49 States. Chapter II

[travelingbyguzzi]

OK, things are about to get serious. Seriously fun, that is.
Last February, I began this project by riding from Arkansas to Florida and spending 2 weeks laying around in the sun with Karl Werth. In 19 days, I had rain just one afternoon.
 This morning, I am in Pratt Kansas, having left Arkansas yesterday morning.
I am spending 2 days with friends in SE Colorado, then going straight South to Marathon Texas.
Then riding West along the Southern U.S, border (as much as possible) to San Diego and a couple beach days there.
The goal is to end up in Central Oregon for a big birthday throwdown ( 4-day throwdown) andthen on to Seattle for a week.
After I get my fill of good ale in Seattle, I head back to SE Kansas and then back to Arkansas for oil and tire changes.
After that, East Coast, here I come.

Bill Lovelady.          IS
Eskimo Spy

[spmoto]

Sounds awesome. This little quote that I read the other day may come in handy at some point along the way: "The difference between an ordeal and an adventure is attitude." Have a great trip and if you make it to Maine give me a shout!
Steve M

[Texas Turnip]

Bill,
Good to hear that you are actually doing the rides instead of being another "gona do" that ends up taking a dirt nap with a bank full of money.
Keep us posted,
Tex

[travelingbyguzzi]

Sounds awesome. This little quote that I read the other day may come in handy at some point along the way: "The difference between an ordeal and an adventure is attitude." Have a great trip and if you make it to Maine give me a shout!
Steve M

Spmoto, we like to say that adventure is just controlled chaos.
Really, it's under control.
I can't be drowning, I can see the beach from here.

I have been inspired by some great men.
J N Smyth
B J Shwartz
Karl Werth
Phil Heileman
Guzzi heros all.

[twowheeladdict]

What are you riding and what types of roads are you riding on?

I never left the southeast on a bike until 2008 when in my mid 40s. Set a goal of touring every state in the lower 48.  My rides ranged from 2 to 3 weeks and 3000 to 7000 miles. I completed my goal in 2016 with 200,000 miles ridden in total during that time. At least 5 different motorcycles were used. 

Enjoy the journey. Talk with local riders who will point out hidden gems of roads, restaurants, and vistas. Try food you’ve never had before. Most of all, have fun!

[Guzzistajohn]

GO BILL! Keep the rubber side down! 

Karl and JN are two great Guzzi heroes! It takes one hell of a man to outride either one of them!





When I think of you @ a nude beach 

[travelingbyguzzi]

Twowheeladdict, I am riding a 2009 Norge, I bought in the Fall of '21-21,009 miles- with just this in mind. Two lanes as much as possible, a bit of I-10 thru El Paso into NM.
Good food is as good a reason as any to travel. That and the clothing optional beaches I can't seem to find in Arkansas.
Tomorrow, I leave Springfield Colorado for Ft Davis Texas.

[twowheeladdict]

 

[travelingbyguzzi]

Well, the forecast for the San Diego beaches is a high in the mid 60s, with much desert heat between there and Lordsburg, NM, where I currently am.
So, revision time.
Will ride up the East side of Arizona then the West side of Utah to Panguich, I have 6 days to dawdle before I need to be in Central OR.
The Davis Mountains, Ft Davis, Alpine and Marfa were great. I recommend the area.
That was the first set of motorcycle worthy curves since I left Mammoth Springs Arkansas 1200 miles ago.

Bill Lovelady       IS
Eskimo Spy

[twowheeladdict]

Well, the forecast for the San Diego beaches is a high in the mid 60s, with much desert heat between there and Lordsburg, NM, where I currently am.
So, revision time.
Will ride up the East side of Arizona then the West side of Utah to Panguich, I have 6 days to dawdle before I need to be in Central OR.
The Davis Mountains, Ft Davis, Alpine and Marfa were great. I recommend the area.
That was the first set of motorcycle worthy curves since I left Mammoth Springs Arkansas 1200 miles ago.

Bill Lovelady       IS
Eskimo Spy

If you haven't been I would highly recommend putting Capital Reef National Monument on your radar as you ride through Utah.  Along with all the other amazing "out of this world" national parks. 

[travelingbyguzzi]

Bisbee AZ was a very neat town. Extremely steep; buildings hanging on for dear life. Tons of neat late 1800, early 1900 stone buildings.
U S. 191 from Clifton AZ to Springerville was the twistiest 100 miles I have ever been on, some of it at 8500 ft.
Clifton was also a very neat town; lots of old brick buildings rapidly falling down.
The mine at the north end of town seemed to stretch for 10 miles, huge.
Tomorrow, I retrace old steps to Kanab UT.

[Ryan]

31 off 395 to La Pine isn't bad, but there are a shit ton of deer in the spring and fall. Leaving Central Oregon take 97 to 26, then 35 to Hood River. The best road is likely closed, but if you head west on 14 you have options around Carson. You can work your way NW on a series of two lanes to Randle on Hwy 12. Go west to Morton, head northout of Morton and you eventually get to Spanaway. From there, pick your poison to get to whatever corner of the Seattle area you are actually going to. A map is your best friend.

[travelingbyguzzi]

Ryan, Fossil, Oregon is my destination on Thursday.  Will probably ride back to Seattle on Sunday with Marlon Hoeres and Dick Guthrie.

[bigbikerrick]

I did not know you were riding around in "my hood" I am in Douglas, AZ. Bisbee is one of my "coffee ride" destinations, for a quick one hour loop ride, then back home.. thats cool that you got to experience HWY 191 ( previously 666, the devil's highway) amazing curves on that road!
Rick.

[SmithSwede]

Good for you Bill!

Funny, we were both just on Arizona 191.  What a fantastic road.   

[travelingbyguzzi]

Today was a good day. Rode thru Zion East to West. When I got to the East portal, there were only 5 cars in front of me. Leaving thru the West portal, there were at least 200 cars lined up.
Has a really good burger and really good fries at the Silver Cafe in Poiche NV then rode on to today's destination, the Hotel Nevada in Ely NV.
I have to slow down; I have 3 days to go 600 miles to my destination.

Bill Lovelady







       IS
Eskimo Spy.

[PJPR01]

Nothing like a Norge for munching the miles!  Good stuff!

[travelingbyguzzi]

3300 miles later, I am near my destination. I will spend 10 or 11 days in the PNW then head for that thing in SE Kansas.
Life is good.



Bill Lovelady         IS
Eskimo Spy

[LowRyter]

Bill, you're a marvel of a rider.  Seen you at Cedar Vale a time or two on the big Breva. 

[travelingbyguzzi]

Chapter 2 is written.
12 states, 7000 miles, 28 days,2 guzzi rallies, took a few things off my bucket list.
I am back in The Ozarks for a couple weeks of light maintenance, Bill paying, yard mowing, etc, then I head for the Eastern Seaboard, South to North. Stay tuned.

Bill Lovelady      IS
Eskimo Spy