Rain, really?

It's 50 degrees, we've just hit the Ohio border and NOW it starts raining, time for a wardrobe change.

Phil


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rolling home

Alex and Gayla took delivery of the '80 Bajaj 150, made us a batch of special pickles and sent us on our way. Much thanks and love.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Casa Tasi

Wow, this doesn't suck


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Gettysburg wrap up

Simply fantAstic rally, Well done Soul Survivors. Got to meet a lot of folks from the ADVrider forum and the Underground Terrorists MC. Let a lot of folks take spins on the MadAss and learned our touring seat is not short rider friendly. Proper dinner and shower tonight in Annapolis, then fingers crossed well wrap it all up tomorrow.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monsoon

Made the right choice, west of somerset is a pure deluge.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rain - Rain - Go Away!

We're gonna use an option play here and run part of the trip backwards....

Since the forecast for the next 2 days from here to Annapolis is nothing but rain, we're gonna truck to the NSP Rally in Gettysburg, then run to Annapolis on Sunday / Monday and run home from there in the 70° Sunshine forecasted for Monday.

Keep your fingers crossed...with James currently sick as a dog we're not exactly into the idea of making him any worse.

A Few pics to enjoy...

A Few pics to enjoy...

A Few pics to enjoy...

Reserve???

While on our trip we discovered that when you switch to reserve you have very little time until you are actually out of gas. We took advantage of our day off to determine exactly how much gas you have once you switch over and the answer is 16 ounces!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Prep for final run

Today I'm going to do a valve adjustment, oil change and see if I can figure out what wire got split that is causing the turn signals and brake light to mess up, call me crazy but I'm certain it has something to do with the seat modification we made in Lincoln, NE.

Home...at least for a bit.

Came home to an inop furnace, cold, empty house and a hungry cat. Managed to fix the furnace, didn't feed the cat. Great to be home, warm and not driving anything a change.

It's nice

To know in a few hours I'll be home in Cleveland getting back to work for a few days before finishing up the last leg of this road trip. Then getting to spend a few days of R&R at the NSP rally in gettysburg.
James


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rolling out of chicago

Rain, rain stay away!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Chocolate

The M&M / Mars factory makes Galewood in Chicago smell choclatey delicious, thank you Chicago for another mini-rally. Oil changed, chain adjusted, decided to get to Cleveland b4 changing rear tire. Hoping to stay in front of the rain, first turn is always hardest because it means city traffic and nothings warmed up yet.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Nearly home, in Chicago

At the Kat Klub....winding down.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I-80 approaching IL

James holding 65 on I -80


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Is this heaven?

No it's Iowa. Blue skies about 60* out and holding a steady pace seems like it's gonna make the longest leg of our journey an easy one. I'm feeling under the weather probably due to the ride yesterday. Might have to make Phil do a few of my turns on the bike ;). Nah it's not that bad today.
James


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

E85 not cool

While in Nebraska we opted for a tank of e85 "gas" for the support truck, it was $1.69 compared to the $2.39 for regular unleaded. Enticing as the savings may have been, the mileage has been awful, we usually get 400 miles / tank, the low fuel light came on at just over 300. I'm glad we decided not to "test" it in the MadAss.

Lincoln, NE - barely met ya.

We hit town at just after 2am and Brought the bike directly into our hotel room. Passed out immediately. I don't think it was the fumes. 488 miles in 11+ hours is our best time by far on this trip.


This morning may have been the best breakfast we've had. there's a Perkins next to our hotel, getting on the bike @ 42* felt impossible, so, we decided to eat a monster breakfast while it warmed up. Were shooting for Chicago today which is over 500 miles. We've accepted the fact we may come up short, but it would be really nice to know that we were only 2 days from home and a day off in our home town.
Phil

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Movin...

Temp went up to 50*
Traffic is super light going through York, NE. Semi lost a recap tire and at least 6 cars hit it bad, support van straddled it, air dam took a hit, James narrowly missed it on the bike. Recaps? Awful. Sposed to be 58* w/ light chance of rain tomorrow. If we get to Lincoln 2nite I'll be thrilled, but no party, just sleep.
Phil aka tweaky mcCoffeebuzz


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Chillin'

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

N platte, NE

Cold but fast. On the plains now we moved up to the 100 main and were flying still doing 80-90 miles per driver, but able to coast and burn from 65-70mph.
Warmth of the van is a great motivator, passing off prewarmed gloves and keeping your helmet by the heater means 30 minutes b4 you feel chilly. Drafting has become a science. 8% speedo error means tons of "road math" to keep you sharp, debating on the intercom whose sums are better. Now hitting reserve doesn't come as a surprise the way it used to. Good cloud cover and no more rain is making it feel warmer. Knock wood should make Lincoln by 2am.

Phil aka "crampy mclowerback"


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Kansas or Nebraska

Were on I-80 and there isn't much to report. We can hold 65 may need to upjet slightly at the next big gas stop. It's cold and wet but no hard rain. So it's more just getting used to the temp. No idea where or when we'll be stopping.
James



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Weather, blech

We've been lucky, but it looks like our luck had run out. A call from a friend warned us of dropping temps and rain in NE, unfortunately we had already voted NE over KS, we'll see how it progresses and make a decision before we get to Sterling which is the last option for getting on US 6.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Outta Denver

Brunch at Sputniks with bottomless mimosas, weather is A+ secured indoor parking at Pavlos apartment meant not unloading valuables from the van or stripping everything off the MadAss.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Denver...

