Updating the Technology

The Zumo 550 has been an outstanding GPS unit for the six or so years I've used it. 

However, GPS technology has advanced a great deal in the intervening years,  and the ZUMO has some shortcomings when used off the pavement.

Last night I ordered this puppy, the Garmin Montana 600.

It has the capability to load all manner of maps, including satallite imagery and nautical charts.  It will be useful paddling in Alaska this summer as it is waterproof and stoutly built. But the main purpose will be for navigating off-pavement.
A motorcycle mount is in the mail as well, and after a wiring change, it will be ready to go on the Mighty T-Dub.

While the Snow Flies

While some adventurous souls explore their traction envelope in the snow, some of us instead pull homeward and focus on other projects.

In my case it was a promised cabinetry project for the house, replacing an under-stairway desk with cabinets.

Today the doors were glued up, and after fitting, it's on to filling, sanding, priming and paint.

And now the snow's melted!

 

Portrait of Adventure

From

Touratech Zentrale

A Little Snow on the Ground

Big Tom is riding in Tibet right now.

Weather Cancels Ride

Riders,

Adventure takes many forms, and that includes dealing with weather.  I have spent weeks paddling a sea-kayak in the wet SE Alaskan rain-forest (and will again this year) and dealt with the weather.  I have ridden in 105F temps and dealt with the weather.  I've been blown around the road and dealt with the weather.  All of this was great adventure.  But riding on frozen surfaces is one thing I try to avoid.

My weather Guru, Cliff Mass, says the  ECMWF (European Center for Medium Range Forecasting) has the world's best global ensemble forecast. The average or mean of an ensemble or collection of forecasts tends to be more accurate than individual forecast model runs. http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/  The National Weather Service cites the latest ECMWF ensemble, their own predictions, and the Environment Canada runs in yesterday and today's Area Forecast discussion. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?prod=XXXAFDSEW&wfo=SEW

The upshot of it is Saturday evening the snow level drops to the surface and there is some chance of snow around the area.  

With this in mind, I'm cancelling the MLK Olympic Loop Ride and rescheduling for President's Day weekend, February 18-20th.  Several of you committed to this upcoming weekend, and I hope you will be available in February. 

Tonight, I'm giving a presentation at Ride West BMW on preparig your Dual-sport bike for Adventure Riding.  630 for Pizza and soda, 7pm for the show. Should be at least one laugh! http://www.ridewest.com/event_detail.asp?event=539315

Let's Ride!

New Running Lights

I try not to ride at night.  Piss poor night vision is one factor.  Wandering critters for another reason.  But as an urban commuter, I want to be seen by approaching vehicles.
I subscribe to the theory that our reptilian brains judge approach speed and distance of vehicles by the rate that their headlights widen.  Therefore, auxiliary lights on a motorcycle mounted vertically aong the headlight axis are not nearly as efficacious as widely mounted lights.
So on the handguards of my T-Dub are now a pair of automotive daylight running lights.  About six inches wide, bright white LEDs define the width of my bike.   
Every little bit helps.  Pics coming soon.

New Horns

Okay, I tried to get more mileage out of my Stebel Compact Nautilus horn.  It spent the first two years of it's life mounted to the left crash bar of my DL650 V-Strom, protecting me from distracted and oblivious cagers in the urban rat-wheel. Another year on the T-Dub, and the end was near.  My over-eager attempt to "fix" the horn brought it's quick demise.  I tried.  Honest I did.
It was revealing how often I cover the horn button in urgan riding.  I don't hit the blaster often, but I cover the button frequently.  Knowing I had no horn brought me quickly to it's replacement.
What comes next?   A Pair of Fiamm Freeway Blasters. One was loud.  Two is impressive.  I think they'll hear me.  Can't be too visible.  Or too loud. Loud pipes may not save lives, but loud horns get's them off the phone!
I'm just saying......
Let's Ride!

Let's Ride

Okay Riders,

My New Years Resolution is to Have More Fun!

What does that mean? Riding.  Adventure Riding.

There's a three day weekend coming up, Martin Luther King Jr Holiday, January 14-16th.

Riding in January- Hmmm. Snow in mountains, must stay low. Olympic Peninsula!

Yea, that's it.  Weather is the Adventure!

Here's the plan: Saturday catch the 0750 boat from Edmonds  to Kingston, ride Highway to Port Angles and breakfast at Garden Cafe.  Back route out of town, leave Hwy 101 near Lake Crescent for Joyce and Hwy 112.  Hwy 112 to Clallum Bay then Neah Bay.  Camp at Hobuck Beach http://www.hobuckbeachresort.com/ Laid back Surfers campground, spotty wi-fi, Verizon coverage and a hot shower.  A favorite spot of mine.  Possible Saturday side excursions to Elwa Dam deconstruction site, FS roads  above Piedmont, and Cape Flattery Trail. Fellow named Kim smokes the best fish around in Neah Bay.  Hope he's open in January.  The Res is dry, so bring your adult beverages.  Firewood may be wet, I'm bringing some of my own.  There are cabins at Hobuck is it's miserable wet, but for me the weather is the adventure.

Sunday, it's back down Hwy112 to Forks, breakfast with the Twighlight hordes at the Forks Coffee Shop http://www.forkscoffeeshop.com/, then down 101 past Lake Quinalt. We head East on Donkey Creek/FS22 road to Lake Wynoochee and look for a campsite.  Coho campground is closed in the winter, but a remote lake shore site may be possible.  Parts of FS22 pare paved, but it's mostly a well graded gravel road (or it was last June!).  Firewood will be wet.

Monday, we head south from the Lake on a great paved road, the head east to Shelton on back roads.  I suspect it's all or mostly paved. The north up 101 along Hood Canal and back to Kingston.

None of this route is over 800' in elevation, but frozen weather will cancel.  Don't mind camping in it, but I don't want to ride in it.  Long term forecasts are improbable, I'll make the weather decision Thursday the 12th.

Weather's the Adventure, test your gear and foul-weather riding.  I'm bringing Tarpzilla, and a special fire starter.  I plan to enjoy an adult berage or two by the fire.

 Here's a Google Map of the route: http://g.co/maps/s32yq

 Here's a link to a cool mapping Website with the route posted http://ridewithgps.com/routes/882134

You can export the route from this site in several file formats. 

Let me know if you want to join.

2012: More Fun, More Adventure Riding.

Let's Ride!

-Reverend Bill

aka Bill Hucks

206 755-0947

reverendbill1@gmail.com