OP
OP
Mellow
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Well that sux... we'll miss you and we know you would only miss it if there was no other choice..
9th Nat'l NT Rally - June 19-22, 2019 - Spearfish, SD
- Thread starter Mellow
- Start date
Sorry you won't be there, Frosty. It won't be the same without you.
Frosty
Site Supporter
Thanks for the nice comments. I know that I will miss all. That said, I will follow it online and let Chris and Rick fill in the rest. 
junglejim
Site Supporter
Dang, Frosty, we'll miss you. But at the same time we all know that family comes first.
I'm just worried about Chris being without an adult supervisor. I guess we will see how well you've trained him.
I'm just worried about Chris being without an adult supervisor. I guess we will see how well you've trained him.
OP
OP
Mellow
Admin
Don't worry, I'll be there!
Coyote Chris
Site Supporter
The operative word is "adult".
Its funny. In the 52 years I have toured, before my friend John and Frosty, I can count only two times I have toured with someone. That occcured in the 1970s decade. But now that I have toured with John and Frosty, I have come to enjoy the company. Alas, they always make me lead so I hit the deer first, but when we go camping in bear country, I carry a small caliber pistol so I can shoot them in the knee is we are chased, so it all works out....:LOL:
Coyote Chris
Site Supporter
Ouch! Well, the potty training didnt go well but I got everything else down pretty good! :ROFLMAO: Will miss Frosty. (how come I cant post pics?)
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OP
Mellow
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Oh........... I'm out!The operative word is "adult".
Coyote Chris
Site Supporter
Looking forward to seeing you all. Must go to Quigley and camp out with a bunch of old men first, then I am off to Spearfish. I plan on being on site Thursday Afternoon.
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LMAO. I've been watching the weather reports, following all the Washington state and east of there fire reports, read that the Highway to the Sun won't be open for vehicles until June 22nd, and saw Yellowstone is forecasting rain between the time I leave Shasta Lake with my new Russell seat and when I would get to Spearfish. So, I figured what the heck, I'd just leave Shasta Lake and take 3 days to ride down the Hwy 1 California coast again to Monterey (Fisherman's Wharf fish food!!!) and back home to Las Vegas by Saturday night the 15th. Then take a few days off before leaving for Spearfish on the 19th for a 2 day ride to Spearfish. So....
I go online to make a hotel reservation for one night, Friday the 14th, in Monterey. I log into the usual hotel I stay there that is normally about $100 night. I get quoted $560 for the night!!! Huh?
Then it dawns on me. The U.S. Open is at Pebble Beach that weekend. ALL the hotels have jacked up their prices to laughable rates. Sorry, the fish food ain't THAT good there.
I hear Bakersfield is nice this time of year.....
I go online to make a hotel reservation for one night, Friday the 14th, in Monterey. I log into the usual hotel I stay there that is normally about $100 night. I get quoted $560 for the night!!! Huh?
Then it dawns on me. The U.S. Open is at Pebble Beach that weekend. ALL the hotels have jacked up their prices to laughable rates. Sorry, the fish food ain't THAT good there.
I hear Bakersfield is nice this time of year.....
karl
Site Supporter
MapQuest said that was only 28 hours away the quick way...
Yeah, but then I get to Spearfish 5 nights before the rally even starts. After crossing northern Nevada and half of Wyoming on the incredibly scenic western Interstate 80 forever. I'd have to spend 8 nights in Spearfish. It's a great place...but not 8 nights.
Heck, if I take the northern route from Shasta Lake back to Vegas, it's only 633 miles through the Lassen National Forest, then Reno, then home. Google Maps says a little over 10 hours. That's non-stop, so about 12 hours with gas stops and non-rushing it. I've ridden the Las Vegas - Reno - Las Vegas route numerous times on my NT. That's an easy 1-day ride. When I rode my NT from Vegas to Russell for it's seat in 2011 I had to take the southern route down to Barstow then west to get to the California central coast then up to Shasta Lake. It was April and the northern route north of Reno was still covered in snow. The southern route added over 100 miles and an hour, but I still did it in 13 hours/one day ride. Depending on what time I get my seat on Thursday morning, I might just decide to come straight home now and have a longer break before leaving for Spearfish. The new Russell seat should let me ride all day without the butt burn I get now by the end of each tank of gas on my Spyder, so I could see me doing a one-day ride back to Las Vegas.