Arrived in Denver today after 250 of


the most amazing miles I've ever seen, roads are excellent and folks seem to drive pretty well. Got off the beaten path and ran Rt. 6 into golden to meet up with Jedis Scott and Pavlo. Great fun twisting along the river occasionally tunneling through the mountains on either side. Stumbled right into the Golden Car Cruise, 3 odd looking scoots fit right in and we got a good bit of attention from the streetrod guys. Got to check out the oldest bar in CO, then the largest selection of single malts outside of the UK, and went to an intimate little club called Shotgun Willies, drinks were expensive, but the service and entertainment was top notch.
Got to catch up with old friends and make some new ones at the same time.
Looking forward to our run into Nebraska and think we'll be looking for any roadside attraction prevent boredom.
Ran the 95 main jet for most of the day, I probably should have tried hunting down a 90, but taking off the pre-filter compensated by letting in a little more air, everything was running well at 5420' albeit a little less punch than usual. The spark plug looked pretty rich which is to be expected.

Finally in Denver

We've arrived...no more mountains


please.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Last Shrine Pass pic

What a difference a day makes, after taking 13 hours to cover only 510 miles, knowing we're only doing 250 today makes us appreciate the beauty around us. We'd heard about Shrine Pass and we made it a point to check it out. AMAZING views, sketchy road (snow&slush) on red clay makes for an interesting ride, esp in the shadows. 11,470' at the highest point keeps you sipping the air and holds the MadAss with tight reigns. We ran down to Black Lake and got a few action pictures on the very isolated road.

Next Stop...

We're meeting up with Jedi Scotty at the Buffalo Bill Memorial outside Denver for the ride in.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Shrine Pass #3

Riding along Black Lake


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Shrine Pass #2

Not a bad view.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Shrine Pass

11,412' Beautiful views 46*


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Scooter Scoop Talks About Dr. MadAss

Hey folks, Please take the time to read the excellent write up that we got from our friends at The Scooter Scoop.

Also, if you get a chance, please feel free to visit our supporters websites listed in the side bar. At Peirspeed you can learn all about the MadAss, at Fulmer you can learn all about the sweet ADV helmet Phil is pictured wearing, and at the POC sight you can learn a bit more about us. Stay tuned for more of Dr. MadAss' adventures.

WOW!

This is one of the most beutiful roads I've ever ridden. No matter what lays ahead I would rather be broken down in gods country CO then spend the ride back through the devils armpit AZ . Little chilly but worth it for the scenery.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Heading for Denver

Weather report now calling for a high of 61 in Vail, were hoping they're right, we've said a small prayer to Dick Goddard, and were on our way. Low octane for low oxygen.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Grand junction

Brrrr, 6 coffee stops, scarab winter gloves held good for a few hours, had to pass off the winter elite gloves to each other at fuel stops. Massive hills and passes. Salina was last gas/support for 110 miles. Made a few extra stops to swap to a warm rider. Rain suits over riding gear keeps you much warmer. Literally NOTHING to see but massive Rocks lit be a full moon, beautiful and eerie.

Trail Of Tears

James paying tribute to previous travellers.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Time for less gas!

We were really begging for more air at 7250' 10 points lower seems to be the ticket.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bestest helmet for on-bike snacking...

Only Fulmer's new ADV HELMET gives you enough chin area to accomodate a man-sized beef jerky.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Driver change 2

Weather is fantastic, tailwind, pushing hard to make grand junction today so well only have 250 miles thru the mountains to Denver for tomorrow. windshield makes us faster which helps us maintain speed on hills. Mileage doesn't seem to have changed much.
Phil


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Missing Vegas

Driving out of Vegas was one of the hardest things I've done on this trip. Mainly because it was hard leaving the tiki drinks and the bright lights. But the first leg of the trip wast longer we sat down and ate breakfast not feeling to bad today even after the double down saloon and the ride yesterday. We're gonna attempt to push thru to grand junction today so tomorrows ride is shorter distance wise.
James

Leaving las Vegas

Great night out last night at Frankies Tiki Room, then over to the Double Down. Harley Rally is rolling in as we're rolling out!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Double Down

Standard punk dive bad pic


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Picture from earlier

Forgot to post this earlier. Pictures worth a thousand err well a few hundred miles.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 1 DONE

Not a single hiccup, unloaded 2nd bike for touring Vegas.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Baker-chillin'

Definitely putting the windshield on tomorrow, James is taking the last 80 miles to Vegas. Lookin forward to tiki and a little gambling.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dancin headlight

Phil must be getting cramped up. Headlights moving around an awful lot . Suppose it could be the heavy winds .

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My first stretch

Well not nearly as bad as I was anticipating. I was holding an indicated 64. Through the elevation change it was able to hold up pretty well. The bead seat was a tremendous help. All in all it was pretty rad.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Stop 1

94 miles in - 1st driver change, getting out of San Diego was pretty hairy. "hey, let's have a traffic jam!"


- Posted from my iPhone

Motorsport Scooters

Just hit the door at Motorsport San Diego we'll be launching shortly.
James


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A week of firsts

It should be no suprise that I don't try new things very often.
So traveling across the country I'm experiencing alot of things for the first time such as Los Angeles. It's a beutiful city lots of rolling hills and mountains. I also tried sushi for the first time. We are on our way to San Diego to finally start the riding portion of this trip.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sushi on Melrose

We were able to hook up with Jedis Amy and Kyle for Sushi on Melrose, now it's off to San Diego for our much anticipated launch.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone