Gmc28

champagne bottle redux? I must not be aware of this tasty sounding reference you're making. I do admit that i'm a sucker for some of the proper bourgeoisie sparkling wine you refer to, high browed as it may sound for a motorhead, and of course love the V11's, and have a champagne colored one to boot.... hopefully you and the bike will recover well! For me on the V11 front (what have YOU done today on your V11...), i'm realizing that the moto-gear budget is getting blown this year on some farkles for the V85tt, postponing the suspension upgrade I was eye-balling for Red/V11. The genteel step-child (V85) of the V11 is hogging some of the available resource, at least for now. So will monitor gstallons and his bikes recovery, and dream of the next cash infusion when suspension pieces can be purchased :->

Excellent. You’ve helped confirm my urge for the Loire! I lived for a year in France a long time ago, but spent the vast majority of the time in the Alps (Grenoble), some in Paris and Normandy, and never set foot near Champagne area or Bordeaux. Just got back last month from Champagne and Bordeaux (cliche, but was fun). I’ve ventured “across” the Loire Valley a number of times, spending a night at the Chambord Relais, and poked around there for a day which was enough to see I want to go back and hit places like you’ve suggested. And the Pyrenees…. Yes, that would be great, and maybe mix that in as part of a trip down into Rioja. But, getting back to Normandy, per your original post, is sort of an anchor item. Have a couple good friends who haven’t been, one of whom is a rider, who I’ve been talking about getting there in the next year or two. Linking the Loire valley was my thought, meandering down from Normandy (and starting in paris)

Looks like a real attractive price. I’ve always rented in Italy, from either Agostini’s or one of the big name places (motorad, blue something or other, etc), and seems like its usually quite a bit more expensive than what you show there, so thats great. A self guided tour option could be interesting. I’m a DIY travel guy, in part because of what i did for a living for years (a paid tourist… = pilot), but sometimes I’m surprised to find good or great options in the plug-and-play tour category. Worth checking out. In 2025 am looking at renting a bike from Paris area, shoot out to Normandy for a while, then down the Loire Valley, and circle back to Paris and head home. Italy is unbeatable for me, but mixing it up a bit is good.

Yep, depends on the persons individual “gifts” or shortcomings. i found out the hard way that the old adage “don’t judge a book by its cover” certainly applies to pilots. Folks that had all the right ingredients on paper or via interview, migjt be the ones that didn’t have the ability/gift of good snap decision making. While a certain element of luck is often involved, making the best of what you’ve got is the key when the turds hit the fan. As Phil noted, sod the rules when necessary and do what u gotta do. You can train a monkey to eventually survive the required sim training experience commercial pilots have to deal with 1-2 times per year, with enough repetition, but you can’t impart or train the gift of “good natural instinct” or experience (which are different, but have similar end-results).

Sounds like real motivation for Docc to ride out across country on his sport to the center of the modern civilized world, John Day Oregon, to be properly branded. That would be a helluva ride on a sport…. Maybe i shouldn’t be, but I’m still mildly astounded that folks are coming from distance to John Day. I’m quite fond of that area, but it’s pretty much just a wide spot in the road. Yes, surrounded by some great riding, and I suppose a lot easier to arrange for space for a lot of folks to camp and hang out, so that largely addresses why such a place i suppose, but still seems odd.

A beautiful spot. A favorite place to visit. And now that Hertz apparently rents motorcycles at CDG, love to get back over there, rent a bike, ride the few hours to get out to Bayeaux and the D-day beaches, and spend more time there in Normandy. Lots of great, uncrowded, scenic roads, lots of great stuff for history buffs, and a lovely coastal area to just enjoy.

Touché. And about to board my flight (as a passenger) momentarily from Anchorage! In truth, Alaska airlines still has some decent pilot standards, and a lot of good pilots (and a few hosers, but no person or company can get it all perfect all the time).

Anyone know what the agenda is on the 27th?

