That's part of what made this year difficult for me.  Over all the years of motorcycling, through all the bikes and well over 150k miles, I never had a wreck outside of tumbles off road (which are kind of expected).  And then this year happened.  I had just upgraded from my beloved 2014 BMW GSA to the BMW Triple Black 2018 R1200GSA. What a beauty.  Bought it in late Oct 2017 and had a couple thousand miles on it when a friend and I were riding off-road in January and I was following him. Between a taillight covered in mud, a missed turn recognized late and stopping to turn back, combined with sun blazing at my 10 o'clock, the year of accidents began.  How could this happen?  Literally it was seconds and poof, I'm flying and bike is going one way and me the other.  How could I be so stupid to actually hit him?

Rode the bike all the way home only to find the damage sustained totaled the bike.  Wow, 2 accidents and one bike down.  Surely this is the end of my bad luck streak, right?  This is when the loving non-motorcycle riding friends started to say... "Um.. perhaps you should take up a less dangerous sport?"  I get it. I love you too, but it doesn't work that way for me.  Let's just get another bike, shall we?

Enter 2018 BMW Triple Black GSA #2.  200 miles on the clock and I'm loving the new bike I'm feeling confident again (having to ride the GSA 1  1600 miles home did a lot of curbing the "nervous feelings" of throwing a leg over after an accident).  My wife Holly and I plan a trip to a cabin a few hundred miles away as a belated anniversary get away combined with a work trip and as a break-in for her getting to ride on the new bike.  30 minutes from arrival at the cabin and a blue truck waiting to turning left across my path whom I made eye contact with, yet he decided to make a go of it anyway.  Traveling about 45 mph I slammed on the brakes and just before slamming into the side of the truck told Holly in a probably too calm of voice, "We're going to hit".  She had already slammed into me from my braking, so upon impact we both went simultaneously off the bike and toward the truck.  I hit the side of the truck and she bounced off of me and back onto the ground.  Thankfully, I learned a few lessons from the years ago "shorts, short sleeves, carefree riding style" on the Nighthawk.  All three accidents this year I was dawning top level Klim gear and Adventure boots and Holly equally equipped with BMW gear.  We both sustained injuries but compared to what it could have been we were fortunate.

​8 weeks of therapy (Kudos to Dr. Corey Idrogo at Centerpointe Health and Wellness) and healing from a knee injury and Holly with bruised ribs and other bruises gave us some time to think.  Do we get another bike?  Are we mitigating risk as much as possible?  Is it worth it?  What about our 15 yr old son?  Is it selfish to do this activity knowing that at any point something like this could happen and have long lasting results?

​And then I thought, what would I teach him by giving it up?  Yes, I love it but, better not do it because there is risk?  What in life can you do and not have risk?  Can you really eliminate all risk, and if you could, would you want to?  Isn't the risk part of what drives us forward?  To press ahead aware of the possible negative outcome but hopeful for the prize?  Overcome the challenge?

The motorcycle industry has been shrinking over the years and all the manufacturers are still scratching their heads trying to figure out exactly why.  The adventure market is the only segment that has remained steady and you are seeing manufacturers such as Harley Davidson enter the market in hopes of reviving their own market share and take on the younger generation of riders.  Many look at stagnant wages, job uncertainty, or perhaps the reality of far more distracted drivers on the road today (hello cell phones) as being the culprit.  While all of these certainly are factors I believe there is a fundamental shift that is happening in the US and perhaps the world that I see to be far more devastating not only to motorcycling but life in general.  We, as a people, are losing the ability to dream.  To shoot for the stars.  To do something not because it makes a buck but because you just need to do it.  In the world of warning labels on everything from straws to vehicles we are programmed by the media to fear everything.  I still believe all things are possible and I believe that everything has risk and I would rather do what I love and mitigate the risk as much as possible than to live to a ripe old age thinking about all the things I chose not to do because I was scared of what "might" happen.  Fear is a matter of perspective.  The same thing that gives a person sweaty palms, fast heart-rate, dilated pupils and is explained as terrified is the same physical response described by a person who is excited and ready to take on the next challenge.

