Recent content by BrianK

I’ve been comparing gps vs cell phone navigation in my car for several years, checking one against the other on trips quite frequently. Frankly I strongly prefer my Garmin Nuvi over my iPhone. There are rare occasions where cell phone navigation wins out, but they are more than made up for when...

Regarding my planned motorcycle trip, a friend said to me, “I'm glad, Brian, that things are looking up for you. You deserve some light relief, and it's great to have something to look forward to although I'm not a fan of motor bikes. Wouldn't you be safer on the train?” I replied: “I...

As others have noted, there are too many areas with no cell signal to rely solely on a cell phone for navigation. That said, apparently some if the InReach or Spot devices do feature navigation too, so maybe I can eliminate the GPS.

Due to the strokes, I have difficulty getting up off the ground without something substantial to hold onto. And I’m a side sleeper and get bursitis in my shoulders without some form of decent cushioning. So I already ordered a Teton Camp Cot, a Teton self inflating camp pad, and a Kamp-Rite® IPS...

I do have a center stand. I think I'll just put a VX2 chain on it before I leave. I'll have the Pilot Road 5s put on right before I leave too. Previous owner had already bought them new but hadn't done a tire swap yet from OEM, so he threw them in with the bike purchase. Original Battlewings...

Fortunately the prior owner had already installed a marine grade 12v outlet on the dash, and he installed pigtails for heated gear and trickle charger too. I have a solar powered back up cell phone battery too, so I think charging issues won't be a problem. I do need to pick up some kind of...

Ok great thanks. That answers my questions.

It’s a 2018 NC750X with 4200 miles on it currently. Think it might need a new front sprocket during this trip? Should I just replace chain and sprocket prior to starting the trip? I’m honestly not sure what mileage to expect out of either on a relatively new bike.

I just shared this with friends on FB: "Now that I'm living in a lay community in Massachusetts, I asked the directors here if it was okay if I took a sabbatical early this fall to drive out to California and back to visit my son at his abbey there. And since I'm back on two wheels, I told them...

Three years ago I couldn't walk at all. Now I'm able to walk 1 1/2 to 2 miles per day, with no real training for the last year. I'm hoping to increase my daily endurance over the next year and a half so I can complete the minimal requirements of the "official" Camino pilgrimage. If my training...

Great post, thanks. And an interesting coincidence. I’m planning on walking the shortest route that qualifies as completing the Camino pilgrimage in late summer/fall 2020. So my current walking is also the beginning of my preparation for that trek next year.

Actually I really appreciate your posts. I’ve said many times, I’m neither an idealist nor a pessimist, but a realist. You raise realistic issues, and it’s making me take a hard look at how I’m going to prepare for this trip. Given the input I’ve received, I’ve already decided to rule out...

That’s definitely in my plans for the next several months. I’ll be heading up to Arcadia in Maine as well as the northeastern Canadian provinces in a couple weeks, and I’ll be making multiple trips to Pennsylvania to visit family this summer. It’s ironic that these strokes which caused me to...

A hearty thank you to everyone who offered their wisdom so far! I’m really leaning towards going the all hotel and eating out daily route, as opposed to packing camping and cooking equipment. It will give me more time for both sightseeing and quality rest. However, I also really like the...

Hi folks, This October I’m planning a month trip from here in Massachusetts to visit my son in Silverado CA near Los Angeles, then ride back. I’m 53 years old and have never considered or undertaken such a journey. Most of my previous riding was local trips, four to six hours in duration...