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August 27, 2011
Douglas Makes it Home
One of the guys I rode with on this trip was a dude named Doug on a brand new bright yellow BMW GSA 1200.
"Do those come in mens' colors, or just chartreuse and fuchsia? " I asked.
I was jealous, of course. I think his saddle bags cost more than my bike, but he was a way cool guy and a lot of fun to ride with for a couple of days.
Doug snapped this photo of me on the road, one of the few that exist, fortunately. Note the Filson tank bag, Irish Setter cycle boots, HJC helmet with flames, R-strap on Canon EOS 50D, 17-85mm lens, Clarke 4.7 gallon desert tank, Victoria flag. There's just so much to like about this photo. I should get sponsorship for these trips. Maybe I could get Pez to sponsor me...they could make a pez dispenser with my HJC helmet on it.
This shot was taken on the banks of the Skeena River in British Columbia, Canada. It was really a spectacular drive. Bald eagles fishing along the river banks. Low clouds of mist hanging beneath the mountain tops. This photo was taken only a few kilometers from the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary.
Unlike me, Doug actually planned his trip out in advance. As a result, when I was rolling into Prince George, he was rolling through Jasper, Banff, and Glacier. Doh! Why didn't I think of that?
I'm mentioned in his blog here and here.
In any event, Doug has made it home safely, apparently, which is good to hear, as there are a lot of things that can go wrong on a bike trip that was probably around 5,000 miles. I only went 4,000 miles and I can't tell you how many times I was almost taken out by deer, bears, and other vehicles. I'm sure his wife, peacocks, and parrots are glad to see him home safely.
I, on the other hand, having been off the road for 6 days, am starting to get some feeling back into my hands. I'm able to move my left leg and have regained partial control of my left (clutch) hand. I'm now able to stand upright, with difficulty, and can walk several steps in a row without crying out in pain.
And, of course, I am chomping at the bit for my next little bit of lunacy. I leave on Monday for a grand tour of Yosemite on the XR, then drop over to Mono Lake, Nevada. From there, we have a few options....Burning Man, St Anthony's, Glacier, Yellowstone....it's so hard to stop once you get going.
I dunno for sure what I'll do, honestly. And I don't want to paint myself into a corner like I did for the Alaska venture. My goal is to see Yosemite, and then I have to do something with the bike...drive it home..ship it...sell it...I dunno. I do sort of have this half-crazy plan in my head to try to get all of my motorcycles into one time zone. I know. It sounds crazy. But part of me thinks I should try to do it.
Sitting around the house watching "Long Way Round" doesn't help things. I can tell you that.
Posted by Rob Kiser on August 27, 2011 at 10:31 PM
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