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Published: June 14th 2009
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2005 R1200 RT
These photos were taken at the Second Wind dealership in New Hampshire prior to riding back to North Dakota Hey travel blog readers...
Greetings from Bismarck, ND where we are finally starting to have summer. The motorcycles are out in number. Someone asked me if we are having a rally in the area...I said, "No, it's just summer!"
It's been almost one year ago that I left on my Alaskan Adventure and a lot has happened since then. I will try and catch everyone up so that I can get everyone current on my travels and where I am headed this summer.
The Alaskan trip was the ride of a "lifetime" however; it opened up new areas of riding style for me. If you recall, I rode the Alaskan Highway on my 2005 Goldwing. It was a great bike but alas, I watched all the enduro bikes passing me and told myself, "I have to get one of those." So after I returned from Alaska, I began the research and search for a BMW. I found one in New Hampshire on Cycle Trader. After some dickering and haggling, I bought a 2005 R1200 RT. It was three years old and had only 1,184 miles on the odometer. So on August 26, 2008 I hopped on a one-way
2005 R1200 RT
The boxer engine (2 cyclinders) has quite a bit of torq and is a lot of fun to drive. flight to Manchester, NH to ride my new bike home.
Second Wind BMW staff (http://www.secondwindbmw.com/) were awesome in getting me acclimated to a new type of bike and all the idiosyncrasies associated with German engineering. The power band is different from the Wing and you have to shift more often but the feel is truly wonderful. Did I mention that it weighs in at 500 lbs compared to the Wing 800 lbs. That helped with my lower back problems.
The ride home took me through NH, CONN, NY, NJ, PA, W. VA, Ohio, KY, IN, IL, WI, MN, and ND. I put more miles on in three days than were put on in three years! Aside from running out of gas in New Jersey, the trip was very enjoyable, even though I do not like riding in bumper to bumper traffic common in the East coast metro areas. I averaged around 42 mpg.
And it was on the way home that I also received a call and was offered my new position as Director of Service Member and Family Support for the ND National Guard. I had just retired as the Public Information Officer for the NDNG
2005 R1200 RT
I don't have as much space of the Wing but then I learned from my Alaska trip to pack even lighter! but was now back in service, this time without the uniform. We take care of all military veterans that are in need of assistance as well as their families. It is a very worthwhile job and one that matches my skill sets. But that's another story for another blog!
I put the Goldwing on a local internet sales website and it was sold overnight! Meant to be I guess. Proud owners live in Beulah, ND and I'm sure they have put lots of miles on as well.
If you would like to read about the Alaska Adventure, a local high school student and friend wrote a story fo the Bismarck Tribune. You can access the story at: http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2008/09/14/news/local/164528.txt
Caity did a great job on capturing the essense of the trip. Thanks Caity.
Next entry will be a short blog about my third trip to the West African nation of Ghana...stay tuned.
Rob Keller
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shelle michaels
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Always great to see you
I have been a lucky one... as I know why you are busy and I still get to see you! Have a great day!! Today is not only Flag Day but the 234th Birthday of the US Army!!