Meet Matt, or maybe you already have. He resides in Raleigh, NC and chooses to straddle a Honda Shadow when he’s not building custom trade show exhibits. I know it’s been a couple days since the last post so let’s get up to speed. Let’s begin at Deals Gap where Matt and I met up before heading to Kentucky.

Alright so I made up the nickname “The Animal” but it’s fitting for both his riding style and his bike (Harley Sportster 1200). Once second he’ll be cruisin’ along not a care in the world, then BAAAWWWWHHHHHH… out of no where he’s flyin’ past you like he’s being chased or maybe it’s because he’s on the hunt for another twisty…I’m not quite sure. Ashland, PA is where Mark resides when he’s not up on two.

Chip hails from Danbury, CT and will be riding his BMW R 1200 GS Adventure. Besides motorcycles he likes long walks on the beach, warm lit….whoa, wrong set of stats. My bad. Back to the show. Once I get some more picts I’ll post Mark’s and Matt’s two wheels of choice.

Between yesterday and today I’ve probably spent close to 5 hours packing and repacking. I know it looks like a lot but there’s actually space in each compartment. But that was only after I cut down from four pairs of boxers to two, and chucked 4 quarts of oil, which I’ll end up picking up somewhere in Utah. Overall it seems balanced and reasonably aerodynamic. Tomorrow’s preflight check will be the true test.

Here’s a look at our route for the next ten days. Matt and I are planning to leave Thursday July 26th and meet up at the Tail of the Dragon (318 curves in 11 miles), from there we’ll head North to camp in Kentucky. Early the next morning we’ll turn the throttle and meet up with Mark and Chip at a KOA in Iowa. From there we’ll all head Way Out West as the WOW tour begins. See you in Iowa boys!

Besides the foos ball table, Bebe (our cat) and the dresser in the background everything in the photo is fitting in my tank bag and saddle bags. Well at least I’m expecting it to fit, I haven’t actually packed it all up yet.

 

The t-shirts are made, the route is in the GPS, and the gear list has been checked off… all we need to do now is to pack up and head West. You can click the image above to see the official countdown. Scheduled departure for Matt and I is actually Thursday the 26th, one day less than the countdown timer says. Mark and Chip are leaving very early in the morning of Friday the 27th. We’re all planning to meet in Iowa.