Tom's PLPR Blog

This blog will be dealt with on an occasional basis.  Email over your thoughts on the book and touring and perhaps that's what will drive the content.  Of course I'm sure that some of my own experiences will drive it too.

4/22/2008 - Spring is every Thursday from 2-4pm so far this month.  Our extended winter has had me inside pondering what else I could be doing with all this fine touring gear at my ready.  I've actually gone out a purchased a back pack for the first time in 30 years and am planning a two day overnight into the Cascades later this summer. For other non-motorized recreation I'll be heading to Whistler perhaps around the first of July for several days of mountain biking.  Funny how so much of the touring gear crosses over into the backpacking and mountain biking arenas. 

3/17/2008 - It's been a fun winter having taught the PLPR clinic at several locations over the months.  Best tip someone came up with was to use a PacSafe Wrapsafe 8' cable lock as a clothes line in the motel room or at the camp ground. I love that kind of thinking. I just got back on the bike after not riding for 100 days.  I haven't gone that long off the bike in decades. It was no big deal getting back on.  I managed to ride to Tacoma and back in the rain without a glitch. From the "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" department, Fred Rau's April 08 MCN article has an eerie ring to it.

1/5/2008 - Happy New Year.  All the planning is going on for 2008.  Today I'll be updating the PLPR calendar with the 2008 events I know about.  Looking forward to taking a trip over the Blue Mountains this winter to do a clinic in Boise at Happy Trails.  And here's to Mom who passed away in December. Those of you who have the book know what an inspiration she was to my riding career.  What's the coolest, or should I say hottest thing on the market this winter.  It has to be First Gears TPG line which I just got outfitted with. I paid for it just like everyone else.  No freebies this time since the gear is in high demand. Looking forward for a few rides with it soon.

8/30/2007 - Happy b-Day mom.  And now back to the rest of you.  The presentations at Rally Week in the Gorge were a lot of fun, especially the one Sunday Night at the BMW hospitality shelter.  I didn't have to ride that night, someone handed me a beer and... it was a lot of fun.  A lot of good questions that night and I took advantage of pumping up the support we get from Ride West and South Bound BMW.     

7/30/2007 - The beauty of Ohio in July.  Hot, muggy and incredible rainfall.  Hey - it's the mid west.  I had a lot of fun doing AMA's Vintage Motorcycle Days and presenting the clinic 3 times over the weekend.  All sorts of people show up at this event so you never know who will be in the room.  Craig Vetter of Wind Jammer fame was there.  We discussed my increased gas mileage with the new Ventura luggage and he believe the luggage actually 'cleans up the air' behind me.  I can't argue that.

7/5/2007 - It's been a busy summer with lots of riding.  I've just returned from a 10 day trip to see my daughter and son-in-law in SoCal.  Most days I camped out but took a motel or two when the amenities (hot tub) were right.  The Ventura luggage proved excellent and I picked up an additional 9% in gas mileage from it.  My last night in Lakeview OR was very nice camping at the fairground.  I love fairgrounds with wi-fi.  Thought I might camp the next night in Tri-Cities, but with the 104 degree temps I figured I'd be cooler riding with an evaporative cooling vest, than hanging around town in the heat waiting for fireworks.  I think I was right.  From the border of eastern Cali to Seattle in a day!  What a ride.

5/8/2007 - It was a pleasure to get to take the stage during the Governors Run in Silverdale this past weekend.  While I do enjoy doing the GWRRA Rider Ed workshops, this is a chance to reach others who are less likely thinking about reducing the weight they carry around.

4/28/07 - Today's trip to North Bend on my vintage 1972 SL350 was an interesting one to prep for.  The bike has never agreed with tail bags and a magnetic tank bag is about all it will allow for.  That means the rest goes on my back.  Therefore a number of items were left behind.  A look at the weather showed showers, not full on rain so the rain gear was the first to go...

Instead of a jacket liner I wore an Outdoor Research Neoplume Jacket today.  at 6:30 am I was riding in 43 degree weather at 55 mph and have never felt warmer on a motorcycle without using electric clothing!

