Motorcycles To

Don the leather motorcycle jacket, lace up the biker boots, throw your leg over the saddle. But, be prepared and be aware, you never know what lurks around every twistie or just over any gentle roll.

"Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul."

We ride a lot.....7,000 miles a year. Granted, a chunk of those miles are my trips to and from work, but on the weekends we will ride all day and into the night. Most treks are the ones that I let the bike, Apache Rose, take us where she pleases. Miss Rose is a 1999 Drifter. Her 1500cc purr seems to have its way with me.

From time to time, my wife and I will actually plan where we are going. And those ventures are what the Motorcycle To series will encompass. Our trip along the Ohio River, the '4 Days No Freeways' trip, Metamora Indiana are just a few of the planned trips we will discover.

I said planned didn't I? Well, yes I did. The enjoyment of every trip begins well before the tires roll. Let's take a long hard look at pre-trip preparation........

"Only a Biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window."

This is the planning segment where I get stoked. I'll spend hours hunkered down, pouring over maps, photos,websites and the like. Getting excited about every little nugget of info I find along the printed squiggly line that leads to the destination.

People who've tripped with us have marveled at my mastery of natural navigation and knowledge of even the tiniest morsels of trivia about places along the trip. Little do they know, I take preparation for each trip as if it were a mini-course on some subject I truly enjoy.

Okay......before you pick the place; know the distance you want to travel, how long are you willing to make the trip, and how often do you want to stop.

• Know The Distance




• Traditionally trips are gaged by 50 miles an hour, at least that's what tells us, and that's by car.


• We usually allow 90 minutes for 50 miles when we bike it (we stop often)




• How Long Do You Want To Be Gone?




• Hours, Days, Weeks, etc.
  
• This will work towards finding the distance you can travel




• How Long Between Stops?




• If you know how long before you start to get the numb butt, you can plan fuel stops, food stops, etc.
  

"Warning: objects seen in mirror are disappearing rapidly."

This my favorite part. Maps to me are works of art. Interpretation is dependent upon the soul. Some see maps as a way to get from point A to point B, where I look at them to find the coolest way to get from here to there.

When mapping, take your time. Pour over every possible route, and choose what looks like the most fun. Every trip is more than one destination and back. Every stop along the way can also be a destination.

My current favorite is . The features offered are astounding. Place marks, highlighting, and the 'search nearby' are outstanding when planning a bike trip. Of course , these maps can be printed off so you can take them with you.

I usually look at the map during the trip as a means to stroke my own ego. 'Yeah, just where I thought we were.'

Unless you can waterproof your Google map, it's good to have a back up. Try Fab Maps.They're virtually indestructible. I think there are 5 maps in Apache's saddle bags. Three of which are Ohio maps, as I tend to collect them.

The trip can turn pretty sour if you have mechanical problems along the way. Most especially if they are problems that could have been easily dealt with before you left.

"Hell hath no fury such as that of a scorned woman; especially if she's standing on the berm of a freeway mid-day August whilst the abashed driver is scurrying to find water for the overheated steed."

Take care of the essentials before you go and you will have eliminated about all of the breakdown possibilities. Brakes, all fluids, tire pressure and wear, battery, ignition system (tune-up), and air shocks(if applicable) all should be checked and up to snuff.

One trip to the , three of the four bikes experienced front end "wobble" when cornering. When we discussed this as a group, the fourth (The Old Guy) asked if we kept our tire pressure in the middle of the suggested range. We all said yes, and he told us to increase the pressure to the maximum. Next stop, we did just that and, EUREKA! The "wobble" disappeared.

For really solid tire tips see , which by the way, seem to be the best tires for Apache.

"Never hesitate to ride past the last street light at the edge of town."

"Sometimes it takes a whole tankful of fuel before you can think straight."

Hair Dryer, make-up kit, three changes of clothes for each day, six pairs of shoes, and a change of underwear for the guy (is this where I need to duck the incoming rotten tomatoes and rocks?).

Where's My Sandals?

Actually, there is a way to take all those things and more. We have used to get some of the extras, if you will, to the motel we are staying. If you phone ahead, most Inns are more than happy to make sure you get the package, and will be more than glad to send it back home.

But, before you can think about the extras, you need to consider these items. A cell phone, first-aid kit, small tool kit (including a tire pressure gauge), rain gear, 'clears' (for night riding), sweatshirts,a camera, and maybe some snacks.

During one of our Smoky trips, the group we were with wanted to ride the , an infamous stretch of highway loaded with ups and downs and switchback turns, all but one bike that is. That couple decided to break away for the day and meet us back at the hotel.

Well......the rest of us had ridden the

The Dragon

Dragon and were stopped at a gas station while on our way to another great stretch of road. Just as Deb (my wife) had entered the bathroom, her cell phone had chimed. More like buzzed her silly. It was the wife of the other party. They had laid down the bike on a lazy parkway road and were waiting for an ambulance.

We made the ride back to the Marysville Tennesee Hospital in short order, to find that Curtis had cracked ribs, and Sheila a busted elbow.

Ahhhh.....but I do digress, and this story is for another Motorcycles To lens......

"Bikes don't leak oil, they mark their territory."

Watch in the upcoming months for the Motorcycles To to unfold right here in the Community. Until then....two wheels down!