I completed my 2-up ride/vacation with my wife to Durango, CO. What a fun time we had we ended up riding to Mesa Verde and doing the Million Dollar highway. I forgot about all the curves into Mesa Verde. My wife wasn’t all that thrilled on some of the roads and the Ranger that clocked me 25 over in the park didn’t seem to pleased either. After a short conversation, we parted ways with me promising to keep it no more than 5 over. I think he was taking pity on me since my wife was giving me feedback as he walked up to me. Riding in the park was great and hiking to the cliff dwellings was fun. We took a lot of pictures.
The next day we met some friends coming in from a Utah ride, it was their last night on the road before heading home. After they took off, we headed for the Million Dollar Highway. We arrived in Silverton, CO. early enough to have breakfast and check out the shops. Once done shopping we decided to skip going to Ouray and head back to Durango due to the weather. As we rode to Durango we saw a mixture of rain, snow, sleat and sun. It was an interesting ride back. wAll told we ended up riding a little over 700 miles, so I now have 11.2K on the PR2. Once we got home, I noticed we had hit the wear bars on the front tire and decided it was time for a new set. 
So off to the shop we go, I found a great deal on the Dunlop Roadsmart 2 and decided to give them a try. I honestly think I could have gotten another 1000-1500 miles out of the PR-2 but decided to go ahead and change them out. The RS-2 has a different feel then the Pilot Road 2, not bad but different so not sure yet. I need to give them a good run to test them out.Well the next weekend a few friends and I hit the road doing the enchanted circle again. We went through the Jemez mountains and of course I had the opportunity to see those big flashing lights in my mirrors again. The ranger asked if we knew how fast we were going, I said “a little over the speed limit.” He said he was running 40 when we passed him and he clocked us 25 mph faster (See a theme developing). We ended up getting a lecture on how dangerous the roads were in the Jemez and that we needed to slowdown. But hey no ticket again, we did slow down and made it to Taos with any issues. We also took a side trip over to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge just outside Taos. One of the members of the group had never been so it was a great stop. After that we rode to Red River and had lunch. We talked about possibly doing the New Mexico LOE this year. This is a 24 hour rally in October. After lunch, we continued around the loop and turned for home. We ended up getting a 370 mile ride in, dodged all the rain and had a great time. These road have plenty of curves and I did push a little on the way back. The RS-2 seemed to hold up fine and the longer we went the more comfortable I felt on them.
This week my wife and son went to visit family, so I decided to make run to visit my daughter who lives in Portales, NM. I called and we set up a lunch date. I figured this would be a great ride to put the fuel cell back on the FJR and make sure everything is in good working order. So I took off at 05:00 and arrived in Clovis, NM to meet my daughter and son-in-law for BBQ. I took the long way adding an extra 100 miles to the ride stopping in Roswell, NM for coffee. You can meet some of the most interesting people in Roswell. There was a group of kids at the coffee shop that I think could have passed as aliens in the 50's (it was one of those times I wish I had the camera). I arrived in Clovis at noon and had a great time at lunch, we were able to talk a little. It was nice to chat, even though time was short. They had to get back to work and I had to head home. As I said, I took the long way 360 miles to get there but decided to run straight back home. On the way home I decided to stop and fill my main tank from the fuel cell. I opened the valve and nothing happened. I check out the tank and found that the quick disconnect wasn’t completely opening. I grabbed a strap I carry with me and tightened the connection and it started working again. I ended up riding 620 miles with no real issues. I have about 1100 miles on the RS-2 and they seem to be wearing well.
So I know what my next project for the FJR will be. I will be replacing the quick disconnect for the fuel cell. I’m still feeling pretty good about my set up for the 2009 IBR. I wish I could get in more multiple day rides but I just don’t think it’s going to happen with all the things happening at work. My boss has already approved my vacation for the IBR, so I don’t want to push it.
So things on my to do list before the IBR are more memory for the netbook (on order), getting software upgrade for my Map Source, I will need to do one more oil and drive oil change and replace the spark plugs. After that I should be ready to go. I already picked up my med-jet insurance (required for IBR) but still need to get the umbrella policy required.
With only one week left in June, I’m going to end up around 22K on the FJR and only 4K from a valve check. I’m not looking forward to spending 500.00 dollars to do this check, but I don’t want anything to happen during my ride in August. I think I'm giving my wife sticker shock with all the nickel and dime stuff we are have to do.
Well here is is the end of June, didn't ride much this week just focused on getting all the little things done. I added more memory to my new Netbook, downloaded new software for my GPS and starting to get everything picked out that I'll be taking with me. I replaced the quick disconnect and the fuel system is working again. I'm planning to do some rides that will test the tank. I have set up a meeting with a friend that has done the IBR before, I'm going to probe him for tips on the ride.
My riding group is planning to do the NM LOE in October it is a 24 hour rally, so I have been helping several friends get their bikes ready for the LOE. I'm also going to take them on an all night practice run, hopefully everyone will decided after that on go-no-go.
Well until next week ride safe.
