Just a heads-up to let you'ins know that I'm going to be on another road trip in about 13 days. Likely will not affect orders (IF I ever get one again??? ) I think Sharon will be willing to process any that come in.

Basically, I had a mulit-night free room handed to me at Keystone, SD that I couldn't pass up! (The rider had to cancel.) Soo... I'm going on an 8-9 day Harley excursion to South Dakota to ride in The Badlands, Custer Park, Iron Mountain Hiway, crossover into Wyoming to see the Devil's Tower, etc!! Should be about 2500-2600 miles overall. Less than last year's trek to Tuscon and back... but ought to see some AWESOME stuff. I intend to avoid Sturgis as much as possible, a small town crammed with 450,000 bikes doesn't sound like my idea of "fun". However, the riding in the outlying areas is WOW material.

Sharon wants no part of that many miles riding behind me on the passenger pillion. (I'll bet Ann would understand that sentiment, eh Steve? ) Hence, she's going to stay behind and watch the camp. (She'll take some of her time and go do the relative thing she enjoys later.) Sooo... it will be me and The Beast, and a friend from work on his Heritage Classic.

Just finished hand-washing and wiping down The Beast... have to show it off with a pic! See below!

Andre,

I hope you have as much fun as we have had in the Black Hills area. We had four wheels under us but the rides you mentioned were awesome. Been there 3 times in the last 4 years. If you have time, check out the train between Hill City and Keystone. It isn't narrow gauge but it is a fun trip (behind steam).

Enjoy yourself!!!!!!

Bill

Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down.

Oh, and drive through the Springs* with your camera on the way back. Maybe Central City and Blackhawk - just avoid the casinos - and get pitchurs of period buildings!


*"Colorado," not "Eureka!"

Ride safe and have an enjoyable trip. Nice pipes bro'

Nice scooter, have a safe trip, and throw those ugly black things in the second pic away.

Bill:

Really looking forward to the area ONCE THERE. The cornfields and flatlands gettin' there ain't my "thing". However, almost all things are "good" when on a scoot. I found I even ENJOYED scootin' across TEXAS on I-40 aboard The Beast. After leaving the super-slab and hitting a two-lane and motorin' for a while, up ahead and off the to the right was one of those "pop-up" rain showers. By the time I got there it was over... but the high-prairie smelled SO GOOD after that shower as I passed through. You just don't get that when in a cage.

As for the steam train: I was told that our motel is right across the street from their "depot". Should hear/see some steam while there! Can't get much better than that, can it?

Herb:

I certainly INTEND to keep it upright! As for the "Springs"... wish that were possible. Won't be going that way.

Kevin:

Thanks. As for the pipes: V&H Big Shots. You ought to hear 'em! Goosebumps, man, goosebumps. When in populated areas, I "understate" my throttle use. BUT... when getting on an "on-ramp" (or other non-populated situation)... I typically will open it up and let them know I'm coming!!

moose49:

The saddlebags? No way... those have saved my butt over and over again with the stuff I keep in them for day trips/etc. In addition to the saddlebags, I will have two more pieces of touring luggage to strap on: One on the small luggage rack, the other on the passenger seat. When heading off on a road trip, The Beast ends up looking like something from the movie "The Grapes Of Wrath".

Andre, look up my friend Jarvis Arp. He's the CMO and will be glad to show you around. Maybe even a cab ride to cure what ails ya ... 'Course, that might just set you off worse!

Tooling around the "Springs" - that's what I'm doing!

Thinkin about V&H for both mine and the wifes, as for the bags ya gotta have em for road trips although I wonder if the reference is to the helmets....

Ah... I'll bet you're right on the helmets. Eh moose?

yeah not the bags the hats