Anniversaries are something to be cherished and celebrated although for some reason Holly and I seem to have something scheduled on top of our anniversary every year.  So each year we promise to take a little time away specific to the celebration but many times, if not most times, it never quite happens and another year slips away.

This year would be different we said.  Although we missed again celebrating on April 25 we had plans to do something special that was just for us.  Deanna Naddie, a friend of ours through dōTERRA (how we earn our living) reached out prior stating she had a cabin for rent that had openings during the six week blueberry season.  I love blueberries and love staying in a quaint cabin where internet and even cell phone service can't pierce the tranquility.  However, this time we would find that lack of communications was not freeing at all on this trip.  Regardless, we were in.  Although it was a couple months after our actual date, Holly and I were excited to be actually celebrating 17 years of marriage, and although not a "special number" 17 is a lot of years together.

We made all the necessary arrangements to have our son stay with his cousin, get the cats taken care of, and all the typical running around you do prior to leaving even for a few days.  I'm reminded how complex life can be even when you fill it with good things.  Things still require attention.  A thought to ponder at another time perhaps.

Both of us in gowns and placed in facing ER rooms we were realizing this would likely be an anniversary celebration we would never forget. The hospital verified what we had hoped that there were no broken bones but that I had a possible knee strain if not a tear.  More testing would be required to know.  Holly had bruised ribs although not broken but follow up would also be needed to be certain.  Not how I intended to spend our time.  But it is what it is..  The hospital provided a brace and crutches for my leg and they stated I needed to have it looked at further to determine if there was soft tissue damage.  Having had tendon damage in my shoulder in the past I was not looking forward to any prognosis especially with my legs because that limits just about everything I like to do from hiking to photography to camping much less motorcycling.  Hoping for the best on that one.

Now the reality of an accident while on the road away from home on a motorcycle sets in.  Luckily Deanna was not far away and was kind enough to come get us and after a much needed dinner took us back to the cabin so we could figure out what we do next.

It wasn't long before rain started and became quite fierce in different stages.  This is when it would have been incredible to have a camera at the ready.  Around 5pm, we had made it back to i24 from 840, the most direct route home, meaning we were on the road with mostly people who were tired from a long days work and were already mentally sitting at home ready to enjoy their evening.  About that time I looked left and saw a vehicle who had been traveling to close to the car in front of him slam on the brakes and enter into a full on skid due to the lead car having to mash the brakes.  The skidding vehicle stayed calm however still encroaching on the slowing vehicle to the point where I thought he would clip the vehicle in the left rear.  This of course would have sent the nose of the vehicle into our lane and once again I would be making a call to our embattled insurance company.  Luckily the car, while continuing to skid, gently moved to the left and into the median and came to a safe although "wrecker required" stop.  Holly and I looked at each other and decided if we can just get home we might just stay there for a while.

We made it home without further incident and spent the better part of the day working to insure everything is being handled as it is supposed to with regard to our vehicles and medical etc..  That process we would find is not anywhere close to being over.  I have discovered there is never a winner in an accident no matter whose fault it is.  So much time required to deal with all the factors.
​
Even though this adventure did not go as planned we still made the best of it and above all did it together and we were able to come home together, for the most part, in good health all considering. To that we are both blessed and grateful.

Until our next adventure!! ​

David

So let's be honest..  We love to travel and get in hard to get to locations but at the same time we are dreadfully stressed over taking our gear into these same locations.  It would seem through all the bag purchases that I have made no one bag ever fits my exact needs and so... I look for the "next" bag in hopes it will fill my needs.  Then I have non-photography bags that fit certain needs for the function they were made such as hiking or climbing but not photography needs so I find myself moving my gear from one bag to the next in hopes of some compromise only to find some of my needed hiking/climbing/adventuring gear got scuttled in lieu of camera gear.  The process is frustrating to say the least.

I may have found the ultimate solution and in doing so added security for my camera and gear while keeping the flexibility of different purposes whether it is on the bike, in a backpack, overnight hike, whatever.  Flexibility along with padded protection for the sensitive gear is something we all look for but typically give up one or the other just to get the job done.

