Questions already

I haven't even left yet and I've had 4 questions already:

1. What's a shake-down run?

It's a short trip to make sure everything is ok before you take off on a long trip. For example, you want to make sure you like the new footpegs you installed (which I don't), that the wiring for your GPS and sat radio aren't cutting in and out (which they are), that your suspension is set up like you like it (which it isn't). Much better to sort this stuff out on a 3 day trip than have it bite you on day 3 of a 10 day trip. That's what I'm doing this weekend.

Which leads nicely to the next question...

2. What's the 10 day trip all about? Where are you going?

July 25 - August 3. The only plan in place is NYC (to see and hopefully pick up Eric), then Montreal (I loved Toronto and everyone tells me Montreal is even more fun). From there the only other plans are to hit the coast of Maine (always wanted to go) and all the other New England States.

Which, again, leads nicely to the next question...

3. Don't you have hotel reservations somewhere this weekend? How can you not know if you're going to stop in the Catskills or the Poconos?

Hotel reservations kinda go against the rules of Mototours. If you make them, they'll never be in the right place. You won't want to stop riding that soon, or you'll hit your limit 150 miles away from it. Or you may decide to scrap the Adirondacks all together and head for Cleveland.

The only time it has ever been a problem was once on Mototour 2006. Brian and I got caught out in the boonies late, and couldn't find a hotel. I don't even remember what state it was. Kentucky, maybe? Anyway, we kept pressing on and on and on. We were on the verge of falling asleep on the bikes. But sure enough, we finally found a place. I think we spent 13 hours on the bikes that day.

4. Why not leave for the mini-tour of the mountains on Thursday? You're only working a half day.

Because my favorite bartender in town (Hi, Kate! Sorry, Dennis.) is working tonight at a new place (Cafe Collage). She's going to try to build their bar business from scratch, and I want to go hang out there with her.