MotoVagabonding

[Frey Bentos]

I'm not going to interject too many times on your thread. But just to say I'm in and looking forward to what's ahead.
I sallute you and your endevour. I too would do this only for the fact of a hundred reasons i should be able to shrug off. Oh, and a lack of balls.
Ride safe chap.

[twoXdog]

Glad you're back.

[GypsyWriter]

Originally Posted by twoXdog

If you are out there POST something, I am getting a bad feeling, you've been gone too long.

[Scott_PDX]

Subscribed. You started out with some nice writing and insight, hope you can continue again. I see from your Facebook that you were still alive on the 26th, so hopefully you're still out there adventuring for your ADVrider fans.

[conchscooter]

This is great stuff. Honest evaluation of a new adventurer makes for fascinating reading. Nothing is ever wasted and that is a wise mother.

[MotoVagabond]

The ride from Louisiana to Houston, TX was pretty uneventful (until the evening).

Got into the city WAY later than I intended and ended up in 5pm traffic on the expressways with my little 400cc bike (Max speed = 65mph)

This is not dissimilar to playing Frogger, accept you only get one life and you die when you get squashed. It was stressful, but it was getting dark and my headlight sucks (I really need a new headlight), so I had to rush for my hosts house.

Finally got off the expressway and found myself in a kinda iffy part of town. Immediately some guy is asking me for money, as I pull out some change from my motorcycle jacket I notice his hands are so swollen he looks like he just go bit by like 60 bees. This guy looks rough. Well, now he has 70 cents.

Followed my GPS to my supposed Couch Surfing host only to find an abandoned warehouse.

WTF?

All the communities here are gated. There’s nothing around. It’s pitch black. I'm downtown. I don’t have a place to stay here. Grrrr.

So, went to a McDonalds to sort things out.

[HA HA. I’m always going to a McDonalds to sort things out. Seriously, like every time I have a problem.]

This McDonalds is directly across the street from the Greyhound station.
[Read - swarming with convicts.]

Within seconds someone asks me if they can use my cell phone (you know the drill). I don’t want to get my laptop out here, not because I’m afraid of getting robbed, but because I know I’m going to have to field at least a half dozen requests for money.

On to the next McDonalds. *sigh*

Got there, re-read my hosts directions and it says he lives in 'an abandoned warehouse'. HA HA HA!

Give him a call and he guides me in. Everything turns out fine even though I had to do my little expressway Russian Roulette trick again. Highways in Houston are almost as nutts as Chicago. I didn’t realize how big this city was. Nothing there though, so, on to Austin the following day.

[MotoVagabond]

Sorry for the delay guys. Just trying to have something interesting to say for every update!

[MotoVagabond]

I arrived in Austin, TX around 3pm. Let me just say, if you live out here and don't own a 900cc + Sport Bike, you are INSANE. There are some awesome, deep sweeping curves out here. Super fun.

As I roll into the State Park I am slightly disturbed to find some pretty distinct similarities to my Mississippi incident. No one manning the entry booth, no rangers aboot, and, the place is empty.

No matter. I pick a spot, setup my tent and stand there thinking, "Well, now what am I going to do. I can't have a fire here because there's a state-wide burn ban. It gets dark at 5pm and I don't want to sit out here with my thumb up my ass." Off to... MCDONALDS!

Had a little Skype chat with my Mom then made my way back to my tent.

Ehem... DANGEROUS.

I didn't think my plan through and found myself, once again, in the pitch black with my bummer headlight. I literally probably have sub 20 ft of throw with this thing (35 Watt).

Ended up on a 4 lane road under construction going 65mph through some massive curves, with about 15 cars barring down on me. 20ft of light is not enough for 65mph. I almost bit it twice and vowed not to do that again.

Got back to my campsite found myself alone in the dark and freezing my ass off.

I'm learning a lot about myself on this trip.

For example, I've learned that I really like to be around people more than I thought. I've always enjoyed solo activities, and I generally prefer to live alone.

But out here, when I role into some desolate location, I can't help but feel isolated. And, I don't like it. Maybe that makes me sound like a pussy, that's fine.