Tennessee has a landscape that is simply  hard not to like and it covers a large swath of the Eastern US through some of the most interesting landscape found including the Appalachian Mountains.  While it is easy to relate to the East side of the state to being chocked full of beautiful scenery from water falls to mountains its necessary not to under estimate just how beautiful the Middle TN Southern region can be.  I caught a glimpse of this as I took the TN TAT back a few years ago and was surprised then just how beautiful the area was.  Creeks throughout, Amish country with large beautiful horses, and dirt roads that went on endlessly, this place really has it all.  And, its only about 1-2 hours south of one of the largest cities in Tennessee, Nashville.

Every year off-road motorcycle enthusiasts from small cc dirt bikes to large big bore adventure bikes descend on a small town in East Tn named Telico Plains.   This event has become known as the mother of dirt bike rallies as March Moto Madness is now a common theme in other cities and event countries around the world.  Bottom line is, if you want to experience some of the best dirt, gravel, single track, off road experience around; March Moto is the place for you.  Plan ahead however as there is no cell service in the area so you will find guys in really weird places from side of the road to the grocery store trying to check in when needed :).

This was my first experience at March Moto but I went with Tracy Henshaw who was a veteran MMM participant and even chose to participate in the infamous Trials event held on Saturday.  This event is a difficult event but was made more so with the deluge of rain that came overnight prior and the light rain blessing the event during the trials.  To say it was slippery is an understatement.  While taking photos of the event I was slipping in my boots which said a lot for the guys running the course.

This is a first come first serve event where everyone comes with whatever resources they have as there aren't a ton provided although the updated instant heat showers were a welcomed site for the many who decided to tent camp while there.  Others as well as myself brought our facilities with us in the form of motorhomes and fifth wheels.  Did I mentioned it rained?  Yep..  There was a certain amount of off-road mudding that some motorhomes and fifth wheels got to experience as well.  Some faired well, others..  well, there were tractors available.

I was excited about the opportunity to meet up with some very good friends of mine, Simon and Lisa Thomas with www.2ridetheworld.com, to do a little work together and play in the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula.  The goal was to get some videos made and take a few photographs as well.  Mission accomplished.

Simon and Lisa were gracious enough to pick me up at the airport and take me south where they were staying.  Now keep in mind, all they have are motorcycles which created a few additional things I needed to consider.  1.  I needed a helmet and 2. my travel gear had to be motorcycle mount capable. No fancy suitcases on this run.  So, I loaded up my Mosko Moto Back Country 40L (features hidden backpack straps that came in very handy), all my camera gear, an old helmet and motorcycle jacket and off I went.

RawHyde wants to continue to provide quality training to those who have invested in these highly capable machines in order to give them the confidence to take them off-road expanding their view of the world.  I'm grateful to be a part of their program and look forward to expanding the relationship.

So what is Overland Expo East?  It is a one stop shop for everything from serious camping to ridiculously prepared multi-week/year overland self-sustained off-road traveling, 2 or 4 wheeled.  In short, kick ass equipment to make anyone who has ever thought of going off-road drool.  The equipment you see here is nothing short of amazing and regardless of your budget, there is something that will spark your imagination of getting away from it all.

More importantly than the highly expensive equipment available is the creativity of those who decided to live by their rules without an unlimited budget.  They chose against the stable yet restrictive 9-5 and decided to live with less stuff and more life. And they had the courage to make the shift.  They live by their own playbook and are loving life as a result.  It doesn't mean it's always easy but it means they choose their life so when there is pain they are better equipped to change the circumstances that created it..  I admire the group of people I am privileged to call friends and admit they inspire me to continue to live life by my own rules and ever look to expand those I work with to do the same.

