Blind Lizard Motorcycle Rally 2012

For several years, I have been trying to make the Blind Lizard motorcycle rally. Every year it is held in Minneapolis on Father’s Day. I’ve either forgotten or slept through it the past few years, but not this time.

The gathering was started by the Blind Lizards Motorcycle Club which was founded in 1975. They meet exactly one day a year, and this is that time.

There was a about 250 bikes by the time I rolled up at 10am on my Super9. I ended up parking one bike away from my friend John, so we walked around and looked at bikes together. We had planned to meet up, but had arrived at separate times. I didn’t notice his bike until I got off mine.

It is a smaller event than the monthly First Thursday’s at Dulonos. There were lots of cool bikes to look at and people to chat with. Each year they design a new t-shirt. I had to get one.

These are some of the bikes I liked. If you want more, explore the full flickr gallery.

A Norton

A Bultaco

Nice sidecar scooter.

Ancient Harley.

Bimota.

Love the welded screwdriver on this one

The mowercycle! I couldn’t find the power-take-off to run the mower though…

Cool scooter and trailer combo.

The contents of the trailer. Very smart thinking for a hot day.

Ducati reminds me of some golden arches…

Interesting shifter on this one with the clutch lever combined.

It was a good time looking at bikes and chatting with friends. Perhaps I’ll see you there next year!

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Week 7 Roundup

A summary post of the Week 7 of 7.  I will write a proper summary of the trip at a future date.

Trip Route:    
 

Fun facts:

• The GPS says I have covered  a total of 11,938 miles (19,212 km) over the 49 days of my trip.
  • Week1 Miles: 2,161 (308 a day avg)
  • Week2 Miles: 1,777 (253 a day avg)
  • Week3 Miles: 1,847 (263 a day avg)
  • Week4 Miles: 1,394 (199 a day avg)
  • Week5 Miles:     905 (129 a day avg)
  • Week6 Miles: 1,530 (218 a day avg) *skewed since I rode almost 400 on day 42.
  • Week7 Miles: 2,322 (332 a day avg)
• Longest Riding Day: 434 miles - Day 23–Stewart to Prince George
• Shortest Riding Day: 60 miles – Day 48 – Lincoln to Omaha
• This is now the longest trip I’ve ever taken (49 days). The previous was China at 30 days.
• This is now the longest motorcycle trip I’ve taken. The previous was 19 days – Great River Ride. 
• Highest altitude on the trip (and ever on a motorcycle) 14,010 feet (GPS) Pikes Peak – Day 46
• I created over 150GB of content!
• The most expensive gas so far has been $7.27USD/gallon.
• Best MPG: 67mpg
• Worst MPG: 36mpg
• New motorcycled states on this trip: Montana, Idaho, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Kansas, Oklahoma
• New motorcycled provinces on this trip: Alberta, Yukon, British Columbia
• Border Crossings: 5

Week 7 Posts:

• Day 49–Omaha to Minneapolis
• Day 48–Lincoln to Omaha
• Day 47–Garden City to Lincoln
• Day 46–Manitou Springs to Garden City
• Day 45–Durango to Manitou Springs
• Day 44–Prescott to Durango
• Day 43–Prescott to Flagstaff

Week 7 Videos: Entire Playlist

• Day 48 – Omaha Meetup with Navythomas8 and really2ugly
• Day 46 – Pikes Peak
• Day 45 – US550 and US50
• Day 44 – Grand Canyon
• Day 43 – AZ89a
• Day 31 – Sunrise at Port Townsend Timelapse
• Day 31 – Sunset at Long Beach Timelapse

Week 7 Photos:

• Full Flickr Collection of All Photos

Bloggers I’ve met on this trip:

• YoshiTheShiba 
• Richard
• Sonja
• Bob
• Irondad 
• Trobaritz
• Troubadour
• Liz 
• NavyThomas8
• Really2Ugly

Animals I saw:

• moose
• black bear
• muskrat
• bison
• caribou
• deer
• rein deer
• elk
• stone sheep
• doll sheep
• wild horses
• bald eagle
• wolf
• fox
• beaver
• prairie dog
• elephant seal
• sea lion
• countless different birds

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis

The last day of the trip. This day has been creeping steadily closer. I haven’t wanted it to come, but it must.
I woke up early hoping to avoid the pounding rain and thunderstorms from last night as I escaped Omaha and rode north. I was warned that I could run into traffic unless I left after 9am. Traffic? In Omaha?! Hah! I left around 8am, and there were a few cars on the road, but nothing I would call traffic especially after the mess I had been in while in California. I did find some traffic later in the day however.
I took I-80 and then I-35. The storms from last night were hanging around to the north, and I didn’t want to get caught in that 60mph+ wind! No visit to Sioux Falls on this adventure it seems.

