- Joined
- May 20, 2004
- Messages
- 12,850
- Reaction score
- 671
- Location
- Austin, TX
- First Name
- Rusty
- Last Name
- Myers
Scott (M38A1) has a good ride report going and I may supplement that with pictures, but this one will probably be more words. Sorry about that, but I had lots of alone time in my helmet and want to capture some of the thoughts and emotions from the trip while they are fresh. Some of the more general ones I'd be interested if other travelers have notice them too.
So, I'm back in my office at work, 7:15am right now. A day early. I'll get to that later, but it was not because of problems, but just they way the schedule worked out. Getting home last night was great. Each time a friend peeled off along the way there was some sadness. I turned for home and waved goodbye to Snoopster about 7pm last night. The rest are still on the road, some will make it home tonight, others still wandering. This morning though, I woke up with a sense of melancholy. My rear end doesn't want another day on the bike nor dealing with the heat, but something inside wants to keep moving. I didn't get to the office with a feeling of despair, there is something comfortable about my desk and chair, but I already miss the group. Really miss the three guys that were chasing us. I kept thinking they'd catch up, but we got too far in front.
I finally understand comments I've heard from world travelers about adjusting to getting home. I wasn't gone that long this time, but am already regretting not making some route corrections and hitting more of Colorado on the way back. And second guessing some of the routing on the trip. Anyone else get home with that desire to still be wandering? Part of it was the people I was with, I think. No arguing, bickering. We fell comfortably into some roles. I did the initial routing, lead the riding for the first few days. Nadeem was excellent making calls and finding places for us to stay. Scott was the main camera guy and he and I hung together on scenic days. Debbie fit in well. I was a bit worried about having her along. I knew she could ride and knew she knew most of the guys, but I didn't know how one woman might change the dynamics of the group. From my opinion is was great. Lady like enough to keep the guys from totally devolving into a bunch of men in the woods, but still capable of some choice words when dropping her bike (sorry, had to mention that). Only happened once though. BTW, Erik, her right pannier bracket could use a little bending. Camilo was the rear guard. Those headlights on that K1600 are so easy to pick out way back there. Never worried about him making a pass, that this moves when you want it too. Donnie had the wildest trip. Headed up early for another rally, planned on meeting us enroute, which he did, but was having bike issues, headed home, realized the issue wasn't an issue so he manage to catch back up a day later. Thomas also met us enroute, after a client visit and a dirt road traversal of the Bridger National Forrest.
So out full group didn't get together until Jackson, WY on the third night. And we only rode together that morning for the first time. Then we split to 3 and 4. And we rode together a day later from Red Lodge to Billings. The rest of the time it was fragmented. Seems strange to say that and still feel like we were a good group, but it is true.
Okay. enough rambling for the morning. More this evening and I'll add pictures.
So, I'm back in my office at work, 7:15am right now. A day early. I'll get to that later, but it was not because of problems, but just they way the schedule worked out. Getting home last night was great. Each time a friend peeled off along the way there was some sadness. I turned for home and waved goodbye to Snoopster about 7pm last night. The rest are still on the road, some will make it home tonight, others still wandering. This morning though, I woke up with a sense of melancholy. My rear end doesn't want another day on the bike nor dealing with the heat, but something inside wants to keep moving. I didn't get to the office with a feeling of despair, there is something comfortable about my desk and chair, but I already miss the group. Really miss the three guys that were chasing us. I kept thinking they'd catch up, but we got too far in front.
I finally understand comments I've heard from world travelers about adjusting to getting home. I wasn't gone that long this time, but am already regretting not making some route corrections and hitting more of Colorado on the way back. And second guessing some of the routing on the trip. Anyone else get home with that desire to still be wandering? Part of it was the people I was with, I think. No arguing, bickering. We fell comfortably into some roles. I did the initial routing, lead the riding for the first few days. Nadeem was excellent making calls and finding places for us to stay. Scott was the main camera guy and he and I hung together on scenic days. Debbie fit in well. I was a bit worried about having her along. I knew she could ride and knew she knew most of the guys, but I didn't know how one woman might change the dynamics of the group. From my opinion is was great. Lady like enough to keep the guys from totally devolving into a bunch of men in the woods, but still capable of some choice words when dropping her bike (sorry, had to mention that). Only happened once though. BTW, Erik, her right pannier bracket could use a little bending. Camilo was the rear guard. Those headlights on that K1600 are so easy to pick out way back there. Never worried about him making a pass, that this moves when you want it too. Donnie had the wildest trip. Headed up early for another rally, planned on meeting us enroute, which he did, but was having bike issues, headed home, realized the issue wasn't an issue so he manage to catch back up a day later. Thomas also met us enroute, after a client visit and a dirt road traversal of the Bridger National Forrest.
So out full group didn't get together until Jackson, WY on the third night. And we only rode together that morning for the first time. Then we split to 3 and 4. And we rode together a day later from Red Lodge to Billings. The rest of the time it was fragmented. Seems strange to say that and still feel like we were a good group, but it is true.
Okay. enough rambling for the morning. More this evening and I'll add pictures.