Flying, It’s like everything else in life…. Requires some degree of natural skill, and then experience to compliment that skill set. if someone doesn’t have the basic skill set, it will not ultimately work out well. If they don’t have or acquire experience, same problem. plenty of skilled folks, “naturals”, who don’t learn from experience, and bad things happen. Or folks who manage to amass a lot of experience and survive by luck (or thanks to all the systems now available to pilots which make things safer), but without the natural skill set they are still not a great option as a PIC (pilot in command). to complicate it more, there are the very distinctly different skill sets involved: “stick and rudder” skills, akin to riding skills, and then there’s “instrument flying/competence skillset”, which is more like a video game skill set. Different parts of the brain. Bush pilots need stick and rudder skills, airline pilots just need the instrument skills, but the best pilots have both. I’ve come across plenty of airline pilots who were truly horrible pilots, but survived with the instrument skills and in an airline environment designed wisely over the decades to minimize risk via lots of amazing systems. Oh, and the final major issue is ego…. Male pride is the most common issue, but the American dream BS of “if you can dream it you can do it” ideology is just as bad at causing people to think they can do what they either can’t or shouldn’t. same for operating cars 😏, motorbikes, welding, surgery, etc

Not sure where i missed this, but I’m seeing the event is the 27th -29th, not 28-30. And says I’m supposed to write a check for the rally fee. Not sure whats going on Thursday the 27th, but i’lll be over mid day the 28th.

Oops, how’d that happen? But yes. One of the black frames is supposed to go away to a friend, but thats been the case now for a few years.

Aerostitch bikini bottoms?

what did i do to my v11 today: walked by them, eyeballing them lovingly, awaiting the black rain clouds to peel back and reveal the heat wave that we oregonians are looking forward to. for your painful fall, i have my fair share of ego, so its painful but true to say that all my "horizontal events" on bikes since i first began riding illegally on the road (dirt riding not included) have been slow speed tipovers. damn embarrassing, especially because they repeat about every 2-3 yrs.

all good. this actually adds 2 days, not one so i suppose it might be a bit much to bite off as an add-on, but here it is for your viewing pleasure.... in theory i've attached a google map link below that shows a whole, long route. if the link works, note that the route shown can be broken up however you want of course. Also of note is that if you were to do this route, and its a good one, there are some nifty options that won't easily show on the google map link: on the way south along the 95, you can break off and use FS roads down to or toward the Snake river, but takes some homework (zoom in, and/or use a different map app for more detail... Gaia, or Rever, etc) to see which routes make sense. Similar on the other side of the Oxbow dam (west side of snake river canyon), you can follow the paved route that google shows, or snake your way up on some gravel backroads. both good options. there is some gravel on the route west of Oxbow whichever way you'd go, but all very "civilized". the route across from Anatone to Walla Walla is a hoot for an adventure bike like your GS. nothing challenging, just gravel/dirt 2-track with nothing technical, but a lot of great views as you ride along a usually deserted high ridgeline. https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZFYk9fAbVkLiSovD6 and just offering that while you gotta be prepared for it all weather-wise, i'd guess you'll not have issues with cold in AK in July. lots of tall mountains, but the roads are mostly all at lower elevations. Whitehorse canada is often a place for shorts and t-shirt in the summer when in town, and for me the cooler the better at night if i'm in a tent.

That route Looks like I’ll be jealous… nice. not to get too route-geeky, but if you really have the time and want to grab some more tasty, I’d suggest adding a day on the west end of Lolo pass, with a side trip shooting south from about Kooskia to the snake river canyon, cross over at Oxbow, then ride up North Pine Road to Joseph (usually deserted and some excellent riding). Joseph has a neat place to stay, and is a nice area, or press on to Walla walla. The route to walla walla from Joseph can go a couple of ways, both nice, one the longer option heading north up the west side of the snake river with very different views then what you had on the east side, and then FS dirt roads on a great, remote but easy (if u have a good map/gps on the bike) dirt road route over to walla walla. Or just take the tarmac to walla walla, which is also quite nice. Walla walla is a great little town to get a room, a great dinner, and of course some excellent wine. But that all adds a day. If you’re interested, that route is not complicated but would merit sending a .gpx route as it involves a number of very small roads, and i can shoot you something if u like.

