Rider Preparations:
At just over 42 years old, I'm slightly over twice the age of my motorcycle, but I've got a lot more than twice the miles on me! My preparations started clear back last Fall, when I took the Team Oregon MSF training course. In January, when my license came up for renewal, I added the motorcycle endorsment. In February, I purchased my first bike, a 1978 Honda CX-500, which I named Moto-Floozi. Moto-Floozi had sat for a long time, and had a few issues. After I bought a battery, cleaned both carburators, and did some other maintenance stuff, it was running pretty well, but nothing I wanted to go too far out of town on. Then I saw an ad for my new bike, a '82 GL-500, a very close cousin to the CX. Low mileage (~ 7,500), always garaged, and in great shape. A few cosmetic boo-boo's, but nothing major. After selling my CX, my total cash outlay was barely $200 to step up to "baby wing".

Now I needed riding experience. I'd ridden Moto-Floozi maybe 300 miles, mostly around Portland. baby wing was located in Sisters, OR, and represented a 235 mile trip home, my first longish ride. I have been riding as much as possible since then, gaining experience all the time. My next big ride, June 4th-5th '02 was to Boise, ID and back - a 900 mile round trip. I earned first SaddleSore 1K during the 2002 Land Of Enchanment 1000.

As of June '03, I have over 29K miles on the bike. My longest trip was last years LOE trip - 4,300 miles in a week. The IBR will represent at least 8,000 miles in 11 day, and possibly as much as 11,000 miles! The LOE trip gave me the confidence to shoot for the IBR, and I have been preparing for it since last December..
Gear
Riding Pants: Heine Gierke Taureg, waterproof with Thinsulate liners. I have two pair, and so far they have proved to be waterproof. After over a year, I still love these pants. They have never leaked, even on 3 hour rides in the rain.

Helmet:  Shoei RF-800 . I've now bought 4 of these, two for me and two for Sam. Obviusly, I like them! I carry clear and a gold Irridium shields, with the spare in an old (clean!) athletic sock..

Jacket: The Red Leather Jacket (Steinmark, vintage) Bought off e-Bay before I even had a motorcycle. I love this jacket, but a nice waterproof-textile would be more practical. For the IBR, I've treated myself to a FirstGear Killamanjaro jacket. Yeah, it's RED!

Rain Gear: PVC Rainsuit

Boots: Steel toe work boats, NOT waterproof, but very sturdy. I'm now using Rocky boots, GoreTex lined, with Thinsulate insulation. These are the most comfortable boots i've ever owned, and they ARE waterproof!

Gloves: Tour Master Leather/Cordura/Kevlar + AXO motorcross gloves for warm weather. I also have Widder Electric for reall cold days.

Underware: LDRider Comfort "Dryline" Shorts, a breathable wicking blend, they help keep me dry, a very important thing for extended seat time. :-)
Nestucca River Road ride with PDXGS CLUB. baby wing, The Red Leather Jacket & me on the left. Darren, Pat, Ed and 3 very nice BMW R1150GS's on the right.
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