AllTrails.com road finder

Have you been looking for maps of the lesser roads?

 While looking for roads that friend Bryan Reynolds and I rode last weekend, I ran across AllTrails.com

The site is intended for hiking and bicycle trails, but has great detail of the roads getting to those trailheads.   Here's the link that will take you to the trail pictured above:  Trail of Tears

You may have to sign into the account to access it, but it's free.  Once there, look at the text icon at the top of the map.   It probably says 'All Trails'.   Change that to 'Terrain' to get a better view of the roads.   Looks like it has stuff that definitely isn't on the state maps.

There are many options on the website.   I haven't done much with it, but will post more after I have experimented.  Let me know what apps you are using and how they are working for you.
 

Happy Trails!  Jeff

AMERIDECK Bike to Truck lifts!

Alternates for hauling the bike...   

Having experienced several challenges getting my bike into a truck/trailer, I'm adding a convenience item to my truck.    And I just became a distributor for AmeriDeck SuperDeck III !   

My friend Skip out in OR is letting me sell for him and it's quite a useful tool!

You can get plenty of  details from various websites about the AmeriDeck.   It has two sizes, priced the same, for short or long-bed pickups.  About the only thing to be cautious of is to make certain that your truck can handle the load... or potential load.  The deck weighs about #600.  Add to that the potential to carry two bikes (#1,600 additional?) and then try to make a panic stop at 65 MPH.   A very light truck may not be the best application... but it's your call.

Priced at $3,640.00 plus freight from the factory in PA to your location or your installer.   Installation takes about 3 hours and, other than lifting the device into place, it's just a matter of a few bolts and power from the vehicle battery.  

Here's a link to the detail brochure P1. <<<
Here's the link to P2 with the product specs. <<<

Give me a call for details and to get your Amerideck on it's way to your truck!     717-620-9676    Jeff

Keywords:  Rollback, tow truck, motorcycle towing, lift gate, bike rack, motorcycle carrier, pickup truck accessories, flatbed, flat bed, tie downs,

Hey!! We're 
back!   The trip ended up being 5 miles and 10 days longer than planned.   Most of the extra days were in Franklin NB (A) at the NB/KS state line.  Diesel trouble shut us down the the BMW Night Rider's Husker Rally was taking place at the fairgrounds fight at the edge of town.  Wonderful people and great food.  (Recommend highly).  They don''t have any GS Giant members but surely will soon.  Hundreds of miles of gravel and a GREAT sign of quality...  With roads like these why are they riding on street tires?   



Will have to post much more soon about this great travel experience.   From the GS Giant Stampede and Gypsy Tour to the BMW MOA Rally in Billings... coupled with days of the Black Hills, Yellowstone, Tetons, Cody WY and dozens of other discoveries...   We had a blast.

Now we're back near home in Carterville, IL, but haven't put the camper/toy-hauler away yet.  Couple more days lakeside at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge to do some maintenance and catch up on thoughts and photos.

Stay tuned for updates on the adventure...   while we plan the next one(s).

Travel safe!

Jeff

Westward Ho

Setting out... the plan...

3,500 miles... 23 + Days...  Looking forward to an adventure.   Bike is up to it.  Camper is getting loaded.  Two days in the fiend (Crab Orchard Lake Campground to finish preparing.  Looks like a enjoyable trip... Wiil keep you posted.

Awning, not bike related

 Friends Sam and Sandy have an RV which is similar to ours, but motorized. This was the week to replace their awning... thanks to YouTube we managed with a minimum of delays...  At one point we thought we made a mistake, but we were wrong...

Tire Change

Tire change... My least favorite moment...

#1...   My bike hates the center stand.  It's all I can do to get it up there, even with help.. and then it teeters...  last thing I need when wrenching.  Fortunately my canisters provide some support in these situations.

Break the bead...  lots of soap and water...  this part went well.   Then to add zip-ties.   This is on a youtube video so you can get all the tips.  Makes it less frustrating... just short of easy. 

 Compare the knobs...   The old guy is almost down to the surface.... not dangerous, but not helpful.  This new tread is a Heidenau Motocross.  Should work wonders off-road

 Yessssss... I checked the directional...

Before i remounted the wheel I took it to GrassRoots BMW to have them check the bearings.  I thought they were pretty tight... and after 20,000 they might be.  The pros looked at them and gave them the all clear for another round of dirt, so I'm comfy putting the wheel assembly back in place.  Now to ride!

Setting out for WYO

Several things come to mind this morning...   did a tire change.  packing to leave,  weekend past with friends.   and this morning I am waking in the camper out by Crab Orchard Lake listening to rain and birds...  and feeling poetic...  Here's what I thought last evening as the storm approached.  I sat there into the raindrops musing...

  Fishing… Maybe fishing isn't about the fish.  Maybe fishing is to let us relax.  Just sitting here and watching the lake and look at reflections,  wait for sunset and when maybe it's a storm instead of a sunset,  dinner and watch the storm. I can hear it, down to the south of me. I'm looking west out across the inlet from the in the lake. There’s a heron out there on the shore. He's probably 3 feet into the water. Pacing yourself.  Waiting to grab can a few raindrops. They started to spackle across Lake. Truly quiet. Not a breath of air.  The trees are silhouetted against the what was supposed to be a sunset and now overcast.  In the West, bright grey. And off to the left, to the south, here it's a thunderous grey slow-moving cumulus booming. Sometimes… We'll see what the evening brings. Maybe this is why we fish...   the fish, calm.. the lake glazes over…. like it is takes a breather…   Thunder herds the clouds ahead.  urging them… thrusting.  and  at the same time gradually  over-powering the weather in it’s path.  a powerful feeling.