Monday, January 3, 2011

Some Modest Moto Goals

Sunrise on New Years Day seems like a good thing to have on the first post of the year. I've been reading a lot of posts which either summarize the last year or list goals for the upcoming year. I've never been one to make personal goals or resolutions in the past and I suspect that is possibly due to fear of failure. I suspect that by the end of the first week, any resolutions I've made would be forgotten but moto goals may be doable.

  • Ride 5K miles this year. Given that I've only ridden about 9K miles over the last 3 years this may be a little ambitious.
  • Ride to the Arctic Circle. I've ridden as far north as the Yukon River bridge before turning around. As long as the road isn't muddy it should be fine, right...
  • Ride the Fairbanks-Anchorage-Valdez-Fairbanks loop
  • D2D - Dust to Dawson (it is not a rally) ride to Dawson City, YT, near the latter half of June
These sound like pretty modest goals. There are some things that I would really like to do but they aren't realistic such as other MSF classes since they aren't offered up here.
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9 comments:

  1. BeemerGirlJanuary 3, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Very commendable goals on the RT. Would it have street or aggressive tires for that Arctic Circle ride? Can't wait to see a picture in front of the sign!!! -Lori

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  2. Jack RiepeJanuary 3, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    Dear Richard:

    Happy New Year!

    I too have been unproductive as far motorcycles go during the holiday break. And I have decided not to clutter up my life with superflous resolutions this year. In fact, I have one: to become an official and professional moto-journalist or writer someplace. I'm sick of business travel writing (after 31 years) and have decided to see if I can make a buck at moto-humor. I just bought a new textbook titled, "How To Write Jokes and Congressional Testimony." I'll let you know how this turns out.

    Fondest regards,
    Jack • reep • Toad
    Twisted Roads

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  3. SonjaMJanuary 3, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    I have long given up on new years resolutions since I haven't been very successful in achieving them. But when it comes to travel I am all in. Your plans sound great, and I wish I could be around to accompany you on the ride to the Arctic Circle. Please make sure you let me (virtually) ride pillion on this.
    Happy and healthy New Year!
    SonjaM

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  4. redlegsridesJanuary 3, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Richard

    a worthy goal, riding to the Arctic Circle...I hope to do the same someday too.

    dom

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

    Redleg's Rides

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  5. UnknownJanuary 3, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    RichardM:

    a couple of years ago I had a chance to ride to Alaska as I had two sets of friends going up there. One with a group of bikers, and other via car caravan but I could only go for two weeks and wasn't enough time.

    All I need is a yellow F650GS, if only I knew where to "borrow" one . . .

    bob
    bobskoot: wet coast scootin

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  6. Allen MaddingJanuary 4, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    I'm liking your goals and I'm looking forward to the photography such treks will produce. Plan, prepare and execute. You'll be glad you did, and we be cheering for you.

    -Peace

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  7. StacyJanuary 4, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Looks good!

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  8. RichardMJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Lori:
    I'm still trying to locate some more aggressive tires for the RT but it uses weird sizes which are hard to find in the US.

    Jack:
    I usually don't do resolutions but thought I'd take a crack at some goals.

    Sonja:
    When I go up there, I will definitely take pictures as I'll probably be going pretty slow anyway. I'm told that the road is actually in pretty good shape as long as it's dry.

    Dom:
    With your Ural, you could even make it up in the wintertime. I see a couple of sidecar rigs around here all winter. One is a newer BMW cruiser and the other is a Royal Enfield. I occasionally see Urals but only in the summer.

    Bob:
    Remember, Alaska is only a couple of days from Vancouver. Two weeks should be plenty of time as long as you don't want to take the ferry...

    Allen & Stacy:
    Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I'm really looking forward to Spring (actually mid April is when I can get the bike back out again)

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  9. BluekatJanuary 4, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Best of wishes on the upcoming goals.

    I think last year was the first time I attempted any notable goal making. I made easy, fun ones that jived with my favorite interests and surprisingly I hadn't forgotten them a week later. Made a few, missed a few, it's all good.

    You have a short season up there, but what a lovely, wonderful place to ride when the weather and sunlight cooperates.

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