My Current Motorcycles
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2012 Yamaha Super Tenere The Second
My Previous Motorcycles
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2008 KTM 990 Adventure
 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere |
2009 Buell Ulysses
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 2008 Yamaha WR250R |
All Prior Motorcycles
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A real life comparison of my Buell Ulysses, Yamaha Super Tenere, and KTM 990 Adventure
Motorcycle Related Links
Forums and Rides
AdvRider - Motorcycle discussion board, tends to lean toward the off-road "adventure" type
Horizons Unlimited - Extreme motorcycle traveling; intercontinental, life-changing type ride information here Trans-America Trail - The ultimate route information for adventure riding across the United States. Trans-Wisconsin Trail - Dual Sport route up through Wisconsin Trans-Labrador Highway - The ultimate in getting away from it all, that's within a reasonable distance. The Best Of Ride Reports - All the best ride reports on AdvRider. You can waste years of your life reading stuff in here. You've been warned. |
Stores and Products
Two-Wheel-Vinyl - Reflective vinyl decals, including North America Map Decals!
Make It Stick Media - Custom decals, printed or die-cut, in reflective vinyl Teiz Motorsports - Affordable riding suits, and various other gear Alaska Leather - Home of the Sheepskin Butt Pad White Horse Gear - Good source for general gear, RAM stuff, books, and videos DDM Tuning - High quality, Low cost HID Conversion Kits. SteverStove - Best Alcohol Burning Stoves on the Market! |
Planning for my next ride(s)
Mountain Loop
See Details HERE (or above on in the Mountain Ride tab). The basic idea is ride solo 2000 miles to Las Vegas, where I'll pick up Alicia and zig zag through about 11 National Parks (including the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains) on our cruise back to Columbus. Total trip mileage is about 5500, and could be doable in about 14 days.
I did a sort of preview of this ride in the fall of 2013, it was a great experience, but I missed out on the National Parks and much of the famous off-roading and dirt roads, so it's on my list to go back soon.
I did a sort of preview of this ride in the fall of 2013, it was a great experience, but I missed out on the National Parks and much of the famous off-roading and dirt roads, so it's on my list to go back soon.
Northeast Loop
This third loop would complete my goal of riding through all the US states AND Canadian Provinces (Hawaii and Nunavut not being reachable by road, and therefor, not being included in my current counting). The trip includes extensive unpaved routes, and therefor would be best ridden solo. The route would head northeast through Quebec, then riding the length of the Trans-Labrador Highway. A ferry would be necessary to Newfoundland, and another ferry to Nova Scotia. New Brunswick is the final Territory before reentering the USA in Maine. Some zig zagging will be necessary to include all the northeastern states, but it would be easily accomplished. This final loop would cover 4500 miles in approximately 14 days. Details HERE.
Mexico Ride
Mexico has vast opportunities to experience different terrain, history, and culture, and is easily within reach of the average US citizen. Largely overlooked due to the bad press, Mexico is often regarded as a fantastic vacation or travel area by those with experience. A couple ferry options open both the Baja (north west) and the Yucatan (south east) peninsulas to traveling (without backtracking). This trip would require both the most preparation and planning, as well as the most time.
Options range from 5500 miles (3500 miles to and from, and 2000 miles in Mexico, with 1 small ferry crossing) to 7000 miles (3500 miles to and from, and 3500 miles in Mexico, with 1 small and 1 large ferry crossing).
Details (mostly coming soon) HERE.
Options range from 5500 miles (3500 miles to and from, and 2000 miles in Mexico, with 1 small ferry crossing) to 7000 miles (3500 miles to and from, and 3500 miles in Mexico, with 1 small and 1 large ferry crossing).
Details (mostly coming soon) HERE.
Further Destinations And Rides On My List
In no particular order; these range from month long rides, to day trips to interesting spots.
Abandon Tunnels and Turnpike
The Pennsylvania turnpike has a few abandon sections with tunnels. As I'm a sucker for abandon places, this looks like a cool as heck place to explore. Information Here. There are two tunnels within a longer stretch outside Breezewood, PA, as well as a shorter abandoned tunnel in Forbes State Forest. I can't find any information newer than the mid to late 90's. Perhaps these are bike paths now, or simply gone. I don't know, but I'd like to go find out.
