizabeth was right about the vicarious thing.
FIDO

gypsyrr · 07-18-2010, 06:49 AM

Hey Chris

I'm glad this trip is going much better mechanically for you than that one in '08.

Glad you are reporting. Subscribed, but on the road for 5-6 weeks so will catch up when I can. Keep on writing. Looking forward to your photos too.

(nice beard)

DirtDabber · 07-18-2010, 07:28 AM

I am so in on this one.

Great first pic. You photograph well.

Really, really well.

BitesTheDust · 07-18-2010, 07:50 AM

OlyVR · 07-18-2010, 10:18 AM

Subscribed!

Keep us posted Chris!

purplesage · 07-18-2010, 10:28 AM

Welcome back to civilian life, looks like a good road trip.
I'll look forward to reading the rest.

Django · 07-18-2010, 10:29 AM

Glad to see you got the problem with your lights sorted out. I hope and I'm sure you are having a blast.

cbolling · 07-18-2010, 11:31 AM

Cool Report!!!

simpson · 07-18-2010, 11:59 AM

Hughlysses · 07-18-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Land

This locomotive was cool, though.

Wanna know more about it? Go to Paducah.

Or go here: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/lists/KY.shtml

According to this, it was the last Illinois Central steam locomotive in service. The facilities at Paducah used to be the IC's main backshops and were famous for their "out of the box" steam locomotive modifications. They'd swap major components between locomotives or change components to produce a new locomotive with the characteristics they wanted. They did some pretty cool stuff there.

Many more pics of 1518 here: http://www.modelgeek.com/modules.php...cle&artid=1832

Looking forward to the rest of your report.

Brown Dog · 07-18-2010, 01:08 PM

Keep dem pics comin Chris .
Me can't wait till the Colorado MTN Pics

Be safe.

07-18-2010, 12:38 AM	#1
Land ^OP Wanderer Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Upstate SC Oddometer: 3,579	'Merican Month at 40 I turned 40 in January. I also became a full-fledged civilian as of June 1. No more Army for me. Those seemed like as good-ah reasons as any to go on a long ride this summer. I left my home in South Carolina Thursday, June 24. This is me and the bike, a 2000 BMW R1150GS. About the bike: You know the old saying, "This is the knife my grandfather made. My father replaced the handle, and I replaced the blade." This bike is kind of like that. After it ate its clutch splines for the third time -- and on the first day of my summer break from my teaching job, no less -- I jumped on a 2000 GS for sale in the FM a little over an hour away from my home. I spent a couple of hot, hot days in my driveway switiching most of my aftermarket goodies from my old 1150GS to my "new" 1150GS. I also added some Hepco and Becker crash bars. After ripping open a valve cover on Imogene Pass a couple of years ago ... You get the idea. Meet the new bike. Same as the old bike. I call her Rewind. After about 1500 miles of shakedown, some fluid changes and a new rear tire, Rewind and I hit the road. That was nearly 4400 miles ago, and I'm posting this from a hammock at the BMWMOA rally in Redmond, OR. I'll be at WestFest next weekend. Let me start telling you about the trip so far. You know, rewind. This is my first motorcycle-camping trip using a hammock/tarp combo as my shelter. I am camping in my Warbonnet BlackBird 1.7 double-layer hammock with a SuperFly tarp, an ArrowHead Equipment KickAss Quilts Lost River underquilt, and I'm using my old Moonstone mummy bag as a topquilt. I, umm, also picked up an ENO Doublenest hammock on sale at the Colorado Springs REI since I've been on the road. I camped at Deals Gap/The Tail of the Dragon the first night. The next morning, I had the 318 curves pretty much to myself. Both ways. After the Dragon, I headed west over the Cherohala Skyway and stopped in to see fellow ADV inmate MiniMike at Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters. Leaving town, I spied a thumper at the gas station and realized that it was none other than Boojum. I took a pic of him, but the camera dumped it and a couple of others. The next three nights, I spent with friends and in motels. I stopped in Paducah to see what I could see. The National Quilt Museum was closed for the day. Drats! Maybe next time. This locomotive was cool, though. Wanna know more about it? Go to Paducah. Walt and Kimberly, the friends I stayed with in Manhattan, KS, had an extra ticket to the Country Stampede. Walt and I dipped into his cigar stash and listened to an awesome show by Montgomery Gentry. "I'm part hippie, a little redneck." The fifth night I camped up a gravel road -- Jackson Creek Road -- in Colorado. The elevation was just under 8,100 feet. The next morning, I hit the road for Denver. I'll tell you why, but my laptop battery is getting very low, and it's past my bedtime. Stay tuned ... Chris __________________ I'm not lost. I'm explorin'. "My dream is to live my life as best I can before I die, even if it kills me." -- Mr. Cob "If you're on ADV and you're still anonymous, you're doing it wrong." -- Boondoggle Land screwed with this post 08-11-2010 at 10:07 AM

07-18-2010, 04:51 AM	#2
red bud alky w/motorcycle problem Joined: Jul 2007 Location: ga/memphis Oddometer: 3,862	__________________ i got the growing older, it's the growing up i'm having trouble with "red bud has anyone ever told u you're bit of an ass" bmwblake http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706516

07-18-2010, 05:04 AM	#3
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,444	Looks good! Mike at Tellico Moto Outfitters is a great guy, always willing to help __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

07-18-2010, 05:13 AM	#4
mb90535im '05 R1200 GS Joined: Jun 2008 Location: NW GA Oddometer: 4,071	I'm in. Why the 1150 vs. 1200? (just curious) __________________ "Dang man I'm impressed." - Willy-B "Are you OK? ... Are you sure you're OK?" - Honcho "Disturbing and funny, all at the same time." - MrTwisty

07-18-2010, 05:47 AM	#5
phideaux Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2008 Location: NW Georgia Oddometer: 3,079	If I were to change this life I lead, I'd be Johnny Palmetto Tree. Cause I know what this country needs.. is a Palmetto Tree in every yard you see..... Looking forward to your report Chris! And yes, MaryElizabeth was right about the vicarious thing. FIDO __________________ Iron Butt Association No. 22913 Mrs. Phideaux to her octogenarian friend when the granny wants to know if she can sit on one of my bikes: "It's Okay, they only fall over when HE'S on them." North GA Tag-O-Rama Map Georgia Tag-O-Rama Map phideaux screwed with this post 07-18-2010 at 05:53 AM

07-18-2010, 06:49 AM	#6
gypsyrr in flux Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Oddometer: 591	Hey Chris I'm glad this trip is going much better mechanically for you than that one in '08. Glad you are reporting. Subscribed, but on the road for 5-6 weeks so will catch up when I can. Keep on writing. Looking forward to your photos too. (nice beard) __________________ Kristi photos

07-18-2010, 07:28 AM	#7
DirtDabber cultural illiterate Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Way North GA Oddometer: 6,398	I am so in on this one. Great first pic. You photograph well. Really, really well. __________________ . I wonder where that road goes?

07-18-2010, 07:50 AM	#8
BitesTheDust Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Oddometer: 160

07-18-2010, 10:18 AM	#9
OlyVR Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Greer, SC Oddometer: 405	Subscribed! Keep us posted Chris!

07-18-2010, 10:28 AM	#10
purplesage Salvia Dorrii Joined: Jul 2010 Oddometer: 170	Welcome back to civilian life, looks like a good road trip. I'll look forward to reading the rest.

07-18-2010, 10:29 AM	#11
Django Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Greenville, SC Oddometer: 377	Glad to see you got the problem with your lights sorted out. I hope and I'm sure you are having a blast.

07-18-2010, 11:31 AM	#12
cbolling Here...Hold my Beer. Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Oddometer: 2,366	Cool Report!!!

07-18-2010, 11:59 AM	#13
simpson wild rover of hell Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Fyffe, AL Oddometer: 510	__________________ My goal for tonight is to go to the bathroom outside my pants. - James P. Connelly

07-18-2010, 01:08 PM	#15
Brown Dog North Georgia Dual Sportr Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Calhoun, GA. USA Oddometer: 1,691	Keep dem pics comin Chris . Me can't wait till the Colorado MTN Pics Be safe. __________________ 2008 KTM 690 ENDURO with 2009 suspension & 950 SUPER ENDURO http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...postcount=1784 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...postcount=8594 http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....&postcount=683 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnFCdoc_IDE

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