Lets Get Packing!

Well it's getting close to 'showtime', so time to get packed.  No more 'mock' packing, this time it's for real.  The pic below shows everything I'll be packing for apparel...

Here's the list:

4 T-shirts/1 Collared shirt

2 Jeans/1 Belt

3 Shorts/2 of which double as swim trunks

4 Pairs of underwear

5 Pairs of Dry Max socks/2 of which are knee length for riding

1 Pair of hiking shoes/1 Pair of flip flops

All of the clothing above is packed into my eBags.  These are neat bags that come in 3 sizes and make it easy to keep track of items.  I'll use 3 for packing and carry an empty one for dirty clothes.

Here are the eBags all packed with my clothes...

Stacked and ready to go into the rear top box.

IKRAN, still up on the stand, but all packed and ready to roll!  Most blogs that I've read, where riders are off on long trips, state that overpacking is an issue.  With that in mind, I tried to really pare back on what I'm taking.  The top box is full, my camping gear is in the Wolfman bag, mounted on the rear seat, tent/poles strapped to the Wolfman bag, and my two panniers...EMPTY!  I wanted room to store my helment and riding gear when I stop to do some exploring.  The panniers will also serve as catch alls for souvenirs, food, bier, bear spray, etc.  SO...it's about time to get this show on the road!

Camping Gear

Disclosure:  This is my first post using an Apple iPad Air, which is what I'll be using on the road to update the blog.  Pics were a wireless transfer from the Lumix Camera to the iPad, then text/pics loaded to the blog from the iPad Air.  Pretty cool!

A good portion of this trip will be spent camping, so best to make sure all the gear is in order...

Above is the camping gear that I will bring along.

  

Items shown:

Tourmaster bike cover, Wolfman Bag (everything in this pic will fit in the Wolfman, which will be strapped to the passenger seat), ALPS Mountaineering 4 season tent, ALPS 15 degree sleeping bag, ALPS inflatable pad, REI camping chair, ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent, Black Diamond light, and GSI cooking utensils.

ALPS Mountaineering tent is a 3 man/4 season set up, which is much larger and heavier duty than I need for a solo/summer trip, takes up more room on the bike than I'd like, but at this point, I'll go with what I've got.  12 days until departure...

Bike Maintenance/Prep

With under 2 weeks to departure, it's time to get busy prepping Ikran.  First order of business was to call Pro Italia and talk to Eric, the service manager.  My concern was the 15K major service.  I'm at 13K, I'll likely finish the trip with over 17K, so do I get the major service done now, or wait until I get back?  Eric makes my day by telling me to "ride the shit out of the bike and bring it in when you get back"...love that guy!

Now that I don't have to worry about the major service, it's on to the minor stuff that I can handle.  First up was a chain maintenance.  To accomplish the this I had to order a 'spanner' from MotoMFG, which is where I purchased my stand.  MotoMFG makes first class tools for Ducati and others.  The stand is a life saver when it comes to performing maintenance on my bike.  Here's the link to what and how the stand works...
(MotoMFG Ducati Stand)

Using the chain spanner and adjusting the chain on Ikran is pretty straight forward.  Mount Ikran onto the stand and raise him off the ground (this takes all of 30 seconds), then remove the rear tire flap, loosen two bolts, secure the spanner into the notches on the mini-flywheel behind the sprocket, then pull up to tighten or down to loosen.  Reassemble and done!

After the chain adjustment it was on to the oil change.  I use Redline, fully synthetic, 10W-40W oil.  The 10W is good for the Ducati wet clutch and the 40W will handle the California heat.  I've heard it said that you need to remove the center stand to access the oil filter, but I guess my years as a Sears mechanic, in high school (LOL!), have taught me how to "improvise, adapt, and overcome"...I've never removed the center stand to accomplish the oil change.

Additional prep accomplished:  Front & rear tires changed out, brake pads checked, and the brake & clutch fluids checked.  Pretty much ready for the road.

Chain Adjustment & Oil Change

 

Electronics...

35 years ago I was riding a Kawasaki KZ650 back and forth between Iowa, New Mexico, and Ohio.  Electronics on board...zero.  Fast forward to today and we see just how electronically dependent we've become.

When I purchased my Ducati MTS GT last year, I surrendered to the modern age and added a Ducati branded Zumo GPS.  For this trip, I've taken a few more baby steps by adding a Sena SMH10R headset to my Shoei GT Air helmet and a Panasonic Lumix ZS35 camera.

The Sena headset has been paired to my iPhone and the Zumo GPS.  So not only I will be able to communicate via VOX intercom with my riding mate, Scott on his bike, but I can make/take telephone calls, listen to music, and enjoy the lovely lady inside my Zumo GPS instructing me when to turn left or right.

The Panasonic Lumix camera was added for convenience of size and function.  I've a Nikon D90 DSLR camera with a 18-270 lens and I'm still considering bringing it along, but storage, on a trip like this, is paramount, and the Nikon will take up precious room. 

Pictured below are the Zumo GPS, Panasonic ZS35 camera, and attached to the bottom left and back of the helmet, is the Sena SMH10R.

Prepping Ikran...

Major prep for this trip will start in a couple weeks, but even what may seem minor prep items will have a role in making this trip successful. 
New rear tire, aux fuel bottles/holsters, and tank bag added to 'Ikran'. This time next month he will look totally different as I get him prepped for next month's departure. Approximately 30 days on the road exploring the Northwestern US and Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Vancouver Island).

IKRAN, or mountain banshee, made famous in the movie Avatar...good movie, cool bird!  Just a short plug for my Ducati MTS GT. I have never ridden a bike that is so light, powerful, and nimble.  I was riding the mountain roads in Sequoia Nat'l Park when the thought came to me to name my bike IKRAN, at the time, it just seemed to fit.

Passport Renewed...

2 1/2 months until departure!

 

The Trip

So if the link below opens, this is the trip I'll be embarking upon come the last of July.  Departing Valencia, CA and 3 to 4 days later arriving in Rathdrum, ID meeting up with my long time friend, and fellow FAA retiree, Scott Boyle. 

The plan is to post up at his new place, spend some time fishing on the lake across the street, and after a couple days relaxing, depart for Montana and Glacier Nat'l Park...the beginning of our Canadian Adventure! 

8 days of riding the Canadian Rockies together, before we split up in Kamloops, BC to go our own ways.  Scott back home, Dave continuing the adventure...

http://www.travellerspoint.com/member_map.cfm?tripid=658169