mo'to'-si'ko´sis

It is through our own human addiction that we take part in activities that make us feel something different than we're used to. By positioning ourselves within the comfort of discomfort and the repetition of change, whether it's designed or coincidence, we find the experiences that remind us of the reasons why we're here. This is an exploration into the mental phenomena of the human experience. Please explore the ARCHIVES at the bottom of this page. kclickenger@c-jr.com

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Welcome to Motopsychosis. Please keep in mind while reading that the blog functions in reverse chronological order; the newest post will always be directly below this one. If this is your first visit to Motopsychosis, scroll to the bottom for a directory and archives of past posts. Please also visit the link section at the bottom of this page, and for a complete and concise journal of the most recent epic adventure, please visit 8thousand.
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Monday, April 30, 2007

addresses

Well, I've taken a day to recover from the tour.. after 25 days and over 5,000 miles on the road, I didn't think the tour would phase me in the least, but truth be told.. it was tiring. About 1,000 more miles in 3 days and plenty of socializing to go along with it.. maybe that was the tiring part..
I've come to learn that the reality of working as a motorcycle tour guide isn't quite as glamorous as it sounds.. don't get me wrong, at the end of the day, all you really did is hang out and ride amazing roads..

Anyway, back in Sunnyvale at the moment starting to organize the plan of attack for opening Sopiago Springs Motorcycle Resort. While I work on the logistics of Special Use Permits, Forest Service regulations, County planners, and DOT regulations, I've got some preparations to do for the next two weekends.. a little over 100 people showing up on friday for the weekend, then another 100ish people for the Pashnit gathering the following weekend.. Think I'll head up there tues. or wed. to get started..


There is no cell reception at the camp, but if I ride a couple of miles to the top of the ridge, I can pick up a signal (supposedly).. and there is a land line (you'll have to call me for the number). I think I'll have internet access, so email might be the best method of contact..


While there are plenty of philosophical and emotional neurons firing in my brain, oddly, I don't have much to philosophize about.. And while there are certainly times during which I am completely and utterly content, this has certainly been a tougher transition than anticipated.
People have marveled at the fact that my worldly possessions are contained within my panniers, and the 'gypsy' has almost become a nickname.

Until next time..

posted by Dude at 11:18 PM 5 comments

Saturday, April 28, 2007


There's Tim assessing the damage and rescue plan for Justin's Triumph..

So he came in to the corner a little hot.. lost it in the gravel at the edge of the road.. He slid to a stop, but the bike flew over the edge of this little cliff.. the background in the photo above this one would be off to the right..

yeah., it was pretty freaky.. But he was ok, fixed up his bike and rode it home!

The view from Forest Road 1. My personal favorite so far.. Unfortunately we couldn't go all the way over the ridge because of fallen trees from a storm last week..

but it's a beautiful, beautiful view.

even a little snow right before we had to turn around..

plenty of debris in the road.. big trees.

Check out this Harley floor board! these dudes can RIDE! I've never seen a Harley ridden like this in my life.. You'd think they were on sportbikes! There were equal size chunks taken out of their exhaust as well..

Mr. Pashnit himself aboard his demo Harley.. REALLY weird to see him on a Harley.

There's the line up.. about 18 people on this tour..

Fairfax-Bolinas Rd. Gorgeous.


This was rolling out of Tim's place in Sunnyvale Friday morning at 5:30 am...
I wasn't happy about it at the time, but little did I know what would be waiting for me on the road...


All in all the tour has been fun.. One more day of riding.. Back down the 1 to San Francisco. Then I'll head back over to Tim's place in Sunnyvale to finish up some work on his FJR and maybe get a new rear tire on the GS..
Tuesday I'm headed to Sopiago to start preparing for the 150-person group that will show up on Friday for the weekend..

I'll try to post more photos of the coast tomorrow, and will certainly get some of the camp up here.. but keep in mind.. I'm not sure if I'll have internet access and I know I won't have cell reception.. bear with me, I'll post as available!

I'll report the final mileage and the winner sometime after Tuesday.. here's a hint: I rolled over 6,000 miles today.

posted by Dude at 9:57 PM 4 comments

tour tech

oops,, sorry about posting the same picture twice.. had a low battery at the time and not much time get the message to blogger!
Anyway, currently in Fortuna, CA. Riding up the coast from SF to here was gorgeous but not quite as twisty as the southern portion (IMHO).

today we'll just play around for about 300 miles and return to Fortuna for the night..

