The photo shows Donna Rae on the KLR in Alaska.
What kind of bike does Jim ride?
We've posted some info about the 650 KLR in earlier blogs but this little bit of additional stuff should impress you.
Motorcycle adventurer Dr. Gregory Frazier, having made three previous motorcycle rides around the world, made his fourth circumnavigation between April and August, 2002. He rode a Kawasaki KLR 650 as he circled the globe.
Frazier retired after this trip but was coerced to do yet one more around-the-world ride. His fifth trek, in 2004 was to help Donna Rae Polk, a 63 year-old grandmother of six who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease live her dream. She had never been on a motorcycle before meeting Frazier and convinced him to take her around the world. Their adventure lasted 14 months and covered nearly 30,000 miles from tips-to-tips of the earth.
The photo shows Donna Rae on the KLR in Alaska.
The photo shows Donna Rae on the KLR in Alaska.
Are you kidding? Africa?
No Tigers or Bears but plenty of Elephants and Giraffes.
After my adventures to the South, I've realized that I am addicted to the process of preparing for and experiencing long distance travel, and I've been thinking. . . one more, just one more.
I've seen enough "big game" programs to know that an African game drive would be amazing. Also the thought of seeing another of the "wonders of the world" (Victoria Falls) adds to the dream. Surely a couple thousand miles of Africa wouldn't be any more difficult than Central America.
It takes a whole bunch of planning to make a major motorcycle trip happen. Questions to be answered and fears to be abated. Other than contracting malaria or being run-down by a crazy driver, you need to watch out for critters much bigger than llamas and goats that can be found crossing the road.It's November and late May seems a long way off. However past experience tells me to learn about the culture, currency, political climate and how hard is it to find food, lodging and gas stations. So I begin planning. So far I've contacted a bike rental company that leases motos in Johannesburg. I remember how huge Buenos Aires was and Jo'Burg at almost 4 million, while not as large as B.A, it's pretty darn big! I think traveling north through Botswana to Chobe National Park and then on to Victoria Falls sounds like a good start. From there I will head south thru Zimbabwe and back to South Africa. I plan to ride south to the Drakensburg mountains which are supposed to be quite beautiful and back to Jo'Burg. Sounds good if I don't let the "old guy" that's in me change my mind. Oh yes, my wife Brenda wanted to know if I "had a death wish". Otherwise she's o.k. with it. Cool.
The Man from Down Under
Ben Holland visits Missouri
Ben bought Bob's KLR back in 2007 and put well over 10,000 miles on the bike while traveling all the way to Terra del Fuego. After that long ride, the KLR was shipped along with friends' bikes to Canada and Ben returned home to Australia.
Since 2007, Ben has continued extensive traveling, including rides in Canada and the U.S West. Earlier this year, he traveled by moto in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Switzerland.
Now, in late summer, he returned to Canada and has traveled west to east to Nova Scotia. Ben arrived in Columbia, Missouri on Thursday the 11th. The photo below shows Ben and that Kawasaki that carried Bob to Panama in '06 (the KLR now has well over 66,000 miles)
Ben bought Bob's KLR back in 2007 and put well over 10,000 miles on the bike while traveling all the way to Terra del Fuego. After that long ride, the KLR was shipped along with friends' bikes to Canada and Ben returned home to Australia.
Since 2007, Ben has continued extensive traveling, including rides in Canada and the U.S West. Earlier this year, he traveled by moto in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and Switzerland.
Now, in late summer, he returned to Canada and has traveled west to east to Nova Scotia. Ben arrived in Columbia, Missouri on Thursday the 11th. The photo below shows Ben and that Kawasaki that carried Bob to Panama in '06 (the KLR now has well over 66,000 miles)
Blue Ridge Mountains – Moto Mecca
The Horizons Unlimited meeting was held just outside of Robbinsville, NC at Iron Horse Lodge. Bob rode 785 miles of "blue highways" (each way) to attend. The meeting as well at the beautiful landscape was worth the time and sore butt. The meeting was attended by many experienced long-distance travelers as well as a few newbies looking for information and tips for future trips. There were a few "round-the-world" riders there and several in the process of accumulating continents. The famous "Dragons Tail" was close to Robbinsville as well as other wonderful mountain roads. You may remember from an earlier post that the Dragons Tail has 318 curves in 11 miles of pavement. Yep, "Old Bob" rode the dragon (slowly).
KLR Krazy
Jim gets a new Kawasaki
Jim and Bob traveled to Jefferson City where shiny new bikes beckoned to Jim while Bob was having his Yamaha serviced. Jim found the perfect bike– a blue and white Kawasaki
KLR 650. This will be his third KLR. which is a very "tall" bike and suits Jim, who it 6' 7", just fine!
Pictured: Jim on his way to Jeff City. The lower photo shows two guys and a dummy. The dummy is in the foreground! Jim, the tall guy, and a friendly customer are telling tales.
Jim and Bob traveled to Jefferson City where shiny new bikes beckoned to Jim while Bob was having his Yamaha serviced. Jim found the perfect bike– a blue and white Kawasaki
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Pictured: Jim on his way to Jeff City. The lower photo shows two guys and a dummy. The dummy is in the foreground! Jim, the tall guy, and a friendly customer are telling tales.