I don't really need to be hanging out with other people, but I enjoy having a human presence around. Even a campground full of RVers feels more natural than this. I'm not sure if it's something I'll adjust to or not. I'm not sure if I need to adjust to it, or if I should. Maybe I'm supposed to grow into this. Or, maybe I should just avoid it since it's my adventure. I don't know.

At night I wake up to Coyotes (or fox or something) calling to each other not far from my tent.

[MotoVagabond]

Forgot to mention that I decided to do a little 'Adventure Riding' on my way into Austin.

I've never ridden any dirt so I've been a little hesitant to try it out for the first time with all my shit on the bike.

I did have some fun bombing down some desolate Texas country roads. Unfortunately, the next morning I woke up to this.



In case it isn't immediately obvious, the one way valve and tube fell of the gas cap. I'm new to dirt bikes and don't really understand what that thing is for.

20 minutes later I dump the bike in the sand and gas comes pouring out the gas cap.

Oh, that's what it's for.

Half of the following day was consumed rounding up a new valve and hose. No matter though. All set now. Thank god it didn't rain before I got it fixed.

[MotoVagabond]

After I got up and packed my camping stuff, I decided I wanted to see more of the city. Everyone says Austin is a really cool place.

It took me an hour and a half to get into town though. And, seeing as how I have to be back each night well before dark, I realized seeing the city from that far out of town was going to be really irritating.

I'm glad it turned out that way. Because I made a few calls and ended up meeting Scooter.

You guys are not going to believe this guy.

This my host. Please watch this. (Clip from 'So You Think You Can Dance')

[MotoVagabond]

A bit eccentric perhaps, but Scooter is quite possibly one of the kindest and most generous people you could meet.

His hostel is literally his apartment - full of bunk beds.

Scooter loves people, he's not in this business for the money and you can tell.

Every night he comes home and cooks dinner for his guests. Every morning he shows up and makes banana pancakes. His place is close to downtown and staying with him has given me the chance to chill out, see the city, and get some work done.

The pic above is a shot of all of us eating dinner, drinking wine and chatting. Interestingly, 'Dan The Motorcycle Man' ( ADV handle) was staying here too. He's on his way to Central America, so it was cool to chat.

The table in the photo is literally a screwed together futon frame with boards over it. Everything here is like that. It's hilarious, and so is 'Scooter Rocket'.

[MotoVagabond]

When I got into Texas I really felt like I needed to chill out a little, get some work done, and think about my priorities in life.

As much as I'm enjoying my traveling, I'm really not enjoying the work that is sustaining it. And, my lack of passion for writing boring SEO articles is seeping into my work and affecting my business results.

I desperately need to find a way to align my talents with my interests, or, I'm never going to be able to keep the ball rolling. Some people have no problem with this. But, I guess I'm the kind of person who would literally allow myself to become homeless and starving in order to avoid meaningless work.

Be critical if you must, but, just my personality I guess.

Well, as luck would have it, something did happen that would keep me in Austin for a while...

[MotoVagabond]

But not for me...

I totally had you there for a second though.

Scooter was in an accident.



While biking down a hill at night, his front end locked up somehow and he face-planted into the pavement.

My hostel friends and I drove him to the ER where we later found out he broke his arm and loosened a tooth or two. Major bummer.

I think Scooter appreciated us (and me) helping him out, so he offered to let me stay at the hostel a few extra days. He also asked if I would keep an eye on the place while he takes a flight to get his teeth sorted and his arm looked at.

So, I've got a pad in Austin for a little while, as well as a place to store my motorcycle when I fly home for X-mas (just one week guys, no worries).

Things work out when you help people.

[ben2go]

Great update.Scooter sounds like a hooter.No wait.That's not right.Never mind.He sounds like a great character to hang out with.


Gawd!, my internet humor sucks out loud.

[ini88]

This is going to be a great RR. Just joining now but I love the free mind you are going in with this! have fun, ride safe, keep it cheap and post! :)

If you run low on funds, set up a paypal, people love giving to great ride reports.