Moments after I finished loading the bike, the rain started again. I slowly pulled out the rain gear and put it on while trying not to be annoyed. Ten minutes out of town it seemed to clear up. It wasn’t raining anymore, but the roads were still wet. Not a good sign.
Further up the road my stomach gave me the signal that the muffin I partially munched on needed to be ejected and fast. I had bought the muffin a day earlier in Lincoln, but I’m guessing the day in Omaha in the hot sun made it go south. The first bite tasted a little funny, and it wasn’t until bite four that I threw it away.
Note to self, don’t store perishable muffins in black top case in a 95+ day.
A rest stop appeared at the critical moment and I made my way inside to take care of business. I have some sympathy now for the women riders out there. Taking off a one-piece rain suit and the rest of my moto-gear took entirely too long, but everything worked out.

It was quite the spectacle. A storm followed me into the rest area and unleashed while I was inside. The thunder shook the building and the lightning made the lights flicker. The rain sounded like machine gun bullets pounding on the roof. It was loud. Quite a crowd had gathered inside as well. It was standing room only in the hallway.
By the time I got my gear back on and made it outside the storm had slowed considerably. A strong one like that can’t last for long. I finished putting my gear back on and hopped on the bike. I was glad that no one at the rest stop tried to make a stupid comment like “nice day to be on the bike” or some other stupid, but entirely way to common comment when a motorcyclist is in less than perfect conditions.
Who is the space man on the right?

Oh that’s me in the totally stylin rain gear

The rest of the ride north on I-35 was quiet. The temps rose and the sky cleared up. The traffic also got thicker and more silly the further north I went.
It was nice to see MN license plates again. I hadn’t seen one the entire trip on a car until yesterday. I enjoyed seeing the “Minnesota Welcomes You” sign. I always do.

We need more HOV lanes in MN! The traffic was nasty.

I arrived back in town to experience the start of Friday afternoon rush hour, but it also meant I was home in time for dinner as requested by my wife.

It was good trip. I’m glad I went, and I would do it again in a second. My SV650 needs a bit of attention before I can take it anywhere though. The rear tire is showing cords again, the rear sprocket is VERY thin and hooked, changing the oil would be good, and the chain sounds like rice krispies. Fortunately, I have all of those things ready and waiting. I just need some time.
The SV reunited with the rest of the gang. They look a tad jealous, and the cobwebs on the Ural are a bit sad.

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 48–Lincoln to Omaha

Today was all about the meetups. I had planned on visiting Navythomas8 (NT8) in Omaha since last fall, and it was good to see him again. I also had a surprise email last night to meet up with another Youtuber in the area “Really2Ugly” (R2U). I made ride from Lincoln to Omaha this morning to meet up with NT8 after short blast down I-80.

We had a good time shooting the breeze, and then met R2U for lunch. Fun times.

After lunch, NT8 insisted I ride his brand new BMW G650GS Sertao. How could I argue? The pink crash bars match my black riding gear. lol.

His BMW on the left, and his KLR on the right. He’s just transitioning from his KLR650 to BMW. He has been riding his KLR year round in Omaha for the last few years.

I was surprised. I liked riding the bike. It was just a few pounds heavier than my SV, but was noticeably lacking on power.  Good breaks too. I didn’t like the windscreen, and with only 90 miles on the clock, the tires were still a bit slippery. Overall, a nice bike. I won’t be replacing the SV anytime soon though (or adding it to the stable).

For dinner, we met up with R2U again. It had started to thunderstorm, so we hitched a ride in R2Us car. Our bikes his under the safety of the hotel.

 

Dinner was tasty.

It rained a LOT. Lots of thunder and lightning as well.

Too soon it was over. They both had to get up early in the morning, so we said our farewells. I had a fun time in Omaha with both of them.

One more shot of NT8. He’s not your typical BMW rider! I can’t wait to see it in the snow.

