New camera test!

So, I want to shoot video of the trip and I got a GoPro camera so that I can get some good footage.  Below is my first test run with some very amateur editing. It runs kinda jumpy on my computer, but I think my computer is a little slow.  Hopefully it runs better on yours.

Enjoy!

...and test #2

So, I just watched the videos on the blog and you just can't tell how nice the video quality is ...but it's really good!

100 Mile Shakedown Ride

That's me on my shakedown ride.  I rode about 100 miles and about half of that on dirt roads ...that have gotten very rutted over the winter! Nine days until I hit the trail!!

I packed the KLR as closely as I could to how I will pack it for the Trans America Trail ride: clothes, tools, tent, sleeping bag and pad, and even a little food (not much ...just a snack for the ride really).  I figured I needed to do some miles on the new tires, the new oil change, and fully packed.

That's the bike fully packed: Hard tail case, soft saddlebags, soft "nerf bar" bags up front, two dry bags (one with clothes, one with camping stuff), and a camp chair.   That's it.  Hope that's enough for a 5000 mile dirt ride!  Everything I read says people tend to bring too much.  So, I am trying to keep my load down.

It rode really well.  I could not even tell it was packed.  It just rode like it always does.  In fact it felt better today.  Maybe that's the new tires ...not sure.  Anyway, quite a successful shakedown ride.  Nothing fell off, nothing blew up, no major problems, no minor problems.

I am definitely going to be hot though.  Even with all my vents on my pants and jacket open, it was a little hot today  ...and it going to get WAY hotter on the trail ...like in Nevada for instance.  That's all for now.  More updates later!

Maps, Maps, Maps ...me eyes hurt from Maps!

  See the purple line with the black dots?  That's my route. It's also marked on the paper map.  I am entering the GPS track by hand.  To do this I basically highlight the road that I want to travel on by clicking each point which leaves the purple line behind it connected to the last point.  Point click.  Point click.  Point click.  Look at the paper map.  Point click ...and so on for 5000 miles!

So far, I have made it into Utah.  It's taken HOURS of pointing and clicking to get me to Utah.  Now I just have to make it to Oregon ...point click, point click!

Changing Earl

I have never changed the oil in anything, until today!  I watched a youtube video, bought some oil, an oil catcher thing, and a filter and got to work.

This is me pondering the situation.

...and draining the oil.

 ...and putting in the new filter.

...and the new oil.

 ...and giving the universal happy sign.  

(I had a different sign ready if things did not go well.)

So, now I am ready to hit the Trans America trail in exactly two weeks from today with new tires and new oil!  I am sure I will think of other stuff to do in the next two weeks.  I will keep ya updated!

New Tires Are On!

OK, so motorcycle tires don't stretch ...at all.  This makes them a joy to put on.  I mean, I know that shops have fancy gizmos that just plop them on ...at least that's how I imagine it.  But try it with a couple of little levers.  Motorcycle tires do not stretch.  Mountain bike tires are cake to change, done it many times.  Motorcycle tires do not stretch ...ever.  So, it's all about technique and cussing.  Technique complements of www.Youtube.com   ...cussing complements of me  ...or maybe my parents from a genetic stand point.

I did the front tire first ...it's already on in the picture above.  Not so bad and no so much cussing.  But the back tire  ...dang ...DANG.  Not easy at all.  I really almost gave up.  I just laid down in the grass and stared up at the trees.  I could not get the *&$*ing tire on the rim.

Then I thought about the videos on youtube ...then I lost my temper and got all incredible hulk on it's ass ...then the tire went on.  It actually surprised me.  I think I had given up all hope and was just having a little fit.  But, that little fit was enough to get the tire on!

So, that's my bike with two brand new Dunlop D606's on it.  I only used my tools that I will be carrying with my on the TAT trip.  I did not bleed once.  And, now I am supremely confident that I can fix a flat tire on the trail if need be  ...I would be OK if I never changed another tire again, though.  Motorcycle tires do not stretch.