I should probably talk a little bit about my gear and stuff I brought along for this trip seeing I've made it for 5 days on two-wheels traveling to and through places I've never been. To begin with I've been wearing a basic water-proof Firstgear jacket and connecting pants (they don't make the jacket anymore) http://www.firstgear-usa.com/fgweb3.nsf/home?openform and it's been really comfortable during all the weather changes and even ok for the hike I did with the vents open along with AlpineStar boots http://www.alpinestars.com/Ridge_Waterproof_Boot/pd/c/113/np/113/p/244207.html. Probably the most important piece of gear has to be the base layer that I was very impressed with. I am a gear person and have plenty of technical & performance shirts, but I rocked a bamboo shirt for this trip http://www.footprintbamboo.com/men-long-sleeve-bamboo-base-layer.aspx and could not have been happier with it! If you know me I have my OCD tendencies and tend to shower at least twice a day and like to be clean - so wearing this bamboo shirt for over 2000 miles for 5 days in a row sans washing probably sounds pretty gross, but this shirt totally rocks!! Does NOT smell and kept me comfortable in all the temperature changes experienced. Same with the bamboo socks - so comfy and gave me happy feet...both are being washed today - major props to Footprint Bamboo :D
On the Uly I installed some aluminum panniers from http://www.whitehorsegear.com/ that were supposed to go on my KLR, but that mount has been used as a daily commuter in the city so no need for aluminum cases with the tail case. The cases I purchased are no longer available, probably b/c they were so inexpensive. I connected the cases with a Happy Trails rack and puck system http://www.happy-trail.com/Products/Buell-Ulysses-SU-Side-Rack__HTP2-1-1B.aspx and after smashing into a concrete wall with the left one can attest the quality and strength of both :o The Ortlieb large dry bag http://www.ortliebusa.com/default.asp is attached with two ROK Straps http://www.rokstraps.com/ and two orange bungee straps from WalMart. What seems to get the most comments from everyone on this trip are the fuel packs http://www.rotopax.com/ mounted on the panniers - I think they are the bomb - carrying extra fuel you can go a lot further without having to think about stopping and even help out anyone along the way if they run out. I found the Cortech 18liter http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/catalog/Cortech-p-1-c-2.html seems to fit the Buell air intake box (it's not a gas tank - gas is stored in the frame on the Uly) pretty well, but it will require some re-positioning during the ride after a big crosswind hit. I also installed a CeeBailey touring windscreen, but they get no props because it's cracked, but that maybe do to too much torque on one of the screws. I'll look at new windscreens when I return home. I picked up all these things over the course of 6 months and researched plenty of options - props for all the FARKLE
So with all that stuff attacked to the Uly I packed enough clothing for all the weather - extra riding jacket & pants, camera, mini video cameras, rescue knife, two flasks of Jim Beam (post ride only!), tent, sleep bag, waterproof hat, lots of cool t-shirts with skulls on them, a few books and my laptop. Now that I've unpacked most of it on Gingles floor I'm sure I could've brought more! Of course to me the most important thing I brought on this trip is my Traveler Guitar http://www.travelerguitar.com/products/escape-series/eg-1/ :D
You can guess that I've just been relaxing all day today doing nothing and happy to do so with a Corona in my hand and looking forward to a Friday in Phoenix. Happy Friday to everyone!!!
"Twirling round with this familiar parable
spinning, weaving round each new experience
recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this chance
to be alive and breathing"
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