Mark Twain

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the ones you did. So throw off your bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

I have had several people ask me if I am really ready for this trip. I know in my mind I am ready and within the first 48hrs. of the journey, my body will respond in kind. But commitment will be my prescription and perseverance my medicine. All I have to focus on is keeping that smile off my face to reduce the bugs flying in my teeth. But hey, a little snack along the way will ease the hunger pains. By being in Central Africa for the last 3 weeks before starting my trip will give me some advantages. For example, I have been awake everyday for at least 16-18hrs. so my body clock is already set to start early which is evident with jet lag when returning to the states and no chance of falling asleep on two wheels. My food intake has been light and healthy so no chance of wanting junk food during my gas stops or rest periods. However, I will be ready for one big chunk of beef and several cold brews at the end celebration in Homer Alaska. But that's getting ahead of myself now.

My Harley Davidson Road King Classic is a fine machine with just over 11,000 miles on it. It is not my first motorcycle but my 3rd Harley. I've also had a Yamaha and Honda in my younger years before I found the true bike for me. I really owe my love for motorcycles to my dad. When I was very young, he bought me a Honda CT-70 minibike that became the best hobby for me. As for my black and chrome Harley, I have full confidence in her performance and "she" and I are one of the same when together. Sorry, but men have always referred to their sailing ships, planes, cars, equipment, etc. as female for some reason. Possibly love or because they take men into the unknown abyss, at times risking their lives to achieve the unachievable, providing comfort in stormy weather, claiming them as their glory in battle...........or possibly because they are just high maintenance! One may never really know.

So let's do the math. My bike has a 6 gallon tank. To make 7000 miles in two weeks I would have to travel at least 500 miles on average per day. But I'm going to cover some high ground that will slow me down on the number of miles per day, and will have to make it up on following days. My bike gets an avg. of 53mpg (hwy) and 34mpg (city). The majority of my ride is not interstate, but secondary roads. So, steady and not full of traffic lights I hope. Lets say I get 50mpg on a 6 gallon tank. That's about 300 miles per tank of high octane fuel injected giddy up and gone. If I move at least 12hrs per day (early dawn to dusk), I'm going to cover at least 600 miles on probably 2-1/2 to 3 refills depending on the terrain, heat, wind and the fact that the bike weighs 775lbs with liquids (plus body/cargo wt), I'm shooting for 3 refills per day or more. Keeping in mind, all the bikes must be air cooled. This is going to be a major factor (heat from the engine vs. water cooled) until I get mid-west into higher altitudes where the temperature is not so brutal. So at 18-24 gallons fuel per day with variable fuel prices averaging $2.75p/g for high octane, I could possibly pump out about $55-60 bucks per day in fuel, give or take. For 14 days I estimate about $800-$1000. I'll caclulate at the end and let you know. Did I mention I have a support truck meeting me at the checkpoints along the way? Ouch! I don't mind, because my support team (Karen & Trish) will be worth their wait in gold cheering me on, providing moral support while holding their hand over their nose and mouth trying to hose down the skunk smell off me.

I guess the point I'm making is what I quoted from Mark Twain. I would be disappointed in the years to come, if I didn't take this challenge. Too often we reflect back on decisions that make us wonder "What if, or I wished I had done that fun, crazy, stupid or exciting thing" when I had the chance. Even if I don't make it all the way to the end for one reason or another, I gave it my all and I have no regrets. So in a very short time, I will throw off my bow lines (raise my kickstand), sail away from safe harbor (twist the throttle in Key West) and catch the trade winds in my sails. I will Explore, I have already Dreamed and now I will Discover. Thanks Mark.

See if you can spot me in the sea of bikes in this picture. It's from Sturgis 2009.