If Lolo pass is on your list now (should be… excellent riding), then getting there from Bozeman would allow u consider this little route, from Anaconda to Hamilton (near the east end of Lolo): was going to paste a google map link, but it won’t paste, so just type in Hamilton, MT, and directions to there from Anacaonda. Will provide a few options, but the most direct one is the one you want, route 1 to the 38. The 38 is Skulkaho pass, and is a seasonal road, but should be fine in June, and loooks like it’s open now. The west end of all that, Skulkaho, is the fun part. Been about 5yrs since I’ve done that, so could be better or worse. Some fun paved sections mid point, then it goes to good-packed gravel for a while on the western end. There was no one on that pass when i was there, and I had to zoom way in to see the road, but now it pops right up. Heck, maybe they paved it.

Aha, that should do the trick. Guess I should have thought of that. I would recommend playing with it to get used to it. On mine there’s a delay in when you push the trigger and then the sound of the shutter click. Probably an artifact of the sound setup, not an actual delay, but not sure. And where to aim it… shift it so it’s pointing a bit higher or lower, and that sort of thing, based on where your helmet is pointed. Gotta shoot a couple shots, then connect with the iphone app to see the pic, which can be a bit of a process. Can also pull the data card out but thats not usually faster. Once figured out, it works pretty well. I have Nolan helmet(s), and the style i have isn’t ideal for the sena cam because i have to mount it further back, so pretty much always have the right side of the pic showing my helmet.

I have one of the Sena intercomm’s with camera…. Maybe the Evo 10x or something like that? Takes some getting used to, and it’s got its challenges, but the biggest one is that the camera really drains the battery. Without pics, it’ll go 2 whole days or more of intercom use, but with a handful of still pics it won’t even make it one full day. YMMV For myself, I’ve tried a lot of different options over the years for camera’s and riding. My current favorite is an old waterproof Nikon point-and-shoot that i had shelved years ago, because the iPhones are now so good i couldnt see packing around a point-and-shoot any more. But being a fully waterproof unit, with “hard buttons” rather than touch sensitive buttons like on an iphone, i put it on a leash around my neck on outside of my riding jacket, and its pretty easy with gloves on to turn it on and shoot a pic. Best answer is the GoPro, but I don’t like all that bulk hanging off my helmet, and am honestly too impatient to fiddle with the process.

Aren’t the agostini’s made by mistral?

rode the V85tt again this week, and has me thinking how sweet it would be to take it to John Day instead of Red. Oh man, i hope Red can’t read, and see what I’m thinking…. I mean with AI, and other black magic, who knows… don’t want a jealous Italian beauty having it out for me for leaving her behind. anyway, all that cargo space, windscreen, smooth suspension, and range, sure would be nice for that run. Though bringing Red to such a gathering seems most fitting for other reasons. may be a game-time decision, whether to strap on the soft bags, pack real light, and head out on Red, or play it lazy and sweet and just flop onto the V85 and go. oh, and thanks again to P6x for the V11 patch(s)! Thinking what I’d wear in the heat of John Day to sport that nifty patch, but it’ll be t-shirts and shorts I’m thinking down there in late june.

