Canada, I'm heading to Canada...

So we left McCall, ID yesterday morning. It was a great day. We rode all two lane mountain roads in Idaho. The temps changed so much. It was cool and nice, then we dropped down into the Salmon river gorge and it was hot!!  

Me at the top of "Hells Canyon" 

This is one of the many steep grades we rode up then down.

It was really cool to see the change from a high mountain forest, to the desert, to the river gorges of northern Idaho and back into the mountains again. Idaho is a great state.

My brother and I crossing the Salmon river bridge. This was a long canyon. This was the biggest river we crossed. I bet the Yukon up in AK is bigger. I will find out and let you know.

So here we are at the Selkirk Lodge, just north of Sandpoint. It's Saturday morning and we are gearing up. Matt and Alicia are headed south back home and I am about to head into Canada. I'm not sure if I will be posting much in Canada but I will do my best. I hope everyone is well and I will write more when I can. The weather is cool and it will be raining soon. Gotta love the mountains.

Thanks for the support so far and please keep following. The comments are good as well. I like them.

Idaho... Day 3

This morning, my brother Matt, his wife Alicia, and I hopped on our bikes and set off from Swan Valley, ID.  As I mentioned, my mother and BK (world's best girlfriend-helper) are here in Idaho as well.  They flew out to meet me at Matt's house, and at the last minute, they decided to be our "support" vehicle for our first day.  We left my brother's ranch early this morning.

So... after a 400+ mile day, we have touched down in McCall, Idaho. 

We went over mountains,

 through canyons,

 past historic landmarks,

sat in construction,

through 35 MPH "towns",

and apparently,  BK can't drive...

Unfortunately, there is no pic, but in the town of Cascade, ID (population 997), I suddenly saw flashing lights behind me.  Brooke was driving the rental car with my mom, and got pulled over by one of Cascade's finest for following too closely!  Of course, the guy let us go, but it was excitement nonetheless.

So seeing as it's way late and we drove 12+ hours today, I'm signing off to get some much needed sleep.  Two more days with my bro and Alicia, and then it's the Canada for me, all alone.  Have to say goodbye to BK and my mom (again!) tomorrow morning.

Keep following us, it'll be entertaining, I promise.

Idaho... Rest day 2

My first two rest days are drawing to a close and I'm preparing for the next step of my journey.  I've had a great two days in Idaho with my brother, his wife, my mother, and BK.  I feel like I've caught up on a little rest and even got to enjoy the scenery a bit.

This evening we rode "into town" to pick up the rental GS that my brother and his wife will be riding as they accompany me to the Canadian border.  It was a great feeling to ride over Teton Pass with my bro on a bike beside me.  Very excited to get started tomorrow and continue to raise awareness.

Speaking of awareness, I received an email today from one of my contacts at Susan G. Komen (hi, Liz!) that passed along some really cool information.  The majority of Passionately Pink donations go directly to the local Susan G. Komen affiliate in the area the donation originates.  That means that from the generosity and support of you, my readers, friends, and family, we have helped at least 10 Komen Affiliates provide research and education to their communities, as well as screenings and treatment programs for people who would otherwise go without!  And, our donations are still also helping to support national Komen initiatives.  

It was really great to hear straight from the source that my trip is making a difference.  My main goal continues to be awareness, and through awareness, early detection and prevention of breast cancer.  Ladies, (and all of the gents that care about their ladies), please, please take a moment and check out the plethora of info on Susan G. Komen website.  This site is probably the very best resource for info on everything from understanding risk factors and prevention to early detection and screening.

We are still actively trying to raise donations, and every bit helps.  Let's try and help as many folks as we can through this endeavor.  Please donate if you can - we're all in this together.

My brother Matt and I have been in touch with Kris over the past couple of days and we are both excited that she will be tracking our ride.  She is having a great week and I know she is excited that we are supporting her during her treatments... some of us more than others:

Matt shaved his head to show just a little more solidarity...

So once again, thanks everyone for your support, and please keep tracking us, keeping up with our adventures, and commenting!

Idaho

When I left Telluride yesterday morning, I did some backtracking to get myself to 550 North again. It was an easy ride up to Grand Junction, riding from the mountains to the high plains of CO. The temps went up and it was hot!  I stopped in downtown Grand Junction at "Roasted"- coffee and sandwiches. After an easy morning, I had to make some time and get up to Vernal, Utah.  From Grand Junction, I hopped on I-70 for 5 miles or so to CO North 139, up into the mountains again and over Douglas Pass.  I made that drive many times when I was working for the US Forest Service, and I have to say it was way more fun on a bike than in a large fire engine.

Douglas Pass

After a good ride up and over Douglas Pass, the road takes you into a very long canyon section, BLM land I believe.  It's all sage brush and natural gas wells and is a cool road to ride. I made it to Vernal pretty easy and then I rode north on 191. This road rocks.  If CO 550 is known as the Million Dollar Highway, then the section of 191 from Vernal, Utah to Dutch John, Utah is the other million you have in the bank. It takes you up and into the Ashley National Forest, a place very familiar to me - I worked there for 3 fire seasons.  A series of switch backs then takes you right into some really great mountain riding.

