The Return of a Dear Friend

[madmike2]

I'd have liked to join you folks at the Red Robin (great choice) but stuff did come up, honest. Hope you enjoy the new bike, Robin. Ride home safe.

Mike, you can always join us at the 76 station @ I-5 and Laguna Blvd...time has changed to 0700. :dribble:

Put on your rain gear and come along!

As Rich has posted, it's likely to be miserable: rain and wind gusts. I'm used to exskibum's plans as he seems to be a magnet for rain. Or maybe it's any time he and I plan a ride together. Regardless, we will ride along with Robin to the summit and turn around, letting him head downhill to Truckee, Reno and beyond.

Edit: I'm going to offer my SPOT to Robin so we can follow his progress home. If he doesn't want it, you will only see me meeting hima nd riding up to the summit and back.

Robin's Ride Home SPOT Link.

 

[Tyler]

Robin arrived safe and sound at the SJ airport where I picked him up. He had shipped all his gear last week so now my living room looks like a Motoport gear store... :lol:

We scooted over to Red Robin for dinner and met Brodie and Brian/FJRONAMISSION where Brian and Robin proceeded to give our waitress one helluva bad time and she gave it right back to them... great fun!

Oh dark thirty comes early so it's off to get some well deserved rest before he begins his journey home tomorrow... if I can drag myself out of bed that early, I'll have a departure pic...

 

[Brodie]

Thank you for the invite Tyler, I had a great evening.

Robin, have a good ride home. Do what you can to stay dry.

Remember, when you are halfway across Nevada staying ahead of the weather front...

Enjoy the ride

 

Brodie

 

[dcarver]

Good on ya'lz! Robin, sorry i could not meet you again - working heavy ot.

Ride safe mi amigo.

 

[Tyler]

On your mark...

Get set...

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Vaya con dios, mi amigo!! B)

I'm goin' back to bed...

 

[exskibum]

Mike just checked in from Elk Grove with Robin @ 7:20 am PDT. Don't see his SPOT tracker on. Will see them here in Auburn in about an hour.

UPDATE at 11:40 am: We (madmike2, sacramentomike and I) waved goodbye to Robin at the Soda Springs exit at the summit at 10:10 am PDT this morning and headed west. I think the dogman is just ahead of the worst rain and wind, judging from our return trip. It's WET out there!

 

[SacramentoMike]

Before, and on the first part of this trip, I was thinking of this as a "Solidarity Ride." Somewhere after the turnaround up by Donner Pass (where the weather can get so nasty folks' thoughts turn to CANNIBALISM for survival), I began to think of it as a "Sympathy Ride."

Good to see Robin again, and Rich and Mike as well. Poor Robin is somewhere around Winnemucca about now, I'm guessing, and I hope like hell the rain has let up some. I didn't realize how wet I was till I got home and started removing one SOAKED layer after another. ALL of them. My rain gloves worked, though, and my new Alpinestars boots. Otherwise, pretty much like I'd had a little swim before walking in the house. A hard, driving rain, with very very restricted visibility; just not ideal riding conditions. Robin seemed to be ready to deal with it all, though, so we could do no less.

A couple of shots from the day. Too bad that outside shot doesn't convey the conditions as Robin digs for more rain gear.

And a coffee break. Robin, Rich, Mike

 

[Tyler]

I like Mike's pimp daddy hat!!

I got a text from Robin... he was just leaving Sparks at 1 p.m. so he made it over Donner and hopefully the worst of it.

You guys are true friends (and a little bit nuts) to go out on a day like today to support him along the way. :clapping:

 

[madmike2]

IT was great to see Robin again. Y'know, I wouldn't venture out on a day like today with just anyone! Welll....except another FJR forum member.... :blink:

Robin told me how tickled he was wtih the Trophy. You've done a great thing, Ty. He loves how the bike rides (hH says, "Very much like an FJR but the power band is a bit higher up the RPM range.") and handles....he was smiloing when he got off the bike in ELk Grove.

Sacramento Mike and I rode up to Auburn with him where he topped oiff the gas tank and we met Rich at Starbucks. Then we got back on I-80 eastbound.

Just WHO thought this was a good plan/idea? Rich and Robin...yes, they are up ahead...

When we got to the Soda Springs off ramp we waved our goodbyes and the 3 blue bikes rode westbound on Historic Hwy 40 to Rainbow Bend. Rich and I decided (at Starbucks) to stop under the overpass @ Rainbow Bend and adjust gear, etc. That was a good idea! Each of us had wet gloves. Rich wrung his out (very funny but no picture), I poured the water out of mine. We all dried our hands, put on dry gloves and headed downhill to the valley.

Rich and Sacramento Mike.

We were out of the direct rain under the freeway but every time a semi would pass overhead there would be a huge cascade of water landing on the roadway just behind where Mike is standing. Interesting to watch....

No more pictures. I had to wipe moisture from my lens to get this photo. Yes, it was raining....and windy....and cold! As with Mikie, I got home and peeled wet layers off. I wasn't cold but I was damp, even my hair was wet where it had wicked water from the back of my helmet.

At least we were able to escort Robin to the Sierra Summit and share an adventure along the way.