For what it’s worth, i ride alaska every year, except during covid. Love it. Mosquitoes are a bigger problem than bears. Not joking. DEET, and/or one of those head net deals can important, though why they are thick a times and at other times not an issue at all, is not something i understand. Wind/breeze helps a lot, so being out of the trees when you camp CAN be helpful, depending on the situation. bear talk for alaska is like a motor oil thread… so with that in mind I’ll just note my own personal input: bear spray - yes. Gun, no, for the reason u noted, which is Canadian customs & law. And northern canada is where u want to be… fantastic. Be cautious with food, but an old friend who still lives up there and camps a lot each year always just ties his food in an REI type waterproof bag, attaches a line through it, and slings it up over a tree branch so its suspended in the air, away from tent. Best idea? I don’t know, it’s just what i’ve always done, and has worked fine for me. I’ll see bears every time i ride up there, but they’re always trying to run away from me, and I’m always trying to cautiously gape at them as sightseer. I just assure i have an exit path on the bike, and all’s well, with the deal being me just trying to be smooth enough to not scare them away. Being on foot and getting between mom and cubs, that extraordianary circumstance of note, well thats something to just avoid, like riding through thunderstorms (mostly avoidable if we’re careful, but not always when we’re enjoying the scenery and not paying attention :->) Note that a lot of the northern canada campgrounds are really great. I avoid US campgrounds, as i don’t want the noise of other people, or RV’s, or just other people at all (I’m a Scrooge that way). But those northern canada campgrounds are often deserted, yet well kept. And they’ll have the metal/concrete storage containers, which are basically garbage containers that seal, so you can leave food there while you camp (on the honor system, if others are around). Bear proof. And if the food is in that waterproof/sealed bag, I’ll even use the back of a fully enclosed garbage container (in the metal enclosure, not actually in the garbage bin) to stow the food at a campground that doesn’t have the bear container dealio’s. Sounds gross, but if that sealed garbage area isn’t filthy/gross and your food is in the sealed sack, it’s an easy stowage place. Judge that as you choose… and you can map-search for those campgrounds, since they are identifiable places on a map, versus just hoping to find something like a US forest service land access road that might lead you to a legal and quiet place to camp down here. For the satellite device, lots of info/options as u know, but the inReach or similar devices work really great now, and are cheap to buy and cheap to use for text, and when necessary to make a call. I haven’t used the call feature, but the text feature is used by some of my friends in AK quite regularly. Monthly charges aren’t that bad, with choice for either year round (cheaper monthly) or just seasonal (practical, but higher monthly charge), and usually includes lots of texts in the package. I have my old inReach i pack along, but friends have newer devices that apparently are simpler to use, pair to your smartphone via an app which makes it all work pretty easy. With a GSA you’ll not have any issues with fuel, but I’d generally not pass up the chance to top off and stretch your legs even when u think u may not need to. Peel off to visit Atlin if you can, up sort-of near Carcross, and the top of the route to Skagway. It’s one way in/out for Atlin, but only about an hour (from memory…. Double check that) each way, and a fun place to spend the night. Pretty, and interesting history. Couple of hotels on the lake there which are not “bush”, and probably overpriced, but nice break between camping nights. Route down to Skagway, White pass, is fantastic. Top 10 type of road. In fact, if i was designing the route, 100% that I’d visit Atlin, then go back up to the “main road” and then shoot down White pass to Skagway (lots and lots of tourists, but still neat to see), then take the fairly short but very enjoyable ferry ride over to Haines, then ride back up to Haines Junction from there to continue the journey into AK. Probably spend the night in Haines, which is less crowded than skagway, but fewer hotels at Haines, so not always feasible. (I lived there for a short while a long, long time ago). The hotel halsingland is worn out and not very well maintained, and not cheap, but it’s a great piece of history with great views, and an interesting/likeable owner. The ride back up to Haines junction is a true hidden gem of a ride. Climbs in elevation, so be ready for possibly cold windy condition, but in june probably all fine. Discovery Yukon lodgings up north in the Kluane area is where I’ve stopped many times. Little cabins on a grass airstrip, with a bunch of old WW2 stuff laying around. You can get a home cooked meal there and some mediocre Canadian wine, if you arrange it in advance. I think you can camp there as well, in their nice grassy areas, for a fee. Note that all these places, and the alaska ferry, are usually pretty full this time of year, so arranging things in advance is pretty important. Anyway, I’ve carried on too long… didn’t mean to ramble. If any of that is of interest, i may be able to fill in more detail where desired.

