Loaded up

Suzy doesn't want me to go, we've bonded since the layoff

Loaded up and almost ready to go, check out the yard sale saddle bags: $5 but I had to cut off the fringes.


My son (Hollywood) testing out the ergonomics

1 Day Left!

Well, I am almost ready to venture out, I have a few minor loose ends to tie up before I can leave. Oil change tomorrow, gather up everything I will be trying to fit on the bike, feed and water the chickens, and make one last trip to Walmart for some supplies. The tires are mounted, GPS is programmed, and I think I've got everything I'll be needing. I can't wait!

The Planned Route

View NY Trip 2010 in a larger map

Tires are here!

I got the front tire in last week, but I had a harder time locating the rear tire. It just showed up on my porch today, so now I am set. Just have to mount it. I had to make some adjustments to the front fender location, as the new tire is slightly larger than the stock size. Hopefully the rear will go smoother...I am going with these dual sport tires so I can ride on gravel or dirt roads easier. There are lots of them (dirt roads) down here, and I wanted to try something different anyway. We'll see they work. So far I like the front tire.
I still have to do an oil & filter change, but I have a few days for that.

Motorcycle Trip: Georgia to the Big Apple!

So my supervisor walks up to me at 4:50 Friday afternoon and hands me my separation notice. Just Freakin LOVELY! Just when I was getting caught up on bills, now I gotta find another job in this crappy economy. Oh well, that job was going nowhere anyway. The company filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy a few months back, and things were not looking good. They said there was not enough work to justify my (just above poverty level) salary. Luckily for me, my wife is understanding, and is being supportive. Four and a half years with the company, and the only raise I got was a pay cut last year. Not exactly upwardly mobile.

Sitting in the Department of Labor parking lot next to my bike, I notice some threads starting to show on the front tire. Perfect! The rear doesn’t look too hot either. That’s when it hit me: time for new tires, and a nice long trip to break ‘em in. But to what destination? How far should I venture away from home sweet home? The furthest I’ve been on the bike is about 200 miles, and I never pulled an overnighter.

I got the unemployment deal started, it won’t be enough to pay the bills, but I just sold my old truck, and figure if I can sell a few more things on CraigsList and Ebay, I’d be good enough to go. I’ll be taking a tent, and some Ramen Noodles and Oatmeal, I just need to pick up one of those little stoves to cook them. I do have some friends along the way, so I can grab a shower when things start to get nasty.

My parents still live on Long Island, maybe I should surprise them with a visit. Yeah, that’s the ticket! I can finally get to see the Tail of the Dragon, then take the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way up. My kids are in school until the end of May, so they won’t even miss me. I ordered my new tires, they should be here in a few days. Oil change is next. I’ll need a mount for my GPS, and some odds and ends for camping. I don’t have much money, but that will make it more exciting.

The bike is a 98 Bandit, she’s been very reliable, and I hope she continues in that fashion.