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It's a maxim I learned
in junior high: "proper preparation prevents poor performance."
Only I wasn't interested in preparing. From the moment I decided to
GO to Sturgis I only wanted to GO; not prepare, not pack, and certainly
not plan. But that could get a guy into some pretty unhappy situations
I guess. And besides, I still had a couple weeks before the top of August.
Could the
romantic old image of a lone wandering motorcyclist still be valid?
First, I took care of Roxie, getting her 10,000 mile service done at 9,000. Fresh fluids everywhere. With new fork and brake fluids and new brake pads, I could really tell a difference.
Next, I mounted the tour-pak. Several times. I finally settled on a system that eliminated the need for a luggage rack underneath and slightly improved the set-back and angle of the backrest. It's still not perfect, but better than nothing. I also noted the tour-pak is showing wear and tear; it won't last much longer and I'll have to find a different solution; probably something more conventional like a T-bag.
Food? Nah.... buy that along the way. Did throw some beef jerkey into the tank bag though. Clothes were easy to take care of; I followed advice off the web to pack disposable items like old t-shirts so that if I couldn't do laundry, I didn't feel too bad throwing away something I'd worn for four or five days straight. I took enough clothes for seven changes, though I would have to wash jeans.
The biggest
challenge to face was my medication: mine has to be refridgerated. Plus,
I have to nebulize it into a mist and inhale it every day. Big ol' pain
in the ass. So I packed up the air compressor and nebulizers, plus a
more portable, batter-powered ultrasonic nebulizer. I'd used the ultrasonic
before, but it had its drawbacks; but I had to pack it in case I didn't
have electricity somewhere.
As for the chilled medication,
I walked up to AutoZone and picked up little 12-volt cooler/heater and
also a transformer that could be plugged into a regular outlet to power
it. Now I had some options! I strapped that thing onto the top of my tourpak
in front of my tent and sleeping pad, wired up a 12v cigarette lighter
and plugged it all in together. Voila! Beer cooler on the go! Or, yes,
medicine if I have to.
Gear: Didn't take me too long to decide to ditch the leathers. I'd suffer along without the chaps and the jacket was just too damned hot for what I'd be riding through. I made an investment in the Joe Rocket Pheonix II jacket and liner, because the jacket is all mesh with some armor pads and the liner is "windproof" and "waterproof". More about that later. I also took along some FroggToggs, and Aerostitch glove and boot covers. These things I'd used many times before.
A couple days before I was to set out, I actually went about securing a campground reservation and making plans to meet up with some of the internet folk. I had talked to Marje on the phone about going with her, but she was wary of that, having never ridden with me before. Besides, she would be going with some members of her MC, and she'd be leaving a day ahead of me, all of which added up to me riding alone. No big deal -- I'd already done 4000 miles this summer on my own, but tackling the legendary Sturgis without a guide was going to be interesting.