Adventure lovers are the best!  Ideas abound, spirits are lifted, imagination is stretched.  I have met and become friends with so many along the way.  Simon and Lisa Thomas who have traveled the world on motorcycles for the past 15 years logging over 500k miles in the process.  Danny and Pamela, known as 2chefs1moto, share their experiences abroad.  Pete and Ashely with Mosko Moto shared campfires and stories including experiences of growing a start-up business that makes fantastic products.  Sarah Blessington shared her stories of traveling the U.S. on a scooter.  6000 miles. On. A. Scooter.  Um, and what's holding you back again?  So many others are simply making the decision to live life differently.  So much respect for that.

The evenings at OE East got a bit chilly but not brutal.  Enough where a nice fire would solve the problem.  Challenge 1, no open fires allowed at the Biltmore Estate.  Enter solution.  Greg and Melanie were willing to share their propane fire at night that warmed us, of course, but also provided that much needed contemplation device that magically creates stories and laughter of all the adventures.  My thanks to Raul and Azule for sharing a jacket with me as in my rush to get to OE, I left without mine.  That's the general attitude of all of those I encountered at OE.  Compassionate, willing to share, all wanting to have a good time.  If you enjoy learning, listening to inspiring adventures of living life differently, and expanding who and what you are, then OE is for you.    However, as for most adventures, OE is what you make of it.  I have discovered this over the years of travels and working with thousands of people in my business that how you choose to perceive an obstacle or a setback determines how you define yourself and the life you are living.  We don't grow as a result of the good times but the challenges.  Adventurers I spoke with over the weekend were forged by the times when things didn't go right rather than the blue skies and rainbows that laid in their path.

I challenge you to see life for the good and bad times.  The people you encounter, both those you enjoy and those you don't, the setbacks as well as the triumphs.  All of this is what causes us to grow along the way, to define ourselves by new standards and to ever determine to increase those standards.

Play by new rules.  The belief that you can do more, achieve more, live more, BE more.  Your Adventure Awaits! The world is waiting.

​David

The discussion of which tire to use for any bike is probably about as diverse as which helmet is preferred...  So much of tire choice is based on individual preference and actual use of the machine you put the tire on..  However, there are certain facts that remain no matter the rider..  1.  It's inevitable that we will be on road more than dirt if you truly treat it as an enduro bike.  And heavy enduro bikes are designed for long jaunts where road is as favorable if not more than dirt.  So while we love the dirt we have to get there many times by road.  Some are able to stay on dirt more than others but the average person will end up burning a lot of their tires on pavement..  Therefore, tread life while on road is critical.  2.  When we DO end up OFF ROAD, we want it to perform like that's all we do...  So we want tread life on road as if it were a road tire and performance off road as if it were a dirt tire.  Not an easy challenge for tire makers..

Before we go into the actual review, it does help to know me and how I ride.  I've been on bikes for the better part of 25 years with hundreds of thousands of miles under my belt, iron butt member and with 30k miles on my current bike which is a 2014 Liquid cooled BMW R1200GSA.  I chose this bike primarily because of the movie Long Way Round starring Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman.  They gave me a spirit of freedom on a bike I had never even dreamt of.  The idea of camping and riding in the middle of nowhere where roads are optional was absolutely intoxicating to me.  In 2015, after making several shorter trips I took off on the Trans American Trail for the better part of a month.  I quickly found out the good things and bad things about heavy bikes and the rubber that keeps them moving.  1.  TKC-80's perform amazing but don't last long.  2.  Finding them at the local shop is all but impossible making tires a constant PITA... (technical term).  When you are spending more riding hours wondering how you will acquire your next tire than enjoying the view things are simply not working in your favor.

Of course in 2015 there were few choices for the then practically brand new tire size that the 2014 Liquid Cooled boxer uses..  So, of the choices, the Continental TKC-80 was really the only acceptable choice available.  I ran several sets of TKC's through my bike and at 2500 on the rear I was literally changing the tire every month.  Front tire was typically getting about double that.

I was excited when I saw the expectations of the Michelin Anakee Wild.  I had run the Michelin Anakee III a couple times and was completely satisfied with his road performance but off road abilities were a bit of a joke..  So for the purpose I bought this bike, it simply wasn't a reasonable option for me unless I had two sets of wheels.  The Wild turned out to be the perfect solution for me..

