My Long Ride for Life

[drswift]

The Adventure Begins.

This is it, finally, the start of my two month odyssey! A big loop around the United States. It’s the chance of a lifetime for me to see a lot of great places, meet a bunch of new people, and ride some great roads. And hopefully, raise a bunch of money for the American Cancer Society.

The bike has been tuned.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/578945597_62dHu-M.jpg

Camping gear and tools are stowed.

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Clothing all packed.

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Look! Everything actually fits on the bike!

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Routes and stops all identified.

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Here is my route list and schedule:

Date Destination
6-Jul Bishop, CA
7-Jul Needles, CA
8-Jul Prescott Valley, AZ
9-Jul Pie Town, NM
10-Jul Tucumcari, NM
11-Jul Pauls Valley, OK
12-Jul Hot Springs Village, AK
13-Jul West Monroe, LA
14-Jul Birmingham, AL
15-Jul Canton, NC
16-Jul Johnson City, TN - MOA Rally
19-Jul Waynesville, NC
20-Jul Franklin,TN
31-Jul Given, WV
1-Aug Shenandoah Park, VA
2-Aug Tully, NY
3-Aug Richmond, VT
5-Aug Waitsfield, VT
6-Aug Woodstock, VT
8-Aug Chester, VT
10-Aug Lancaster, NH - BMWST Unrally
14-Aug Ottawa, ONT
15-Aug Blind River, ONT
16-Aug Gwinn, MI
17-Aug Duluth, MN
18-Aug Fargo, ND
19-Aug Miles City, MT
20-Aug Butte, MT
21-Aug St. Mary, MT (Glacier)
22-Aug Nine Mile Falls, WA
23-Aug Seattle, WA
24-Aug South Bend, WA
25-Aug Troutdale, OR
26-Aug Bend, OR
27-Aug Mountain Home, ID
28-Aug Wendover, UT
3-Sep Home


Here’s my starting mileage (for those of you who have made a pledge based on miles.)

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/582692942_sCkYC-M.jpg


I ride at dawn! Hope you can follow along.

[henzilla]

Have a wonderful & safe adventure...I am sure you will keep us posted.

Don't blink in PieTown...you'll miss it!

Enjoy the :usa

[kgadley01]

Keep us posted, Hope to see ya in Johnson City.

[Mika]

I am so jealously :lurk ing! Ride safe. Enjoy. Post often!

[ddorwart]

Taking a different route but will be leaving 3rd week in July. Ride safe and if, only if, your "agenda" were to change, embrace it and enjoy the moment. It's all about the ride!

Have fun

[drswift]

Today was a great start. Up to Donner Lake, around Tahoe, and down 395 to Bishop, with a few scenic detours thrown in. Great riding in the Sierras!

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/583964885_6WGQP-M.jpg

For more pictures and details, go to my website.

[108625]

Nice pic; no wonder Ben Cartwright built the "Pondersosa" there!

[drswift]

Heat and more heat.

I left Bishop just before 5:30 a.m., thinking I would beat the heat. That proved wishful thinking. By the time I arrived in Needles it was 110. But that’s only part of the story.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/584999734_y8qF6-M.jpg

[drswift]

Technology and Family

Due to some family issues and lack of internet access for two days, I’m now playing catch-up.

July 8 was a great ride up to Kingman, AZ. I “got my kicks” along 100 miles of some of the best that Route 66 has to offer.

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The following day, July 9, was a welcome change of scenery into the higher elevations along Highway 260, a great road. I met up with JohnLT in Show Low. We weathered a storm together as we crossed in New Mexico in Hwy 60.

Details and photo links a now posted on my website.

[drswift]

Wonderful New Mexico

A personal note of thanks to those who have sent me pledges this week for the Cancer Society. :clap I’ll be thrilled if I can get 18 more people at a penny a mile. Some cash donations have also come in. :clap I started the trip with $135, and my goal is to hit $1,000. Ambitious, but not impossible given the number of people reading my blog. And finally, to the friends and relatives who have donated to my coffee fund, I thank you for your support and kindness. :thumb

Now, back to my trip…

Another big sky day, following me from Pie Town through Albuquerque, and on to Tucumcari. I was “willin” to check out a number of little towns along the way in search of Route 66 artifacts. Found some modern technology as well.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/588432629_CHwod-M.jpg

More on the website.

