My first Ad-venture is underway!!!

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Actually, he can see everything on this site using the BlackBerry browser (I use Opera Mini browser). 75% the time I'm on here, I'm using my BB (now, for example). I'm assuming, of course, that he has a data plan. Love this phone. Love this site. Be careful FV.

 

So...youve got a Black Berry AND a Black Cherry!

 

Ok...I know the BB does internet browsing...what I was referring to, was that FutureV told us in another thread, that he would be posting or emailing, whichever it was, on the BB at gas stops, and not trying to browse around on that thing and waste time and battery power. Boot up, post, shut down....position and welfare reports only.

 

So...thats the reason I said he might not see this stuff till he got to the room, or home.

[1BigDog]

Yea, tracking his trip is pretty cool. Thanks for the updates and get home safe!!

[awsmsrv]

 

So...youve got a Black Berry AND a Black Cherry!

 

LOL. Didn't think of it that way.

[Mariner Fan]

Now this is the kind of trip posts I like, it's fun to hear something from every stop about the ride, the people, the area. Kinda makes you feel like you are along for the ride. This may be a neat new format for others to do too. Online interactive live trip journaling.

 

 

Oh, and FutureVentures, you are my kind of guy. Tornadoes, transformer blows up, no power and you have the priorities set perfectly. Get the beer before they go warm!!

 

Yep, I agree! This is really fun to follow FutureVentures on his trip.

[Snaggletooth]

Now this is the kind of guy I like to ride with! Got a game plan............roll on out and do it!

[Mariner Fan]

Yea, sounds like he's kicking it and enjoying a brewski. Tomorrow he's going to put some serious miles. Can't wait for the next post.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Anyone see the irony here? 4700 Venture owners..more or less, and ONE(!) guy riding and we all hang on his every post!

 

 

 

 

 

[gibvel]

Anyone see the irony here? 4700 Venture owners..more or less, and ONE(!) guy riding and we all hang on his every post!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yup. The only thing better is if I were down there riding with him!!

[Leland]

New reality TV show. "Survivor Ad-Venture". I wonder if the FOX network will pick this up. Be the only reality TV show I would watch (other than American Idol).

[Venturous Randy]

This weather front he was waiting out is in east Tennessee right now.

RandyA

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Hmmm.... no updates today??? Last we heard, he was heading for the beer!

 

 

Either his black berry died, or hes trying to make really good time...heres hoping that nothing bad happened.

[mini-muffin]

Does anyone have his phone number or maybe gave him there's? Just wondering how he made out with those storms. Anyone know if he has the rider assistance list we have? Hope he posts soon so we know he's ok.

 

I know too many questions.

 

Margaret

[Mariner Fan]

Yea, he has nothing for information. Hope everything is ok.

[Guest cajunrsver]

I just called him and he made it home safe and sound. He's already parked the bike at home and he's at a friend's house, three beers and a margarita have already been put away. He said it was a little windy but it was a tail wind, got a late start this morning and did not take the time to post any messages because he was trying to make up for the late start.

[Squidley]

Thanks for the update Roy and all your hospitality, this is why I love being in this site....the people make this place what it is

[mini-muffin]

Great to hear he's home ok. Did ya tell him we were wondering about him? Guess we'll hear from him tomorrow.

 

Margaret

[Guest cajunrsver]

Great to hear he's home ok. Did ya tell him we were wondering about him? Guess we'll hear from him tomorrow.

 

Margaret

 

 

Yes I did mention it and that's when he told me he did not take the time because he was trying to make up for the late start. I'm sure he'll provide some details tomorrow if he gets time. Oh I forgot, I'm sure he will spending most of the day shining that baby up. You'll may not get updates for a day or two.

[FutureVentures]

Wow, what a great ad-Venture!!!

 

Sorry that I didn't post at all today, two thoughts: figured it was Sat. and everyone was no longer bored at work:

Two: I was hauling ass to make it home quickly, lunch was a baby ruth.

 

First, I made it home safe and sound! Thanks in part to y'all! Seriously.

 

I can NOT thank Roy enough for his hospitality, reminds me of why I miss the South so much.

 

The bike/journey were/are great, did 600 plus miles today, no problem. However, due to tornadic activity at my last stop, I'm ready to call it a night. ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

 

Hope the occasional, if not duplicate updates, from the road were a break from your normal grind.

 

Again, I will put more updates/detail on tomorrow eve...