Now with 4900 miles on my tires and probably another 500 left in the back tire, this tire will be the longest I have ever run a 50/50 tire and still have confidence in it.  Front tire really does still look like a new tire..  I should easily get another 4k on that tire.  To put in perspective for the type riding I do, I typically get about 8k on a rear Anakee III and 2500 on a rear TKC-80..  I'm pretty heavy on the throttle as the torque is a big reason I bought the bike... So I use it.  Highway speeds run around 80 and this tire saw about 90% road regrettably meaning a better split might have led to even longer wear..

Road Performance

This is the part where you really need to read....  When you first pull out with the Wild's...  The name applies to more than just what it can do off road..  The tire has serious wear in..  I thought I was going to drop it the first probably 20-50 miles...  Slippery is an understatement..  So put it in rain mode to keep the torque at bay and let it wear off that initial.

That said... Once it is broken in...  And in fact, as you go your confidence will continue to increase as the wear in gets done...  By the time I got to 100 miles I was rolling around curves as if it had Anakee III's on it..  I don't hang off saddle, knee out with these tires as I do with the Anakee III's but you can get pretty spirited on roads even with these tires..  But they don't hang like Anakee III's..  Nor are they designed to.

Wet performance was solid..  I have been through torrential rainfalls with these tires and never felt as though I would hydro or lose control in any way..  Solid performance...  

Noise concerns.  I personally can't speak too much of road noise at interstate speeds as I have custom earplugs as I highly recommend any rider to wear and although I'm keenly aware my Wild's are louder than road tires, they are no different than the Continental's and quieter than the Karoo 3's (imagine lifted jeep with 37" mud tires).  In town riding I don't bother with ear plugs with the Wild's..  While I had the Karoo's (once..only once) it was a debate to not put them on when rearranging the bike in the garage.. Joking, but the Karoo's are ridiculously loud.

Off Road Performance

This is where the fun begins..  You don't get a tire like this so it looks cool at Starbucks..  You get it so at any point you see a trail on the side of the road, if you desire.. you can take it..  I mean let's face it.. That's why we bought an adventure bike in the first place right?  Well, at least thats why I did..  I want at any time to look at a trail and go.. Wonder where that goes... And take it!  I don't want to go, but I don't have the right tire..  I need to remember this next time I through here with a capable tire.. No... I want to take it then..  Right then.

Wild's let you go wild at any whim and will not let you down and if you are 300 miles from home or 3 it doesn't matter because they will get you back home.  Off road performance on these tires are on par with the TKC-80 if not better...  I have been on rock, mud, shale, water crossings, hill climbs with large rocks... You name it..  These performed...  Another benefit is I never had to air down (as much) as I would with the 80's..  I do take some of the pressure off as I typically run around 37-38psi but would take them down to about 30/32 which would still be good enough on road but give me a little more bite off road.

Bottom Line..

If you bought this bike to truly find your adventure...  These tires need to be on your next run..  They perform as they should on dirt but don't kill your wallet in tire changes..  They are great road tires with decent wear and performance giving you the best of both worlds which is what we bought this type bike for in the first place..

I can safely say I have no reason to run a different tire on my bike anytime in the near future...  When you choose your next adventure know that the Wild's were made to get you there and back and provide you with the greatest amount of throttle therapy while there..  Roll on!

​David Mays
​

No I don't mean Dolly Pardon although I did work with her recently in my acting work..  I mean the Dolly that you use to tow your vehicle behind an RV.  This is part of what I needed to make my solution complete when I decided to purchase the 2017 Thor 29.4 Motorhome.  I, just as most you see on the road, needed a way to get around in a vehicle that was a little more manueverable than the bus.  Especially since once you are plugged in with sewage, power and water with slides out it takes a little bit to get moving again...  So, when I bought the RV I made two additional purchases.  A motorcycle hauler (something I will review soon) and the Roadmaster RM3477 Tow Dolly..

The Good:
The unit is pretty simple and requires very little configuration once initially put together..  There is a "wide" and a "narrow" configuration when you initially assembling the unit with regard to the width of the wheels of the tow vehicle.  In addition, the tow straps can slide in and out further allowing for different sized vehicles to tow.