 

 

Day 48 Full Flickr Album

 

Video: Omaha Meetups – Navythomas8 and Really2Ugly

 

Today’s Route:

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Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 47–Garden City to Lincoln

Yesterday’s wind continued today blowing firmly from the south. It made the north stretches very nice, but the eastern parts tough. My neck was getting tired fighting it.

As I did yesterday, I enjoyed the empty roads. There wasn’t much traffic and very few intersecting roads. It made for a relaxing ride.

Lots of wheat ready for harvest.

With so much wind, I was wondering where all the wind turbines were. Then I saw some near I-70.

I stopped for the day in Lincoln, Nebraska. I tried to go to a café I had found online. When I walked in, the place was empty. No customers. No staff. I waited around for 15 minutes. No one came.

While I was waiting, I found this poster of “Photographic Truths”. I found it pretty amusing

“The most scenic turnouts are designated by highway signs reading No Stopping Anytime” So true!

“Owning more than one lens assures that you will always have the wrong one.” lol.

“Falling lenses are attracted to rocks.” ouch.

“Dust spots are attracted to sky areas.” yup.

 

I tried calling the number next to the open sign. A guy answered. He said they were open, and that he’d be right up. I waited. And waited. No one came, and I was really hungry. I left.

I found a Co-op down the street. It had lots of tasty choices, so I took some back to the hotel room.

The dessert couldn’t stick around for the photo, and was eaten immediately. lol.

Tomorrow, some meetups!

 

Day 47 Full Flickr Album

 

Today’s Route:

View Larger Map

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 46–Manitou Springs to Garden City

If you were watching the SPOT today, you might have been confused by my route. For those who have peeked at my “About” page, you may recall there was a gap in the middle of the country for my motorcycled states. Today, I closed that gap by riding 200 miles out of my way to Oklahoma via Kansas.

I wasn’t sure if I should do it or not. The thought of riding hundreds of miles across Kansas didn’t thrill me, but the alternative would be I-80 across Nebraska which is just as bad (or worse). I threw out the question on twitter and facebook, and overwhelmingly it was suggested to ride the US roads in Kansas. I’m glad I listened. It was a long 400 mile day that started at lunch time, but I enjoyed the very empty roads in Kansas. I rode for miles just admiring the fields of wheat without a car in sight. There was only a massive thunderstorm to keep me company. It was nice.

The towns along the way all look the same. As far as the trip goes, this is the beginning of the scenery deflation until I get back to Minnesota. The flat “boring” part in the middle must be crossed to get home.

I started today with some awesome scenery and a very fun ride. I rode up Pike’s Peak. The ride up was a bit slow to start because of some repaving around mile 6, but after that… sweet. I was really in the zone alternating between first, second, and third. It was early in the day, so there was almost no traffic.

When I got to the top a lady asked me how long it took to ride up. I told her I thought maybe 30 minutes; she told me it took over an hour for her to drive! Huh?! I had a fun ride. The sky was blue. It was warm until mile 14/15, and then I turned on my heated coat and grips. I could see just sky along the edge of the road towards the top, and I knew it was a sheer cliff down. It made me a touch nervous when I thought of it, so I didn’t. I kept my attention on the corners and the road. On the way down, I left it in first and enjoyed the vistas. They say when it is clear like it was, that you can see all the way to Canada. I don’t think I saw Sonja’s house, but maybe it was the shiny spec on the horizon (it could also have been a plane).

These guys are tough. Maybe next time I’ll try it.

To celebrate the great weather and ride, I feasted some some more tastiness in Manitou Springs.

With a full stomach, it was time to hit the road. I was heading to Elkhart, KS and the Oklahoma border. I have been to both states several times, but not on a motorcycle. I addressed that today.

The day got a bit longer than I expected. I didn’t anticipate the time zone change (the last one of the trip); I thought it would be further east. There were also no rooms available anywhere near Elkhart or my more likely destination afterwards, Dodge City.

No rooms, but they had a tank.

With a bit of google-fu on my phone, I found a place in Garden City. One of the last rooms in the entire town. How do they fill up on a Tuesday night? sheesh.

 

Tomorrow, more Kansas and some Nebraska.

 

 

Day 46 Full Flickr Album

 

 

Video: Pikes Peak

 

Today’s Route:

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