2500km ride.

[Moustache]

Well, word came down from superiors yesterday that I am shipping out to Winnipeg for a some months, possibly within the next two weeks   It's a minimum 2500km ride, if they don't make me fly. 

I'd have the luxury of hotel stays, so I won't need camping equipment. Other than my manual, tools, riding gear, and some clothing, what would be recommended to bring.  I only have a cheap set of saddle bags which I have taken on a couple 500km rides, and a back pack, space is therefore at a premium.

What essentials do you recommend?  Tire patch kit?
Thanks gang.

[NightHawked]

I would say a tire patch kit, consider air source. Other Items to fill a saddle bag, that you may never use: spare fuses, extra key, flashlight, $/cc stash, wire ties, electrical tape. That's a start. You know what fells right to you, but I might try to strap that backpack to the saddlebags/bike.

[gammer]

Well, word came down from superiors yesterday that I am shipping out to Winnipeg for a some months, possibly within the next two weeks

Oh man!...I guess we wont be getting much riding in together this summer.

[Moustache]

Well, word came down from superiors yesterday that I am shipping out to Winnipeg for a some months, possibly within the next two weeks

Oh man!...I guess we wont be getting much riding in together this summer.

Yeah, it sounds like early June to late August that I'll be away.

How's about a September ride?

[Moustache]

Well it's confirmed.  I will leave June 1st and return early September.   

3000km since last oil change.  Do I change it before or after the ride?   

Going to go get a cruise control deally, recommends? 

I've decided to travel light and to sleep under the stars, should be awe inspiring. 

A little worried about safety in light of the recent accidents experienced by forum members.

[Moustache]

this is the route so far. may change


http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?doflg=ptk&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=213655831196864330507.0004a43cfb3e9766f2e48&ll=46.841407,-84.160767&spn=1.42783,3.394775&t=h&z=8

[gammer]

Looks like a fun route. So are you tenting it? or Motel?
If it were me, I'd change the oil...just for peace of mind.

I use a Vista Cruise throttle lock as mentioned in this thread, and love it:
http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,6815.msg88863.html#msg88863

[hppants]

The Slime air compressor available at walmart is very compact and works.

If you ride with a tinted face shield, I'd bring a clear one as well.

Frogg Toggs make excellent cheap rain gear, or even an added wind breaking layer for colder weather riding.

Have you verified good cell phone service along your route?

Do you have a 12V auxilliary socket on your bike?  I mounted one on my handle bars for the GPS, phone charger, etc.  It's very valuable.

I'd contact your destination ahead and give them an expected date/time of your arrival, as well as your anticipated route.  Include a date and time at which, if they have not heard from you by then, they should consider a trigger point to begin back tracking your route on a search and destroy.  Program an "ICOE" (In Case of Emergnecy) contact in your phone with any phone numbers first responders may call in case you can't speak for yourself.

Oh, and please don't forget the camera.  I look forward to seeing your adventure.  Have fun.

[ak85lp]

this is the route so far. may change


http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?doflg=ptk&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=213655831196864330507.0004a43cfb3e9766f2e48&ll=46.841407,-84.160767&spn=1.42783,3.394775&t=h&z=8

The only suggestion I would have would be to forget going to Chapleau and keep on the Trans Canada (17) all the way to Sault St Marie. This road along Lake Superior is just perfect and the best scenery on the whole trip. It even ranks a close second to the Rockies out near Banff.

The road to Chapleau is nothing but logging trucks, jack pine, moose and boredom!!

[Moustache]

Jeff,
In order to make it a profitable trip I'm roughing it, no hotel, sleeping bag, airmattress, bivy bag, and a small tarp to make a lean to if it rains., plan to change the oil today.new plugs too. 
Got a throttle boss as well.  It sure is neat.

Pants,
I'll be talking to my wife at roughly the same time each night. and she knows the route.  I'm going to give my route to a couple of army buddys who are caging to the same destination as well.  If I'm late, they'll find me, thanks for the tip.   

I looked at Slime, it says for four wheels only, I got a plug kit, and a bicycle pump.  It'll be a pain I know, but hopefully enough to get me going if I need it.

Also the weak charging system on the 82 cb650sc doesn't lend itself well ti auxiliary.   I figure I'll grab a coffeee and plug to charge the Iphone in where I can.

Paul, I think your right,  I had never taken the 129 before and thought it would be good.   My wife agreees that Lake Superior is a superior route.  I wanted to avoid the Soo but I'll have to get through it quickly.

I'm hoping my starter rebuild kit shows up Monday, then I'll be leaving Tuesday morning as long as I don't horribly botch the job.  Will bring a camera,

cheer

[meatface]

I'm so looking forward to following this. Be smart. Drive careful. Enjoy.
 
Meatface

[Moustache]

A couple of pics from my phone of my set up. 

[Moustache]

Updated map with over night stops. 

 http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213655831196864330507.0004a44da183fcaad328b&z=5

[meatface]

 

[gammer]

+1

[Moustache]

Day one down.   A quick shot from my phone, i'll have more later.  It was a hot day.  No problems with the bike to report. 

I pulled off onto an unused logging road at about 19:00 under clear skies.  Rode about 1km up and set up camp.  A bed roll and a sleeping bag, gathered some wood made some dinner and got comfortable with the book my wife sent with me. "Wandering" by Herman Hesse.

No sooner than the sun had set the wind picked up and black clouds blocked out the stars. I strapped on my headlight and made sure all my kit was water tight. Good thing too, the sky cracked and for the next three or four hours lightning thunder and rain were my only companions, a nice break from the mosquitoes.

I managed to find sleep somewhere in it all and woke at around 06:00. The mosquitoes promptly began their assault, rather than suffer through it, I packed quickly forgoing coffee and breakfast and hit the road. 

As I pulled out onto the highway, a Blackbear cub was making its way across the road toward where I was.  A good omen, at least where I come from. 

[NightHawked]

Sounds like the old west and a good time. Stay safe, enjoy and keep us posted.

[ak85lp]

How are you updating things on here Brad?

Can you give us an idea each town, village,etc that you make camp? That way we can track your progress.

Ride safe on the old 82!!!

[Moustache]

I have my I phone. 

Last night I camped just outside Grundy Lake at Highway 69 and 522.

I' m currently eating in Lively, west of Sudbury.   Planning on getting to Lake Superior Provincial park tonight, maybe I'll
Go to Wawa and watch the Canucls tonight and get a hotel.  We'll see how my ass feels.

[Moustache]

[fortyhourdays]

Hey Moustache,
Great thread.  I somehow missed it until now.  Looking forward to your updates.

[meatface]

I wish I  could ride with you. Wouldn't that make an awesome ride, a whole pile of nighthawks, coast to coast.

Stay safe,

Meatface

[Moustache]

QThe ride was your typical man Vs nature story.   Today nature threw cold wind at me, all day, non stop And at every place but my back.  Nature was generous though and only tested me and didn't smash me to a million bloody pieces.

Riding a the highway through carved granite and along the north and east shores of Lake Huron is  too much beauty for any one person.  To really appreciate what is there one should walk it, but not too quickly.  

So many times I wanted to stop for a picture, which on the surface was just another lake, but the details my friends, the details hold the secrets and treasure.  I often rode right past them more concerned about my family and my material.

Onward then to Lake Superior.  If it was foolish not to fully absorb lake Huron, then I am at least twice the fool again.  I took many pictures, yes yes, pictures are only porn though.

  If I could sex a a lake, this would have been it.  I would not have given it the quicky my sort of ride I had today either.  I would sex it for weeks on end, only stopping to sleep on it's shores and bring it the worlds finest foods.
Get the point?

 This day of riding had me feeling like Dorothy.  I had a small fantasy about a lake  clicked my heels, and now it's a new day.  

Enjoy.
t

[FearThis SC]

Ride Safe....I've enjoyed reading your ride report!   

[gammer]

Good stuff Brad 

Thanks for keeping us posted. Looking forward to more.

BTW, did you end up rebuilding your starter?