I went with this model rather than the more popular tow hook which tows vehicles with all 4 tires on the ground but provides a faster connect/disconnect option..  The dolly is a less expensive option for one but primarily because I have two vehicles I will tow depending on who is going with me on the trip.  Installing the necessary braking solution in both vehicles seemed cost prohibitive.

The vehicle tracks very smooth behind the RV and to be honest I seldom noticed it was back there.  That said, you are NOT able to backup while towing a vehicle primarily due to there being a swivel in the front of the unit between the skids holding the vehicle and the frame of the unit connected to the tires...  So be warned you are forward motion only!

The Bad:
Clearance under the dolly especially when unloaded is very low...  Every time I pulled into a gas station I rubbed at least a little.  Primarily the skids I believe but the bolts underneath are probably 3-4" off the ground..  It's not a show stopper but definitely something to be aware of.

The straps can be a bit of a pain until you get used to installing them.  I am getting faster at it and now have it down to about 15 minutes.  You do get your hands dirty since you are dealing with tires and straps and things that are typically in the elements.  Doing so in the rain or other weather has its disadvantages as well but overall it still isn't a big deal.

The Unexpected:
Finally the straps connect over the tires and lock behind with a hook and in front with a typical tie-down ratchet method..  (Check your tire size to insure the straps will accomadate) This works quite well once you get the hang of it.  I highly recommend taking a sharpy to one of the straps so as not to always have to stare at them to determine which goes on which side.  The straps seem to stay in place quite well and I did stop as directed after 5 miles and ever so on on my trip to insure it was still tight..  I have had to rachet a couple times but nothing that would have been an issue.

Another unknown that would have been useful knowledge.  Or at least I didn't and apparently neither did some at Camping World where I purchased the unit with the RV.  Just because the unit has integrated electric brakes you still need a brake controller installed on your rig in order to activate the brakes.. Granted this might be common knowledge except when I purchased the unit as part of the initial sale I had no idea and when they installed it they said they tested the brakes and heard them activate so it seemed to me that whatever was needed was installed.  I later found out from someone at Camping World who apparently knew more than the person who assembled it (slight concern there) that it was impossible to activate the breaks because there was no brake controller sending any type of signal to say "how much" it should brake.  Makes sense when you think about it seeing the dolly had no logic chip or computer in it to determine such but again, I accidentally assumed they knew.

So, the dealer also had to install a Primus IQ brake controller in order to finish the install to make it a complete working unit.  Yes, regrettably that is after I took possession of the dolly and towed my Cherokee across the state and over the mountain WITHOUT a way to activate the trailer brakes...  No damage thankfully but certainly could have been.  hmmm..  My review of how that happened on a different post...  Again, I never claimed to be a RV expert including towing vehicles behind it.. I simply wanted a solution that worked...  Again, that story later..

Another fun fact that was apparently missed by the dealer who sold me the solution is the fact that although the trailer has lights it is required by law for the towed vehicle to have lights on the back of the vehicle when in tow.  Therefore when you purchase the dolly you also need to purchase the accessory item 
from RoadMaster part number 2000.   That part number is the delux set and I recommend that due to the higher quality wiring that is provided with that set.  This provides you with magnetic lights to attach to the back of the towed vehicle to properly light the tail of the tow.  Without it you are technically not legal at night.  This would have been great to let me know when I was purchasing the whole solution.

Be aware, the unit does have a limited tow capacity of 4250 pounds for the vehicle being towed but that is sufficient to tow most small SUV's and sedans making the tow options quite broad.

The Conclusion:
I do like the flexibility of having multiple vehicles and I don't see the time required to disconnect the vehicle being a major detractor.  It also does simplify not having to deal with moving or having two brake controllers in the towed vehicles as well.  The unit overall is well built and the price for a tow dolly is very reasonable and seems well made for the long haul.  I highly recommend this product and feel comfortable towing my vehicles behind it over long distances..  Cheers!!