 

[madmike2]

I like Mike's pimp daddy hat!!

Who's your daddy?!?! Or .....Wahoos yyour.... B)

I got a text from Robin... he was just leaving Sparks at 1 p.m. so he made it over Donner and hopefully the worst of it.
You guys are true friends (and a little bit nuts) to go out on a day like today to support him along the way. :clapping:

Only "a little bit nuts" to rouse out of bed Sunday morning when it's dark outside, ride in the rain to meet a friend or two or three and ride another 60-70 miles up the Sierras in a driving, windy rain storm? Then ride another 70+ miles home? :dribble:

First...we ARE members of the FJR Forum...of course we're "nuts"...but we're screwed on the right bolt! :lol:

Second...sometimes we're paying it forward, sometimes we're repaying, somtimes we're just being a friend. It's all good!

:yahoo:

And...er...uhm...this from the lady who gave her beloved and infamous Triumph Trophy that started this adventure?

And got up to send him on his way this morning? :clapping:

BTW, as I was ridding myself of my wet riding apparel a friend pulled up in front of my house. He'd been out bidding on a job and stopped by...had a good laugh at my-own-wet-self and took me to lunch.

Yep, life is good!

 

[exskibum]

I'm learning to accept it -- if I'm going to ride with madmike, it's going to rain hard. Must've been sactomike who ordered the wind for today's adventure, though.

Good to see Robin, and he sure had the right attitude for a 12 - 14 hour rain and wind ride -- you can tell by the shit eating grin. I couldn't tell how much was love for the new Triumph and how much of that grin would have been on his face if he'd been riding a Honda 90 (after 15 or 16 months without a bike). :yahoo:

If he doesn't cultivate a little more sober visage before he walks in his front door, though, Kenra's going to think he stopped at a brothel or two.

And it does look like he must've stopped for a long lunch in Reno if he was just getting out of Sparks at 1 pm. Looking at the radar map, it appears that he's riding a band of heavy rain all the way from San Jose to SLC. (Grinning, of course.)

BTW, you 2 mikes are nutz too. :lol:

 

[madmike2]

I'm learning to accept it -- if I'm going to ride with madmike, it's going to rain hard. Must've been sactomike who ordered the wind for today's adventure, though.

I'm learning the alternative view...if I'm going to ride something exskibum has planned, it's going to rain.

Agreed...SacMike caused the gusting winds. :blink:

Good to see Robin, and he sure had the right attitude for a 12 - 14 hour rain and wind ride -- you can tell by the shit eating grin. I couldn't tell how much was love for the new Triumph and how much of that grin would have been on his face if he'd been riding a Honda 90 (after 15 or 16 months without a bike). :yahoo:
If he doesn't cultivate a little more sober visage before he walks in his front door, though, Kenra's going to think he stopped at a brothel or two.

Not to worry, Kenra is as excited as Robin about having another bike. She enjoys the riding/therapy as much as he.

AND...she knows that he knows exactly in which kitchen his toast is buttered.

And it does look like he must've stopped for a long lunch in Reno if he was just getting out of Sparks at 1 pm. Looking at the radar map, it appears that he's riding a band of heavy rain all the way from San Jose to SLC. (Grinning, of course.)

He planned to stop at Boomtown for gas and some time off the bike. He told me that he was likely to stop every hour or so because of not being on a bike for 18 months so he might have stopped in Truckee. That stop coupled with a sit-down lunch could easily add up to leaving Reno around 1300. He wanted to make sure he got safely home regardless of the time it took. A wise plan!

BTW, you 2 mikes are nutz too. :lol:

We humbly bow to you, O fearless leader. :bleh:

 

[madmike2]

I just got a text message from Robin: "I am safe and sound at the Big Chief Motel, Battle Mountain, NV"

Evidently there was a truck accident in front of him going downhill off Donner and another truck was blown into his lane forcing him to the median. Definitely "Butt Pucker" for a first ride in 18 months. Thankfully he is a "thinking" rider and had an escape.

He says to thank everyone.

While we were talking he mentioned the great time he had with Brodie, Brian and, of course, meeting Ty was a major highlight of his trip.

Riding with the three of us through the rainstorm was a bonus to the events of the weekend.

He used a word....oh yeah...."Awesome!" :yahoo:

With a bit of rest tonight and fair skies tomorrow he should arrive safely home. He made a good decision to get off the bike.."Brutal" is the work he used to describe the truck incidents, etc. Having not been riding for 18 months the mental strain must be close to exhausting. :blink:

Welcome back, Robin! :yahoo:

 

[Tyler]

He made a good decision to get off the bike.."Brutal" is the work he used to describe the truck incidents, etc. Having not been riding for 18 months the mental strain must be close to exhausting. :blink:

Honestly, dealing with that much of Mother Nature at that level would exhaust anyone! Robin sure chose a great day to test himself and the bike. I think both did exceptionally well and, as Mike said, I'm glad he's a "thinking" rider and knew when to call it a day. When the voice talks to you, listen.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Not surprising he saw another accident. We saw two pretty good ones on the way home, including one that looked like the car rolled down the road for a while. But that road down from Donner Summit on 80 is very exposed and the gusts must have been ferocious, especially on a big truck. On the way to Auburn, MM2 was almost taken out when a Winnebago suddenly was shoved over the line into his lane, right next to him. Fairly obvious wind-caused situation, that the guy luckily corrected. Not so much the character in the white pickup that almost took you out coming into Sacramento, huh Mike? He didn't piss you off, did he? I notice you waved, so I guess not.