H.U. Meeting just aroung the corner
September ride planning
With two major trips south (one for 21 days and the other 28) Bob knows that at least a bit of planning is a good idea. He has experienced both riding solo and with another rider and feels that one benefit of riding solo is being spontaneous. Therefore route planning for this solo trip is not critical. However he enjoys mapping out the "blue highways" so he has decided on a basic route to use as a guide. The ride, out and back, to North Carolina will encompass eight days, more or less. Mostly he just needs to get his laptop, c-pap machine, clothing and usual helping of daily drugs together and take off. Unlike earlier trips, Bob won't need anti-malarial meds, international drivers license, passport, insurance papers, special ATM cards, assorted maps, bike title etc. etc. etc. Just be sure to pack camera, sunscreen and cellphone.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/USAEast2012.php
Raul and Bob ride Southwest
Hot windy ride to Tulsa
After a day and a half, Bob returned to Columbia and Raul continued on to the West. His goal rather grandiose. The Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, California, Seattle, North to East across the U.S to New York and then South to Miami. Raul has toured all of South America and the 57 year old wants to bicycle Cuba. Hopefully his U.S. trip will be a safe and successful one.
Paseo de viento caliente a Tulsa
Después de un día y medio, Bob volvió a Columbia y Raul continuó en el oeste. Su objetivo más bien grandioso. El
gran cañón, Las Vegas, California, Seattle, norte a través de los
Estados Unidos a Nueva York y, a continuación, al sur de Miami. Raúl ha viajado por toda América del Sur y los 57 años de edad quiere a Cuba en bicicleta. Esperamos que su viaje de U.S. sea una segura y exitosa.
Visitor from the "Far South"
Viajero de la motocicleta para visitar Columbia
650cc
Maybe an old guy needs to recognize his limitations!
Bob's first real motorcycle was a 1968 BSA 650. Years later and after riding 1200cc Harleys and a big Honda (1300cc), he took the Kawasaki KLR 650,(top right), to Panama. In '08 he rented a 650 Honda Transalp, in Buenos Aires for his trip to Machu Picchu. Now he owns a Yahama Star 650 also pictured (lower right).
After crossing the Andes four times at 15000 feet, it occured to Bob that it isn't really necessary to straddle a big heavy machine. The 650 works quite well.
After crossing the Andes four times at 15000 feet, it occured to Bob that it isn't really necessary to straddle a big heavy machine. The 650 works quite well.
Invitation
Missouri to North Carolina
Hey, it just occurred to Bob that there may be a biker or two out there in cyberland that could be interested in a September ride to the Smokies. If you read this blog and took note of the trip described in a March post, there is a Horizons Unlimited meeting in North Carolina Sept. 7-9.
Hey, it just occurred to Bob that there may be a biker or two out there in cyberland that could be interested in a September ride to the Smokies. If you read this blog and took note of the trip described in a March post, there is a Horizons Unlimited meeting in North Carolina Sept. 7-9.
www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/USAEast2012.php
A very leisurely pace for "old guys" will take 7-8 days (total) with lots of stops along the route and time for taking in the "tail of the dragon". E-mail bobforsee@yahoo.com if you have an interest in tagging along or just doing part of the ride.
A very leisurely pace for "old guys" will take 7-8 days (total) with lots of stops along the route and time for taking in the "tail of the dragon". E-mail bobforsee@yahoo.com if you have an interest in tagging along or just doing part of the ride.
Smokey Destination
A BONUS?
Deals Gap is a popular and internationally famous destination for driving enthusiasts, as it is located along a stretch of two-lane road known as "The Dragon" since 1981. The 11-mile stretch of the Dragon in Tennessee is said to have 318 curves. The road earned its name from its curves being said to resemble a dragon's tail.
Since part of the road is also the southwestern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is no development along the 11-mile stretch, resulting in no danger of vehicles pulling out in front of those in the right of way. It mostly travels through forested area and there are a few scenic overlooks and pull-off points along the route. The speed limit on the Dragon was 55 mph prior to 1992; it was reduced to 30 mph in 2005.
The famous "Tail of the Dragon" in September
Deals Gap is a popular and internationally famous destination for driving enthusiasts, as it is located along a stretch of two-lane road known as "The Dragon" since 1981. The 11-mile stretch of the Dragon in Tennessee is said to have 318 curves. The road earned its name from its curves being said to resemble a dragon's tail. Since part of the road is also the southwestern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is no development along the 11-mile stretch, resulting in no danger of vehicles pulling out in front of those in the right of way. It mostly travels through forested area and there are a few scenic overlooks and pull-off points along the route. The speed limit on the Dragon was 55 mph prior to 1992; it was reduced to 30 mph in 2005.
Note: Bob claims he never exceeds 30 mph unless absolutely necessary.
Lookin' down the road
Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Traveler's Meeting
Smokey Mountains - Sept. 7-9
Horizons Unlimited web-site was instrumental in helping Bob plan his '06 and '08 trips with their enormous amount of information. Meetings sponsored by HU feature speakers, demonstrations and travel related activities (several are held worldwide each year).
"You can meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or Africa or across Asia, or around the world! So, this is an opportunity to meet people who will encourage you, share their experiences and advice on how to do it, and maybe you'll meet them again in Mongolia or Timbuktu!"
Is it September yet?
Smokey Mountains - Sept. 7-9
Ninth Annual USA East - North Carolina.
Horizons Unlimited web-site was instrumental in helping Bob plan his '06 and '08 trips with their enormous amount of information. Meetings sponsored by HU feature speakers, demonstrations and travel related activities (several are held worldwide each year).
The following is HU's explanation as to why riders attend these meetings.
Is it September yet?
Friend and Inspiration
Jim Pastoret doesn't ride an Indian like he did as a younger man, but he does go every other day to the gym for a workout. Bob and Jim V. enjoy Pastoret's company at the Senior Center on Thursday and Friday mornings. Jim P., at 88 enjoys sharing his love of nature and broad interest in the past and present.
Bob's Hero
Ted Simon at age 43 began a four year odyssey around the world by motorcycle and wrote a book called Jupiter's Travels. His journey took him over 64,000 miles. 27 years later he set out to retrace his first adventure. The below video link is a clip from a film made about the african portion of his second trip and book called Dreaming of Jupiter.
Beach front property
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