Cross Country

I also took a cross-country ride from New Hampshire to California and back the long way. I did it solo, and it was the most awesome experience of my life. I find it amusing that you didn't like the road from Durango to Ouray. I found God on that stretch of road, after an great night around the campfire at the KOA in Ouray with a bunch of guys from northern Colorado.

I did the stretch across Nevada on Hwy 50 at the suggestion of some guys on this forum. It was a welcome relief after freaking California, which I hope to never go to again.

I ended up moving to Colorado at the end of that year. The Kancamagus is great, but it's 33 miles. I can start out in Salida and go the back way home. It takes all day, and there isn't one minute where I'm not in awe of the incredible beauty of the country. Non-stop breathtaking, jaw-dropping riding. I love it here.

I said I'd never go back, but I had a granddaughter born in New Hampshire last Memorial Day. With about three days of preparation, I headed out on my bike and made a big loop to NH, down to GA, over to TX and then back to Colorado. It was about 6,000 miles. What I discovered on my first trip is that there are stores across the entire United States. I really didn't need that much. Tent, sleeping bag and rain gear on the handlebars, computer for writing in one saddlebag, clothes in the other. The day I got back to Colorado was the best day of the trip. (Except for meeting Chrome, Chuck and Cardboard of course)

Hey now ! Hot01. The problem with the "Highway of Death" was my bike was loaded down, two up and when we had to slow down in the back to back to back switchbacks(more like U Turns) to 8-12 mph the bike would wobble...as you know ithat was not someplace I felt comfortable about wobbling. I imagine you found God on that stretch of Hwy,lol.

There is much scenic riding in Colorado. The Silver Thread byway for one of many. Most have not heard of that place. I can see why you moved to Colorado.

Hey if you're ever out this way..PM me and I'll get you my home 20 and contact information. You never know..you could be stucvk or what ever?

Your fortunate. Are you retired? I get 5 weeks vacation a year and use all of it for riding purposes as well as days and weekends off. Thats pretty good for now, you always want more.

I hope I am blessed with retirement and health, I know how I will use it,lol.

And heck yeah about back road HD riding. My '83 FLHS has been down log roads, barely visible fire roads and up and down pipelines..she gets 'er done!

Carry less!

When I teach a class and we get to the part of dealing with passengers, I tell the students to remove the rear seat and foot pegs and tell their former passenger to take the class. Everybody laughs, but I mean it. :roflmao:

1) I'm not camping anymore, hence I don't need the camping gear. Don't have to, don't want to. After 4-500 miles on the day we both want A/C,shower,bed and TV. We camped all over the place and every where we went the first 25-28 years or so...no more. Well let me rephrase that...as long as we can afford hotels...if ever the money gets scarce I'll camp in a minute if thats what it takes to stay on the road.

2)My wife goes with me every where and prefers that. Being an owner operator of a motorcycle isn't for everyone, its not. Some folks should never own a motorcycle I don't care how many classes you provide. She has tried twice over our 30 years together and happily prefers to be on the back. Being 5 foot 1/2 inch isn't helping her cause either.


3)If lots of women start riding motorcycles who makes the sandwichs?

Real women can ride AND make sandwiches.

I know it's not for everyone. I had some fun riding with my friend on his '46 Flathead - rigid frame, foot pegs about 6" in front of my butt... made me feel young again. Until I had to get off. :roflmao:

ha ha good come back! I can see you're a fun person.

I'm a good cook too! Not really crazy about my sandwiches, but I make some mean biscuits, chicken 'n' dumplings... I'm drawing a blank right now. All kinds of good stuff. Oh, apple pie. Lots of good stuff.

And Chuck is a close personal friend of mine. :roflmao:

And who probably borrows money,lol.

:roflmao:

You know.....you're just about the perfect women.

Chuck lives in the middle of nowhere, so when I was going to meet him, he had me stop at this store on the corner of the middle of nowhere. I was supposed to call him, but I didn't have service. I went into the store to ask if they had a pay phone. Nope. So the girl asks where I'm calling, and I show her the number on my phone, and of course Chuck's name is there. So she was all cool about it and called him from her call phone because Chuck is a "close personal friend" of her father's. :roflmao: I found that incredibly amusing. I guess he's a big shot in those parts.

By the way your bike looks set up pefect. This was my solo ride for over 25-28 years:

Thanks! Nice bike.

That picture was taken in front of the Bath General Store. I had to pick up some smoked pepperoni for Chuck. I love that stuff. I don't know anywhere else to get that.