First post

This is a blog of my trip out west from Kansas City to Redmond, OR to attend the BMW motorcycle annual rally sponsored by the BMW motorcycle owners association. I will ride my 2004 K1200GT bike which is perfect for a long trip like this. Be sure to also read the trip overview page which you can find to the right side of this blog.

I have a few goals for the trip. The first of course is to attend the national rally on July 16-18. I also want to visit my sister and brother-in-law in Vancouver (Camas), WA. On the way out there I intend to attempt an Iron Butt Association "Saddlesore 1000" and ride 1000 miles from Cheyenne, WY to Redmond, OR in less than 24 hours. After that the plans are fairly loose but I would like to ride the coast highway and then make my way back across Highway 50 in Nevada, see the parks in southern Utah, and then Colorado. I don't have any specific route planned except for the required route for the 1000 miles.

And I am not going with anyone. I have found over time that I actually prefer to ride solo. It gives me more flexibility, less worry about considerations of another person, and allows me to meet more people. I have learned that people generally won't approach a group of motorcycle riders but will be quite friendly with a single rider.

Here is a pic of my road warrior all loaded up and ready to roll. 

I hope to be able to post updates along the way of my trip to Oregon and return.  Kinda depends on how often I have time and Internet access along the way.  We will see how it goes.

Jerry in KC