KTMrad 68 Report post Posted October 30, 2016 And so the journey begins..... PLEASE NOTE: For people visiting this page to read our trip report who are not on this forum, WELCOME !! To read and see photos, please page down thru all the posts and photos....when you get to the bottom, you'll have to click on the Button/Icon on lower bottom left or right that says Next Page, or Page 2....and so on, to continue reading our trip report....thanks for visiting and reading our report ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've always loved long trips on a motorcycle, and after meeting Austin Vince at a Round the World presentation about his home made movie "Mondo Enduro" at BMW Motorcycles of Escondido a few years ago, I got the bug of possibly doing a round the world trip myself. I also hosted about 15 motorcycle travelers at my home over the last 4 years, some of them on their own round the world trips. I was inspired by all the people I hosted, and continued to attend round the world trip presentations at local shops whenever I could. In February of 2015 there were some changes in my life and I realized I should start planning my own journey around the world. I had just adopted a dog (Doc Holliday) 3 months earlier after my last one passed, and I thought "what should I do with my new dog" ? I contemplated getting rid of him, but I just could not do that. So I started researching traveling with a dog and found Kuhjunge's round the world trip report on ADVrider, where he and his girlfriend were traveling with 2 bikes and 3 dogs in a sidecar. Also got referred to Stan McGhee in Germany, who travels with his wife and dog all over in a sidecar. I asked them specific questions, like if the extra time, money and effort involved with taking a dog to other countries was worth it, and if they had to do it again, would they do it with a dog. Both said that it was well worth it, they would do it again with a dog, and a dog will often enhance your trip and even open doors for you in many places. So, I started researching what is needed for entry into other countries with a dog, found a travel site called "PetTravel.com" which is a wealth of information, and decided Doc Holliday was going with me. First thing was to decide what bike to buy for this journey. I wanted shaft drive, parts availability and reliability with good power. There were only a few choices in my mind...BMW 1150 or 1200 GS, Yamaha Super Tenere 1200, an older Airhead BMW GS and maybe a couple of others came to mind. One night, a friend Ed (Shafted) and I were sitting in our favorite fish taco bar in Ocean Beach, discussing my plans and what bike to use. I didn't like the fact that on an older Super Tenere, you cannot turn off the ABS and the newer ones have too much electronics like suspension adjustment, etc. The newer BMW's also have too much electronic suspension, canbus and ABS. An older Airhead to me, doesn't have enough power for a heavy sidecar rig and they also have weak electrical systems and alternator. Ed said, "you know, about a 2003 BMW 1150GS "Sport" Model would be just about ideal"...no canbus, no ABS, strong alternator. He happened to check Craigslist later that night and found one an hour and a half away, with only 9500 miles in showroom condition...I said, "I'm going to buy it this weekend, whether or not I use it for this trip". So that's what I did. Next step was start looking for a sidecar builder. I contacted a few around the country and chose Chris Canterbury of Boxer Metal, in Chico, CA. The design process and commissioning of the sidehack build started in August of 2015. Wheels, subframe and leading link front end were ordered from EZS Sidecar in the Netherlands. The parts arrived in December at LAX in Los Angeles and I happened to be working in LA that day, so I picked up the crate and later that week, drove the parts and the bike up to Chico in the truck with Doc. Commissioning the build on a handshake. Doc Holliday was jumpin' for joy.... Some pix from later on, during the build process..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted October 30, 2016 The rig was close to completion in early August, so I got a one way rental up to Chico, took my riding gear, tools and Doc with me to go pick up the rig from Boxer Metal. Here's a few pix of Chris working in the shop...I helped him work on it some, and I got to know the workings of a lot of it while I hung out as he put on all the finishing touches. Custom solar panel, much more efficient than most you can buy....powerful enough to charge laptop, has a controller inside top Jessie Luggage case, with USB ports, and also constantly charges bike battery. Doc is a big boy....the body is designed to my specifications, so he can fully stand, turn around and lay down sprawled out inside the chair....after 2 attempts, he got in on his own... Chris working on the wiring.... It's a beautiful thing....accessory board inside the chair.... Dinner time... Had to go here one night.... Chris getting ready for the first test ride after completion.... Chris showing off how to get "the chair in the air" ! Test ride with me in the chair, looking up at Chris as the pilot... I had to test ride in the chair to make sure it was safe for Doc, check out wind noise, etc. My first ride on the rig.... C Getting ready to leave Chico for the ride home... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted October 30, 2016 The ride home from Chico down the I-5 was hot....I had to stop every hour to let Doc cool off, give him water and sometimes find a place where we could go inside with air conditioning... Doc chilin' on a cool floor... Our rig draws a lot of attention, people taking photos of it all the time, coming up to talk to me....this guy wanted to follow me down the road a ways, make sure I was OK...that was cool of him. Another rest stop on the way home.... Had a couple of going away get-togethers with friends.... It was a few weeks before I was actually ready to get out of my rent house, have a big yard sale to sell most of my belongings and finally get out on the road....more to come. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted October 31, 2016 Before I left San Diego, I attended a couple more round the world presentations by Simon and LIsa Thomas, and Sam Manicom. At Sam's presentation, he introduced me to Bonzai Becky and Andrea of Motoventuring.com...2 wild and crazy chicks who rode their DRZ400's to South America. Becky said if I needed any graphic work for Blog, stickers, etc. she'd be glad to help so I took her up on the offer. My friend Shafted and I met them both in Ocean Beach for fish tacos....we had a blast. We came up with a name and website address for this trip report....RadnDoc.com, so if anyone wants to follow us, I'll be updating this trip report as we travel. Becky soon came up with a cool sticker design and ordered me 500 so I can hand them out to people I meet on the road.... L to R, Ed, Andrea, me and Becky I finally got on the road on September 4th...My first night of the trip, I made it to Fullerton, just 2 hours from San Diego...my Airhead friends invited me to stop and see them as my first official stop of the trip....here's a pic of my friend John's old Airhead with an original Steib sidecar on it....John has quite a colleciton of bikes, ALL Airhead Boxers.... As i was hanging out with my friends in Fullerton, I mentioned that the rear luggage section of the hack was sitting way too low fully loaded....John and I looked at it closely, and he mentioned he had a friend who is a really good welder...we decided to cut the rear section off the sidecar subframe and raise it 5". In the process, before I had it welded, I somehow shorted some wires and the bike would not run. I fixed the fried wires but still no power with key on. I had to take the bike to Irv Seaver BMW to analyze the problem....they had the bike for 2 1/2 weeks before finding and fixing the problem, just a burned out ignition switch. In the meantime while bike was in shop, the Airheads were having their yearly Kings Canyon campout, so I decided to rent a car so I could attend the rally. Did some good hiking with my boy Doc in Kings Canyon and the Seqouia Nat'l Park area.... I've been to see the giant Seqouia trees many times and still never get tired of them.... The Airheads at the group campsite... Doc crashed out after a busy day.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted October 31, 2016 Since I was bikeless, I had to find some good hikes....some great scenery, and lots of pix of Doc.... Usually there's a waterfall, you can see where the water usually cascades down the rocks...but California is in a drought so no waterfall. One of my favorite pix of Doc... Video of box canyon, and Doc gettin' himself in trouble on the rocks....see what a dogs nails are really for.... https://photos.smugmug.com/Sidehack-Adventures-of-Rad-n/i-43tm6zS/0/640/20160910_164641-640.mp4 On the way back to campsite, stopped for an awesome sunset on the mountains.... A tired pup again, after an active day.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted October 31, 2016 On the way out of Seqouia National Park, I took the 23 mile drive up to Mineral King...all the times I had been to Seqouia, never went up here...I'm glad I did...great views. Stopped to check out this guy crossing the road...dropped a quarter for size comparison, Video of the Mineral King Area.... https://photos.smugmug.com/Sidehack-Adventures-of-Rad-n/i-vQFB36v/0/640/20160911_173210-640.mp4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted October 31, 2016 Back in Fullerton, I ordered Doc some "Rex Specs" K9 goggles.... Had to get some electrical parts, and while there, Doc got a buddy to play inside the store.... https://photos.smugmug.com/Sidehack-Adventures-of-Rad-n/i-XsjcRTC/0/640/20160916_114309-640.mp4 A guy showed up to my friend John's house with this trick bike....very cool. A short hike in the hills of Fullerton.... Finally, got my rig back from Irv Seaver's....time to ride ! Went up to Carpinteria to join the Airheads for a Tech Day at Martin's shop... My friend John who was my host in Fullerton, working on his 1941 or around that year, BMW....cool bike ! Went to Carpinteria Beach...there is natural tar oozing out of the cliffs...the Indians used to use this for their canoes. Troy, Sherri, Doc, and his new girlfriends... Our accommodations for the night in the parking lot.... Had a great time with my Airhead friends and met new ones... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted October 31, 2016 The next day, took a ride to check out the Montecito Motor Classic Car and Bike Show....lots of nice machinery....I took loads of photos, but here are a few of my favorites... Nice license plate.... One of my favorite cars.... Video of the bikes..... https://photos.smugmug.com/Sidehack-Adventures-of-Rad-n/i-KcBzDJQ/0/640/20160925_121545-640.mp4 After the motor classic, took a ride thru Santa Barbara, then up into the mountains near Ojai....it was pretty hot that day, Doc was exhausted....took an hour break in the shade, then had dinner at a nice Italian joint in the mountains. The end of another good day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted October 31, 2016 Finally, this day actually felt like the real start of my trip....heading north to the Sierra Nevada mountains up Hwy 395. At a gas stop in Pearsonville, I heard something that didn't sound right from my front end...I carefully examined the wheel and brake calipers....found a couple missing bolts and loose bolts on the calipers. Luckily, I stocked up on spare bolts, nuts and washers before I left. I had all the bolts necessary and soon was on my way. Funny how Doc guards the rig....I don't think anyone will mess with it. I stopped in Lone PIne for a room at 3am. Next morning, met some English folks renting Harleys and touring parts of the USA... In the lobby of the historic Dow Villa Motel, I saw a cute girl in riding pants...figured she had to be on a bike, so went outside and met Thomas and Helene from Germany, their name on ADVrider is "Wipeout"...they are touring the USA, Canada and South America 2 up on an F800GS. Lobby of the Dow Villa Motel...famous movie area, lots of memorabilia.... Five Bold Women....oh yeah ! The view across from the motel...Mt. Whitney and the Eastern Sierra Nevada...I've been addicted to these mountains for years ! Not a clear shot, but that's Mt. Whitney....highest mountain in the contiguous United States, elevation 14,505 feet. Had to go to the Alabama Hills, Movie Flats...love this area...many westerns and other movies were filmed here...plus, a chance for riding off road ! Let the dirt roads begin !! I've been waiting for this...the first time really riding off pavement with the rig. The old runway at Manzanar, where they flew in Japanese Americans during WWII and put them in relocation camps, similar to concentration camps. I love exploring dirt roads, and I'm really loving it with this rig ! More to come from the end of this day.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThumperBob 5 Report post Posted October 31, 2016 Awesome! Keep them coming Randy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wierdrider 59 Report post Posted November 1, 2016 Great RR Randy, have a great journey. I'll be riding along in spirit. Did Doc chase any deer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 As I headed north on 395, I took the turnoff to Onion Valley and on the way up the grade, saw a jeep trail...I just had to check it out. Well, it got rocky and I found the limitations of the rig....weight, ground clearance and dry clutch limit what I can do. The sidecar wheel got stuck on a rock and I was feathering the clutch trying to get over the rock and then smoke started coming from the clutch. My friend warned me that these dry clutches won't take too much abuse before you completely fry them, so I knew I would go no further up this trail....time to back the heavy rig down the trail backwards...that took me half an hour. I had to laugh, I was starting to push my limits on the first day of dirt riding with the rig. Finally got it turned around after pushing backwards at least 150 yards...finger shows how far I had to push it down the trail.... I was a little worn out.... Doc lookin' at me like, "wassup" ? Sunset on the Sierra Nevada....tomorrow, more riding in the Bishop area.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADV Bum 36 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 Glad you made it out. Do they make an AT or knobby tire for your rig? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Diego 4 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 Good stuff, Randy! Perhaps a harness for Doc is in order for the next time you get into a tough situation? Mush! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.JAJA 47 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 1 hour ago, KTMrad said: Better you find the limit here than in "Cambodia" with no one around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 Next day I went to see my friend Dale in Bishop....met him 10 years ago on one of my "High Sierra Adventure Ride" explorations (see ride report from 2006). He is now 82 years young, still riding and living life. I wanted to go do the Buttermilk Loop. We started up the first hill and sure enough, the rocks were getting in the way. Dale said, "c'mon, let's hook up that winch and try it out". I thought that a good idea, but I hadn't reviewed the manual yet, didn't have it with me and didn't know which terminals were positive and negative...didn't want