Test Ride on the new GSA

So as we all know I have sold my old 2006 BMW R1200 GS. I have purchased a new ride which I now currently have a 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure. I took this trip as a test trip and to see how the bike does and handles compared to my old GS. With a trip of 500 miles I figured that would be a good day ride. 

I didn't really have a exact plan on where I was going or what I planned on doing. So I loaded the bike and hit the road. Heading west toward Boone I took HWY 421 from home. Around lunch I saw a few Wine Vineyards so a quick google search I found one serving food called Raffaldini Wine Vineyard. 

Visiting Raffaldini Vineyards the food was nothing special just wrapped pre-made subs but the Wine was very good. and for a $5 wine tasting who couldn't resist. After a stop bite to eat and enjoying the landscape I was back on the road.

Just outside of Boone NC. I jumped onto the Blue Ridge Parkway headed South toward Asheville NC. Now for a 600lb bike it handled the curves very well and I didn't really notice the weight that much. 

As I got closer to Mount Mitchell State park it got interested. From the Park entrance going south the Parkway was closed for whatever reason. Sadly turning around I went back about 1/2 mile where I noticed a gravel dirt road that lead to who knows where. So I took it. Now I get to test out how this big beast is off-road. Putting the bike in off-road mode I'm set to ride. As I decent down the mountain I the ground was extremely loose and I started to slide around sharp turns and deep descents. Almost laying the bike down and going off the mountain side I saved myself and got back to riding. I've ridden on gravel before but with the soft ground and loose rocks everything your tires try to grab just slide out of the way and grip nothing. 

About an hour later I still have no idea where I am. I continue to ride on and I start coming up on some homes. And then out of no where I finally hit a small road that leads me back to Interstate 40. 

 

All in one piece I jump on 40 and decide to head home. For most of us who know 40. It's pretty boring so I'll leave at that. 

Raffaldini Wine Vineyard

The crazy guy

Price Lake NC

Twin Tunnels

Mount Mitchell  State Park 

New Bike... 2008 GS Adventure

Recently due to the cold weather and work getting busy. I have not had much time to travel. Plus I forgot the password to my blog. Anyways.. Some good news. I've upgrade to a new bike and will hopefully get to travel some more.. For a quick recap of my old bike. It was a 2006 BMW R1200 GS. Purchased with 8600 miles on the odometer. When sold in November of 2012 it had 24,678 on the odometer. Now for a years riding I think I did pretty good.

Now for the good stuff. The new bike. Purchased with 10,630 on the odometer. This is a 2008 BMW R1200 GS Adventure. Yes I bought the next size up as if it wasn't a big enough bike already. Gray in Color and with a few improvements I already like this bike a lot better.

Once I take a few pictures I can post.

Short Trip to New York and Back. 7-7-12 to 7-9-12

Took a Short trip to Upstate New York the other day. Left Apex NC on Saturday morning and rode all day. Left at 6:30am and arrived in Queensbury NY around 9pm. The ride up wasn't to bad other than the temperature was over 100 degrees and taking the Jersey turnpike sucks ass. Finally arriving at the house I met up with my sister and the family. Sunday was a day I very much needed. The view and relaxation and the poor cell service was awesome. For a mini vacation I felt very relaxed. For the ride home it wasn't so hot which was nice. Cool breeze in the morning till about noon. But it never broke 100. Coming into Fredericksburg I hit some horrible traffic. Leaving the main highway to avoid overheating the bike I took a few side roads to bypass everything. About a half hr later I found my way back onto 95 and back up to speed and away I went. Finally Made it south of Richmond and got off of 95 and onto 85 and BAM storms hit and i'm sitting under a bridge somewhere in the middle of nowhere. The sky seemed to lighten up a little so I went for it. All the way from southern Richmond VA to Apex I rode through heavy storms the entire way. Finally getting home around 11pm soaking wet and tired but with a total trip of 1500 miles I think it's time to invest in a new seat and new music. Here are some pictures.. 

View of the Hudson River

The little Ice cream shop I grew up with. 

Small Grave on the edge of the Hudson River. 

The little Cabin. 

Bad pic. but me sitting under a bridge during a storm

Raining so much water is a few inches deep and is going over my tires

View of PA.

The steep driveway to the cabin. 

Grandfather Mountain NC. 6-3-12

Not a motorcycle trip sadly would have been a good ride.  Started out as a nice Sunday morning and a nice cruise to the mountains. After a few hour drive I reach the Blue Ridge Parkway and the temp dropped at least 10 degrees and wind doubled. But it was a great view. Partly cloudy but blue skies. 30 minutes later I reach Grandfather Mountain and the skies decided to take a turn. Slight sprinkle but I decided to press on. as I reached the top and parked at the swinging bridge the wind more than tripled. As I hit the trails and hiked back into the back country we went ahead and planned on getting rained on and figured I make it as far as I could before I declare it unsafe and head back. about 3 miles later and hit the peak. Still no rain and the sun was out. Wind was still there but clouds were dying down and the skies were getting clear in some directions. For being over 8 yrs since I was on grandfather Mountain it was a good hike.  I had everything from ladders to steep cliffs. Great views and gives you a great workout all at once. Recommended to anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

View from Blue Ridge Parkway

View From Swinging bridge Grandfather Mt

Half way up the mountain

Top of the moutain view

fog rolling in

yay steep rocks

Grandfather Mountain NC

Blue Knights Officer Down Memorial Ride 6-2-2012

This morning was the Blue Knights Officer Down Ride which helps benefit our Law Enforcement Officers and Family. Today Ride was to benefit an Officers Daughter who's been diagnosed with terminal Cancer and to send her and her mother to Europe. For today's weather I couldn't have asked for anything better. Ride Started at Ray Price Harley Davidson in Raleigh and ended at Freedom Biker Church in Benson NC.

Gathering at Ray Price Harley Davidson. 

The lovely Open Road. 

Natalie also Representing the dual sport's bike's with me

(Bike in red behind me)

The crew

The enterance to Freedom Biker Church in Benson NC. 

Current Mileage 19087