Grant,

Sorry, I did mean Susan.<G> The older I get the more brain cells it takes to remember names and the fewer brain cells I have.<G>

Thanks to Susan as she helped me a lot with questions I had about the rally and registration.

John

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Grant Johnson:
[B]Thanks John!

(I assume you mean my wife Susan not Carol?)

Grant,

Midweek would get my vote also. Gives the weekend for traveling to and from the rally.

Take care,

John

I'll jump on the mid-week bandwagon.

I'm now back in NYC. It seems these HU meetings are becoming quite the adventure for me. This time I crashed on my way to Batopilis. One disadvantage to riding in the back of the group is that when you crash there is no one there to help. Well, help did finally arrive, but more on that later. I have some interesting stories and photos I will soon post, but for those wondering what happen to me I am still alive, but never made it to Batolilis.

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Brooklyn Dakar
http://motorcycleramblings.blogspot.com/

Good to hear you're ok! I assume that crash is the one I saw the result of before I left?

Note to EVERYONE when riding in a group - keep track of numbers, and who is behind who - and GO BACK if someone is missing or drops back! They could be seriously injured!



------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

How did the crash happen?? Were you injured in any way?? Is the bike ok??

Don't know if I got to meet you or not as I was only there for two days and then had to head back.

Take care,

John

I was riding fully loaded down to Batopilis, going slowly but hit the gas to get up a gravel hill and suddenly my rear wheel decided it wanted to be the front wheel. I spun out and the bike was in the ditch facing down the hill. I busted a Jesse rack and my chain came off the sprocket. I was thought I was the last rider, but Micheal (from Scotland?) pulled up later and we eventually got the chain back on and I drove the bike up the hill to a level area for further repairs. Pierre soon found us on his way back from Batopilis and the two of them patiently gave me lesson 101 on chain maintenance. The jesse bag was buggied and taped up and we limped back to Creel.

Here is a picture of the bike after it was back on two wheels (hopefully this will appear in the message, if not click the link). Note the bike is facing down the hill I was climbing up.

http://jacob.smugmug.com/photos/10328701-S.jpg

It could have been much worse. The jesse bags saved my leg which was pinned under the bike. I wanted to try the ride under real conditions of a overland trip where I would be fully loaded and I got it.


------------------
Brooklyn Dakar
http://motorcycleramblings.blogspot.com/

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 26 October 2004).]

Glad you made it ok. At least you got real time experience working on the chain and how luggage bags save legs.<G> Just wonder how my Givi bags would have looked (splintered??) if I had done the same thing. I do recognize the bike by your topcase. Got a picture of the bike.

Take care,

John


[QUOTE]Originally posted by JSherm:
[B]I was riding fully loaded down to Batopilis, going slowly but hit the gas to get up a gravel hill and suddenly my rear wheel decided it wanted to be the front wheel.

Here is the handiwork by the welder in Creel.

http://jacob.smugmug.com/photos/10666169-S.jpg


------------------
Brooklyn Dakar
http://motorcycleramblings.blogspot.com/

Looks good to me and if it gets you home it's a really good weld job.<G>

John

Hey Grant and all, I had a ball in the canyonlands. Thanks for a great time and all the inspiration. Glad you are OK and safely home Jacob. I am still in Mexico 90 KM from the Raynos border¨(China). I'll be doing the Swamp Scooters rally in Louisiana on the 12, 13, 14th, then home on or about the 22nd.

If you think you need to ride to somewhere far, you're in the right place.

Dan NYC ST1100


[This message has been edited by Digiamo (edited 30 November 2004).]

Grant,

What can I say. Creel is the perfect place for a HU meet. As my friend Chris Walstow says it's easily accessible from anywhere in North America. It's warm and cool at the same time. The people are friendly and the riding is superb.
I look for the meet to grow beyond all expectations as the word spreads.

Thanks, Jim D

My pictures and log;

http://twodogsmc.homestead.com/2004H...mitedTrip.html