The Next Step

well, now that we've managed to make it to the present, let's not waste any time in moving on to the future! next month, i'm riding around the world. i'll be gone for around 8 months or so...

i wish. unfortunately, there are approximately 8,000 reasons i can't go around the world next month, but that doesn't mean i can't start eliminating them. and, since i'm a very goal-oriented person and one of my short-term goals is to do more distance riding, i've decided to take a solo trip next spring. so, instead of circumnavigating the globe, i will be riding to... florida.

ok, it's not peru or norway (both places with great riding, i hear), but it's a start. why florida, you ask? well, several reasons. one, i have places to stay there, with friends and family, all over the state (not to mention a free trip to disney world). two, it's the furthest i can ride from seattle without a passport, and three, why not florida? i've heard it's nice there. beaches, seafood, old people. the perfect road trip destination.

i've thought a bit about my route (though not a whole lot), and i think i can manage the whole thing couch-surfing with more friends and family, thus saving money on hotels. the general idea is: head down the coast (i hate freeways) to california, hitting up salem, arcata, los altos and LA on the way down. then over through phoenix, albuquerque and oklahoma, down to mississippi and over to florida. visit family in amelia island, head to orlando to chill at disney for a few days, and off to see my cousins in miami.

This route also allows me to leave a little earlier in the year, since i won't be dealing with lousy weather in the northern states. the plan is to set aside april. i figure a month should be long enough to get there and back without rushing things too much.

as for preparations for the trip, there are a few things i have planned. there are definitely some things i need to purchase, mostly for my bike. so far, my list includes (this is by no means complete, mind you):

-a good tool kit
-a touring windshield (right now i'm thinking a national cycle f-16)
-a gel seat (suzuki)
-saddle bags (ortlieb high profile dry-bags)
-a tank bag (cheap, since by this point i'm already broke)

i'm also toying with the idea of buying some textile over-pants instead of using my chaps. the textiles wouldn't be as much protection, but they might be a little more flexible temperature-wise, and a little more comfortable with my riding position. on the downside, they are not nearly as stylish as leather. 2 of one, 3 of the other.

also, since i am a complete idiot when it comes to all things mechanical, i will be taking some motorcycle maintenance workshops offered by the lovely people at puget sound safety. they have several maintenance workshops you can take, and i'm hoping to run the gamut by the time i leave (the first may be as soon as later this month). it'd be nice to at least have a little familiarity with my machine if i break down on some backroad somewhere.

so, that's my plan. if you have any suggestions, comments, critiques (places to crash) or anything else about gear, training or my proposed route, please let me know (here or on facebook). i'm up for any advice i can get. this is all about learning, anyway. that and riding. lots of riding.

until next time, rftc.

scott