 

BTW, the few replies/comments I was able to read via Blackberry, REALLY were heartwarmining. Especially those that were warning, correctly, about the bad weather ahead of my path.

 

Thanks again y'all.........

 

Love me bike and my biker community.

 

Semper Fi,

 

Erich.............akak............FutureVentures:bighug:

[FutureVentures]

Ya know..

 

NOW, that I've read all the replies, I could/should just kick myself

 

Being somewhat new to the forum and a TOTALLY new Venture rider, I didn't want to assume too much.

 

Soooooo, I tried something here that I learned from my Hanggliding days: that is if you can't be there, listen/read from someone who is there currently.

Hmmm, I'm not saying what I mean...

 

Mainly, I did NOT want to seem pretentious about my posts, cause I'm new, so I only posted here and there. But frankly today, I seriously only stopped for gas, pee and a Baby Ruth. Again, figuring (incorrectly) that on a Saturday, nobody was reading.

 

But, it was REALLY cool posting my thoughts along the road. I hope, we start something here, cause it was fun, it kept me connected.

 

Oh yeah, thanks again to Roy for taking me in like a friend and keeping y'all informed.

 

Hey Roy, I wanna come back one day, 2 million candlelight flash in hand and send some armadillos off to armadillo heaven. Lawd knows, they don't cross the road very welll.

[Venturous Randy]

Well, now that I know that he is home, maybe I can finally go to sleep.

RandyA

[Guest cajunrsver]

Ya know..

 

NOW, that I've read all the replies, I could/should just kick myself

 

Being somewhat new to the forum and a TOTALLY new Venture rider, I didn't want to assume too much.

 

Soooooo, I tried something here that I learned from my Hanggliding days: that is if you can't be there, listen/read from someone who is there currently.

Hmmm, I'm not saying what I mean...

 

Mainly, I did NOT want to seem pretentious about my posts, cause I'm new, so I only posted here and there. But frankly today, I seriously only stopped for gas, pee and a Baby Ruth. Again, figuring (incorrectly) that on a Saturday, nobody was reading.

 

But, it was REALLY cool posting my thoughts along the road. I hope, we start something here, cause it was fun, it kept me connected.

 

Oh yeah, thanks again to Roy for taking me in like a friend and keeping y'all informed.

 

Hey Roy, I wanna come back one day, 2 million candlelight flash in hand and send some armadillos off to armadillo heaven. Lawd knows, they don't cross the road very welll.

 

 

I can always use a little help with armadillos, they can wreck a flower bed in a heart beat. You're welcome back any time. I think I've met a friend for life, again good luck with the new ride. I think I need to go change my signature and remove the RSV, damn I hate to do that.

[Squidley]

Good to see your back home in 1 piece Erich

The more you get into the site, the more you'll see it is like a family, perhaps a dysfuntional one, but one none the less

As the rides and miles on your new bike goes on you'll find even more to love about the Venture. It's a great machine and I think you'll find yourself wanting to attend some Meets & Eats. Be safe on it and here's hoping we catch up with you soon.

[gibvel]

The more you get into the site, the more you'll see it is like a family, perhaps a dysfuntional one, but one none the less

 

 

 

 

 

Hey!! I resemble that remark!!

Glad to see Erich made it home safely.

I was sweatin' it toward the end of the day when we didn't hear anything. First thing I did this morning was come on to see if there was anything posted yet.

Enjoy the new ride Erich. Thanks for letting us ride along!!!

[FutureVentures]

The more you get into the site, the more you'll see it is like a family, perhaps a dysfuntional one, but one none the less

 

 

Indeed, you put the FUN in dysfunctional.

So, a not-so-quick recap, as promised.

The adVenture started with the airlines, having to take 3 flights, I knew it was gonna be a challenge. Plus, I was carrying all my baggage, heavy leather coat, full face helmet(doesn't fit in overheads on smaller jets!) and a big backpack.

Oh yeah, I also brought my battery powered heated vest, laden with wires and two small batteries I thought for sure TSA would balk at that. Nope, didn't seem to notice. BUT, they did notice/remove my travel size toothpaste and deodorant! Yeah, I felt safer then.

 

Managed to catch all 3 flights, barely. Last one I made by about 30 seconds, from Atl. to Lafayette, gangway door closing on my heels.

