USGP MotoGP Year 2 - D-Day minus 15

After much worrying, I finally decided to go back to the MotoGP races in Laguna Seca this year. Unfortunately my son Adam can't make it with me this year - bummer. We had a great time last year and he is my favorite riding partner along with my wife. Summer college classes got in the way. Kay would like to attend, but she doesn't want to spend 2 weeks on the road astride a motorcycle. To me that is the best part of the entire trip!

So I went on line and ordered tickets. This year I plan to attend only on Saturday and Sunday rather than Thu-Sun. All the races are held those days. This year traffic to and from the race should be much better since they claim to have motorcycle-only routes to the track. Duh.

My plan this year is to ride my BMW F650GS Dakar on the trip. Why not the CBR? That was a tough choice. I love both of the bikes but obviously I can't ride both to California. The BMW ended up my choice because A) I already took the CBR last year, 2) I plan a more leisurely pace this year, 3) the Dakar can go anywhere, a very versatile bike, 4) because I just decided to.

After finally making the decision I can barely sleep. All I think about all day is riding through unknown countryside, stopping in out of the way spots, meeting other riders along the way, the miles rolling by while I just take any route I want, go where I want, stop, sleep and ride when I want. I can't wait!!! Like normal, I don't have a firm route planned, just a general idea of where I want to go. I think I will ride to New Mexico, then follow the Rockies north to Wyoming and Montana, then across Idaho to Washington, follow the Columbia River gorge to the Pacific Ocean, then ride the coast south to Monterey and the races at Laguna Seca. On the return trip I will head east and follow the north rim of the Grand Canyon, since it is higher in elevation and cooler than the south rim. Since I am on a dual sport, and if I have time, I might follow some dirt roads as far as I can into the Grand Canyon.

My first task is to perform a complete maintenance job on my BMW. This will include an oil change, sprocket and chain replacement, air filter, fix a weeping fork seal, and new tires and possibly brakes. Gotta work before you can play!

Stay tuned...