[drswift]

Goodbye Mother Road

I spent half the day checking out more Route 66 remnants along I-40, across Texas and into Oklahoma. I hit the mother lode of Route 66 museums in Elk City. And that was just half the day’s activities!


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[drswift]

Sweeping into Hot Springs

Another long and very hot day across Oklahoma and into Arkansas. Lots of great roads and scenery along the way with little or no traffic. The last 30 miles was the best part of the day.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/591423669_68kBQ-M.jpg

[firefly]

Your pictures are wonderful! :thumb

[drswift]

More of the scenic South

Continuing south through Arkansas and into Louisiana, the country roads were a mix of the good, the bad, and the ugly. On the way, I found a nice spot to sample more BBQ. At this rate, my diet may be in serious jeopardy!

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/592420838_WHyVJ-M.jpg

[univibe88]

Diet while touring across the south? Good luck with that? :laugh

Thanks for posting photos. I am jealous of your experience.

[drswift]

Mississippi meanderings

Looking for something to see on I-20 in Mississippi (besides pine trees), I took a little detour to visit a real country store in Kewanee.

Say “cheese.”

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[drswift]

Motorcycle Heaven

I visited the amazing Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum outside of Birmingham on my way to North Carolina. It is home to five floors of every kind of motorcycle imaginable, as well as some classic racecars. My pictures are just a sample of what you’ll find there. Hopefully you can stay longer than I did.

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[drswift]

When I got to Franklin, TN, yesterday I learned my dad has passed away.

For more info please go to my website.

[univibe88]

I am very sorry to hear that. My sincerest condolences.

I'm sure some saddle time will provide some time for reflecting. But at the same time, please make sure the news isn't mentally distracting you from your ride. Maybe stay put for a couple of days.

[drswift]

Catching up

As promised, I’ve updated the website with journals for these three days, and posted a ton of photos on my Smugmug link. There were some amazing roads around Johnson City! I wish I’d had three more days there to explore them.

Thanks to all for your prayers, kind words, and your patience. More soon!

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[Statdawg]

:lurk great trip !

[drswift]

Hooked on the Smokies

I left Johnson City, TN on Sunday morning and headed back to southern NC for more great riding. I picked the wrong day to ride the Blue Ridge, but I had a nice surprise when I got to Highway 64.

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[drswift]

Over the Smokies, past the Dragon.

I'm probably the only guy who has ridden in the Smoky Mountains who didn’t take the time to do the Tail of the Dragon. I think I found a more enjoyable alternative called the Cherohala Skyway.

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[drswift]

Beating back the funk

My cousin and I took a two day trip down to Natchez, Mississippi. Although it looks like I’m backtracking, this was a special trip. For all the details and lots of photos please check out my website (link below).

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[drswift]

Kicking back in Franklin

This is a great little town just 20 miles south of Nashville. There’s lots of historical sites in the area, as well as an amazing amount of great old homes, and a nice downtown area. You’ll find my quickie home tour on my website.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/605768195_83wCb-M.jpg

[drswift]

Dodging the Dark Clouds

Departing the Nashville area, Hwy 31E and the Cumberland Parkway took me across Kentucky to the Daniel Boone National Forrest. I did a big loop, ending up in Manchester just as the storm front finally caught up to me. Another seven hours of great roads included a quaint little college town.

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[drswift]

Coal Country

Winding through 300 miles of great Kentucky roads, I kept one step ahead of ugly rain clouds on the way to West Virginia. Along the way, I made a quick detour into Ohio just for fun. More details on my website.


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[drswift]

West Virginia’s 200 mile motorcycle road.

This trip through the Monongahela over to Shenandoah National Park is six hours of motorcycle nirvana. I wish I had real time video instead of a point-and-shoot camera.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/609357318_i3E9v-M.jpg

[drswift]

Monsoon Ride

After ten hours of heavy rain, fog, truck spray, road construction and other pleasantries, I finally made it from Shenandoah National Park to New York State.

The clouds only parted just as I crossed the border.

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[drswift]

Through Russia, with Love.

Today was all about the Adirondacks, and crossing Lake Champlain into Vermont. Clear skies, light traffic, and wonderful views. All the details and photos on my website.

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[drswift]

One month - 6,000 miles

This is start of month two of my “Long Ride For Life.” If you just joined the trip, it’s great to have you along.

