How was your summer?

[dantama]

I rode the least of any summer in the last 10 years for various reasons.

My high points were two rides. The first was the solo ride out to the Western Rally in Mesquite. I took a scenic two day route and met up with Lone Juan and his wife for the second days ride.

The rally ride was fun as documented in the Zions video I posted on youtube. The ride home was memorable for another off road adventure in the desert.

I also went on a ride to Durango with Audio, Ells, and Wolfman, using Ells' 800 classic, while mine was in the shop. I had a great time on that ride and it stands out as a major highlight of my summer.

Other than that, I haven't been too far from home at all.

I wish that I had been able to get out more. I've ridden about 10,000 miles a year till this year. This year I only had about 4,000. But the two rides I did get were fantastic.

How was your summer?

Sounds a lot like mine dan....I did those two rides and also rode down to Laughlin on a 3 day trip with my wife. I could put 60 miles a day on my bike, but commuting in the dark is just not enjoyable to me. I usually save the bike for times when I don't have to think about work. In all I only put 4-5,000 miles on the bike this year too... The Laughlin trip was fun. The sig pic of Candy and I riding, was at a casino parking lot next to Hoover Dam. Chris (my friend) rode down with us with a girlfriend of his. The other sig pic of us standing was taken at the CasaBlanca Casino in Mequite (I know I'm wearing the same shirt).....Good times!

Next year for sure I'll be in Custer for the rally and I'm at least going to ride Idaho and Montana. I would also like to meet up with Ells and the gang again for another durango ride and bring my wife.

[cactusjack]

I've put 6,000 on my bike since early June (when I replaced the tires), 2,100 of them were the Mesquite Rally/Utah trip. I was going on a 200-300 mile ride every weekend for most of the year until the rally. Since then, I haven't ridden more than one or two of those. I find the heat takes a lot of fun out of it. Those of you who attended the Mesquite Rally can imagine 4 straight months of that kind of heat. Now that it's cooled down some, my riding will pick up. I've got 6 months of really nice riding weather to look forward to before it starts getting really hot again.

[Idaho]

I wore out a new rear tire on the Nomad. So far this year I've put on around 14,000 miles. Old man winter is sneaking up though so that is going to come to a screaming halt. My other passion is fly fishing and have not done any this summer. Finally got out yesterday with my kickboat, it was raining and not mc weather, and I had a great time. Caught lots of nice fat, fiesty rainbows. That is how I will spend my winter.

[fish]

For the 1st. full year back in the saddle ridding was great except for the heat. Good day rides with Ole Dawg, heater-guy, beezer. Now is my time of year, cool. So far 6600 miles. Every year the years go by faster and faster so live it up now, infact as soon as the roads dry off we are leaving for 3 or 4 day on the bike.

[ringadingh]

Ive put on more miles this year than any other year since Ive been riding, (close to 40 years) Im about 11,000 miles so far this season and will probably at least put another 1000 on before I park it for the winter. I ride to work and back everyday until the snow flies or the roads get salted. Most summers I only put around 5000 miles on, but a couple long trips this year really rang up the mileage.

[MarkG]

Guess I have done fairly well with my Nomad the 1st year. A little over 9,000 miles with a couple of months to go. The Mesquite run at 1,100 miles was the first one of the summer. Definitely hotter than most of us expected. Did some short local riding during July and August. As CJ said, riding in 110 plus isn't much fun. Topped off the summer with my little 4,100 mile trip in September. The Bridgestones will need to be replaced in the next few weeks. I have definitely had a good time and have been much more relaxed.

[rflnomad]

Well, hate to be the downer here but we rode the LEAST this year! Money was VERY tight and we have been restructuring to make things better.
( we are NOT stupid spenders or living beyond our means, but we are trying to eliminate ALL debt in 5 years including the house & property in Tennessee. We have been doing this for about year now and it is GREAT!)
So we will do some small, day rides this winter and look forward to 09.

[audiogooroo]

The Western Rally in Mesquite and the Hwy 550 run were the definite highlights for me. I also made several trips up Ute Pass to Buena Vista and rode to work every day I didn't have to take my SMAART kit to tune an audio system. Made a couple of site visits on the bike for work (Grand Junction and Fort Collins). Still didn't put in that many miles, around 5000.
I'm thinking about Durango for a location for the 2010 Southwestern Regional Rally, but I'll post something in that forum to see what everyone thinks.
Still riding as much as I can, but already counting the days until next summer and the Custer Rally.