Sorry to hear about all the carnage down there… hope things work out ok. I’ve not had that experience of the “derecho”, but like pressureangle i had a north Texas “long and lonesome highway” experience with a storm that left a mental mark on my memory. The blue sky had the one batch of black clouds, with the highway turning toward then away from it all. Pulled over and put on the rain jacket just in case, despite it being mostly hot and blue sky. Sure enough, shockingly fast it went from “I think we’ll miss that black sky” to then some rain drops, then all hell breaking loose with big winds and massive hail. Didn’t like the idea of pulling over because there wasn’t much of a shoulder, and people wouldn’t see you if they were meandering/swerving in the lack of visibility. Hail was smashing against my helmet and within moments the pavement grooves were deep in hail ice mixed with rain water, with only the middle part of the lane between the tire grooves being somewhat visible above the level of the hail-ice. The cars were putting up huge “bow waves” of watery ice as they sloshed along. “This ain’t good”, screams the lower brain stem. Slowing down was the instinctive answer, but since i knew most motorists couldn’t see me on the bike, i instead accelerated and got ahead of the 4 wheel vehicles that had clustered together, me in the middle by chance. With luck i shot the gaps to get ahead and it was just me trying to stay upright, rather than leaving my fate to being splattered by a motorist who couldn’t see me. Maybe 30 seconds later it was back to blue sky. Another couple minutes later my drenched pants were dry. But you guys chose to live in Texas! At least luckyphil has the Great Barrier Reef, excellent wine country, beautiful coastlines, and decent espresso to show for living in place where his fellow Aussies would tell me “everything will kill you here” when we first got our orientation there at the airfields.

Some proper science, that! i’ve had some good espresso in Switzerland, but in fairness I had to seek it out (google map search), and i paid dearly for it. Versus Italy where there were ok odds that I’d find a cafe just by walking around that would pull a decent shot, and it would probably be not much more than a euro (not long ago). So I’d agree, Italy wins. My complaints about Italian coffee are all focused on espresso, and about how in the past you’d never see a machine to spit out “super automatic” espresso, but now see them all too commonly. So between the places that don’t do a good job with espresso, and then the machines, the odds have gone down significantly of just walking into a place and being sure you’d get some good espresso. Can certainly still be found, it’s just tougher sledding for great-shot-seekers. Just back from a couple weeks in France, and hard to find good shots there, so i just drink the drip or the machine made espresso, and occasionally find a decent shot somewhere. Or stick to wine.

You just named off a bunch of great places to ride around too! I’ve spent more time in the NW part of mountains in Italy than up around Bolzano, but the time i have spent up there to NE keeps it hot on my “get back there” list. Ideally on a motorbike, but even way back in my old worn-out-clutch 78 Ford Escort (German made ford) I enjoyed poking around that area. All the espresso i drank only made me even more anxious when wondering whether I’d make it up some of those grades with the clutch slipping so bad on that car. And to link the espresso and motorcycle themes together in this thread/post, I have the distinct memory of driving up some of the steep grade switchbacks up in the mountains around Bolzano, clutch slipping, and being passed like i was standing still (ok, i almost was…) on the outside (left) of a right hand switch back by motorcyclists just haulin-ass and scraping pegs. 5 months? Wow, that sounds like a helluva gallavant.

Yep, like a motor oil topic, but at least with this moto guzzi group, less hostile! I’d second much of whats been shared…. Italy used to be the spot for espresso when i was younger, as even the gas stations in teh 80’s (Pavesi, etc) would serve up decent or even really good espresso. I’d brag about it to my kids, then over the years most of those places replaced the barista with a machine. Gross. Had the proper chemical effect if looking to get jacked-up to rip down the auto-strata and into downtown Rome, giving the bird to everyone as a matter of course on a normal day, but the machines even from illy and other brands produce rotgut. That said, to be fair, i also have to say that those old Italian places where the whole population would be there espresso shots, i distinctly remember seeing locals get their espresso cup, then grab the sugar container and and do a long pour of white crystals. That part tends to get glossed over in my fond memories. So maybe the Jo wasn’t as great as those gas stations…. And as others have pointed out, Oz is where odds are high you can get a great shot. Love to hit New Zealand to tour and sample espresso, and i suppose the Sauv Blancs and even Pinots they’re famous for…. Vacation list for eventually.