It just looks like all the good riding places I could waste 7 days going to between Shasta Lake and Spearfish will be too "iffy" weather and natural disaster wise. And until I get my new Stich in July, I'm riding with minimal gear like el-cheapo Frog Toggs for rain gear. I've got temp safety gear for now, but it's just not at the level I'm totally comfy with compared to the Stich I got used to wearing with my NT.
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OP
OP
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Geesh, what a terrible predicament.. lol Dude, I know you like your stitch and all but frog toggs will get you just as far without getting wet and they are a temporary usage for you anyway so should be good... heck, it will be hot so for me lots of times I don't even put on my raingear as it's a nice cool-off... and as long as what you wear is synthetic, it will also dry off pretty fast in the summer.
The weather has been particularly unpredictable this year when it comes to rain... also, the event is about 2 week earlier than the typical July 4th dates but I wanted to avoid how crowded the campground gets when the 4th lands near the middle of the week... in the past we could go the week before or after and avoid a lot of RVers but when it lands on Tue, Wed or Thu you don't know when it will be crowded... not that we've ever really been crowded out at all but less is still more in our case lol
If I were you, I'd take that extra time and ride to southern NM then work your way up through CO / WY then over to spearfish. Would give you a lot of saddle time on the new ride and you have your tent so lodging isn't an issue. You can keep your days to short rides and keep an eye on the weather and adjust accordingly..
The weather has been particularly unpredictable this year when it comes to rain... also, the event is about 2 week earlier than the typical July 4th dates but I wanted to avoid how crowded the campground gets when the 4th lands near the middle of the week... in the past we could go the week before or after and avoid a lot of RVers but when it lands on Tue, Wed or Thu you don't know when it will be crowded... not that we've ever really been crowded out at all but less is still more in our case lol
If I were you, I'd take that extra time and ride to southern NM then work your way up through CO / WY then over to spearfish. Would give you a lot of saddle time on the new ride and you have your tent so lodging isn't an issue. You can keep your days to short rides and keep an eye on the weather and adjust accordingly..
Camping is not an option for me anymore. There is no way I would/could go through the acrobatics of setting up/taking down a campsite now, or crawling in/out of a tent, or sleeping in one. That ended with the neck injury and surgery. I healed, but there are limitations on what this body can comfortably do now. Camping is not one of them. I installed the FOBO 2 TPMS on my Spyder 'cos it's difficult to get down on the ground to manually check tire pressures then haul myself back up (especially the rear tire on the Spyder). If the FOBO 2 indicates I need to put air in a tire, I'll go through the steps necessary to do it, but it's not comfy or even close to it. Heck, I carry a separate pillow with me 'cos most of the hotel rooms I stay at now don't have pillows that support my head/neck the way it needs to be supported when sleeping. I looked and there are not any "camping pillows" designed for what I need now either. One of my concerns about riding again was if my neck would handle a helmet without complaining during or after an extended ride. It will, and it's still getting stronger from doing it. Sleeping is a whole different story. If my neck isn't supported enough (most hotel pillows are way too soft for me now) I'll wake up with real stiffness and discomfort and the whole day can be problematic then because even doing the physical therapy exercises may not relieve it. Much of my riding capability now revolves around "preventative measures" to make sure I don't do something or wake up in the morning in a way that would not be a "good day" anymore. Heck, that even applies for days I wouldn't be planning to ride.
My "minimal safety gear" for this trip is not a joke. I have a mesh jacket with the small elbow pads in it (compared to the size pads that were in my Stich). No back/spine protector. It is big enough I could layer stuff under it if I got into cooler weather. I have jeans for the bottoms. One pair is fleece lined. None of them have knee or hip pad protection. I have thermals to wear under them if it got too cold. Rain gear is Frog Toggs for the pants. For the top I'm carrying a large weatherproof "hoodie" jacket I bought when I was stationed in Okinawa in the Air Force. Used it when scuba diving on cooler days. It's been in my closets for over 20 years now. It's large enough to fit over the mesh jacket if needed, for either rain or cold (it would cover the mesh on the riding jacket for additional warmth if needed). It's bright yellow, too.