Once I arrived in Dutch John.... First, I rode down to the "A" section put-in of the Green River, the base of the Flaming Gorge dam.  Flaming Gorge and the Green River are a very special place.

Then I rode up to the town of Dutch John, which consists of mainly USFS folks, Dept of Reclamation folks, and many river guides. This section of the Green River has world-renowned fly fishing and in the summer, this tiny town of 250 supports itself on tourists and travelers seeking a remote and beautiful place to retreat.  If you ever get a chance to explore this area, DO IT!!!

After my trip to the river, I went into town.  I had to swing by my old engine base.

 

This is USFS E-411 (United States Forest Service Region 4, Engine #411).  I worked on this fire engine for a few summers, and I have traveled all over the west in this giant "heavy" engine... many fires and many miles logged on this rig, including the ride I had just completed.

Facts about this engine: it's a 4x4, holds 5 crew, many tools, and 800 gallons of water. The Ashley National Forest has two of these trucks.

So I rode on after that, making good time to Rock Springs, WY, where I had to ride north on 191.  I really believe that this is the windiest section of road in the US.  I've driven it my truck before, which was tough enough, so on the bike is was really a struggle. For 150 miles on this wind-blown highway, the big oil and gas field trucks blow past you at 80 MPH. I finally made it to Boundarant Valley, the last valley before you get into the Hoback River canyon.  As luck would have it, they decided to tear up the highway and replace it with muddy rocky "road".  I rode this for several miles and was glad to be riding the big GS.  I don't have a good pic of this, as I was trying to beat the rain and it was sprinkling on me at that point.

I rode to Hoback Junction, down the Snake River Canyon, to Alpine, WY, then around Palisades Reservoir into Idaho and what do ya know...

A welcoming committee!

My brother Matt and me

Well, that was yesterday and it was a long day... 582.5 miles and all two lane mountain roads. So I'll be here for a couple days of R&R, then it's back in the saddle to the Canadian border. My brother and his wife have rented a GS to join me on that stretch. Stay tuned for more adventures. . .

RAIN... and lots of it

Leaving I-40 was great. I now know where all of the nation's corn comes from -- northwest of Dumas, TX.  

(I think some folks are playing baseball in there.)

I was in and out of rain all day. Leaving Texas and entering Colorado was all rain, all the time. I stopped for an early lunch in Trinidad, CO at the "Cafe". The whole time I was eating it was raining.  Here's the bike in Durango, shortly after getting hailed on.  Nice.

The roads in Colorado were very wet. The ride up on the Million Dollar Highway, CO 550 was wet, twisty, and had chip seal surface.  To explain that better, chip seal is basically tar put down on the road with rocks on top - not the best surface for biking in the rain.  So chip seal surface, really twisty with no guard rail, and super wet and slippery... it was kind of scary.  I was really hoping to ride this road in the sunshine, but no such luck.

While riding from Silverton to Telluride this happened:

 If you look close you can see it - a double rainbow.  Of course, when I stopped to take the pic, I dropped the bike.   Actually, to be honest, that was the second time that day that I dropped the bike.  After the ride up from Durango to Silverton I was attempting to park, it was raining, I was tired, and what do you know... I dropped the bike.  A slow, standing-still kind of drop. Yes... the bike is very heavy, and it was very hard to lift again, but I did it.  After both of those little incidents.  The fuel gauge seems to be showing "Full" all the time now and so I will have to figure that one out this morning.

All in all, I had a really long day, with sunshine for maybe 2 hours.  Well, actually no sun, just overcast and not raining for 2 hours. The rest of the day was nice and cool and raining. If you look at the "Track Me" map, you will see that it appears I did a giant loop at the end of my day, but to get to Telluride from Silverton is a hard thing to do. You can do one of two things to ride over Ophir pass - the all dirt way or the longer road way.  Because it had just rained and it was getting dark, and since I don't have my off-road tires on the bike, and after a super long day and me being alone, I figured the dirt way wouldn't be the best thing... just out of the question.  So I went around the giant mountains that surround Silverton, riding through Ouray, Colorado, north of Silverton on 550, then west on 62, then east on 145.  Did I mention that it was a LONG day?  I rode most of 145 in the dark, but kept riding because I was trying to get to my friend's house to get a nice dinner and a good night's sleep. I finally made it and I'm here now in Telluride - writing, repacking, and getting ready to make the final push to Idaho to go see my family and BK.  Then I'll be able to relax for a couple days before the big ride through Canada. 

Rolled past 1000 miles today...

This morning I decided to stop and get some breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. As I got off my bike I had some nice folks inquire about the bike. We talked for a bit I told them about my cause and purpose. Next thing I know my check was taken care of. I have to say I am very thankful. It was a great start to a long day in the saddle. Thank you.