Funny kind of wave, though.

Glad to hear Robin didn't push it any farther. Still a LONG way from Battle Mountain to SLC.

 

[madmike2]

The motorhome...interesting! I should have been in the left wheel track at that point so it was a mental mistake on my part.

The white Chevy pickup...I had a suspicion he was going to be stupid and knew I had an escape other than braking hard in the rain. Yes, it still angered me because most other drivers/riders would have been wrecked by his inattentiveness or lack of awareness/vision/actually looking before he changed 3 lanes to the right. And that after waiting until the last moment to get into the lane he wanted.

Stupid drivers kill!

I am willing to bet he has no idea how wrong a maneuver or decision he made.

 

[madmike2]

Robin is home. He PM'd me around 2:30 PM and was in the garage unloading the bike.

 

[Tyler]

:yahoo: :clapping: :yahoo: :clapping:

Talk about putting the trumpet through its paces right off the bat!! :lol:

 

[exskibum]

Robin is home. He PM'd me around 2:30 PM and was in the garage unloading the bike.

Glad to hear that. Mission accomplished. Not that Battle Mountain to SLC is an interesting ride, but I bet it was blessedly less "eventful" today.

 

[Cdogman]

Hi Everyone... and thanks..

I was humbled.... that after so long a spam so many ppl came together.. and made it possible.. Coming out on a Sunday Morning to meet a guy so you can test your gear and abuse your body.... On Purpose... just to do it... Damm...

The final call was.. as mike described I had a truck incident, here is what happened.

I am traveling down a slope into a desert valley.. I have been leaning into the wind all day once I passed reno... I see a Big Rig pulled off the side on an offramp.. the winds were intense. I was feeling a bit edgy about it... I am following a truck in trail about 1K yards watching the spray off his truck.. gauging what i was in for by its angle of departure so i could prepare for the next gust.. I had to prepare.. they were that strong in this down pour... The pulled over truck was red flag one.. the spray off my lead truck getting crazier was flag two.

All the sudden ALL the water departs the truck at a 90 degree angle the top of his trailer... under it.. behind it... the truck move ass if shoved by the hand of god in the the next lane.. and almost into the dirt center median... That driver was no rookie... I can tell you that.. and HE probably needed some clean shorts.. and then in about 2 second.. it was normal... The hair on the back of my neck stood on end.. I am debating speed stability with what to I do to answer that... The power I had just witnessed was are inspiring..

I decided to compromise all of it.... I had to make a snap decision... I scrubbed from 80 to 60 and put the bike on the very outside edge of the rode and got as small as I could in the saddle.. then i hit that tunnel of wind and the bike laid back into it as they do.. and I was being pushed sideways regard less of the direction the bike was facing.. I tried my best not to overreact and let it slide and try to not lose all traction... and simply control the entire thing.. I had never been faced with htat much energy... last time I was on a bike..16-18 months ago I came off in the wet..

I was pushed from the very edge prior to the rumble strips to just before the asphalt part of the inner shoulder.. That all happened in the length of about a football field or less... That was hairy.. had I not been tracking that truck for that activity.... and had a couple seconds to set up... never would have made it.. not even close.. I would have come off again.. At battle mtn I was debating trying to hit Elko.. the *One more city* mentality.. as soon as I recognized that just one more mentality... I know I has wrong thinking

Mike... I did stop in boomtown with the intent of a break... pulled my helmet off...and my soaking wet hair.. and the wind hit me hard.. I was a drowned rat.. the decent down the reno wide continued to get worse. the wind started pulling my body heat.. I said.. I need off this damm mtn... put my helmet on, fired off my battle bike... and ran for sparks... teeth gritted..and found a Dennys.. and allowed myself a nice long lunch... My head was exhausted by then and i needed to clear my mind.

So.. once I felt like my head was back in the game.. I walked back out to the battle bike.. and off we went

It took me 12 hours to get to Battle Mtn from Tys house.. the entire run was scheduled for 14-16.. Today... It was cold.... high 20's when I started out... I was watching for ice on the roads.... FINALLY it hit balmy 37 deg in Wells..... Once I hit the salt flats... not so bad.. I stopped just outside to the metro area.. and cleared my head again... I was too mentally exhausted for metro traffic without a pause...

I know I have been off a bike for some time.. I have logged a few miles as well. This was easily the longest stint in conditions I would not have ridden in at all were there other options.. I feel confident in the battle bike.. and you guys. all of you.. made all the difference..

WOOT.. Miss piggy is safe in the man cave.. I am sitting by a fire...Kenra is puttering about the house... and wants to go for a ride...

I will be going to bed soon... tucked away on a warm cozy bed...

Thanks all.. This ride was Awesome.. trial by fire.... that bike is a tuff lil badass

Cdog