[pirate]

My first summer with a Nomad was fantastic. Since purchasing my 08 in May, I've put on 7700 miles. The highlight of the summer was a trip to the Black Hills of SD in late June, where my wife and I had a blast cruising around the Hills, and even into Custer. We also took a July trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which is in SW North Dakota. I attended a couple of conferences for school this summer, and I rode the bike to both of those as well.
Before we found out that we're expecting our first child in March 09, I was definitely planning on attending the National Rally in Custer next summer, especially since it's so close to home. I'm not sure if I'll still make it or not, since I'll be babysitting all summer. Hopefully I can make some arrangements so I can still make it to Custer and meet some of you great folks.
A dream that a friend and I have is to have about 2-3 weeks in the summer and just ride an unplanned, unmapped vacation. I'd love to fill in a lot more states on my map, and we think it would be a blast to just ride and not have any route or agenda planned ahead of time. We'll see what next summer brings.
They are talking about potential snow falling here next weekend, so the riding days for this year are definitely numbered!

[ells]

Noooooo, please don't tell me summer is over. Great riding still to be done.

[dantama]

Noooooo, please don't tell me summer is over. Great riding still to be done.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news Ells, but those great rides are going to be Fall rides :)

[waterman]

My summer was SHORT. Work was hectic this year. Family issues were numerous. I still road almost 6000 miles. Did a trip to Custer for work and the VROC Aztec rally. Also did a run to Cortez, CO this summer for work. Ain't it grand when work pays for the miles. Fall work (research data collection) is going on right now and generally that means dawn to dusk in the field for more days than I care to count. Also did a nice day run with Ells. Note to myself - Need to do more of that.

[ells]

Dan,

I don't like "fall" and "ride" used together. Late-summer, early-winter or..... oh yes, "autumn", We are going to have some great autumn rides.

BTW, the aspens were peaked this past week, I hope some others got a peek at the peak, I was up the past two weekends.

The last several months have been good, to get back to the thread topic, Trips to Black Hills, the San Juans, and up the Frying Pan were highlights. Also, have met a total of 8 Kawanow members in person over the same time, yes it was a good riding season year. Even crossed paths with two members separately, MTN1600 and Prairie Cruiser, by chance.

Plan on riding as much as practical through the winter but will be limited to local rides.

[abbo]

:) My first year with my Nomad was excellent!! Have 8200 miles on as of late this afternoon and would like to get another few hundred. Turning off cold here this week and then they are predicting a warm-up! Highlight of the trips was to Colorado in late July for a few days. The Nomad ran flawlessly and averaged 40mpg. Plus it was drop dead beautiful scenery. In fact, I am trying to find employment in the Loveland/Greeley area. If anyone from that area knows of anything pm me. Thanks and continue to ride(safe) http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[cactusjack]

The Western Rally in Mesquite and the Hwy 550 run were the definite highlights for me. I also made several trips up Ute Pass to Buena Vista and rode to work every day I didn't have to take my SMAART kit to tune an audio system. Made a couple of site visits on the bike for work (Grand Junction and Fort Collins). Still didn't put in that many miles, around 5000.
I'm thinking about Durango for a location for the 2010 Southwestern Regional Rally, but I'll post something in that forum to see what everyone thinks.
Still riding as much as I can, but already counting the days until next summer and the Custer Rally.

It's not going to be hot there, is it? That's my criteria for a potential rally site. If it ain't hot, count me in.

[audiogooroo]

The Western Rally in Mesquite and the Hwy 550 run were the definite highlights for me. I also made several trips up Ute Pass to Buena Vista and rode to work every day I didn't have to take my SMAART kit to tune an audio system. Made a couple of site visits on the bike for work (Grand Junction and Fort Collins). Still didn't put in that many miles, around 5000.
I'm thinking about Durango for a location for the 2010 Southwestern Regional Rally, but I'll post something in that forum to see what everyone thinks.
Still riding as much as I can, but already counting the days until next summer and the Custer Rally.

