...And the Adventure Begins...

This years adventure is: Dragon Wrider's Walkabout

After 13 years in the computer industry, doing everything from Data Entry, project management, development (software and data warehouses), quality assurance, performance engineering, load/stress testing, capacity planning and business report design, I find myself unemployed.  So, I have decided that it is time to see the world, or at least the country while I continue to look for a job and hopefully find a career.

As some of you may know I did not begin this adventure alone.  When we hit the road on April 1st, I accompanied by my 14 year old dog named Merlin.

Merlin had been suffering with back issues off and on for years and last October paralysis started in his rear limbs.  By November the vets said that he wouldn't get any better without surgery, which he may not survive, due to his age.  Not wanting to put him through the pain of the surgery, I decided that I would find a way to help him be comfortable and see if rest and previcox would be sufficient, to get him back to health.  Well, it was and by mid January he was moving around pretty good on his own, provided he was on carpet (he still walked like he was drunk, but his tail was wagging most of the time).

In the car on the move to Georgia, I began talking to Merlin, my closest confidant, about all the places that we would see together in this new adventure we were embarking on.  I explained the smell of the Atlantic ocean off the New Smyrna Beach sands, the sound of the forest in the Smokey Mountains at night, the views of the high plains near the Grand Canyon, the colors in the Grand Canyon at both sunset and sunrise, the sounds of the Pacific Ocean lapping onto the shores of Los Angeles, the taste and smell of the Redwood Forest, the spectacular scenery of Yosemite, the Lava Fields and the magnificence of the Rocky Mountains.  All the while he would lay in the seat next to me, looking up and appearing to be listening and encouraging me to tell him more.  So, it was near the end of those many hours riding together that I began to lay out a plan, no an adventure for he and I to go and see all those things instead of just talking about them.  Every time I had an idea, I would fill him in, as a way of thinking out loud to see how it sounded.

Our first adventure was New Smyrna Beach and Moms house.  Together we smelled the beach and even took Erica with us.  To me it was another beach but, to Merlin and I it was the next step in our big adventure, which I dubbed The Adventures of Merlin and Dragon Wrider.  During that week, there was an altercation with one of Mom's dogs and Merlin was bitten, at 14 an attack can be life threatening, but Merlin was tough as ever, and soldiered on.

The weekend after Easter, I noticed that he was having issues walking again.  I had taken him off the previcox while he was on another medication and the effects had definitely worn off.  I immediately put him back on his regimen and began putting him in his wheelchair to allow him some freedom.  A week later he was needing assistance urinating and just as before, I did everything I could.  I went outside with him periodically to make sure I emptied his bladder and to walk him around so he could poo.  Periodically he would have a bowel movement and not even know, which clued me in to the fact that my efforts were not enough.  We couldn't go far because of his issues but he loved being in the car.  He would get excited when I would walk toward the car and generally meet me at his side, tail wagging and waiting for me to take him out of his chair and into his seat.  During these rides, for hours sometimes, I would explain what we would need to take with us on the trip, the food, mosquito nets for the car windows (home made and work great), what campgrounds allowed pets and which ones wouldn't, what type of trailer we would need to pull the motorcycle (Dragon) and the biggest question...how do we get both of us on Dragon?  Finally, we found a pet travel case that we could modify so that he could ride in front of me...it was all coming together.

Then, in the early morning hours of April 27th, everything went pear shaped.  Here is an excerpt from my diary:  "...Merlin pooped and urinated in his sleep but woke in a panic, seemingly worried about me scolding him...I kissed him, then got up, bathed him, changed his bed and tucked him back to bed with my hand on him...he's been rather despondent for a few days now, he's not acknowledging my existence, ans is actively refusing my attempts to give him belly rubs.  All morning I tried working with him to get a response letting me know that he was in there and wanted to continue...I got an appointment to see an acupuncturist and he seems much more aware, happy and energetic...I thought today was the day I would have to put him down...but the adventure continues..."  We had a great weekend together, he still had minor accidents but seems in much better spirits which was a key for me.

Unfortunately, Merlin passed away on May 2nd 2012, after 14 great years together.  It is in his honor that I continue this adventure and will be spreading his ashes throughout the country, at each of the sites that I had planned to taking us.  Although, Merlin won't be there physically he will always be in spirit and in my heart.  My stories will occasionally include him, as my guide.  Here is our story.