Trans-American Trail (TAT)
This started as an all dirt/gravel/unmaintained road route from the middle of Pennsylvania all the way to the west coast of Oregon. Since it's inception, many sections have been paved or closed, but overall, it's still an awesome ride. Route information can be found here. There are several ride reports posted, including this one with a Buell, and this good one.
All the other Trans Trails
The Trans-American Trail (above) has spurred a fantastic trend. Lengths of back roads are being linked together all over the country.
The Trans-Eastern-Trail currently links Illinois to Maine to Florida. I've traveled a stretch of this trail in West Virginia, and it's a fantastic mix of tiny paved back roads, as well as plenty of gravel and dirt.
There is a Kentucky Adventure Tour, an Oklahoma Adventure Trail, an Ultimate Utah Adventure Route, A Grand Canyon Backcountry Adventure Route, A Great Western Trail, and a Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail. Heck, there's even a Dakota Adventure Loop!
The Trans-Eastern-Trail currently links Illinois to Maine to Florida. I've traveled a stretch of this trail in West Virginia, and it's a fantastic mix of tiny paved back roads, as well as plenty of gravel and dirt.
There is a Kentucky Adventure Tour, an Oklahoma Adventure Trail, an Ultimate Utah Adventure Route, A Grand Canyon Backcountry Adventure Route, A Great Western Trail, and a Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail. Heck, there's even a Dakota Adventure Loop!
Backcountry Discovery Routes
These are large routes assembled like the Trans-American Trail, and the other Trans-Trails. The company sells DVD's about each route, and provides GPS tracks for free. Routes include California, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The website is excellent, and the routes appear to be top notch. There are plenty of ride reports online, but the DVD's would obviously be optimal.
Backcountry Discovery Route website
The website is excellent, and the routes appear to be top notch. There are plenty of ride reports online, but the DVD's would obviously be optimal.
Backcountry Discovery Route website
Continental Divide Ride
This amazing ride started as a mountain bicycle ride, and has had a few minor altercations, before becoming a world class Adventure Bike route. From Canada to Mexico, this route follows the continental divide across the USA. Endless mountain passes are the highlight of this 2800 mile ride.
There are numerous ride reports (both motorcycle and bicycle) online, official reviews, and even a movie about the route (Ride the Divide). There are also GPS tracks available online for free.
There are numerous ride reports (both motorcycle and bicycle) online, official reviews, and even a movie about the route (Ride the Divide). There are also GPS tracks available online for free.
Centralia, Pennsylvania
This ghost town has a heck of a history! Picture this, a sprawling mining town of over 2000. The mine, running for miles beneath the town, catches fire. The fire can't be put out, so the town must be relocated. The fire started in 1962, and will continue to burn for hundreds of years into the future. Sink-holes, random smokey spots of toxic gas, and abandon structures cover this area. How could you NOT want to go exploring here??? Just be careful, the ground temperature is over 200 degrees at just 10 ft down, so don't go exploring in any holes. There is information all over the web, but Wikipedia has a good article about the town.
Pan-American Highway
The Pan-American Highway is a stretch of road from the top tip of Alaska to the bottom tip of South America. It has one 57 mile stretch that must be ferried around, but other than that, it's 30,000 miles of roads through every type of conditions possible. Wiki has a good article on it. Also worth reading up on is that 57 miles stretch with no road (Darien Gap), some pretty interesting stories about that.
Of course it's on the list.
James & Hudson Bay
The Hudson bay, and more specifically, James Bay, is the southernmost point of the Arctic Ocean. Most of the land in the area is occupied by Cree natives, with the exception of the copious amount of workers for hydro power facilities. The James Bay road is a 385 mile stretch of nicely paved wilderness highway through numerous tiny towns. The North road is the alternate route; a 252 mile stretch of deserted gravel. Both combine to make a great loop of a ride, with a pit stop in the middle to dip a toe in the Arctic Ocean. Lots of information here.