It's not going to be hot there, is it? That's my criteria for a potential rally site. If it ain't hot, count me in.
By your standards? Not even close to hot! In the summer it may hit the 80s or even low 90s during the day, but it still gets down into the 50s at night. By my standards, that's PERFECT!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[oldbikers]

My year sucked went to KY and then Bea fell off the bike on our way to the central rally and wehn she got better I went into the hospital my bike riding for this is over about 2000 miles, sure looking forward to next year. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[dantama]

My year sucked went to KY and then Bea fell off the bike on our way to the central rally and wehn she got better I went into the hospital my bike riding for this is over about 2000 miles, sure looking forward to next year. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

When I logged on this morning yours was the last post, so it showed up on the main board as the last post in here. When I saw that I thought, wow he had a bad summer, wonder what he wrote?

Next summer must certainly be better :)

[wanderer]

I've had a fairly busy year so far. In May, I rode the Ozark mountain roads near Harrison for 4 days with 30 other bikers from the Volusia Riders forum. In June, I rode the Western Rally, and on down to Pearblossom, California to visit friend. In August I rode to Yoder, Kansas with my daughter (Burgman 400). In September I road the Talimena scenic byway with a bunch from the south central region. Tomorrow, I am going back to Harrison, Arkansas for another 5 days of riding with the Volusia Riders group. Then, I am planning to go to California the first week in November and ride the coast road (HWY 1) from LA to Monterey. That will probably wind up my trips for this year.

[formikec]

My summer was awesome. First summer with the Nomad. Rode it back from Florida to Nashville, then continued to ride it without any issues. Put over 5k on it in 3 months. Actually, this morning was the first day I have been in a cager for more than a quick 10 mile trip to town. Only way it could have been a better summer is if I had bought the Nomad earlier than the last week of June.

[dantama]

I've had a fairly busy year so far. In May, I rode the Ozark mountain roads near Harrison for 4 days with 30 other bikers from the Volusia Riders forum. In June, I rode the Western Rally, and on down to Pearblossom, California to visit friend. In August I rode to Yoder, Kansas with my daughter (Burgman 400). In September I road the Talimena scenic byway with a bunch from the south central region. Tomorrow, I am going back to Harrison, Arkansas for another 5 days of riding with the Volusia Riders group. Then, I am planning to go to California the first week in November and ride the coast road (HWY 1) from LA to Monterey. That will probably wind up my trips for this year.

How appropriate that you bought a "Nomad" and chose the name "Wanderer". :)

[wanderer]

It does seem to fit. Next year I'll have to work in trips for the KLR 650 also. I need to get a couple of weeks in exploring Colorado too. Life is looking up!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[Top Cat]

Well my summer was great. Put 4000 miles on the Nomad riding 2up then Cindy decided she wanted to ride her own bike. She took the MSF course and bought a 750 Shadow. We put 9000 more miles on the bike since then.
The only problem is, we aren't ready to quit yet. Unfortunatly it is snowing and 31 degrees as I type this :'(

[nomad561]

10,000 since I bought my Nomad in April. We did alot of long weekend trips to various places.Still nice enough to ride around here.

[rlfaubion]

Summer was too short. Rode in OR, WA, WY, ID, UT, AZ, NV and many and most rides throughout CA. Don't know the miles, but past 15 months 30,000 miles.... Having a great time out here fella's

[dantama]

Summer was too short. Rode in OR, WA, WY, ID, UT, AZ, NV and many and most rides throughout CA. Don't know the miles, but past 15 months 30,000 miles.... Having a great time out here fella's

I way agree that summer was too short. Now with the time change it's dark at 5:00pm. I miss summer.

But you got a lot more bang for the buck out of your summer than I did Ron :)

[rlfaubion]

Yeah Dan, I am grateful to be able and have a good bike to do it with.

Riding Highway 12 in Utah with you was one of the best rides I had this summer. Especially that part where it got real narrow with cliffs dropping off both sides of the highway in the twisties. Remember that one?

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s31/rlfaubion/Mequite%202008/Hwy12Utah.jpg

[dantama]

I agree Ron, in another post I said that my favorite ride was probably the ride out to the Western Rally. Actually, it's probably the best day, not just the best ride of the past year.

Looking forward to more rides with members of Kawanow, and seeing you and wife again.

[skeeter]

Nothing spectacular, just all good. Lots of day trips 150-300 miles crossing a few county lines. A couple overniters. Most memorable were meeting forum folks for lunch. I can just about meet anybody in the state for lunch and come back home. Abilene, Brownwood, Palestine, Snook, Corpus, Waco......Good food and good folks. 17 months only 15000mi. Love the Nad. Love to travel. Wanted to take longer trips this year, just didn't happen.....yet.