Since I purchased my first motorcycle in 2004, I have been obsessed with the desire to ride, I have since realized that the riding was nothing more than an excuse to get out and see the world.  Don't mis-understand, riding is still my passion but I no longer feel that I have to ride everywhere...it's perfectly acceptable if not preferable to tow the bike to new locations.  As you will find out this is actually the form of travel that I have adopted.  Towing the bike and then riding out of a central location actually makes life more enjoyable in the long run.  I use the car, in this a 2009 Toyota Prius that I have nickname "Tug" to pull my "Dragon" my 2008 BMW R1200GS.  Tug serves several purposes, carry the core elements of the journey like clothes, food, camping gear and other necessities; it can be used as sleeping quarters in the event of bad weather, unsafe environment or just  to get off the ground; and finally to tug or pull the Dragon down the road from one major location to another.  To accomplish the latter, I have acquired and modified a new Ultra-Tow motorcycle trailer and installed a tow hitch on Tug.  In order to make the trailer compatible with Tug we needed to keep Dragon at the back of the trailer instead of the front where the built in wheel chock is located.  The purpose of this shift is to move the weight off the tongue of the trailer and lessen the drag on Tug's rear suspension.  We then installed a wheel chock further back on the trailer to keep Dragon from rolling forward and installed additional tie downs in the rear to assist with immobilizing her.  We then added a wheeled swivel jack to allow us to take the weight off of Tug during overnights or stops in which the Dragon would not be unloaded.  The final addition was a spare tire, unfortunately, we could not find a suitable location that didn't require significant trailer modification, or adding unwanted tongue weight, so the tire is housed in Tug's backseat.

Now that Tug, the trailer, Dragon and the Wrider are ready, the story will begin...

Wood Bros Adventures TAT 2010 - Day 1

OK, so this is the part of the trip where I put the bike in the truck and high tale it to GA to start the trip with batman6630016 and Maxpacker. Even still it is the start! So, here is the SpotWalla link to follow along.

Dragon Wrider Adventure Map

I'll start putting up pics, observations and various other tid-bits starting tonight!

Spring Morning Commute

So getting out the door was a little challenging.  My desire is usually to take as little gear and other personal items on the bike as possible when I ride...it usually comes down to a compromise though.  This morning was a beautiful spring morning in New England, it was crisp and clear, not a cloud in the light blue sky.  The temperature was 62 degrees in the shade and 71 degrees in the sun.  While getting my gear together for my commute to the office I turned on the weather channel in the background.

Hmmm...what do I need to bring with me...gulping down my coffee, as I can't drink and ride.  Well, I didn't bring my laptop home (rarely do anymore) so, I don't need to worry about that.  I'll need to bring the top box which always has the New England basics stored inside; warm riding gloves, thermal undershirt, second pair of wool socks, glove liners, sweatshirt and a neck gator.  Also in the box is an unopened bottle of water, gatorade/lemonade packets, Bike log, registration, notebook and my trusty mechanical pencil.  As I am going through the inventory in my head I am thinking, "This is great, another light pack day.  Just the one box of standards and I am one the rode.  That's when I catch the weather channel voice say in the background, "...scattered thunder showers in the evening hours with a chance of heavy rains possible."  The list just got longer.  Now I need to pull out the liner bag kit and the side panniers for the bike...

where am I?

Watching...waiting...coasting down this desolate road...enjoying the warmth of the sun as the last few rays all too quickly disappear behind the mountains ahead. Suddenly, darkness all around. Eyes struggle to acclimate to the change. In the night the chilled damp wind begins to seep around the edges of my shield, stinging my eyes with shards of cold. My eyes blur from the pain and the yellow ribbon that has guided my coarse for so long, fades into the darkness. The wind begins stabbing my flesh at every seam, fold and opening that it can force its way in around my suit. The dense hard armor that lines my suit begins to transfer the night in to my joints as they cool. The only warmth left is that of the ever inviting hum of the dragon, then heat transfered from the heart of the beast through the veins and into my hands, in an attempt to keep the frost at bay while the mind struggles to find the path...and return to the light...but none can be found...its not there...its gone. Maintaining my course I ride through the night, relying only on the vibrations of the road and the buzz of the tires against the rough asphalt road... I begin to pick up speed, I sense the road bank to the left and in the darkness push gently on the left handlebar while leaning to the left and shifting my weight to my cold right foot. The shocks compress as I grind through the curve then upright again. I hear the hum of the motor begin to increase as a fresh wave of cold heavy decaying air begins pressing against my chest...forcing its way deeper into my suit and behind my shield. The vibrations turn to undulating bounces and the buzz transforms into a crackling. I have left the safety of the worn path and turned onto the path seldom encountered. Beware of the feel of the gravel as it often lies and seldom allows one to return...watching...waiting...for what?...where am I?...

