Work before play....

Been busy, so a bit short on information updates last week.


I have however found a great route planning tool called http://www.myrouteonline.com/ . This is a great system that gives the user a multi-point address plan, on a single or many journeys.


For distribution or holiday routes, it's better than standard google map, and the map below shows an outline route for Road2Manchester that was 'optimised' to give the shortest route between all 30 Manchesters.

DATES:
The March start dates have not been confirmed due to weather patterns in the northern states, so an April or even May start has been 'suggested'.
The on-going organisation of the filming and 'the other team member' , is still pending, and news of who the lucky one is, will be announced once the PR team is ready.
Once everything is in place, there will be a full press release, and dates will be set in stone.

Meanwhile, I am getting some miles in on the Beemer, to get my biker head on for the 300-500 mile days that are ahead.

cheers

Pete

Weather Here, wish you were lovely

Rain Rain Rain, despite a quick ride to Ozwaldtwisle on Thursday, I missed out on the fair weather Friday morning brought.

The usual MANCHESTER rainfall started on Friday afternoon, and hasn't really stopped

I took a drive (in the old transit) to Chorley Yamaha ,to sit on a FJR1300 tourer. Just to see if they fit my ample proportions.

Nice bike.

FJR or a scooter ?

Looks small "under" me, but it's a nice fit really. Might have to book a test ride..... or two.

www.advrider.com discovered through a twitter follower, is a great forum based site if you want direct advise, contacts and invitations whilst riding in the world.

A few threads within the 'Regions' of the USA, and I have invites for beer, food, riders coming along for a few miles, hotels, chicken dinners, B&B, more beers. and some 'unmissable roads'.

Within 36 hours, I have received 46 messages (all positive), 600+ views, and did I mention invitations for beer.

Threads: Brit Passing through & Road2Manchester

Valentines Day tomorrow. Feb 14th I might, just might be getting confirmation of start dates.

NB: Some mentions on the advrider site have warned of snow, ice and cold weather in the North Eastern states in March...... winter draws on then.

My GS ready for an outing.

Later dudes.........

Updates.... Feb already.

Hmmmmn! March start, though still the target, no exact date has been decided due to production issues. As mentioned, plans to film the trip for posterity have been included in the remit, so getting all that 'stuff' confirmed is a slightly slower process than thought.


I am however seeking a 'Team Member' using this simple calculation.





Biker + Mancunian + Celebrity x free in March = March start. Simples:





Any ideas on an E-mither or here.





Twitter: ALMOST at 1000 followers @Road2Manchester , RT me and lets hit 1k by the end of Feb.





Wish List: Crossing just about every State, in the USA, means every weather pattern there is.


Deserts, Mountains, Rain, Wind, and nice sunny days (I hope).


What to wear?????


Despite my collection of 2 jackets, 3 helmets, 3 prs gloves, leather pants, 2 pairs of boots, muff,s bandanas, face masks, long johns, wicking shirts etc etc etc; There is always something that is not quite right.


Riding on short trips from home is simple. Weather this wekend is ----------- so I will wear-----------. Easy.


This trip I really need...

NordKapp Infinito Adventure Suit.

A) Inner liner is a two way jacket that can be worn alone. Windproof and thermal.

B) Middle Layer: Mesh and panel armoured summer jacket, worn over A), or alone.

C) Outer breathable, waterproof, vented.

Pants to match, means ALL weather, all temperature multi wear.

VISIT www.adventurebikewarehouse.co.uk for clothing, parts, camping gear, lighting,

FREE fitting service. M27 Manchester. Tell em' road2manchester sent ya!

Do gifs work on blogs???? Dunno ! So here goes.

Just spoke to my old junior school mate, Dave Sharp , (The Alarm, 1980's 'new age/rock group). Conversation soon turns to 'Theme Songs' and he suggested one of his own toons,

'Hard Travellin' take a look on YouTube,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTJPKS7GZfc&feature=related

The Alarm's big hit was 68 Guns..... classic. And those hair cuts man !!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apERyZlTUZU&feature=related

Just realised that another school mate Nigel, was the drummer. Crickey, takes me back 40 years doing 'shows' in Dave house. Think I played maracas and tambourine ) Doh!.

Dan Walsh

Got a facebook follow, from fellow Mancunian Mr Dan Walsh one of my biker hero's and writer of a fave' motorcycle adventure book "These are the Days" (Very funny and a must read). Currently doing his stuff in Bike magazine.

Follow me :

Roadto Manchester on Facebook

Road2Mancheter on Twitter.

Today, I am mostly thinking of a packing list for 10-11 weeks bike travel.

Having done big tours on my old GL1500 Goldwing (my first bike), on which there was a lot more luggage space, the old adage 'Less is more', might apply.

At least I can buy new stuff, if the first lot falls apart.

1st ride of 2011

Despite the 'about zero' temperature on Wednesday, I taxed the GS, got wrapped up, and took a leisurely 100 mile spin over the pennines to Humberside.
The freezing fog that blanketed the Manchester area, was the result of the westerly direction that the weather front had come from. With no escape as the ground level climbs over the Saddleworth Moor, the damp air was going nowhere.
Once over the hill, and heading towards Yorkshire, the sun was bright, sky was blue, but my nose was too.
Even a hint of shutting my visor all the way down, was like someone filling my helmet with milk.
Even the neck and face buff I was wearing, did little to stop the chill factor on my nose, knees and toes.
Thank goodness for heated grips on the GS, for the first time ever, I had them set on No2. (Scorchio).
After a great meeting (more on that later), I set off back, hoping to beat the M62 traffic around Leeds, and more importantly, the early night darkness and dropping temperatures.

Back over the Pennines, the fog was still a thick grey blanket that looked like a valley full of dirty sheep skins, from the top of Saddleworth Moor.
It was around 5pm when I got home, and despite the 'all motorway' trip of 200 miles, it was nice to get back in the saddle.
Roll on spring and the USA leg of the Road2Mancheser. Follow me on Twitter @Road2Manchester or Facebook Roadto Manchester

Note to me: GET SOME BETTER SOCKS.

Sam the Man

Welcome to Sam Manicom. Biker Travel Guru, to my followers list.

If you are a serious RTW rider, planner, dreamer....... read Sams books. QED: