Let's go to Death Valley

[Igo]

Hey Rick, looks like 72 degrees in Vegas and 84 in Death Valley next weekend. I think I'm going to go. I want to go in from Shoshone and come back through Beatty and 95 so I'll be in the warm part in the morning and the cooler part in the afternoon. Light should be good for pictures.
Wanna go?

 

[Phil Tarman]

You guys are cruel! Not only do you have good weather (Now you do, but just wait....[Now I'm being cruel, but it's only because of envy, which somebody told me is a sin]), but you have each found a good riding partner with apparently compatible schedules and interests.

I've got some good riding partners, but they don't live very close to me and their schedules and mine don't fit very often.

 

[Igo]

You guys are cruel! Not only do you have good weather (Now you do, but just wait....[Now I'm being cruel, but it's only because of envy, which somebody told me is a sin]), but you have each found a good riding partner with apparently compatible schedules and interests.

I've got some good riding partners, but they don't live very close to me and their schedules and mine don't fit very often.

Phil, it was a fluke to run into Rick. And our motorcycles always give me a chuckle when I see them side-by-side. I bought my NT on a Monday and Rick and I were farkling on both bikes that Saturday after. Rick laughs allot and has a kind heart but he loves his adventure. He's learning escort style group riding techniques and we have very similar riding styles and goals. But I'm the best looking one of the two.

You know what? I think I will do a write up this afternoon about group riding in fact. Got to put in a few miles first though. Stand by.

 

[Igo]

I just saw you in that flaming neon yellow banana suite.....and I'm still the best looking one. HAHHAhhAhahahAhha

 

[Phil Tarman]

The Hi-Viz Yellow 'Stitch is a successful design. That is not to say that it is a good-looking design. And the longer you wear it, the worse it looks. Trying to keep it clean is a really discouraging endeavor. Butit can be seen. And I can testify that it works in a get-off. (Not to say that it will protect you in every get-off, but mine was a pretty good one and it did a great job.)

So, Rick, let him laugh (or barf, whichever is more appropriate). Be comfortable and be safe!

 

[Igo]

Rick, for most of the week Sunday was looking a little better but now both days are looking about the same. I don't think I can wait until Sunday.
7:30 Saturday at the M?

 

[Igo]

Rock-n-Roll brother!
I'm going to take a good look at that top box too.

 

[Igo]

I don't blame you. Anyway I bought the little cheap one. Just something to rest my wrist for a few minutes.

 

[Peace2U_2]

you regular road trippers in INCREDIBLY beautiful, warmer places are entertaining to read.....for that reason alone... this site is worth it entertainment value every day !!

 

[Igo]

Well I hope everybody gets out soon and all find incredibly beautiful places to ride. I went in with a T-shirt and outer mesh shell today. Headed to Death Valley in the morning. And oh yes, there will be pictures.

 

[Igo]

We weren't riding together last Sunday but I aw you coming at me from 1/4 mile away. You cannot mistake an NT and a Stitch. 40 miles from home and I knew it was Rick.

 

[Igo]

Time for some shut eye. Hard day at work.
I'll see you at the M at 7:30 mister. 350 miles later I'm buy'n'!

 

[Igo]

You are most absolutely invited to join us but ya better get a move on. We leave in a couple hours.

 

[Igo]

I can do a review on Rick's banana suite.

Well, it was a beautiful day. I got 370 miles in. Unfortunately, Rick fell about 70 miles short of that. I don't know what he ran over but it went in and came right back out. He had a rear tire flat at 80 mph. He was a champ and brought the NT and himself to a stop in one piece. But the patch kit didn't work and he and the wrecker guy are probably just arriving at his house about now. I'll tell you about the fabulous ride through Death Valley tomorrow after I get some shut eye and I've taken some pictures off the camera. For now?! Group hug for Rick. LOL.

 

[taldric]

Group hug indeed! And a pat on the back for keeping the shiny side up with a blow out at 80! Great job.

Hope everyone's nerves are doing fine - I know I would be a little rattled after something like that.

I'm curious what happened with the patch kit that it didn't work.

Glad you had a good ride up to that point though.

 

[Igo]

I'll let Rick tell you about the patch kit. I actually was thinking I'd be really impressed with his patch kit. It was well set out and made me ashamed I haven't even assembled any tools for my TN yet. I start tomorrow.
He's doing good but I think he's tire shopping.

 

[Phil Tarman]

Wow! Good riding, Rick! We'll all be curious to know (if you can figure it out) what punctured your tire. I'm glad you didn't "test" the 'Stitch!

The only sudden flat I ever had couldn't be fixed by a patch kit either. It was the rubber valve stem that gave way. I've trusted metal valve stems since (although I've still got a rubber one on the front of the NT. That'll go away as soon as I wear out the BT-023.)

 

[RedLdr1]

Glad to hear you got stopped without any damage, to you or your NT, that was a good job!

The "No" you heard could have been from a long time ago in one of those Drivers Safety Classes the military required to drive on Post / Base. If you have blow out in a car you are supposed to get off the gas and coast to a stop while staying off the brakes as well. Many car accidents have been caused by drivers slamming on the brakes when a tire goes.

 

[Igo]

I check my rear view regularly. I was within a mile of Rick when I looked back and couldn't see him. It took two more miles to find a spot to turn around and then I was only doing 50 in the left emergency lane while I was probing the desert adjacent to the highway for a motorcycle. Any other problems we had were minuscule after I found he and his bike upright.

Rick, you don't owe me a thing. And for anybody here, if you plan a ride with somebody and they don't stick when things go bad then you need another riding partner. And on the other hand, do your part (Rick did his) to make sure you won't present potential issue to a group ride by inviting yourself on a group ride with a less-than properly road worthy vehical and outfitted for the conditions. That would have been me. My NT is new and I ahve not outfitted it with roadside emergency maintenance equipment yet. This will be remedied today........with gummy bears. LOL.

 

[Igo]

My immediate recall tells me I have always enjoyed motorcycles but it sure seems like Im enjoying them right now as much or more than ever.
OK. Off to REI and then the lake.