Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge 1/6/09
Yosemite, some of the lakes had icebergs
Death Valley hot hot hot 27/5
Road through the Black Mountains mid afternoon
New Stuff
01 June 2009
I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge at 15.15 today- Mission Completed thanks to all those who have backed me and especially those who have helped the Hospital, awesome trip, well done all
31 May 2009
Hello all
I am currently in Sacramento. One hop tomorrow to the Golden Gate Bridge and finish. I am here as I am still catching up from not stopping in Tucson or Phoenix due to the weather, still as luck would have it since leaving Death Valley I have seen some mind blowing things.
Due to high temperature and not pleasant conditions in Death Valley I packed away all the thermals because I was heading for the sunshine, of course - you know whats coming next.
In order to get into position for the run into SF I went through Yosemite National Park, the pass I picked through the mountains had only been open three days, the Ranger told me it was closed more than open. There was snow five feet deep lining the roads in places and it was bitter cold air although the sun was shining.
So there we are take nothing for granted here, as six hours away from packing up the warm stuff you may well need it again, and dont put it right at the bottom of the panniers with everything loaded on them. Very warm as I post this although is supposed to be cooler in San Francisco.
Next entry from there.
27th May 2009
Hello Riders
Well I have gone over the Skywalk and gone through Death Valley since I last updated, it seems strange but I am really pushed for time. I am seeing some awesome sights and meeting some really good people.
Went into the Apache homeland with Joe and Hank on horseback for a few days, sleeping in the mountains under the stars takes some beating. Walked the Skywalk over the Grand Canyon, five sheets of glass and then 4000 feet of nothing, good stuff. Crossed Death Valley 42 degrees C in Furnace Creek I am staying up a few thousand feet in the mountains but its still too hot.
Due to rain I got ahead of myself in Phoenix, and had given up getting it back, I am now three hops to the finish, however the people who are meeting me in San Francisco are away for the weekend and have arranged to meet me on the original date, this of course leaves me with three extra days (no money) but three extra days, so just when you thought it was time to put away the toys and come home I have a chance to see Yosemite National Park.
If I leave at 4am to beat the heat here in Death Valley I will be up there in a day, its one of those twists that you get sometimes and I intend to make the most of it.
Bit of fun I got propositioned in Las Vegas, I,ll tell you what if the Devil goes on holiday thats where he goes its hot, dirty, full of small time gamblers just getting fleeced with a roaring and open sex industry, and the whole thing runs on booze - last place you would expect to find me, so dont recommend it to the Vicar.
Any how been bitten by fire ants that invaded my tent, dodging rattlesnakes at the moment and trying to keep out of the sun.
Will update you from Yosemite
17th May 2009
Hello All, well this update comes from Santa Clara, New Mexico they have had no rain here for months I rode in yesterday and an almighty storm followed me in. Thats the second thunderstorm I have had to put up with the first was in Arkansas it came down from the Ozark mountains and scared the living crap out of me, not to put too fine a point on it.
The day before yesterday in Texas it was hot, spent all day riding over the high plains, scrub, cows, grass, feed farms and sunshine. Yesterday morning thermals on again and into rain. Bugger of a thing missed my turning that would have saved me miles, and instead did an extra 180 getting back on track, still hit ol 66 again and had brekkie in a theme cafe or tourist trap as some may call them.
I have visited the grave of Geronimo at Fort Sill and Billy the Kid in Fort Sumner, and spent a lot of yesterday riding at an angle against the Plains wind that just blew from the north, about mid day it warmed up again, the wind blew the peak off my crash hat, so thats gone now.
Just after Truth or Consequences (looks like a gravel pit with houses on) I turned toward Silver City and had one of the most spectacular rides of my life through the Black Mountains. Sixty miles of twists, peaks, drops and hairpin bends through mountains covered with pine. Splendid stuff, see the picture above.
Well tomorrow I am off to the Pinos Altos on horseback with Joe Saenz an Ndee guide, to cross the Great Divide, the line down the US where water naturally drains to either the Pacific or the Atlantic, we are just east of it here, well be out for a couple of days. http://www.wolfhorseoutfitters.com/
Then out of New Mexico and into Arizona.
