Winter has set in here in the mountains of North Carolina. The bikes are in the garage patiently waiting for their next ride. It is the day before Thanksgiving. It gets dark early and we have even had some snow. I did take a few rides since my last post but it was just mainly cruising around the back roads. To get me through the winter I watch DVDs by others that have made interesting trips. About a week ago I finished Long Way Down with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman. This was the second journey in their series. I had watched the series on Fox Reality, but the DVDs included a lot of extra footage. I know a lot of guys think they're wimps with all their support and everything, but I like the show anyway. I have also watched Globeriders Indochina. This documents a scouting trip made by Helge Pedersen to Southeast Asia. He and a friend traveled through Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and a couple of other countries. I am now in the middle of watching a series by Gary Smith called Burro has Three Wheels. In this series Gary rides his Ural with a sidecar from Portland, OR to the tip of South America, then on to Prudhoe Bay, AK, then on to Goosebay, Labrador. That is still not enough riding for Gary and he heads for Key West. I watched the Mexico portion last night and he really made me yearn for a warmer climate. After I have finished Gary's series I will watch Get Lost: Oregon.Don't think I am just a couch potato. I have also cracked open a book or two that deals with motorcycle travel. Right now I am reading Obsessions Die Hard by Ed Culberson. Ed was one of the first, if not the first, to get a motorcycle through the notorious Darien Gap. For those that don't know, the Darien Gap is a break in the Pan American Highway between Panama and Columbia. Most people will ship their bike by air or sea to get around the Gap. A few people have conquered it on motorcycle. I know only of Ed Culberson and Helge Pedersen. After reading this book, I would have to say I would fly my bike over. If you are starting to get cabin fever check out the links and support these guys by buying their products.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and check back soon to see how I am surviving the winter!