3/19/2007 - I used to play music in nightclubs so I'm used to having bright lights in my eyes, but I must admit several times I was blinded by the stage lights at Battelle Auditorium.  Nice turn out from the local Goldwing and H-D groups in the central part of Washington.  Connie and I enjoyed it very much and it was all the better since we had traveled over together with David Hough and got to spend some leisurely time with him.  David did several Proficient Motorcycling clinics and he's adjusting well to working with PowerPoint now that he's migrated away from the days of using slides in a carousel. 

3/11/2007 - Before my clinic today at Seattle Cycle Center I purchased a wireless lapel microphone which allows me to use both hands throughout instead of juggling a hand held mic.

3/9/2007 - I spent the afternoon yesterday touring the hills northwest of Portland with Sean Coker.  Later I rode into Vancouver for a clinic at Procaliber Motorsports.  A nice turn out of about 40 people.  The staff took good care of me washing my bike upon arrival (it was a mess on account of the rain earlier) and making me welcome overall. 

2/11/2007 - I thought we were going to have a knock down drag out today during a clinic in Buckely when someone wanted to know why I didn't endorse the use of Frog Toggs.  They're floppy in the wind and can turn you into a sail at 60 mph.  Needless to say the gentleman was willing to stand his ground.  The history of the garment is it was designed for use by EMT's to be used during bloody circumstances such as a car crash situation.  They weren't designed to be used in the rain at 60 mph on a motorcycle.  For about the same price you can get a good quality set of rain gear.

2/4/2007 - I've heard it several times now - how about a list for ladies?  I ran that one past the practical den mother on Sporttouring.net and we both agreed that with the exception of an item or two, ladies need to carry all the same things guys do.  A woman asked during a PLPR clinic yesterday 'what about my purse?' which was of good size.  My suggestion: Dump everything out of the purse onto the table and pull aside all the items you truly need on a motorcycle ride.  Baby pictures, large hair brushes, excess Kleenex and otherwise are sucking up precious cargo space.  If you're a passenger get a waist pack like the PacSafe StashSafe and load all the necessary items into it.  There's plenty of room in there for cash, credit cards, cell phone, lipstick/lip balm, a comb, toothpaste/brush, floss, reading glasses etc...

1/20/2007 - Finally a break in the weather.  The plan, such as it is, is to leave Tuesday and head into the Gorge for a few days to work on the upcoming rally in Stevenson next August.  January isn't exactly the time of year I see myself pulling out my packing list and getting ready for a ride, but with the hellacious fall and winter we've been having a road trip will make a fine cure for cabin fever.

1/5/2007 - AMA called today and we are talking about me taking a trip to Ohio to be a speaker during their Vintage Motorcycle Days in July.  Sounds like fun! 

12/29/2006 - The rumor is Panasonic is coming with a rechargeable 3000 mAh AA battery.  Makes me wonder what I'll do with all my lesser capacity ones?  I believe I must ponder this more and release my findings via some editorial. 

12/8/2006 - Just winterized my 3 dual sports for...winter of course.  A shame to think there won't be much going on with them over the next few months, but it gives me time to plan the 2007 calendar of events.  Connie and I had a great tour of the Outdoor Research factory in Seattle earlier this week.  Very interesting.  They have the ability to manufacture everything they sell in house if need be.  I picked up one each their primaloft jacket and vest.  Did a little testing today and found them to make great liners for motorcycling.  They pack up small too! 

12/5/2006 - A full house at the motorcycle show this weekend.  Sold about 30 of the books there.  It was good for people to have a chance to peruse it before they bought.  Now if we could just come up with a way to succeed with a retail store.  If anyone is interested the book can also be purchased at Seattle Cycle Center, University Honda/Yamaha and Rich's Custom Upholstery.

11/20/2006 - The books are in, we've shipped all the pre orders and we're looking forward to the feedback.

10/16/2006 - The book is done and down at the printer.  We're waiting to see the comp this week.  Production is on schedule to have it ready to ship in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.  I enjoyed doing the book and look forward to how people respond and what there is to learn over the next few years that will shape the next edition.

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