After a ride in the sierras today I have come to a conclusion, The Vstrom dl1100 is the best bike on the road for getting across large distances in virtually any circumstances.

I rode through Lassen park today with a friend and after meeting several adventure riders all of whom have excellent experience and wisdom, the consensus was that the VSTROM plat form is the best all around bike. The 1100 vs. the 650 is an area of some debate. The 1100 is not as apt at off road as the 650, but the 1100 has much more cajones and ON THE PAVEMENT capabilities.

Another important thing I learned today was that the tires I have been using are only going to last about 7000 miles max, and safely about 5000 miles, so I will have to make a plan for how to switch them out while I'm on the ride to and from Paraguay.

The scala rider headset was an absolute life saver for me on this trip so far, but I am going to have to invest in a Sat phone for the trip if I want any significant communications while in south america.

Some of my contacts at sierra electronics might be of some help with this one.

Here are a few Pictures from today's ride. 

Emerald lake view of Mt. Lassen

A man and his horse, I even wore cowboy boots! ( The ones I picked up on my last trip to Nashville)

Emerald Lake

The amazing winding road headed for the top of the pass.

Jeremy at the Mt. Lassen visitor center

This little table shows all the volcanoes in the area and describes how the earths shape was formed.

HOW THIS ALL CAME ABOUT?????

Yesterday.... When all my troubles seemed so far away - John Lennon


Today I was pondering on all my many travels and the question came to mind, which of my latests adventures will I remember 10 years from now, Which stories will I tell my children.

For me personally the answer was "The Long Ride to Sturgis" (click here) A 4500 mile motorcycle trip I took last year with one of my good friends who at the time was an employee.  We did the ride as a promotion for one of my products, but in the end the trip was a true journey. You can read all about it on my other blog - Myths Legends and Tales from the Road.

On that journey I learned about myself, I learned about the country, the beauty of the road and the vastness of the wilderness.

I thought about how hard parts of it were, I thought about the snapshots I keep in my mind, my favorite moments which flash in the front of my mind like a slide show when I dream. I became very reminiscent of the adventure it entailed and so today my recommendation for all those who travel is to REMEMBER.... to look back on where you have been and what you have done and try to identify what made those memories .

The next step is to start a plan, a wish-list, a bucket list if you will of all the things you would do again if afforded the opportunity. If you can get that far then maybe you can get together the gumption to make one of them (even if its the simplest one) happen again.

Just so you know after I made my bucket list I chose a goal that is slightly ambitious. I am making it a goal to return to Paraguay where I spent two years a missionary when I was 19 years old. I plan on making the trip on Motorcycle - So there you have it..... Perhaps I have bitten off more than I can chew but I'm going to try! This little exercise helped me to feel alive.... Even if I never make it happen, I will have enjoyed dreaming about it.