The Preparation.

It feels like quite some time since I last returned from the road, and once again, it's time to begin the preparation to depart. For those who don't already know, and in uncanny irony, this time will be for the greater good. While the journey itself has always been the real destination, this time there is a place which is not currently my home that will be my stopping point.

It's called Sopiago Springs. 152 acres in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California which will be home to California's newest motorcycle campground and resort.

This is where I'll be living and working for an undetermined period of time while I help the owner and proprieter open and continue operations beginning in the season of 2007. Said owner is also a partner in Pashnit Motorcycle Tours, with whom, with any luck, I'll be touring.. word is that I may even have the opportunity to lead a few.

The timing of the introduction of this opportunity into my life is rather amusing as involvement in a project like this had become a goal of mine so that I may learn, and "apprentice" the operation of such a place; to eventually open my own.
In the words of Walter Sopcheck, "If you will it, Dude, it is no dream".

My departure will begin early in April and as I begin to plan the logistics, I'm hoping this journey will lead me down several paths. Some to revisit familiar places. Some to revisit familiar friends. Some to discover new lands, and others to discover new friends.. I've recently reconnected with my uncle Doug, whom I have not seen for many years and plan to visit in Indiana on the very first leg. Through him I have also reconnected with my cousin Alisa, about which I am very excited.. I haven't spoken to her in probably twenty years.. and to our surprise, we've learned just how passionate we both are about one thing; motorcycles. With any luck, Alisa will be joining me for as little or as much of this journey as she wishes.. I'm hoping to do some serious riding with her!
Did I mention that El Bandito will be my moving truck?

From Indiana, I hope to join forces with the gang from Cleveland somewhere a bit south of here and head back to spend a couple of days at The Dragon's Tail (US129), The Cherohala Skyway (165), and Georgia 60.



Those just to name a few..
And from there it's all up in the air.. As it stands, I'm planning on roughly twenty days to reach Sopiago. After departing the southeast, I believe I'll head directly west (and a bit south) to spend a day or two in my old stomping grounds of Tucson. Then maybe up the rockies a bit (weather permitting), or down around the southern tip of the Sierras and up the infamous US1.

Hell, maybe even dip into Mexico for a few margaritas..

Suddenly, it's all 90 days away, and there's plenty of preparation to be done. Stay tuned for further progress, more updates, and some transformation photos of El Bandito!.. He's been outfitted so far with a new Holeshot exhaust, stage II jet kit, 5 degree ignition advance, some Givi bags & a custom-fashioned top case. Yet to come is a new (06 Hayabusa) rear shock, Race Tech fork springs, 16 tooth front sprocket & an MRA Vario touring windscreen! Holy Bandito, Batman!