I had been riding on a nail in my tire for at least a couple hundred miles, but finally plugged it last night which should last quite a long time..

all for now!, gotta get ready!

posted by Dude at 7:15 AM 2 comments

Friday, April 27, 2007

Tour 1

Up the coast from sf to fortuna.. Beautiful day and beautiful riding. Except i have a nail in my brand new tire.. Doh!

posted by Dude at 7:56 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Bike night

Bike night is wed in sunnyvale..

posted by Dude at 7:31 PM 5 comments

Blue Skies and pipe dreams

It's Wednesday April 25th, and today, while I will continue to ride and blog daily, the major traveling has come to an end. I've got maybe 50 miles to ride today, then the 1,000 over the weekend on the tour. It's hard to believe it's been 23 days since leaving Cleveland, and even harder to believe that I've actually made it. Not that I had any doubts, but it did get a little scary a couple of times.



So whatever happens from this point forward, there's one thing for sure; it's nice, when dreaming up this blue sky stuff, to look up and actually see a big blue sky.


The cutoff for mileage guesses will be Sunday April 29th at Noon (PST)


As far as names for the GS, I've got one vote for "F*** Yeah", and one for "Das Tank"..

Love them both, but we need some more to choose from.. common all you creative people, gimme somethin to sink my teeth into!

posted by Dude at 7:32 AM 11 comments

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

hardly

Here's a few from the PCH:

















posted by Dude at 11:05 PM 2 comments

Avacados are 7 for a

Avacados are 7 for a dollar! Holy guacamole!

posted by Dude at 9:30 PM 0 comments

In santa cruz tonight.. Sunnyvale

In santa cruz tonight.. Sunnyvale tomorrow.. Then leaving fri. For a 1000 mile tour! The mileage game ends sunday! Around 5250 right now!

posted by Dude at 8:42 PM 1 comments

I had forgotten how delicious

I had forgotten how delicious the air is here'.. I think its the eucalyptus trees.. It brings it all back... And it feels perfect.

posted by Dude at 8:34 PM 1 comments

Hwy 1

A world class road, on a world class motorcycle.. Life doesnt get much sweeter!

posted by Dude at 5:07 PM 2 comments

San simeon

posted by Dude at 2:26 PM 2 comments

Morro bay

posted by Dude at 1:33 PM 1 comments

Monday, April 23, 2007

Alright, Alright,,,

Everybody just settle down.. the mileage on El Bandito was noted, and the trip reset on the GS.. the game is STILL ON!

I'll give you a hint though.. I've ridden over 850 miles in the first two days of owning the GS. Do you remember what the last mileage announcement was?

That is the last mention of miles I will make! Get your guesses in!


Oh, and, the prize was never the sprockets anyway.. so tough Sh**.

____________________________

On to the experience of Joshua Tree... It was a very very long day coming from Tucson.. didn't leave town until after 12pm.. still working out details on the GS like,, how do I look at a map? (my old tank bag doesnt fit)..
So it was well after dark by the time I got to the National Park, but I kept telling myself, This is called an ADVENTURE, not a HOTEL-ER. Plus I thought it would be cool to ride in at night and wake up to discover where I was..
The air was still, the sky clear and full of stars.. Much like the trips to the planetarium in 5th grade. The moon was so bright I could see my shadow on the ground beneath me, and the silence was deafening.
It was a very cold night during which I didn't sleep much.. a major surprise to me after having ridden 45o miles..
The experience of riding through Joshua Tree in the morning was almost magical. Gorgeous park. I even took the GS off road for the first time for about 10 or 15 miles.. it just goes.. it doesn't care what surface you're riding on.. it just goes. Purely amazing, and unlike anything I've ever felt. I have a short video clip of the off road adventure which I will attempt (with MF'er's help) to post in the near future..
For now, enjoy these...


The big one is the Joshua Tree.. This one's for you, Joshua ;)

A close up of the cool part

Looks like the GS is growing something!

phew,, ok, that was just a Joshua Tree!

Check out those Mammo-Jammo rocks!

yup, they're big

Beauty and the beast.. but which is which?
can you tell I have an ear-to-ear sh** eating grin in there?
(those are some weird kind of poisonous cacti.. chohalla or something like that...



