Unlike the timeless chicken or egg question,
we all know an itch leads to a scratch.
It was my fault, and the deeper I went in, the more I wondered if it was going to be one of those impromptu rides that turn into adventures. It was a Sunday morning this past August, and I was bored. I couldn’t go far because of afternoon plans, but I had an itch to ride somewhere, anywhere. I decided to get lost for a few hours and found dotted lines on the Garmin I was sure I had not seen before. These are the lines that should be dirt but sometimes turn into abandoned wagon trails from the 1800’s. I was never more than 10 miles from my home, but have no doubt, I was deep in the jungle, I had not seen a mailbox or recycle bin for miles.
The Yamaha is a big trail bike, but was wearing street tires, as I am trying to get higher mileage out each set. As I write this here in December, I’m on my 5th set in nine months. THANKS to Bridgestone for helping me out in the shoe department. Motorcycle tires have to be very soft to maintain grip and safety. Which they do in most cases, when you are wearing the right tread pattern. I needed hiking boots on this particular day, but was wearing Crocs. Street tread is not the same as street cred. I had just filled both my main and auxiliary tanks with gas, all 12 1/2 gallons and 75 pounds worth. The bike probably weighs 800 lbs loaded up.
Dirt roads make me smile however, and this day was no different. I smiled a lot, even when I was wondering if it was going to be the day I got to try out the SOS button on my satellite tracker! Although I had only made a couple of payments on the new bike, it really wasn’t NEW new, I have about 20,000 miles on it. I bought it to ride it , not polish it. I’ve picked up a few big bikes in my life, a friend’s overloaded Goldwing on the New Jersey Turnpike, and once on my K1200LT. While travelling with my wife and two other couples, I tried to put my foot down onto pavement that was missing a large section- and we fell over. I was able to pick up the bike with my wife still on it before the others even saw what happened. Unfortunately I was forced to fess up later while sipping a bottle of truth serum in the hot tub, there was no hiding the fact that I was a tad bit sore.
Anyway, there’s not much to this story other than I got in too deep, turned around and had to
” Lay ‘er down to avoid an accident.”
Sunday nap!
The bike fell in the mud, and I couldn’t really get under it to pick it back up! Helmet off and picture time. Finally was able to drag the rear wheel into the tire rut and used the rut to stop it from sliding away as I tried to get it up.
Everywhere we go, everything we do- Big brother is watching us. Why would this day be any different?
I just happened to have the Gopro camera my older brother David gave me rolling, so my silly acrobatic maneuver was caught completely on tape.
So, the bike got it’s very first scratch, and I had a couple of pictures and some video to put together this little bit. Enjoy!
Who says I’m not having fun?
Longhaulpaul
Any day you can ride is a good day.
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I have so been there. The GS likes to take the road less traveled. Here’s wishing you the very best in the new year, Paul.
very………..smooth!
Its never fun to go down on a bike but that was a very graceful lay down. It was like watching a Motogp rider going into a turn.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey, God be with you and your family during this holiday time.
Ken