Teddy on the Go

United States Solo Motorcycle Tour

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Tucson to San Diego

Posted by Teddy Osuch on February 7, 2012

I left Tucson February 6.  I really enjoyed my time with Robert. I met some of his best friends: Matt, Mary, Mitchell and Elizabeth and their children.  We went to the giant annual gem show and saw Howard and Nancy Shapiro there.  I bought two Buddhist wrathful deity masks and some tiny African skulls carved from bone.  I changed my mind about going to Austin to see Opie now because the weather through New Mexico is foul.  I am in San Diego, CA now heading for Davis, CA to visit, Michael, Mitchell’s brother and then Nancy Shapiro.

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Back to Tucson

Posted by Teddy Osuch on January 30, 2012

I drove back down to Tucson this weekend to take a ride with Robert. We drove to Parker Canyon Lake in the vicinity of the Santa Rita Mountains and Canelo Hills. To get there, one drives a wonderfully twisty road that is full of deep potholes and severely eroded edges. It is a two way road that narrows to one lane at times because of the edge erosion. This narrowing occurs usually at the beginning of blind curves. This is where Mr. Ram 5000 hangs out until he sees you coming. Then he pulls out suddenly and heads swiftly in your direction swerving to miss you at the last moment possible.  This is an excellent ride for people who want to practice not dying.   For the most part, a jolly time was had by all.

Being with Robert was even better this time.  He still has his anti-social edge but a heart of gold to go with it.  He strongly resisted letting me take his photo but he has agreed to let me do a photo portrait of him next weekend.  I will stop there on my way to El Paso.

Posted in Friendship, Motorcycling, Travelogue | 4 Comments »

Bikers in the Wilderness

Posted by Teddy Osuch on January 30, 2012

While we were out in the middle of nowhere on our way to Parker Canyon Lake via Death-Wish Highway, we happened upon “THE STEAK OUT RESTAURANT & SALOON” in Sonoita, AZ.  This place has been serving steaks here for 50 years although its a mystery to me to whom.  You can get a steak there the size of a toilet seat.  However, what was most notable for us was the parking lot which was full of motorcycles.  They were mostly Harleys, two BMW’s, a couple of trikes.  The ladies were driving the trikes.  The black flags you see on two of the motorcycles belong to an organisation of Vietnam War Veterans.  Beyond that,  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Posted in Friendship, Motorcycling, Travelogue | 1 Comment »

What I Packed

Posted by Teddy Osuch on January 23, 2012

This post is written for motorcycle touring enthusiasts.  I thought it might be useful to others to describe the luggage arrangement and items that I packed for the trip.  It covers all the major items but there are a few small items (like toothpicks) that I didn’t list.  I don’t know if this is the right stuff.  Over the course of the trip, I will be commenting on what items I think should be added or deleted and which items worked and which ones didn’t.  If you are not a motorcycle touring enthusiast, this post will probably be painfully boring to you.

The total volume capacity of all of my luggage is 168 liters.  That is 50L for the duffle, 27L for the tank bag, 49L for the top case, and 21L for each pannier.  I try to put the bulk of the weight in the panniers to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.

Here is what’s packed:

REI Tent
REI tent footprint
REI 40 degree Sleeping bag
REI Pillow
REI Mattress
Gerber Pocket knife
BMW Trailguard suit w/goretex liners
BMW Airflow 4 suit
Schuberth Helmet
BMW Rear top case kit
BMW Set of hard pannier liners
BMW Top case liner
BMW Duffle Bag
BMW panniers
BMW Anti-theft system
BMW Audio system w/radio
BMW Bluetooth Audio
BMW Electronic suspension adjustment
BMW Heated seat
BMW Heated hand grips
BMW Cruise control
BMW Allaround Boots
Shift Kicker Shoes
Five REI Polartec base layer top/bottom light
One REI Polartec base layer top/bottom medium
One REI Polartec base layer top/bottom heavy
Seven Pairs REI light hiker socks
Gerbing Heated jacket
Gerbing Heated gloves
Canon T2i DSLR camera
GoPro Hero DSLR camera
Samsung Galaxy IIS phone
HP Notebook computer
BMW Tank bag
Rev-It Fly Summer gloves
BMW GPS
Respironics CPAP
Thor 400W Inverter
12V Lithium battery pack
BMW first aid kit
TOPS MXR Chopping Knife
BUCK Utility Knife
Three small LED flashlights
Gerber multi-tool
Tool kit I put together
Four 24 ounce water bottles
Hygiene kit (soap, shampoo, etc.)
Instruction manuals
Important papers portfolio (7 pocket)
Bungee cords
Spare keys
Passport
Sewing kit

Posted in Motorcycling | 1 Comment »

Robert in Tucson

Posted by Teddy Osuch on January 19, 2012

I went to Tucson and saw Robert last night.  It was a great experience.  Its as if there were no effects from a twenty-five year separation.  I worry about his health.  He is clearly a good person.  I am going back this weekend during the day and will take photos.

Posted in Friendship | 4 Comments »

Adrienne Takes Delivery of the G650GS

Posted by Teddy Osuch on January 19, 2012

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The G650GS arrives in Phoenix

Posted in Motorcycling | 1 Comment »

Done Trucking

Posted by Teddy Osuch on January 17, 2012

I completed the first leg of my journey, Seattle to Phoenix, on January 16, 2012 in my 16’ rental truck.  My motorcycles and other freight traveled without harm.  Now the unloading and I will be done with the truck.

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Motorcycles on the Truck - Phoenix, AZ - January 2012

The weather was brutal all the way from Seattle to western Utah. Snow, slush, ice, blizzards were everywhere. I saw at least a dozen accidents between Ogden and Salt Lake City. Every mountain pass was treacherous except one in Yakima, WA. I was naïve to think this might be a route I could take with my motorcycle this time of year.

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Getting Started

Posted by Teddy Osuch on December 26, 2011

I’m going to start my trip by trucking my motorcycle and Adrienne’s motorcycle to Phoenix.  This is because the Cascade mountain passes can frequently be risky to negotiate by motorcycle during the winter.  Also, this is the quickest way to get Adrienne’s motorcycle to her.

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Teddy’s BMW Motorcycle

Posted by Teddy Osuch on December 26, 2011

BMW 2011 R1200RT

The big “boxer” all packed and ready to go.  I chose the BMW tankbag, duffel/dry bag , and topcase accessories because their attachment systems are well integrated with the motorcycle.  The side panniers are standard equipment.

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Adrienne’s First Motorcycle

Posted by Teddy Osuch on December 26, 2011

2010 BMW G650GS

Posted in Motorcycling | 2 Comments »