Ok, now that the photo session is over with.. someone questioned whether there's a name for the GS yet.. as a matter of fact there isn't.. El Bandito seemed to fit pretty damn well, but nothing's jumping out at me for the GS except the following options.. Please vote for your favorite or contribute your own!
1. Kick A**!
2. Holy Sh**!
3. F*** Yeah!
4. Dude, Sweet!
5. Bad A**!
6. The Beast
7. GuS (haha)
8. G (ood) S (hit)


I dunno, I just came up with those on the spot..

Tonight I'm in Ventura, Ca. I saw the Pacific for the first time this trip a couple of hours ago.. I think tomorrow morning I'll walk out and put my feet in.. gotta FEEL it to make it official.

Not sure where I'm stopping tomorrow,, but tune in and find out!

till then,

posted by Dude at 8:13 PM 2 comments

Ventura

Bike night has officially begun! Im there in spirit but it'd be better if u guys were here! Ventura, ca.

posted by Dude at 6:30 PM 1 comments

Ahhh

The pacific

posted by Dude at 6:04 PM 2 comments

66

posted by Dude at 6:02 PM 0 comments

Sunday, April 22, 2007

posted by Dude at 4:49 PM 5 comments

Az desert..

posted by Dude at 1:10 PM 2 comments

GS Mania!

I still can't believe it.. I think I'm in shock.
Headed for Joshua Tree National Park today.. It'll be a long day of riding, but I'm looking forward to it more than ever!
Thanks to Mary and Diana for their awesome hospitality!




posted by Dude at 9:03 AM 2 comments

Saturday, April 21, 2007

If you will it, Dude, it is no dream.

When you pay attention to the things that are presented in life, it's pretty interesting how they fall into place. Walter's statement carries much much more meaning than meets the eye.
I knew this bike would be there, and I think somehow I knew it would be mine.. The timing was aweful and the financial aspects could have been better, but what price can be put on living a dream? I've been filling my helmet with laughter ever since!
It was sad to see El Bandito rolled into the showroom floor like he belonged to them.. but he does.. He served me well and at this point I don't think he owes me a damn thing.. After all, over 14,000 miles in 13 months.. I'll take a little financial loss for that.. well, that and a GS Adventure.


In a way this transition goes against every logical thought in my brain, but in reality, I can't think of a more perfect and fitting vehicle to take me on the remainder of this particular Adventure. If you will it, Dude.. it is no dream.

Thanks, TR, for working with me on this one.. Your motivation to see me on this bike played a large part in making it happen. Extremely large. See you on the road... don't forget to go for a freakin' ride! You're welcome in Grizzly anytime.. say the word.

posted by Dude at 9:36 PM 3 comments

Yup i did it!

Proud new owner! 2003 GS Adventure

posted by Dude at 6:56 PM 3 comments

Friday, April 20, 2007

Oh my f***ing god! I

Oh my f***ing god! I am soooo done with Dennis Kirk! Do yourselves a favor and take your business elsewhere! I'll be in tucson for a while!

posted by Dude at 10:24 PM 3 comments

Mmmmm

Hmm

posted by Dude at 5:36 PM 1 comments

All is not lost, I suppose... despite feeling a little uneasy about reinstalling my old chain yesterday, I decided to take a run up the Catalina Hwy to Mt. Lemmon.. One of my favorite day trip getaways from the Tucson days..
I never thought about it back then, but it's 25 miles of some pretty sweet riding! And the views.. well..

yeah, they're pretty sweet, too.

at times it reminded me of the Cherohala Skyway..

check out the road down below.. just over my shoulder..


On my way out of town I stopped by the Beemer dealer again.. he had been reading this blog and asked if I'm ready to be done with chains and sprockets forever.. Well, TR, I am.. and you're the only dude that can make it happen!
Maybe I'll just have the readers of this blog call you repeatedly until you make the deal a bit sweeter!
Or maybe I should set up a paypal account like the guy from ADV rider who quit his job, set up a paypal account, and has been traveling ever since on the donations... Think I could come up with a couple grand by the time that GS comes in?!

(for those of you not privy to the "GS", here's what I'm talking about:

And if you want to get an idea of what this thing can do.. go rent "Long way around"..
If you didn't already know.. Me and this bike... we're made for each other.
Now if I could just figure out how to afford the damn thing..
Now accepting donations!!


In other news.. Dennis Kirk finally relented and admitted their mistake. I emailed a pdf of the facts from the service manual and they have already changed the information in their catalog and website. Too bad I had to pay the price for saving everybody else this headache. The right shit should be here tomorrow. **should**.

posted by Dude at 3:57 PM 4 comments

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Name: Dude
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