TravelStream™ news feed for member smorourke on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/smorourke en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:55:47 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184715600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184715600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184715600/tpod.html Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:55:47 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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Santa Cruz, California, United States

We DID make it to Santa Cruz, CA - I had severe computer issues preventing me from updating the final few stops on this journey. I promise to have the photos and logs updated ASAP. Updates coming over the next few days.....

Needless to say, we had a great time.










Okay, the official Santa Cruz update. We made it to Mike and Christina's new pad (unbelievable spot in Capitola/Santa Cruz, CA) in good form. We kept all the bikes upright the entire trip and were ahead of schedule. We planned on riding more of the PCH on Wednesday, but due to some heavy fog, we decided we would just ride to the BMW dealership and drop the bikes off for their journey home. The last official count was 3,407 total miles.

The circle was complete as both Mike and I took my cousin Mike for rides on our repsective bikes. It is now official - I can feel the 50 lb difference between the Bonigut boys. The K-train is no longer allowed on the back of any bike - he needs his own ride. Really, that goes for Mike too....

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184702760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184702760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184702760/tpod.html Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:47:15 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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San Francisco, California, United States

Our 11th day brought us through Reno and Truckee. We made our way around Lake Tahoe which was amazing. This was the first time I had been to this area in the summer and definitely need to make it back out....

Cory drove up to Truckee to see us off and eat breakfast - we ate at the Squeeze Inn where there is a menu item named for Cory - I am not kidding....It is called the "Cory Stack" (Yeah, it is short, just like Cory)...once I have a chance, I will upload the evidence.












We got some great shots around Lake Tahoe, including these at Emerald Bay...











After Tahoe, we hustled to San Francisco to hook back up with Rick. We went out of our way to enter the city via the Golden Gate bridge and heather made sure this event was properly recorded...













We had quite the celebration for making it to the Left Coast - we drank to excess and the rest of the night went down like this:

* Rick disappeared and did not show back up at the hotel until 5:30 AM - he has little to no recollection of what happened between 1 AM and 5:30 AM, although he has a tender bottom and an extra $100 in his pocket...his demise began here:










* Heather and Mike left me at the bar as I was busy working on our international relations with a German girl - she had low morals and low standards - two key ingredients.....unfortunately, she must have sobered up because we only got to heavy petting before she cabbed it home. I have a Polaroid - but no digital pics....sorry boys...*Updated* scanned polariod:













* Once I got back to the hotel, I could not get in my room due to Rick's late night San Fran tour, so I had to crawl into be with Mike and Heather - unbeknownst to Mike who woke up with my feet next to his head.....butts to nuts.

This is how Mike passed out that night:










We are now on our way to Mike's and the final stop....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184548200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184548200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184548200/tpod.html Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:27:45 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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Reno, Nevada, United States

We crushed 570 miles today and made it all the way to Reno, NV....we are looking for Cory, but we are about a day early....Mike and I were rolling today...we averaged 82 miles per hour...this INCLUDED our breaks and lunch....I think our average speed was 95-100 for most of the way.

See for yourself....once again, safety first....









Route 50 is called the "Loneliest Highway" in Nevada - for good reason. I think we passed (in both directions) about 60 cars.

We basically had 15-20 mile stretches of highway and then a mountain pass. Repeat and repeat until you hit Reno, NV.











I will update this later with the pictures from today and yesterday....

**** Updated....I had some technical difficulties with my laptop, but I have finally been able to get the pictures on the site....*****


We finally hooked up with our little friend Cory for some dinner and treats. Although he has relocated to the West Coast - Cobo 4 remains the same. Small in stature - correct; Big in personality - indeed!!! We went out to eat in Reno to a great restaurant and Cory orders a steak....and A1 steak sauce. He was upset we couldn't go to Sizzler....











Later on, we headed back downtown for a few more drinks. Cory is still easy to pack and ship if need be.










I also test drove a new bike for the remainder of the bike in a relatively inebriated state. Luckily, I stuck with the Harley as it fit me a little better.











We also realized it looked like Mike had gotten new hands installed by this time in the trip from the sun hitting him between his jacket and his gloves. We thought this was funny...maybe we were bored...

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184475720/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184475720/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184475720/tpod.html Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:05:54 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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Richfield, Utah, United States

We booked a solid 365 miles today. We made our way North from Montrose through Grand Junction and then headed West. Route 50 and Interstate 70 combine for about 200+ miles so we ducked off on route 128 south and rode through Moab.....Unreal scenery!!

We then headed North on 191 and back to 70/50 and finally made our way to Richfield, UT. I would update with pictures (Heather went nuts again and took some amazing shots from the back of Mike's bike), but the Internet is not working in the hotel.

We plan on getting up early so we can get to Reno tomorrow night and hang with Cory and the insta-family....

Side note - Rick's height/mountain phobia got the best of him and he had to call it quits in Grand Junction. He is going to meet us in San Francisco.....he is none too pleased, especially since he made it all the way to CO....this is a great excuse to do this trip all over again.

Once we get somewhere with a good connection, I will get the pics uploaded and a few videos....

See you in Nevada!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184116500/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184116500/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184116500/tpod.html Sat, 14 Jul 2007 02:23:57 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Another 280 miles; however, this time we ended up in a great city with great drinks, and BBQ and took full advantage.

Our trip took us through the entire state of Missouri, including a nice lunch stop in Jefferson City (the state capital). We had some thin crust pizza right across the street from the capital building.....