As for the rest of my riding. It was a long day rolling down I-40. Right on the edge of a storm. I was sooooo not wanting to ride in the rain on I-40. Thankfully I didn't. I was either just ahead of the storm or just behind it. I got a slight sprinkle that was it. I'm now in Dumas TX. A small town in the northern plains of TX. It was nice to put I-40 in the rear view.

A little rest stop action on I-40...

This tree was my shade spot. I definitely stopped and napped here for an hour. It was nice.

So another successful day. Lets see where I get tomorrow. I'm leaving the interstate behind and headed for the mountains. Should be some good photo opportunities. Looking forward to seeing my brother. I know he is looking forward to meeting up and helping support our sister. Since he lives in Idaho I know he feels removed this will be good for both he and Kris.

Off to sleep see you tomorrow!!

More pics....

Saturday morning... Arkansas

I cant thank everyone enough for the great send off yesterday. It was a bit overwhelming. The ride was hot and leaving Atlanta was hard to do. Well leaving Atlanta was easy, it was leaving all my family and friends.I also had a hard time leaving BK. She has done so much to help. She was crying it was pretty emotion. I admit I was a bit teary eyed when we rode past my sister, her husband and all her kids as well as my father on I-20. That was really awesome of them. Friday was a pretty long day. Not so much in miles. But in time. I didn't stop riding till 9:30 or so. My first camp was a crappy RV place behind a hotel. No big deal. I have to get through to Midwest to get to the west!

Here it is... home last night

As for the ride yesterday it was hot. Heading north on the future I-22 was as boring as the first time I drove it a few months ago. Crossing the Mississippi was cool. This is the pic I got while riding over the bridge right into the sun not that great but it was an awesome steel bridge.

Then traffic. As in turn off the bike and sit on the sun traffic. 3 lanes down to 1. That consumed about 2 hours. Oh and it was maybe 5 miles.

So all in all a great start to a long ride. I hope you guys enjoy. I will post up again after today's events.

And the time has come...

As Daniel approaches Memphis, TN, on Highway 78, his mother and I (BK) have just arrived back in Atlanta after an eventful day helping him to begin his journey.  First stop was Blue Moon Cycle in Norcross, GA, where several friends met to see him off, and six riders suited up with him to head to Birmingham, AL. 

As you can see, Atlanta traffic was at its finest as we approached I-20:

Luckily as we travelled west, the situation improved:

With some careful planning and multiple phone calls, we were able to coordinate a really spectacular surprise. Kris and her family drove to an exit off of I-20 to wave goodbye to Daniel.

We slowed down as best we could, as the kids yelled and cheered Daniel on.  It was a special moment to share with Kris and Daniel, as they continue on their separate but equally arduous journeys.

Although it was nearly 100 degrees, it was a great day for a bike ride.

The other riders' destination was Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds, AL.  The museum graciously provided complimentary entrance for our riders.

 After a brief but extremely interesting visit to this fabulous museum, it was finally time for Daniel to be on his way and for us to say, "Goodbye for now..." 

It was a surreal, bittersweet moment to witness the instant that his solo journey had at last begun. 

Please be sure to keep an eye on the "TRACK ME!" section of the site and keep up with Daniel's progress, and now more than ever, please show your support and encouragement by posting comments!

A special thanks to the riders who accompanied Daniel today...

           Paulius                                             (the other) Daniel

     Yaniv                                                "Fearless" Phil

        

      

 Lori                                                  Mark

Fundraiser party!

Our fundraiser event last night was a great time, with a really good turn out.  We had around 50 people throughout the night and raised $1,080 for Susan G. Komen!!!  It was really great to see so many friends, old and new, and meet some new folks as well. 

Check out the assortment of ADV bikes: 

We sold raffle tickets for the HD Motorsports HERO camera so graciously donated by GoPro.  Our winner, John, really took it up a notch.  When he came up to claim his prize, he announced that in lieu of accepting the camera, he wanted to raise more money for Komen.  So we had a very impromptu auction right there in Zuffy's, and raised an additional $175.  It was really, really cool of John and was pretty entertaining, too.

We then raffled the GoPro hat and t-shirt.  Here's a pic of all of our winners:

Also, I got to see my sister today (before I leave tomorrow).  She and I had lunch together with all five of the kiddos, and I had the opportunity to assure her multiple times that I will be very careful and arrive back home in one piece.  I was so glad she was feeling well enough to meet up today.

And with that, I am off to eat some of my mom's spaghetti and meatballs, try to clear my head, and get some rest.

Thursday - 22 hours and 31 minutes to go.

Taking the bike apart to begin packing. Awesome pics with the new GoPro!

UPDATE... So, I watched this video and I wonder how many more times I could have said, "I'm putting the motorcycle back together and I'm packing..."?  Then, at the end I was saying thanks to Brooke, but is looks like I'm giving a weird thanks to the camera.   I think I'm delirious at this point.  I need to rest!  I was very hot and tired.  It was 95 degrees in Atlanta today.  Tomorrow it's going to be 97 or so... nice.

By the way, at last night's gathering and fund raiser we raised over a $1,000 for Komen! So we have that going for us, which is nice.  Pics to come soon.

Back to packing and resting and making funny videos.