~Topher

Slipping Away

Slipping...slipping...slipping
The night grows deeper, as the veil of the dark heavy clouds blanket the stars and the full moon. Obscuring it from the view of those lost and slipping away. In burst the nights winds ebb back and forth in a rhythm of there own. Rushing rough past your ears the sound tugs at the soul. Eyes once bright and gleaming in the radiant moon now clouded by the strain of the engulfing rush of the wind. Slowly, uncontrolled the eyes close to keep the one sliver of light beaming through the darkness out. The wind begins to calm ever lighter, pushing less on the world. Again the world comes into view, unsure of the focus...one last vision of life...the wind stops...the flicker of life that yet burned in the eyes is extinguished as the lids close a final time. A short powerful wind rushes past as an electric pulse courses through the air clouds part for a brief moment, allowing the radiant, glowing light of the pale moon the descend upon the world and then fade out of existence. Again the world is calm, its smaller now, yet clearer to those who experienced the bright star fade from their sight...slipping...slipping away into the night.

~Topher

Crazy day...just 4.5 days of work left til vacation...wooohooo...and another Adventure.

The Dragon Inside

I slowly accelerate out onto the road. I can smell the trees and the undertone of the ever decaying leaves from the shaded forest that lines the road. Climbing the two lane road through the enveloping canopy, I begin twisting the throttle, coaxing her to increase the speed as we approach the first curve of this devilish road. It's a hard left, so I roll my weight slightly to the right maneuvering her to the road’s shoulder to provide the longest view around the turn and the deepest dive into the apex. I feel the surface of the road change beneath me, from course level asphalt to a smooth, rounded paint along the right edge of my tires I can now see around the curve and through my heavily tinted lenses, the line we must take appears as rivulets of brilliant golden light, the undulating curves of the road. My mind begins to fade, my heart takes control of her. My weight shifts as my left palm begins applying pressure and moving forward; she begins to lean into the curve, we begin to fall into the curve. Inside my helmet, behind my blue lenses, I see not the road but eyes, a reflection of mine? No, these eyes are clear, not aligned with mine, and they are drawing me into pools of sapphire. I feel the force of gravity pulling us down. As we approach the apex, the pools expand and I no longer see the road. Laid out before us are those long rivulets of gold, strands of energy, that prove to be the line. My mind has relaxed, disconnected itself from the physical plane and my responsibility to the road. I feel the outer edge of the tire touch the asphalt and twist the throttle, launching us back to an upright posture just as the gold line falls to the right and my weight shifts to the right to bank into the next of several shallow rights and lefts; we ever so slowly dive into the curve then accelerate again out of each apex. The eyes appear again behind the shield encouraging an ever-deepening sense of calm. I feel the wind hitting my chest with force and then the sensation of being caressed as the wind wraps around me and pushes against my back, gently but commandingly enveloping me, holding me tight. It then travels through my jacket and up my collar, running its tendrils across my scalp. We lurch forward as the acceleration drops for the next turn. I sense the wind change as another vehicle passes, just inches on the other side of the yellow line. My weight shifts. I am now pushed into the apex as the right peg caresses the asphalt, creating the fireworks of our journey. The curve continues to tighten, my mind begins to panic, the eyes reappear clearer now, and deep in my soul a voice whispers, “Relax, you are committed. Dive deeper.” My skin begins to tingle, my muscles constrict around my eyes, and the rivulets appear. “Relax.” I do. The voice sweet, melodic and comforting, "Give yourself to the light. Give yourself to the journey. . .and you will be who you want to be."

~Topher Wood