Sleddog > Sleddog's Blog Posts
August 18, 2007 22:51
Getting Technical
It has been a great few days.
On Thursday morning I left Rhode Island by 6am. I called Chacifer about four hours later..
“I’m bored”
She laughed at me and said I was really up a creek if I was bored after four hours.
As much as I like my little FJ cruiser it just isn’t a good highway monster like the old F-350 with the Powerstroke but really neither is as fun as the bike for gobbling up mile after mile day after day. I could easily turn this into a ...
August 15, 2007 14:02
Har De Har Har
It is my last day before departure and I got a lot to do. It is also my last day at work for two and half weeks so I got a lot to do.
This afternoon I am going to run by EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) for a sack for the mini Thermarest (Son Corbett lost the original) and some nifty socks, then over to Kingstown for an inspection sticker. I don’t need a sticker as in Rhode Island you don’t get one your first year but I don’t want to worry about having ...
August 15, 2007 14:01
Come in ground control!
With any competition there are rules and there will always be folks who look to exploit the rules for an advantage. This is what I learned from my time managing high end racing sailboats for the uber rich. I also learned that the rule book is a good way for someone new to the game to figure out what can provide a competitive advantage. For example in the Iron Butt Rally we are allowed a maximum amount of fuel. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that carrying as much fuel as possib ...
August 13, 2007 18:29
One week to go
One week to go.
I had a very productive weekend. Saturday I put the bike on the trailer and went up to Max’s in New Hampshire for a final service. Two new tires a set of new tires on the spare wheels, switch to synthetic oil, new brake pads all around and I am good to go.
Sunday I spent the day alone in the garage and took all the body panels off so I could run a few comm wires and tidy up the autocom installation we did last week.
I think I am going to be very happy with t ...
August 10, 2007 14:29
All better now
Good morning,
The title of this Blog is Living in the Tunnel which is where I have been over the last few days and it has been very dark down there.
Actually the tunnel analogy comes from the amount of focus that I just can’t help putting on the ride as the departure time draws near. Last February the IBR was “something in August” as we loaded HP 2’s in New Hampshire for the Sandblast Rally. Then it was easy to ...
August 09, 2007 23:24
Can you hear me now?
Original composed, Monday August 6.
Today was a nice day for a ride even if it had to be up the Eastern Seaboard via the Delmar peninsula.
As I have said it is not about speed. Here is the money shot from the GPS.
As I have said it is not about speed, it is about keeping moving. As my last weekend of solid riding (I went the same distance yesterday) the bike is working great. I now ...
August 09, 2007 23:22
Training Beverages
Original Composed Saturday, Aug. 4 .
It has been a busy and productive couple of days.
Last Thursday I got up early and went to Vermont to see Charlie and get a few details sorted out.
My list has gotten shorter but one major item remaining was a few minor modifications to the aux fuel system. My fuel cell uses a pump with a spring loaded check valve which is supposed to prevent any siphoning or flow through the system when the pump is not on. I feel it is very important to have ...
August 01, 2007 14:43
The missing box
19 days August 1.
I have been burning the numbers off a credit card ordering last minute bits and equipment. Using the very best of “Just in time” inventory control I have plenty of boxes arriving daily.
Tomorrow morning I am getting up early and taking the long way to Charlie’s place in Vermont. By early I mean around 3 so I have six hours to throw on 400 or so miles. After the day with Charlie I will do a good loop to end up in Heath, MA Friday evening. It is possibl ...
July 31, 2007 14:14
Time accelerates
19 days to go.
There is a number to give one pause, we are inside of the twenty day ring to the start of the rally.
On one hand I could (and probably should) have a good panic attack about my preparation right about now. The actual list of work to be completed is not really that large. I could make the list real short by simply having on item:
Get ready for the rally silly!
But that is a bit broad.
I am a detail oriented person or at least that is what I have been t ...
July 30, 2007 15:58
The Bug Light
The Bug Light The motorcycle I am riding is a 2006 BMW RTP with the P designating that this bike is an Police Bike.
As the Iron Butt Rally has become as much as a navigational and routing exercise as much as a test of endurance a strong electrical system is very important. All BMW Motorcycles excel in this area with large alternators, however the RTP has a second battery and electrical system that is non-can bus and ...