I'm gonna look like I was outfitted at "Nerds R Us" this trip. And if you think Grandma's try to drive defensively, wait till you see me riding on this trip with my "waiting for my Stich" riding gear. I'll be yielding the right of way to bicycles.
My "minimal safety gear" for this trip is not a joke. I have a mesh jacket with the small elbow pads in it (compared to the size pads that were in my Stich). No back/spine protector. It is big enough I could layer stuff under it if I got into cooler weather. I have jeans for the bottoms. One pair is fleece lined. None of them have knee or hip pad protection. I have thermals to wear under them if it got too cold. Rain gear is Frog Toggs for the pants. For the top I'm carrying a large weatherproof "hoodie" jacket I bought when I was stationed in Okinawa in the Air Force. Used it when scuba diving on cooler days. It's been in my closets for over 20 years now. It's large enough to fit over the mesh jacket if needed, for either rain or cold (it would cover the mesh on the riding jacket for additional warmth if needed). It's bright yellow, too.
I'm gonna look like I was outfitted at "Nerds R Us" this trip. And if you think Grandma's try to drive defensively, wait till you see me riding on this trip with my "waiting for my Stich" riding gear. I'll be yielding the right of way to bicycles.
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OP
OP
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Sorry to hear that Rick, I'd hate to not be able to camp any more but at least riding is still on the table.
That being the case I'd get the seat then home and save $$ on hotels until it's time to leave for Spearfish.
That being the case I'd get the seat then home and save $$ on hotels until it's time to leave for Spearfish.
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Coyote Chris
Site Supporter
DID SOMEONE JUST SAY, "NERDS R US?"Camping is not an option for me anymore. There is no way I would/could go through the acrobatics of setting up/taking down a campsite now, or crawling in/out of a tent, or sleeping in one. That ended with the neck injury and surgery. I healed, but there are limitations on what this body can comfortably do now. Camping is not one of them. I installed the FOBO 2 TPMS on my Spyder 'cos it's difficult to get down on the ground to manually check tire pressures then haul myself back up (especially the rear tire on the Spyder). If the FOBO 2 indicates I need to put air in a tire, I'll go through the steps necessary to do it, but it's not comfy or even close to it. Heck, I carry a separate pillow with me 'cos most of the hotel rooms I stay at now don't have pillows that support my head/neck the way it needs to be supported when sleeping. I looked and there are not any "camping pillows" designed for what I need now either. One of my concerns about riding again was if my neck would handle a helmet without complaining during or after an extended ride. It will, and it's still getting stronger from doing it. Sleeping is a whole different story. If my neck isn't supported enough (most hotel pillows are way too soft for me now) I'll wake up with real stiffness and discomfort and the whole day can be problematic then because even doing the physical therapy exercises may not relieve it. Much of my riding capability now revolves around "preventative measures" to make sure I don't do something or wake up in the morning in a way that would not be a "good day" anymore. Heck, that even applies for days I wouldn't be planning to ride.
My "minimal safety gear" for this trip is not a joke. I have a mesh jacket with the small elbow pads in it (compared to the size pads that were in my Stich). No back/spine protector. It is big enough I could layer stuff under it if I got into cooler weather. I have jeans for the bottoms. One pair is fleece lined. None of them have knee or hip pad protection. I have thermals to wear under them if it got too cold. Rain gear is Frog Toggs for the pants. For the top I'm carrying a large weatherproof "hoodie" jacket I bought when I was stationed in Okinawa in the Air Force. Used it when scuba diving on cooler days. It's been in my closets for over 20 years now. It's large enough to fit over the mesh jacket if needed, for either rain or cold (it would cover the mesh on the riding jacket for additional warmth if needed). It's bright yellow, too.
