So, now it's a paltry 6 weeks till I head out! You might rightfully wonder what I've been doing to prepare for this trip. The answer, of course, is "not so much!" Oh sure I've nearly finished up on the reservations for hotels, rental cars and the like for that portion of the trip where I'll be traveling IN Alaska with my wife and friends. What about the bike ride up there? Well.......let me say this. A number of people have asked what motorcycle I'll be riding for over a month and probably approaching 10,000 miles by the time I arrive back home in late June. A really important part of my preparation for this trek was the motorcycle selection. I'll be riding the 2009 BMW F650GS that you see in the picture. These BMWs were really designed to be the perfect companion for this sort of travel. Amenities like ABS, heated hand grips, and hard luggage that clips on and off the bike in seconds make the choice a really simple one. Couple those features with the comfortable and upright riding position, very good gas mileage, and a frame that's light enough that I have some hope of picking the bike up by myself after the inevitable drop in a gas station/parking lot/wherever and there you have my steed for the next couple of months. I purchased this bike last fall with this exact trip in mind.
The only other think I'd like to mention is the great response I've been getting to my appeal for donations to the Austin Hatcher Foundation (www.hatcherfoundation.org) in the name of my charity ride. My friends from all across the country have blown me away with their kindness and generosity by already donating over $1000.00... and there are pledges for even more! Please keep it up! I love you all.
Well I better get back to finishing up my taxes. If I don't do that by April 15th I'm afraid they may stop me at the border!!! More to come soon.
Jack
