I'm not sure but I may be a little gun shy right now after the lifter issue with the Ural. I'm not sure I want to take it on a trip where I would be out of cell phone coverage. I was originally considering a winter trip up to the Yukon River bridge but no coverage over 90% of the 300 mile round trip. I wonder what it'll take to get regain confidence in the rig?
The project of the day is to try and clean my riding gear. The frozen crankcase vent caused some oil leaks and has made quite a mess. At first, I was somewhat reluctant to get the hi-viz material when I picked up the Roadcrafter Light last year. One of the reasons was that it may really show the road grime. Well, it does. This is the before photo.
Here is the after photo. A little cleaner but not much difference after three runs through the wash with Nixwax Tech Wash. Oh well, it has seen almost daily use and it shows…
Congratulations on your 6 first places. I fully understand the gun shy part after a breakdown, especially, for you, without cell service out in the middle of nowhere. I know I am going to miss your ride videos out in the snow and cold.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Still riding though I'll probably dig out the video when it's somewhere new, weird or ?.
DeleteCongrats on your six wins! As to regaining confidence in one's rig...I feel your pain, still working on it myself after the Alaska trip....in fact, now getting ready to test using a URV (Ural Recovery Vehicle) and trailer system for the longer rides. As to riding to areas where there's no cellphone coverage....you may want to consider the new SPOT models...you can text to get help.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm thinking of taking the Ural this summer instead of the BMW just because it's still under warranty. I thought that 20k km was sufficient for the bugs to get discovered...
DeleteI have a SPOT 2nd gen and I have tested it all around AK and it works but the functionality is limited. I looked at the SPOT Connect but it required a functional smartphone. I'll need to look into the new model.
Congratulations! Where's the trophy?! Something to hang on the wall? Jacket patch?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your concern about being without communications farther out.
Trophy? Patch? This was a challenge not a contest...
DeleteI recognize that I can be hyper-competitive so I tend to avoid things that bring that out such as board games. With this PBC thing, I was even considering some several hundred mile rides just because. That is over competitive...
But even winning a challenge can earn a person a bit of tangible notoriety! Sounds like your effort was your reward and that's just fine. No "thing" required.
DeleteActually, one of the participants wife has made PBC stickers and he is sending me a sticker. Pretty nice!
DeleteWait, one can wash / clean gear? Never heard of that ;-) Road grime is part of the design, I thought...
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being the winner in several categories. Not surprised, really.
I also suggest to get a Spot when venturing out in areas with low reception. I have a lot of friends using it.
Thanks again for your winter riding adventures.
It's a new concept for many but I was able to catch a whiff of engine oil so I thought I should try and clean it before it got ruined. But I kept procrastinating.
DeleteA lot of 1st places on that dummy. Congrats to you on the achievement.
ReplyDeleteHi vis never stays clean. Not much you can do about it I don't think.
Fortunately, cleaning wasn't the intent. Just wanted to get the oil film off of the surface. And washing did a good job. Next, tackle all of the oil on the bike....
DeleteRichard, those are not stains they are 'rider' badges. Wear your badges of dirt, oil and bugs with pride!
ReplyDeleteSecondly thank you for sharing your accomplishments with us - 6 firsts out of 9. That's golden - well done you! You are the king of cold.
One last question, do they still make satellite phones? I recall friends travelling in places off the grid who used to use them, I don't go there - I don't know.
I can't wait for your further adventures. (You know if you travel to Ontario you will no doubt be in range of a cell tower the entire way and the snow might be gone by mid June!) Here's hoping for spring!
I guess, I just didn't want to ruin the fabric by letting too much grime build up. And I thought that the oil may not help the breathability of the fabric.
DeleteYour welcome. I just thought there should be some outcome from all of the videos.
And, yes, they still make and sell sat phones but they are expensive to buy and use. We still have and use them at the university for research groups.
Congratulations on your accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to the Memorial Day get together in Talkeetna?
I'm planning on going to Maine this summer and the roaming charges with cell phones made me think more about crossing in the lower 48.
Satellite phones are way to expensive
Thank you, it was something to do this winter that got me out riding more than I normally would've.
DeleteStill planning to head down to Talkeetna on Memorial Day. And thinking about a road trip this summer. I would also cross in the lower 48 if for no other reasons than gas price and simplicity.