Americas Trip 2006 - 2007

There is a saying, "preperation prevents piss poor performance" or the 4 P's...Preperation Prevents Piss Poor Performance

For many months, almost 2 years, I was confident that I would be completely prepared when I finally started my journey. I had spent countless hours reading books, maps, and websites. I would have the ultimate blog that would have the perfect pictures and itinaries. I actually wondered at one point if my trip would be a disappointment because I knew so much.

Week on the road proves more difficult than expected. Still waiting for the joy of the road.Here I am finally ready to leave from Motorgrrl, a motorcycle garage in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They thought I would never actually leave!!!
Week One:

I have been a bad boy by not neglecting this blog. Well, I have been punished with a broken ankle and tibia and will be catching up. My personal blog is updated though at www.motorcycleramblings.comBefore I started this trip I thought I would be the most diligent moto-blogger in the world. To my surprise, everyday there was some 'crisis' that occupied my day and I was lucky just to write some notes in my personal journal to preserve my fading memory.

The first few days heading west out of NYC were boring days on the freeways battling heavy crosswinds. It wasn't till I hit northern Iowa that I started to have some fun.June 2006

Encounter with a Buffalo Herd and maniacal touristsCuster State Park is a great riding area with hairpin turns everywhere and just outside the park there is plenty of off road trails. Just make sure you keep your eye on the road and not get distracted by Mt. Rushmore. One adventure I didn't expect was being chased by a Buffalo heard. My last morning in the park I took off early for the wildness road where there is great animal viewing including several Buffalo herds.

Leaving Calgary I finally reached the Canadian Rockies. I soon learned that summer truly has the worst weather in Canada. Overcast skies and fog ruled the day throughout the trip through the rockies.I had a nice campsite outside of Calgary, but only after hours riding around Calgary trying to find Highway 1 to Banff.

Upon seeing the snowcapped mountains of the Grand Tetons in Yellowstone National Park I felt like I was now crossing into western United States. I was really feeling like I was on a journey-- far from the northeast United States. Unfortunately, I had my first mishap in Yellowstone.

Sometimes things are not what you expect from reading the guidebooks.

I made it to Helena, Montana after my mishap in Yellowstone. Bill from Horizons Unlimited offered his home for me to rest up and work on the bike. It was a much needed rest, but soon I was back on the road and entering Canada.
I found Bill just as he was getting off from work and the local motorcycle dealer. He really loves his motorcycles. We had a good omen when a beautiful rainbow appeared as we were working on my bike.

I was on my way to Dawson City and the Dempster Highway. Someone I was on schedule to reach Inuvik by the summer solcistice of June 21, but Canada is a big country and even in the summer the weather can ruin your plans.It was long days of driving. The vastness of Canada is really incredible. I did stop at Liard Hotsprings, but the minute you got out of the water you were attacked by mosquitoes; so once again the relaxation in a nice hot spring alluded me.

I finally reached Dawson City and made some last preparations for the 500 mile journey to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories of Canada.

I finally turned south, it's all downhill from here. Crossed the ferry and entered British Columbia for a ride down the Cassiar Highway and on to the U.S. border.
Once again I the weather obscured my views of the scenery.

It was due west from Montana. The goal was to reach Oregon and attend a small motorcycle travelers meeting held by Eric and Gail Haws.I left Helena for Missoula where I got a new set of tires and then continued west on route 12 into Nez Perce Historic Park. When I stopped at the Lolo Pass Peak I was told of a small dirt road that is part of the original Lewis and Clarke trail.

I was intrigued and the next day decided to try it out from the midpoint entrance.

I was told by a elderly couple that I just had to see the Kenai Peninsula and especially Homer, Alaska. Well, that's all it took and I drove until midnight but I arrived at the beach of Homer Spit for a few days of rest.I reached the outskirts of Homer around dusk, which at this time of year was around 8pm.

I backtracked through Jasper and down to Montana to try again to ride the Road to the Sun and pickup some things at a friend's house in Montana. This marked the end of my northern tier and the beginning of the California coast ride.

I rode across the Top of the World Highway and once again was greeted by miserable weather. As I approached the Alaskan coast the weather improved and I found the beauty of Alaska.

I headed back inland to see George at BMW of Fairbanks and the to visit Denali before turning south.
My fork seals had been leaking for a week and I wanted them replaced so I hit the highway north to Fairbanks. George at Fairbanks Alaska is famous among northern BMW riders and it was only fitting that I meet him. Unfortunately, his incompetence almost cost me my life.

I stayed with the Haws for a few days and then head south for the Pacific Coast Highway.I decided to skip school and try again to find the Haws meeting place.

It was the last day and by the time I settled in everyone had left. :(

I was so happy to have made it up to Mike's Sky Ranch I figured it could only be easier on the way down, but I got a little surprise.I met two guys the night before and asked them to follow be down the road out because I was still worried about the road. I could handle to rocks, but that sand was something I never experienced before.

I finally crossed the border and immediately felt different.I stayed with another f650.com member in Chula Vista where I worked on the bike some more (and more and more)....

But soon I was off and crossing the border. After a brief stop in Ensenada I was off to Mike's Sky Ranch. Mike's is an off road mecca up a 20 mile steep dirt road. I didn't realize there would be sand, however. It took me 5 hours to get there but I was glad to be in one piece.