The melding of the minds...anticipating what is to come!

 As my mind starts racing about the thought of this trip, still 7 months out, I start thinking about what we need and what would make the trip better. Since we are so far out, right now, I'm afraid to say I am thinking about what would make the trip better. 

The first thoughts were video and cameras. To equip the bike with some kind of video system would be awesome. Not having to worry about catching what is around me or wither or not it is charged is a consideration. Searching through Amazon I found a VSYSTO Motorcycle Video Driving Recorder. This thing looks really cool and has some great reviews. Putting this up on the wish list.

Going with the video need, a helmet cam would be wonderful. Things that catch my interest both on and off the road would be nice to capture. I have a GoPro, and I normally mount this on the handlebar or the engine guard to have a constant power source. So I did some digging and came across a SENA 10C EVO. This bad boy does 4k at 30FPS! That would be absolutely wonderful. The system also comes with a four-way Bluetooth intercom, with a range of about 1.6km. Down side, it mounts on a full or 3/4 helmet. Not quite my style, but it did start me thinking about some communication. We need Comms!

Anyone who knows me can vouch, unless I have something to say I will be rather quite. Not saying what I have to say is worth hearing. But spending the day, about 18 of them, on the road with someone, it would be nice to talk. Not needing to carry full conversations, but to be able to point out the sights or obstacles around us is making this move up the priority list. Zak is going to be a relatively new rider. To put it into perspective, the training we looked at for getting his endorsement will become available end of February. So that will give him about 4.5 months before we set out on a 5k mile journey across the Great Plains, up the Rockies, back across the Great Plains, and back to home sweet home. So the ability to talk about potential obstacles or hazards around us is making this a must.

So enough pipe dreams, on to the necessities. We have started saving and pricing equipment, and a given is the normal gear: jackets (cold/warm), pants/chaps, helmets, and gloves. But something else I want to be mindful of is some decent raingear. I have been fortunate that any overnight trips have been dry and haven't had to test the dryness of my bag on these trips either. So luggage that can stand in the weather is something else we will need to look into. 

Back in October I had the pleasure of accompanying my son to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for a campus visit. The radar was a little questionable, but I wasn't going to turn down a day trip on the bike. Off I went, made it almost to Westfork, 3/4 of the way, before the bottom fell out. Learned a valuable lesson that day; the neck gators that I am fond of, just covering the nose and mouth, are perfect for waterboarding. Now, this was not the intended purpose of these, but it did leave me gasping for air. So first priority was breathing, then cover. Found the needed shelter of an overpass and pulled over. Started pulling out my raingear, having already gotten good and wet this was just going to keep me from dripping on the road at this point.

a little damp upon arrival

and finally figured out what that rattling noise was 

been hearing for a month or so, 

I a screw loose

Part of having gear is servicing it, checking it out, making sure it is capable of being used and working as intended. I know this, been in the military 20+ years, this is drilled into my head with the countless inspections, but I won't let that stop me. Pulling out my rainboots and unzipping them, the zipper broke into about 4 pieces, on both boots. This was the first time I was actually going to use them and I needed them. They were purchased off Amazon, and were cheap. However, proper checking of them would have let me know they needed to be replaced. Luckily they did have a patch of velcro, so they stayed on and did the job I needed them to do.

So with the ride, raingear is going to be a must, just in case! 

To recap

Wishlist: 

• Bike Camera
• Helmet Camera

Needs:

• Jacket Cold and Warm
• Pants or chaps
• Gloves
• Helmets
• Raingear
• Waterproof luggage

Until my next thoughts emerge, here is the GoFundMe link to try and raise some money for this endeavor.