"The Happiest Place On Earth..."

"...Tijuana!", says Krusty the Clown.

No, I'm going to Ensenada. Just a quick spin into Mexico for a day to check it out, and say I rode in a totally foreign country.

"Category I" people, don't worry. I'm not going to get robbed, shot, run over, or jailed. That's more likely to happen in LA, and I'm not even going to slow down in LA!

The lesson I learned from the Horizons Unlimited Meeting is: Don't believe the media, people around the world are generally kind. I intend to prove this to you here.

The General Idea

Checkpoints

This trip gets one of three reactions:

I. "You're nuts," and/or "Be careful, you'll get yourself hurt." (75%)

II. "I've done that, here's some tips...." (15% - everyone at the Horizons Unlimited Meeting)

III. "Cool, I'm jealous!" (10%)

For everyone in category I., here is the general plan, there's no set itinerary, but you can expect posts here on these approximate dates:

• July 7th or 8th: Crescent City, CA


• July 9th or 10th: Santa Cruz, CA


• July 14th - 16th: San Diego, CA


• July 18th - 19th: Sacramento, CA


• July 21st - 24th: San Jose, CA (www.plugin2008.com)


• July 26th or 27th: Home

Check back here once in a while for trip updates, photos, stories, and more!

Kit Lists

Here she is all ready for a weekend of camping. Everything for a 3-day weekend fits on the bike as seen, and really, everything for a 3-week journey too. Going for 3 months? Probably about the same amount of stuff!

The Bike

• 2007 Kawasaki Versys
• KTM Hand Guards
• Frame Sliders
• $3.99 Quartz Watch
• RAM Camera Mount
  
• Givi PLX Side Cases
• Givi Tank Bag
• Givi Tail Bag
• Tool Kit w/ Patch Kit
• Bike Cover
• Chain Lube
  

The Gear

Camping

• MEC Opera House Tent
• Sleeping Gear
• Flashlights
• Moist Wipes, insect repellant, sunblock
  

Survival

• Emergency Food
• First Aid Kit
• Maps, Compasses
• Water Supplies
  

Clothing

• Riding Gear
• Shirt, pants, runners
  
• T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops
• Goretex Fleece and Pants
• Undergarments

Misc

• Cell Phone (will mostly be off I imagine)
  
• Books
• Camera
• Notepad, pens
  

Markers and Stickies

Trip Planning

I had the destination. I had the route. I even had the time off work. So does one plan every mile in detail or just get on the road and go south with just cash and a passport?

Enter "Project Planning". I was on a Project Planning course, and seeing I (and everyone else for that matter) was not using those skills at work, I thought I'd bring my Planning Board home and put it to some use for this trip. Here's the general idea for this whiteboard, sticky notes, and marker pen:

1. Enter fixed "events" that cannot change. In this case, two weddings, a conference, and a few other things had to happen on specific dates in specific locations.

2. Enter other things that need to be done, but have some time flexibility - ie. some side-trips or visits, and time off. For me, I wanted to take plenty of extra time with people I know along the way down and up.

3. Split up the rest of the route into day-sized chunks ( max 250 miles/day), finding locations to camp, motels, and alternate stops.

4. Shorten/Lengthen as necessary, build in flex time, and research some interesting stops along the way.

I'm right into #4 right now, as you can see from today's photo - still adding things. I expect this will continue right up until D-Day. This method gives me the satisfaction of setting simple goals for each day, and having a backup plan in case those goals aren't reached. I think it's better than just going and finding suddenly there's no place to stop for the night for another 50 miles.