Garmin Quest

This was not intended to be an 'equipment blog' though it appears as one. I just want to go over the equipment that will be important on the tours, and this is certainly one of them! I've named this GPS Marge, and she is nicked my wife, because I can turn her off when I don't want to hear her tell me where to go and how to get there! She is a lifesaver. She is an upgrade to my Garmin Vista that I use only for hiking now (and was really not intended for travel purposes). I turn her off, try to get lost, and she tells me how to get home. On long trips, you still need a map or atlas to do the overall planning.

Canon S60

I just ordered the Canon S60 for the trips. I have a Canon Digital Rebel 300D (digital SLR) that I love to use but can become bulky, especially if I am limited with storage space.This camera allows me to have full control like the Rebel without the size. It is a little old, it came out 6 months ago (amazing what 'old' is with technology). I think it will suit my purposes well. I desire to snap shots as often as Guy does.

Primus Easy Light

On the same shopping trip at Campmor, I picked up this Primus Easy Light lantern. A small mantle lantern driven by white gas (the same canister as the Jetboil). Its carrying case is roughly 2"x4"x2". Seems to have good reviews, I only concern how often I will need to replace the mantle due to the vibration of the motorcyle breaking a burnt one. I'll have spares to find out! Campmor for $29

Assembled Jetboil

The Jetboil Assembled...

Jetboil

Have you seen this stove? Instead of the traditional hiking stove that you would set your pot or pan on (as shown in the middle and left in the pic above), this stove is a 1 liter aluminum tumbler covered by neopreme (the pic came from http://thehowzone.com/how/Jetboil/ -- check the review out!!) that can quickly be snapped together to cook food. Obviously, you will not be cooking pancakes on this stove (although Jetboil is coming out with an attachment to allow your traditional skillet or pot with the stove). I like it because it takes away the "I have to drag everything out to just make some instant oatmeal?!!" factor. Additionally, I plan on using it for items such as oatmeal, pasta, soup, etc. You can also get a coffee press as an accessory to brew some jo! Can't beat it. I think I will use it even if I am not camping.

Eureka BackCountry 2 (2005)

I just recently picked this tent up for hiking also. It's the same tent Leslie bought a few years ago except the '05 model (Eureka has centered the door to the middle of the tent and the rain fly arch followed it). It weighs a few ounces more than the previous model. The assistant at Campmor claimed that Eureka makes the tent only for Campmor but I later found that to be false as I discovered other web site retailers that sold the same tent. Bought it from Campmor for $129.

Kuryakyn Grantour

I shopped for an additional bag for clothing and misc storage. I do not have a sissy bar and prefer to ride without one. Most all additional bags have been designed to work with a sissy bar, but this one. This bag is the most modular that I found. It can be used as the picture shows even without a sissy bar, it can also mount to a sissy bar as shown, or, if you have a luggage rack on the rear, it can mount to it and the sissy bar if you have a passenger. The quality of the bag is remarkable. It is waterproof yet also comes with a cover; even a cable lock. Well worth the money and I picked it up at Curiser Customizing for around $160.

Marmot Sawtooth

I bought this Marmot Sawtooth (15 deg F) last fall for motorcycling and hiking. It is relatively light (2lb-14oz) and packs to 7"x12". With it's tubular design, you can easily work the down to the bottom side for a warm night or to the top for a cold night. Should work well all around.

Northern NY 2003 

2005 Planned Trips

* Virginia to visit my friend Roy Harrison via Skyline Drive in late May. We plan on doing some camping and riding.

* Americade 2005 June 6th-11th.

* Muncie, IN to visit family in late June and hope to pull off the Saddle Sore 1000 (1000 miles in less than 24 hrs) on my return home.

* Maine and possibly Canada in late Fall.

What is LLRider?

Stands for Long Lone Rider. Honestly, I'm currently a wannabe.

I have created this blog to record journal entries and events of riding travels. I have been truly inspired by by Honda bro Guy that rides an ST1330 (my dream bike). How wonderful it must be for him to review what he has accomplished! You can catch his web page of journals in my links page. I'm sure mine will end up nothing like his; he's got an act for writing. Check it out, they're a lot of fun to read.