T minus 19 - or close to it

Today, I took my first 'longish' ride of 2009 to Nackawic with Jim's daughter, Grace - another sportbike enthusiast. We had lunch at Acorn's on the highway at Kings Landing and came home via Lake George and Harvey. It was sunny and 16 very pleasant degrees when we left at 1100h ; 20 degrees when we got home at 1430h. I wore my full riding suit sans fleece liner and was comfortable riding but WARM when we stopped or slowed down in traffic. I installed a Crampbuster at Nackawic and found out it works great! At least for the little bit I used it on the ride back to the city. It doesn't take long for my little hand to feel numb from gripping the throttle.
I need a few more rides in before Jim and I leave on our Big Adventure on June 4th or 5th.

Trip Preparations
I have a few installations to be done: new tires, a Fuze Block (a power bar for a MC) and a Garmin Zumo 660 (MC gps). The latter is a VERY new release and it's known to have bugs but I'm optimistic mine is bug-free! And my bike needs servicing.

I'll take my iPod but won't be listening to it on the road. I won't have it, my phone nor the gps connected to in-helmet headphones or speaker. Jim and I will use the original low-tech communications system: hand signals. At Nakusp, there will be a Vintage Riders Breakfast. The sole criterion to qualify for VR status is minimum age of 50. Jim could give those guys lessons on being a "vintage rider". With the exception of my gps, there are no ”farkles” on our bikes!

I finally have waterproof boots and now need just a pair of Canadian Tire rubber gloves to cover my leather ones. On the Cabot Trail and Gaspe rides, we/I rode home in pouring rain and my boots were my weakest link. Within minutes, my feet were sloshing around - but my body heat kept the water warm :) The only thing to test now is riding with my topcase. It's additional topheavy weight that I really don't need. The FJR's 'wet weight' is about 640 lbs. Add me in my ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time), sidecases AND topcase.... This is really only (potentially) a problem when I'm stopped so I guess the key is to just RIDE!

Our plans are pretty loosey goosey right now. All we know for sure is: Day One to Manotick (921 kms - ouch) and Day Two to Sault Ste Marie (just < 900kms). I'll be calling home every day and will attempt to maintain this blog. I'll also be checking my e-mail regularly. That's The Plan. The Reality may look quite different - especially if we have too many 500-mile days. Stay tuned ....