If you have been following my trip from the start, reading the blog on my website and have stuck with me this long, how about making a small donation or a pledge to the American Cancer Society? Details are on the right-hand column of my home page. The website linky is below.

[drswift]

Traveling Buddy

Picked up Janet at the airport this morning. We’re running up to Stowe, then down along Hwy 100 to Waitsfield, home of American Flatbread. It’s all on the website.

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[drswift]

In the heart of Vermont

By the time we got to Woodstock we were half a million strong - oops , wrong place, wrong generation! But our little journey was just as fun and a lot less crowded. Hwy 100 was made for touring on a motorcycle. More good stuff is on the website.


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[drswift]

To New Hampshire and back

Sometimes you come across a fantastic road that was not on your intended route. That’s one of the many wonderful things we got to enjoy today.

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[drswift]

Chester and Weston
We checked out more great little towns and hamlets, and enjoyed more great roads and wonderful old homes. We are even getting great weather. Follow along on the website.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/615682953_i3o3j-M.jpg

[drswift]

Along the Connecticut River

It was a great run down the river road to Southern Vermont. Slower and bumpier than the faster interstate, but much more satisfying. We visited the closest thing to the town of Stepford this side of Hollywood.


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[drswift]

Back to New Hampshire

We crisscrossed the Connecticut River on our way to Lancaster to attended the UnRally. Roger’s campground turned out to be the perfect venue for our get together. Read more on my website.

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[drswift]

Three great days in New Hampshire

Had a super time with the gang at the Unrally. Lots of great riding over the three days, and the food was pretty good, too. See my website for all the details.

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[drswift]

Into Canada

We left New Hampshire, and took a quick run across northern Vermont on the way to the airport. There I had to say goodbye to my traveling companion of the last ten days. Next, Mark led me across the border to his home town.

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[drswift]

Leaving Ottawa

Heading out from Ottawa, I made a quick detour into Quebec. Then it was on to Lake Huron in search of my campsite.

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[jamesdunn]

Great photos! Wonderful adventure! Thanks for posting. Ride safe.

[drswift]

Back in the USA

Made it safely across the border into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Had a few interesting stops along the way. Pictures and story on the website.


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[drswift]

Quick spin thru Wisconsin

More great roads and finally some decent weather, heading west to Duluth.

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[drswift]

Got Balls?

If you have any you’ll go to my website and read about my trip through the Badlands. And while you’re there, how about making a donation to the American Cancer Society?


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[drswift]

Zen Riding to Glacier

I found 50 miles of wonderfulness on the way to Glacier National Park. It was one of those special roads that make you remember your first ride.

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[drswift]

From St. Mary Lake to Long Lake

I rode through the Park with my daughter. From there, US 2 took me all the way to Washington. Photos and story on the website.


http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/629628933_uXm5W-M.jpg

[Beemer01]

and for a wonderful and deserving cause.

Thanks for posting and taking us along for the ride!

[drswift]

On the West Coast Again

After a ferry ride to Bremerton I spent two days riding the Olympic Peninsula. The weather was holding up and so was the bike.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/632267362_G2WwP-X2.jpg

[drswift]

Along Oregon’s Cascade Range

Heading east again, I was back in one of my favorite parts of the country, with the roads all to myself. For more pics and stuff, visit the website.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/633105937_un9nU-M.jpg

[drswift]

From Bend to Bonneville

It took me two short days of riding across eastern Oregon and down through lower Idaho to reach Nevada. From there I to I-80 to Wendover at the Utah line and settled into my hotel. This would be the last major stop on my long journey. More, as always, on my website.

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[drswift]

Bonneville Speed Trials: Days 1 - 3

Got my first taste of racing on the salt. What a rush! An amazing place to be even without motorcycle speed trials. More, and lots of pics on the website.

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[drswift]

Bub Speed Trials: Day 4-6

Lots of great racing with a number of new records set. Working on the International Course was really a blast. So was the scenery.

Only one more day left on my trip! Make a pledge or a donation now on my website.

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[drswift]

Made it home

After a long day in the saddle, I arrived home safely. All the cleaning, maintenance, and “after action report” can wait. For the next few days I’m going to just savor being home with my wife, family, dog, and fresh tomatoes! More on the website.

http://beemerdave.smugmug.com/photos/640293760_jsGHR-M-1.jpg

[BeerTeam]

Nice Report