In a nutshell so far, riding though miles of Prairie or Plain flat as the proverbial W.T. dogged by rain and wind, covering about 300 miles a day (not inluding scenic routes), punctuated with moments of great interest or awsome country. Bike saddle and my backside have finally come to a working arrangement and are getting on well together.
Next Update - Tombstone
7th May 2009
Hello Followers well I got here ok, and the bike I am on is a brand new Harley Davidson Road King. More details to follow when I have a day off in a few days time.
Well New England eh, I know why they call it that, when they saw it from the beach it was probably as wet and grey there at it was at home, someone must have said "this place is as damp as old England, never mind finding a new England", and his wife said "thats a nice name dear ,we,ll call it that." This account may not be all that historically accurate but I personally wouldnt bet on it.
For the last four days it has rained cats and dogs, the fog and rain was so thick this morning I couldnt see 250 yds in front of the bike - soaked within the first thirty miles and chaffed by lunchtime (not chuffed, chaffed) you would have to have had water in places water has no business being to fully appreciate that. Total sunshine over four days about 10 hours.
Three big Cheers for the Staff at KOA (Kamping of America) Sandusky Ohio, they have put me in a nice cabin out of the rain while their site is incorporating the latest in camping mod cons. It looks good and they are fully supportive of the ride so I recommend visiting this site in particular if your about, or using the KOA network if you are in the States. In fact the cabins are probably as well equiped as any motel room including WI-FI and the locals very friendly, so I will have a couple more Cabins before I finish this trip. Thank you KOA Sandusky on behalf of the R4R Project.
More to follow in a couple of days people - watch this space
Old Stuff
05 February 2009In May 2009 I am riding a motorcycle across the USA, getting up to all sorts. The aim of this project is to raise money for the Wessex Neurological Trust in Southampton General Hospital, United Kingdom.
If you would like progress reports at regular intervals as to how things are going please keep this site handy.
Most of the hard work has been done now, two web sites in place one, a Guess the Mileage Challange at http://www.dannybrown.co.uk to win a holiday for two value up to £ 2500.00, for a voluntary donation of £ 10.00. Linking to the just giving site where your donation is made. -www.justgiving.com/ride4rog Terms and conditions apply
Have a go and good luck.
4th March 2009
The Old House at Home, Romsey is holding a fundraising Quiz nite. Fish or Sausage and Chip Supper, teams no bigger than 6 people, £ 6.00 a head, starts 7.00 pm, Phone 01794 513175 for details. Hope to see you there.
I would like to thank the following for helping with this event, Halfords, Thorntons, Tchibo, Wild Sports, Kitchen Monger in Newbury.
5th March 2009
R4R Quiz Night was a roaring success, standing room only well done to all who came to support the event and take part. One team left because there was no seating available. I am sorry about that, the pub filled up fast, some teams were sharing tables, and some at the bar, great stuff.
Thanks to Sarah and Mike for setting the night up, the fish and chip supper was lovely, Paddy for being a great Quizmaster wouldnt have been so good without you. Well done Neil for taking care of the raffle.
Message of support from Parkers Lettings, and thank you Jackie and team from Sammy Miller Products for coming along, nice to have support from the local sponsors.
I hope everyone had a really good night it was nice to see you all there.
Now we need to concentrate on the mileage competition so please spread the word.
What is your email address Will ?
26th March 2009
Best wishes to Paul Holroyd and Mike Palmer from Cumbria, who are off on a EuroTrip to raise money for UNICEF. http://www.citizensoftheplanet.webs.com/ They leave the day I get back.
Have a good one Lads.
29th March 2009
Congratulations contributors over £ 1000.00 now gone to the Neuro Unit.
13th April 2009
Two very important things happened today, one I was on BBC Radio Solent, one of Julians People, at 7.00am pushing the project and having a good time. Its an experience, I thouroughly enjoyed it.
Secondly and most importantly, Toad donated £ 500, what can I say hes a star and I think I am going to have to buy him a pint. This has given the fund a great boost and well done to him. Maybe Ill buy him two, or maybe one and a half, dont want to overdo it.
