March 15th, Video Update

Cards and Sponsors

So what's new?

I ordered 2000 business cards and added a corporate sponsor section to my Blog. 

I'll hand out the cards to folks to direct them to my blog for sponsorship.  100% of all the sponsor money goes to JDRF.  In fact,  when you click on the "Sponsor Me" button,  your directed to the JDRF webpage where they handle all the finances.  How cool  is that!

So what is that about Corporate Sponsors?  If you have a logo or sticker,  I'll put it on my side bags for a Donation above $250.00 up to 4"x4".  For $500.00 you can get a 8"x4" sticker placed on the side bag.  For $1000.00,  you can put up to a 10"x4" sticker anywhere on my bike except the fuel tank.  And for the really big donors,  you can have a sticker of any sized placed on the bike, you just gave to provide the sticker.  In fact,  for any amount, you must provided me with the sticker as there is no sticker budget.  :(   

Corporate Sponsors

Put your LOGO / Sticker on my bike.

$250.00 - 4"x4" Sticker on Side Case
$500.00 - 8"x4" Sticker on Side Case.
$1000.00 -10" x 4" Sticker anywhere except fuel tank.

Over $2499.00 - Place a sticker of any size on the bike at the location of your choice.

Note: Sticker must be provided. 

That's the update for today,  check back soon to see how progress is going.  Departure date is set for June 29th.

See ya on the road.
Duane

Accessories

I guess we should stat with the most important first,  Tires.   I picked up a set of Advanced Dual-Sport Enduro tires from continental for the trip.  I'll get them mounted about two week prior to leaving to scuff them up a bit.   I wanted something that would be good in the rain, on the not so paved roads in Canada, and also ride well at highway speed.  The ContiTrailAttack 2 tires look like the perfect match.

 Next on the list would be storage.  I added a set of GIVI hard cases.  I elected to not get the top case since it sits so high on the back of the bike.  In stead,  I will strap down a water proof soft bag over the back seat big enough to hold everything I am going to need.

GPS and Tracking Device.   I have mounted a TomTom GPS to the dash.  In the event of rain, I  have a "high tech" bag from the supermarket, frozen food section, to cover the unit.  The GPS tracking device has been mounted in an undisclosed location on the bike.  This allows the family to track my every move and not worry so much.   I also got it so if I wake up in the morning and my bike has been "borrowed",  I have a change of getting it back.   :)

The Bike - 2011 Yamaha FZ8

The bike is a 2011 Yamaha FZ8 - 800cc, 6 speed.  The seating position is mostly upright and very forgiving for a 50 year old overweight body.  The acceleration is gentle as a kitting or explosive like a leopard.  Gas millage can very from 37-40mpg for normal riding down to gallons per mile if you really get on it.  The bike red lines at 11,500 rpm,  but also rides great at 3000 rpm while enjoying the view.   I have equipped the bike with additional riding lights, GPS, Tracking Device, Givi Hard bags, GoPro video mounts, tank storage bag and a change maker for tolls. 

 
Engine and Bike specs are at: http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_fz8_2011.php


Picking up the bike from Dutchess Rec. 

FZ8 and Eric from Dutchess Rec.

The Route

The plan is to ride about six hours per day.  Three hours in the morning and then three hours late afternoon, early evening.  As we move west, the evening hours may become a little later. 

The tentative stops are below and if you know of an awesome location I should stop at along the route,  let me know.

 Day 1 (Watkins Glen, NY)

 Day 2 (Niagara Falls, ON, CA)

 Day 3 (Northern Bruce Peninsula, ON, CA)

 Day 4 (Sault Ste Marie, ON, CA)

 Day 5 (Terrace Bay, ON, CA)

 Day 6 (Grand Portage, MN)

 Day 7 (Two Harbors, MN)

 Day 8 (Spicer, MN)

 Day 9 (Eagle Butte, SD)

 Day 10 (Clearmont, WY)

 Day 11 (Yellowstone National Park, WY)

 Day 12 (Carey, ID)

 Day 13 (Burns, OR)

 Day 14 (Newport, OR)

 Day 15 (Forks, WA)

 Day 16 (Oak Harbor, WA)

Planning the Trip

 

 

For the past year I have been planning my route across North America.  The trip will take me from NY to Washington State, over the great lakes through Canada, into the Great Plains of Minnesota, South Dakota, and over the Northern Rocky Mountains of  Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon to the scenic ride up the pacific coast to Oak Harbor Washington state.

Click here to donate: Throttle Across America for JDRF