I'm gonna look like I was outfitted at "Nerds R Us" this trip. And if you think Grandma's try to drive defensively, wait till you see me riding on this trip with my "waiting for my Stich" riding gear. I'll be yielding the right of way to bicycles.
Aww, Chris. Cute and nerdy. But if you want Major League Nerd, here's one of my younger school day's pics on top of Pike's Peak. If I still had those pants and shoes, I'd wear them to Spearfish just for spite.
Just got off the phone with Jim Moore (he's in the Devil's Tower "teaser picture from 2016" that Mellow posted) and he's going to ride to Spearfish. Kevin Jones (Artemedes on the Forum) will ride to my house in Greeley from Great Bend, Kansas, on Tuesday, and then we'll meet Jim in Crawford, NE, on Wednesday to ride the rest of the way to Spearfish.
junglejim
Site Supporter
Riding plans:
I plan to leave (from NW WI) Wednesday AM and ride down MN 23 and then take US 212 west. I'll camp somewhere east of the Missouri River (unless the wether is awful) and then ride to Spearfish on Thursday. Just looking for anyone who's plans are close enough to hook up with for the ride.
I plan to leave (from NW WI) Wednesday AM and ride down MN 23 and then take US 212 west. I'll camp somewhere east of the Missouri River (unless the wether is awful) and then ride to Spearfish on Thursday. Just looking for anyone who's plans are close enough to hook up with for the ride.
Well this has been an interesting week so far. Last Sunday (day before I was leaving for California for my new Russell seat for my Spyder) my water heater in the garage started leaking. So I called the Property Management emergency number to report it (I rent the house). Told them I turned off all the water to/from the heater and everything was OK but I had to leave in the morning for at least 4 - 5 days before I could get back home. They said OK (keep in mind this was an "answering service" on the weekend for the real property management company). So Monday morning I leave Las Vegas and I'm on the road already when the real property management sends me an email saying they need to have someone meet the service prsonnel at the house to let them in to service the heater. I reply to the email telling them fine, go ahead, just make sure whoever enters is escorted to protect my and the owner's property. They reply that I (ME!) needed to be there for THREE separate appointments concerning the heater. By then, I'm already in Reno in a hotel overnight, 200 miles from Shasta Lake for the next day to get there. Huh? Long story short (for now) I rode to Russell, got the seat Wednesday, then rode back from Russell with my new seat yesterday to be back home for all the "appointments". THEN I'm told the FIRST appointment can't be scheduled until next Monday morning. And the following two appointments will be days after that. They ALREADY KNEW I would be leaving again this coming Tuesday to resume my vacation for another 2 weeks. So I told them AGAIN I still needed to leave on Tuesday to continue my ALREADY planned (and reservations made for) vacation. We are at a standstill right now. They insist I have to be here if I want "someone" to supervise the service people (ie- hired plumbers and insurance adjusters for the Landlord) entering the house. I told them THEY are the Property Management company the LANDLORD is paying their services for in situations like these. What if I was already half way around the world on a vacation and the heater started leaking and someone had to enter the property to prevent further damage? Would they expect ME to hop on an airplane and fly right back to be that someone?
My last email to them was "Tell me what both MY and YOUR legal responsibilities are concerning this situation, because if I have to cancel the rest of my vacation plans with financial penalties I will seek reimbursement for ALL costs I am not legally obligated to spend."
I'm waiting for an answer from both the Property Management firm and the Owner of the house who hired them.
At least I got my new Russell seat for the Spyder. Rode it 650 miles home yesterday and it's as great as my NT one was. Still planning on leaving for Spearfish Tuesday unless things escalate with my Landlord and their Property Management company.
My last email to them was "Tell me what both MY and YOUR legal responsibilities are concerning this situation, because if I have to cancel the rest of my vacation plans with financial penalties I will seek reimbursement for ALL costs I am not legally obligated to spend."
I'm waiting for an answer from both the Property Management firm and the Owner of the house who hired them.
At least I got my new Russell seat for the Spyder. Rode it 650 miles home yesterday and it's as great as my NT one was. Still planning on leaving for Spearfish Tuesday unless things escalate with my Landlord and their Property Management company.
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