 

Roy greets me in the airport, easy guess the only guy carrying a full face helmet wearing a motorcycle jacket in 75 degree weather.

 

Can't say enough about the hospitality/kindness shown to me by Roy and his wife, man I miss the South. I was born and raised down there and plan to return one day.

Oh, ya know the saying the man that dies with the most toys wins? Lets just say, Roy as a really good head start on us!

 

After delicious biscuits, blackberry jam and butter provided by Roy, I'm off at about 6:30, not bad.

 

I hate new bike jitters, feels like you haven't ridden before. I was soooooooooo glad I didn't drop the behemoth leaving the driveway, though I was over-revving I'm sure.

Actually, didn't drop the entire ride! Was pretty happy bout that.

 

First mile I see a small coyote in a rice field, maybe a big fox, probably eating some of those Crawdads!

 

First gas stop in a really small town, in who knows Louisiana, a young lad rides up to me on his bicycle, extends his hand and says "Hi, I'm Jouber, wanna trade bikes?". After letting my Chicago-inherited guard down, we have a pleasant conversation and off he goes, into the hot morning.

 

So the ride went through LA, into Miss., everyone waving or nodding hello, ahhhh, the South.

As y'all (it's coming back) noticed, things started getting a wee bit nasty on my way north. Stopped at a gas station, waiting out a few rain drops, chatting with the wife who was playing internet meteorologist for me. The Motel 6 across the street was the ticket, called it a day with almot 500 miles.

Damn smart/lucky move. Twenty minutes further north along my route, tornadoes and other nasty weather.

Will post photos later but, when I arrived the defunct pool at Motel 6 was 3 feet low, at least. When I left the next morning, it was 2 inches from the top!

 

Did I mention, there's a LOT of State Troopers in Miss.? Seems to be a popular job. They didn't get me, but got a bunch of others.

Arkansas and Missouri flew by, averaged about 85 for a solid 2-3 hours, saw 1 trooper. Illinois was as always, boring but this time, windy as all get out. Quartering tail wind, thankfully but, was leaning a good bit at times.

Bike handled it all with ease.

Gas stations and parking lots no longer got my heartbeat racing, but still have my attention.

 

However, there is still something really odd with the way the RSV turns at slow to medium speeds, can't put my finger on it but, seems like I have to really force the turn. Must be doint something wrong. It's like the bike wants to stay upright at times and other times, the bars want to dip all on their own.

 

Anyway, cutting this "short". Put about 1115 miles on my first adVenture. Great ride.

So, how many folks would be willing to get on an 8 year old Harley and ride her 1000+ miles, unassisted? Me either. Great testament to this bike.

Quick math shows me I did about 655 miles yesterday and honestly, I could have gone a lot more. Only my neck was stiff/sore.

However, it was getting down-right nippy and I was glad to get out of the wind.

 

I will DEFINITELY be doing a 1000+ mile day in a "future Venture", guaranteed.

 

Thanks again for all your support!

 

Cheers to all!

 

Erich

[Guest tx2sturgis]

So, how many folks would be willing to get on an 8 year old Harley and ride her 1000+ miles, unassisted? Me either. Great testament to this bike.

 

 

Cheers to all!

 

Erich

 

Hey FutureV...excellent ride report...we're there with ya all the way...

 

EXCEPT.

 

I wouldnt hesitate to get on my 8 year old Ultra and ride it 1000 miles...or twice that.

 

And I have every year, to Sturgis and back. Its a 2000 model, and made the trip many times, along with lots of others...its got 72,000 miles on it now, and running good as ever. Its all in the maintanence...sure there have been some repairs.

 

You did good...and we all love the report, but to 'diss' a whole brand of bikes...

 

One of my trips to Sturgis, we ended up camping next to a guy who had 249,000 miles on his old shovel head with a sidecar...and there are reports of Harleys going over a million miles...sure...a few rebuilds in there, but they will do it.

 

I know it was a tongue in cheek comment, or perhaps you are unaware of the longevity that Harleys are capable of. Either way, I wanted to set the record straight. Always keep this in mind: You NEVER see a salvage yard full of old harleys...can you say the same about these metrics?

 

Hey I love the Venture..great bike....but so are most Harleys.

 

[OFF SOAP BOX]

 

Cheers and congrats on the new ride, dude! Ride safe!

 

 

 

Now...off to a little M-n-E with Cliff from Clovis...yes...I'll be on the Venture!! :-p