October 23rd, 2009

For some reason I had in my mind that getting to the tip of Cape Cod would be 1 of 4 or 5 milestones on our journey.  Key West would be the next followed by the Golden Gate Bridge maybe, then Prudhoe Bay up in Alaska, and then somewhere out east in Labrador.  Today, cloudy skies with a bit of chill to add to the mix.  Time to layer up and hit the road!  But first…



...a quick stop to pick up some munchies for the road.  Heard it from the grapevine that food could be quite expensive out on the Cape.



Stopped over at a library to warm up.  Not sure if that lady wanted her pic taken.



Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse in Truro, MA.  The oldest one on the Cape built in 1797.



Another shot of the lighthouse with the both of us



We walked out onto the edge of the bluff that looked out over the Atlantic Ocean.  There was a family doing the tourist thing just like we were.  There was also a sign that read “Danger:  Steep sand cliff.”  So what does Amanda do?  She jumps down it and freaks the mom out.  Tricksy Amanda jumped onto a ledge and ducked to make it look as if she went down the whole 60 feet drop.  We slid down the cliff to get a better view of the ocean.  Little did we know it would be a tremendous pain in the butt to get back up. 



Looking over the bluff



Amanda having a moment with the Atlantic...



...I take it was a happy moment.



We made it!



Say cheese!



Trying to be artsy fartsy.



Every step we took up the cliff brought us back down a few inches because the sand was so soft.  By the time I got up our quads were burning!  Ohhh it’s the deep burn!  Oh it’s so deep.



Looking up the sand cliff



Looking down from above.  I could barely hold the camera steady because I was breathing so heavy.



Pilgrim Tower in Provincetown



Originally we wanted to get out to the very tip of Cape Cod, but gosh does it ever get dark so fast at this time of year.  We started walking out on West End Breakwater and about the halfway point we realized the sun was going down so we headed back inland…but not without having ourselves a little moment to celebrate. 



Amanda making her way out on West End Breakwater...



...and I making my way back.



Sharing another moment...



...can't forget about the bikes.



Quick snack before heading out back to Scituate...tuna fish lunchables!



By the end of the day we were beat.  We had dinner back at BlindJoeBeck and talked about our day.  It’s too bad we couldn’t spend a little more time in Provincetown and make it out to the tip.  Heck!  Why not add another year to the trip!  I wish.  Tomorrow we’re heading to Jewett City, CT where there’s a little error amongst the twilights…





The Atlantic breeze.

Steeds make it to the East Coast.

He’s wearing high heels!

 

October 22nd, 2009

Woke up and packed our things.  Kamala came over to return the repaired glove and we said our goodbyes.  Time to hit the road again.  Destination:  Scituate, MA to BlindJoeBeck’s. 



A view of the stable one last time



DirtGrll's dual sport along with Amanda's ride



Casa de DirtGrll



Hannah banana!

We got to BlindJoeBeck’s late afternoon and met the family.  BlindJoeBeck was still at work so we went to good ol’ Shaws to prepare some supper when he got back.



Casa de BlindJoeBeck



The stable



Bobby & Gussy

We managed to do wonders!  We fed 4 people for under $10 bucks!  Fried chicken, broccoli, and a side dish of pasta.  After a nice conversation over travels and motorbikes we decided to hit the hay.  Tomorrow we’re doing a day trip to Cape Cod!



Eating with no frills.

Every single penny counts.

Might need a squeegee…



October 21st, 2009

Time to figure out what’s wrong with the steed and why it won’t wake up.  Kamala has taken time off work to help me out.  What a super guy!  It turns out that the safety switch in the clutch lever needed a little cleaning.  We tried to put a jumper on it, but we didn’t have the right parts. No biggie, just as long as it works.  Today was more of a rest day and getting our things together as we planned on moving onwards the next morning.  We sat outside in the yard, shooting the breeze while firing up some steaks on the barb-b.  We said our goodbyes to DirtGrll since she had to work early the next morning.  Kamala on the other hand (did I mention he was a super guy?) was coming over tomorrow morning to drop off one of our electric gloves he took home to repair. 





Faulty safety switch.

Enjoying the fall colors.

Steed has awaken. 

October 20th, 2009

What’s that sound?  Somebody’s downstairs.  Must be Hannah, DirtGrll’s black lab keeping herself busy…heard it again.  Sounds too human to come from a dog.  DirtGirll’s usually at work by this time.  Better find out who it is…but not without arming myself with the ol’ judo chop in the ready position.  Amanda’s still asleep.  Looks like this is gonna be a solo mission.  I make my way downstairs to the kitchen using my ninja stealth techniques and lo and behold…DirtGrll!  She decided to play hooky and ride with us.  Awesome.  Riding 4-deep today with Kamala, DirtGrll, Amanda, and I to Gloucester.  Looking forward to catching the “Perfect Storm” moment.  Gonna meet up with Kamala on our way there.  Time to saddle up and get going.  I turn the ignition on and press the starter button…nothing…sh*t.  We give Kamala a call and he reassures me that it’s only an electrical problem, no big deal.  Cool.  So we ride 3-deep instead with Amanda riding pillion on her own bike.  Hey, she insisted.


Waiting for boats to go by



3 bikes ready to go with 1 out of commission



Fisherman's Memorial



Commemorating the actual crew members from the movie "The Perfect Storm"



A pier in Gloucester



We rode along a road that was labeled “private road” to get a better view of the ocean.  Amanda and DirtGrll felt a wee bit sketched out by it, but Kamala reassured us that the rich folk put it up there only to deter undesirables when in fact anyone could legally travel along this road. 



Notice the rich folk's house in the background?



Trying to stay hip in Rockport



Many artists have painted this portrait



The Atlantic



After soaking in the scenery, we stopped over in Essex to grab a bite



Mmmmmmmmmm deep fried.  So much for trying to stay healthy.



On the way back to DirtGrll's home, it was my turn to ride pillion. I was so tired I fell asleep numerous times. Amanda kept elbowing me in the stomach to prevent me from falling over to the side when in fact I was actually trying to lean with the bike whenever I felt it turn...well...at least that's what I thought I was doing.

The fog’s just lifting.  Throw off your bike cover; throw off your kickstand.  You head out to the East Coast, down the

Blue Ridge Parkway

, Florida.  Past Orlando where I went to Disney World as a kid.  Honk your horn and throw a wave to the fellow rider on route 17.  Then the birds show up: black backs, herring gulls, big dump ducks.  The sun hits ya – head South.  Open up the throttle – revvin’ now.  The cylinder is busy; you’re in charge.  Ya know what?  You’re a goddam Adventure Rider!  Is there anything better in the world?

The Gear

Taking a break...here's a little peek at the gear we're running.


HJC Sy-Max I & Zox Corsa R



That's my grill dog!  From BigCee



Rear break rotor guard from BigCee



Dual Star rear break cylinder guard



Dual Star centerstand



Front dash made by yours truly from BigCee diagrams online



IMS fuel tank 6.6 gallons



To block the wind off my mitts somewhat



Pair of dry bags



Gravity II multi fuel stove & 2-person chow set



Shelter



Lowrance XOG crossover gps



Communications & intelligence gathering device.  Acer Aspire 3610



Sleeping bags



...and last, but not least...the mighty milk crate.

Stay tuned for our next episode of Gear Break!