The Viking Run - 40 Days to Departure

Forty days. That's a crazy number to look at. Less than a month and a half left for something that has been in the works for years to be so close, It's hard to fathom.

I went to Eurocycles up in Daytona last week and had new tires installed on the bike. Michelin Road 6 GTs I ordered from Revzilla. I've never heard so many people rave about a tire, I hope it lives up to the hype. 

Eurocycles of Daytona

Michelin Road 6 GT

They also changed the oil and did an annual service on the bike, which was probably much needed. It got fresh brake fluid and they really doctored the chain up for me, which is good. It's a good starting point for the trip and needs to be something I pay special attention to throughout the ride. I may even try to schedule some chain maintenance along the way just to be safe, in St. John's and then later again in Quebec City.

I ordered some food for a couple of rough camps planned along the TLH and a rechargeable tire inflator today from Amazon. The little compressor was an idea from Devon, the tech up at Eurocycles. I hadn't given that any thought and really think it may be one of the most indispensable tools on the trip. I also had to run up to Bass Pro and pick up another necessity that I have to have and hope I don't need...bear spray!

I don't want to be a testimonial for how good this stuff works.

The Viking Run - 56 Days to Departure

I've spent the weekend so far making some adjustments to my Furkot maps and I'd venture to say there isn't really anymore tweaking to do, the trip is set in stone. I've created 28 individual Furkot maps for each riding day in an attempt to make each day an easier download in to the Scenic app. If it works, I'm having trouble getting it to give voice commands. 

I made an appointment for the tires and oil change next Saturday at Eurocycles. So that will be one of the final steps to complete. I'll get the rear platform on Tuesday, as well as some new boots I ordered with points from Revzilla. Once the platform is installed, I'll get the bike loaded out and do a practice ride or two to check the weight and balance. 

I'd like to be down to just the countdown by July 4th. 

The Viking Run - 60 Days to Departure

 

Today is a milestone day. 60 days until departure! That's the blink of an eye really. I feel that means I really only have thirty days left of prep. This trip can not come down to last minute compositions. I can say without a doubt that as of today...sixty days to go... I am not ready. 

I ordered a tail rack for the bike from an online vendor over two months ago. They told me it was an eight week lead time so I chatted with them this week and was informed they are no longer working with that manufacturer and to contact them directly. I did so and they shipped out the part the next day. It will be here Tuesday. That tail piece is the key to how I will transport my fuel tank and luggage, so two months wasted from a retailer with very poor service.

I am packing for all of the possible pitfalls that I can imagine could occur; cold weather, breakdowns, fixes, flat tires...I barely have room for clothing. I'll make it all work somehow, but right now, it is disconcerting. 

I was going to wait until July to get the tires installed and the oil changed, but that will happen this month now instead. I really need July to be a time for calm. I wonder if this trip is as serious an undertaking as it feels or if its just a get on the damn bike and ride? I'm not the type to forgo prep and try to plan as much as possible. I mean, it's 6000 fucking miles, 150 hours of saddle time. I just don't think being cavalier is the way to go.

The Viking Run - 75 Days to Departure

 

Seventy five days!! Might as well be seventy five seconds with how fast time flies. I have yet to try to pack and load out the bike and that needs to happen soon. I ordered a tail rack for the bike in March and it has yet to arrive. It's kind of a key element to the way I plan to load out the bike. It will also be the primary way the aux fuel tank will be affixed with my main luggage bag on top, or at least I think so. So, that needs to get here ASAP. 

I did get new tires, ordered from Revzilla, Michelin Road 6 GTs, which are supposed to have amazing wet weather traction and more importantly, longevity. The OEM Bridgestone Battleaxes I have on the bike now were good for about 6000 miles, which is about the length of this trip alone. The Road 6's are supposedly good for 12,000 miles or more, supposedly. 

Michelin Road 6 GT

 

The Viking Run - 92 Days to Departure

 

92 Days. Ninety days is a a significant benchmark and its days away. I feel completely unprepared. As I stated before, I have the route and and all of my overnight stays planned except one, Labrador City, which I can't book till June. There are still so many other things to be done...and costs. This afternoon I'm getting an eye exam and possibly new glasses. It's an unfortunate expense and poor timing but it has to happen. Were the glasses I'm wearing become lost or broken it would seriously hamstring this entire event. I also must have new tires and an oil change prior to hitting the road. The oil change I expected but I didn't foresee was the glasses or tires. So I am strongly contemplating selling my other Beemer. I hate to do so but I may not have a choice. If I do it, I'll need to make the decision soon, because as I stated earlier, 90 days. 

The Viking Run - 100 Days to Departure

 

One hundred days! I'm now in the window of final prep, The trip is just around the corner and will be here very soon. I was riding in Sanford today and decided to stop by the Amtrak station, to get the lay of the land and get to know what to expect in August. I spoke with the ticket agents and saw the motorcycle racks they load on to the rail cars. I wont have a private cabin on the train, I'm going coach so it will be 18 hours in what is described as a first class like seat on an airplane. I sure hope that is the case. 

I have yet to start coming up with gear and clothing and how it will all be packed on the bike. I still have some rather large purchases and preparations to be made. The Bridgestone Battleax's that came as OEM on the bike are worn down the centers, they are more sport oriented than they are touring. So, I'm going to put some Michelin Road 6 GTs on this July. The Road 6s are known for touring and being the kings of wet weather roads. I'm looking forward to trying them.

Today I bought some socks, I was searching the internet for what should be good boot socks and found what I'm hoping will be good ones at Tractor Supply today. I need to do some tent setups and consider what kind of equipment I'll need for my rough camps on the TLH. Water...how to carry two days worth of water will be an interesting trick. 

One hundred days to departure and there is still so much to do.

The Viking Run - 105 Days to Departure

Today I completed all of my bookings. All hotel rooms, Air BnB's, campgrounds, lodges and rough camp areas are scheduled, booked and mapped out. Also, all trains and ferries have been booked as well. So now that all of the logistics are planned I'm down to figuring out gear and the load out. I've put all of my lodgings in a spiral note book broke down in to segments of the trip, it's old school but I like the simplicity of it. There are 38 stays planned out, a few of them our multiple nights. I'll get Furkot cleaned up and then post the itinerary soon.

And...I installed a new lower fairing on the bike. It doesn't do anything for the performance or handling, I just wanted to add some body to the lower engine area, take away some of the naked bike look.