Just when things are moving along smoothly, something snags and catches the wheel. Yesterday's allergy shots elicited a hyperimmune response and almost required an emergency room visit. Between ice packs and double doses of Benadryl, the reaction diminished and knocked me out to soundly sleep the night through. Needless to say, I didn't finish packing last night.
Everything is loaded and waiting for me to get home from work, change, stuff things in a compression sack and hop in the truck.
Most of today was spent cleaning and setting up the borrowed pop-up camper. After a good vacuuming, it was sprayed and cleaned, all the mattresses and cushions aired out in the sunlight, new wheels mounted, bearings greased, and jacks oiled. After temperatures climbed into the three digits, it was time to go eat some barbeque for lunch. After that, all the camping gear was sorted out, repacked and strapped to the bikes.
The bikes and gear are ready to be loaded. All the assorted items except food and clothing for off the bikes will be added Sunday and Monday. Throw in a few folding chairs, an air mattress with blanket in the fold-down backseat of the truck, and we'll be ready to go next Tuesday afternoon.
Ed built and installed two wheel chocks in the bed of the F-250 and took it for a test drive. Isn't it a beaut?
No, it's not pop culture. It is a pop-up camper. Neighbor Brian offered us the use of his older pop-up camper. We checked it out this past weekend and it needs some thorough cleaning, but it will work for us. It's airing out now and I'll give it a final clean up next weekend. It will serve as accommodations on the road and while in Oregon at my daughter's home and for base camp in Central Oregon. Awesome! (Thanks, Brian!)
We've been planning on doing this since our trip to Big Bend over the winter holidays and finally did it. Yesterday Ed added a 1999 F-250 Super Duty 3/4 truck to replace his F-150. The much coveted 7.3L diesel engine will be an appreciated work horse and the relatively low mileage (73K) means it will be with us a long time. The long bed will accommodate our two little bikes comfortably with some room for gear and supplies. We will christen it on our Oregon trip, hopefully with a borrowed pop-up camper in tow.
Last weekend was productive, but also put a dent in my wallet. I picked up some items needed for the trip: folding water bucket, sleeping bag pad, map case, thin summer shorts and shirt for underneath gear, etc. I am not a shopping fan, so I was glad to spend the evening with friends eating BBQ pork, salad, corn on the cob and ice cream. Topping it off with a movie on Bill's Big Screen ('Avatar') ensured an enjoyable day.
The next day was spent mostly constructing a sling for over the seat of the DR (with an older retired sewing machine that gave me grief). It has two pockets for 1 liter bottles (water or gas) that close with shock cording. I ran out of webbing to finish it, but thus far it appears comfy.
Three little bikes went for a meandering ride in the cool of the morning last Sunday. First time in six months I've ridden. It went well. Excepting the seat. After an hour on the seat, my butt began to ache. Specifically, both sides of the sacrum which were fractured last February. So I need to further modify the seat.
1. Shave down the steep shelf ridge near the back. It is right where I usually sit for cruising rides. Very ouchy.
2. Extend the width of the seat, 1/2 - 2/3rds back. The nose will remain narrow so I can scoot forward and put a foot down when stopping.
3. Remove another 1/2" on the overall height of the seat and overlay a 1/2" of medical foam for a bit softer cushioning.
The former fork seepage has been resolved and the carb seems fine (for now). I hope it stays that way.
The most difficult part of returning to riding is getting on and off the bike. I can't just swing a leg over haphazardly. And my ab muscles REALLY need re-educating! Lots of crunches coming up!
The new saddlebags for the DR arrived last weekend. It was like Christmas. A support will need to be added and modified for the right sidebag to keep it off the exhaust. Otherwise, it will melt.
Ed shortened the sidestand so the bike no longer sits upright at attention (and falls down). The carburetor was thoroughly cleaned because the bike has sat for five months while my pelvis heals from two fractures.
I go for a short test ride this Sunday morning.
It's time to think about prepping the Bad Boy. It needs a bit of work: new carb jets, side stand shortened, modify the seat a bit, set up the side bags,..... I'm sure I'm forgetting more. Time to get cracking.
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