We arrived in Kansas City around 8:30 PM and it took about an hour and a half to find a hotel and get cleaned up.....then we headed out....

We listened to our fans and really tried to get in all requests during one stop.

Neil, we ate at Jack's Stacks - the chief competitor to Gates for the best BBQ in Kansas City. My aunt Pat was able to meet us out for dinner and drinks....












Cutlip, we drank to excess for the first time on the trip.















We also met Cooper's twin - not in only in looks, but also in disposition - he kicked us out of the first bar......d$ck.....












Rick thought he had made some friends.....well, not so much...












I was up to my usual antics....(still can't figure out why that marriage didn't take...)










Finally, some shots with me on some statue

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184366580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184366580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184366580/tpod.html Sat, 14 Jul 2007 01:57:02 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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Montrose, Colorado, United States

Unbelievable scenery....the ride today was incredible. Heather went nuts on the camera and we should have some great shots to share soon. We got an early start and made it into Montrose around 4 PM. We only put on about 230 miles today - we gave the boy (Rick) a break as the mountain passes weren't too friendly to him later in the day. He is ready to cocktail and hunt for Cougars.

I will update later....

**Update**

Okay, here you go, check out the shots from Heather....if you want to see what the ride was like, check out the video..








I cannot do this ride justice....

We had a great time in Montrose - in fact, we had our best dinner so far and did a good job cocktailing.











Tomorrow we are on to Utah. We might have to sneak in real liquor....F'n Mormons......
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184287440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184287440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184287440/tpod.html Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:54:11 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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Pueblo, Colorado, United States

Around 300 miles logged today to make it to Pueblo, CO. Once again, Kansas is BORING!! Mike and I were able to speed test our bikes and try our best not to fall asleep.

We rolled into town and were able to wash our bikes and do some laundry. I think we are going to have another good night out...stay tuned....

I will update later with pictures.

**Update**

We did quite well tonight - we found a great Mexican place in Pueblo and a few good bars. Nothing too crazy (sorry Chris), but at least we found the local Paris Hilton...










Also, we found an a-hole in CO - I was too tired to tell this donkey he and his team sucked....










We are on to the other side of the Rockies tomorrow....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184204580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184204580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184204580/tpod.html Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:24:04 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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Dodge City, Kansas, United States

We have just arrived in Dodge City, KS. We broke off 365 miles today...

Rick was done..










Rick is really in the spirit of this town and is wearing his chaps with a gun belt. He keeps challenging everyone to a dual...

I will update this later once I have had some drinks and more pics.

The state of Kansas is good for one thing - getting the HOG up to 110.....and riding standing up. This is a fly over state for sure.











Not much going on here - a little dissappointed. We are shutting it down and getting out of here ASAP after a stop at the Harley dealership....

We are trying to get to Pueblo, CO tomorrow.

I forgot to comment on Florence, KS - where we ate for lunch. It is in the middle of Kansas and I am pretty sure no one I will ever know will ever have eaten in Florence, KS. We ate at the "Chuckwagon"....see the pics...it will never do it justice. Mike was the first black person they had seen since Leroy had left his mix tape...ask Mike for the explanation...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184028480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184028480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1184028480/tpod.html Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:20:42 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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St. Louis, Missouri, United States

This was our longest ride so far - we clicked off 400 miles between Cincinnati and St. Louis. It was a very easy ride until the last 15-20 miles when we rode into a thunderstorm. We had to break out the rain gear under an overpass












We had a good dinner at a local steakhouse and watched some blues at a local bar.











We get to spend some time tomorrow cleaning up the bikes. Onto Kansas City.....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1183950720/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1183950720/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smorourke/moto_gp_ride-07/1183950720/tpod.html Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:52:57 -0400 Riding motorcycles across country - 3 bikes, 4 riders and route 50 to California - Final destination: Santa Cruz, CA

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Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

So we had a great second day of successful riding. We made it from Clarksburg, WV to Cincinnati, OH. We were able to get on the road around 7:30 AM and arrived at 2:30 PM, putting over 260 miles on the bikes. Great weather and easy roads made it a very relaxed day of riding. Route 50 is mainly a divided highway in this stretch so it made it easy to sit back and relax and kick up on the highway pegs.











Our first main stop was for breakfast and we decided to honor our friend Chris Cutlip by stopping in Athens, OH - home of Ohio University. The last time I was there was during our college days, and, well, needless to say it was not the healthiest of times as far as the liver and chemicals went......but I digress












Breakfast was enjoyed at the Cross Street Diner in downtown Athens. We had a brief tour through town and got back onto 50 to continue on towards Cincinnati. Heather came through with some great video shots - the last one from Indian Hill Road which is only 5-10 miles from where Kurt lives. If this stretch of road doesn't force you into a motorcycle purchase, I do not know what will....








Kurt and Jen (and Della and Sampson) played hosts for our stay in Cinci - we had an ungodly amount of ribs for dinner followed by more ribs and other delicious sides (Mac & cheese, etc.). And, as you know, when in the company of pure genius (Kurt Bonigut), you need only to sit back and listen to his vision. This normally includes bouts of pure psychosis, rage, peace, and, eventually, focused chaos. We were not disappointed. I was able to take both Kurt and Jen for quick ride on the bike. I have a weight and height limit for a rider now - it is 265 lbs and 7'-18". Too much man for the back of the bike, although I think I got my front wheel off the ground shifting from first to second with Kurt on the back.




We are onto St. Louis in the morning.....
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