to ruin the motor, so no winch this time. Dale went around the next turn and the rocks got worse, so we wouldn't be doing this loop today. Dale decided to head home and I continued riding around. Dale surveying the situation. Dale and I taking an "ussie" Dale on his self-customized Honda, next to a section of old Redwood 54" water pipe. A break in the shade. I took a ride up to Lake Sabrina and North Lake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 Continued exploring dirt roads above Bishop until sunset....as usual, I can't get enough dirt, even with this beast of a rig. Doc was a tired boy after exploring for a few hours.... After Dale and Ann hosted me for the night, next day it was time to leave Bishop and my friends.... Ann gave Doc a fluffy little animal, he carried around in his sidecar for awhile, until he lost it. Ahhh yes, love seeing these signs.... Headed up Fish Slough area to Chicago Canyon on the way to Mammoth...it got pretty chilly, about 40 degrees. At one point I passed the turnoff for Chicago Canyon so I pulled wide on the shoulder to make a u-turn, but got stuck in soft sand....figured it was time to dig it out, but along came a Jeep and I flagged them down....a quick push from 2 guys and I was on my way...I thanked them for their help, made my life easier. The rig in Chicago Canyon, love this area ! Got up to Mammoth and stopped to throw some groceries down my neck....I realized Doc was shivering. Luckily, next door was a pet shop and I bought him a "Ruff Wear" insulated vest...he was a happy boy. I got a room in Mammoth, and was checking over the bike for loose bolts and also a rubbing noise possibly from the brakes...sure enough, I found the rear brake pads on the bike were gone. It was too late to call bike shops, so I researched my options....ride towards Reno about 150 miles with metal to metal pads, or have them shipped from SDBMW...so, next day I had my buddy Geoff (King Guru of accessories) ship brake pads overnight to me. So, I'd be stuck in Mammoth for 2 days, but not a bad place to be stuck ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThumperBob 5 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 Love reading your posts Randy. Keep them coming! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Champ 23 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 You'll have to figure out the winch, hook it to the front and spin the rig around on the trail. Ask any tow truck guy they can show you how to do it damage free. Or get a harness and a whip, let me see is mush left or right? Oh well Doc will figure it out if you use the whip right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted November 9, 2016 3 hours ago, ADV Bum said: Glad you made it out. Do they make an AT or knobby tire for your rig? Well, it's a car rim...I can try to find d a more aggressive tire, but it's for smaller cars so I doubt it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted November 9, 2016 3 hours ago, Mr.JAJA said: Better you find the limit here than in "Cambodia" with no one around. Yep...that's why we're doing a year in USA first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted November 10, 2016 In Mammoth, I had to try the dirt road up to San Joaquin Ridge....I did it a few years ago on my 950 and remember the spectacular view up there. So I took the twisty dirt road thru the trees and then started up a couple rocky hillclimbs. Again, the weight and ground clearance were an issue and I remember the last section was very steep, so I turned around to go park at the Minaret Vista....great view also, just not as spectacular as up on the ridge. I enjoy reading about the history of these places..... All these years I've gone to Mammoth, I had never gone into the Devil's Postpile National Monument, so I was happy to see it this time.... Interesting how these vertical, hexagonal shapes were naturally formed... On the short hike back to the parking area, I ran into a bunch of kids and started talking with them, asked where they were from. They were on a school field trip with about 35 kids and some teachers from Los Angeles...I thought how great that the school is getting them out to see places like this. Back at the parking area, I figured Doc in the sidecar would be a big hit with the kids, so I pulled up and suddenly, we were swarmed....Doc was a bit nervous at first with all the kids, but he quickly became the star of the show...I had him doing his double high five trick, so all the kids were asking him to do it. The kids asked why I was riding around the country and then the world, and I told them...."if you have dreams....you should try to live them out in your lifetime". Doc was hamming it up for sure. I handed out a bunch of my Rad n Doc blog stickers, they all really liked that. The teachers got a kick out of the "Doc Holliday, I'm Your Huckleberry" sticker on the door of the hack. Sunset on the way out of the park.... After you've paged thru the posts on this page, please continue to next page by hitting "Next Page" or Page 2 button on lower right of your screen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Covered in Dust 45 Report post Posted November 10, 2016 Cool stuff Randy, I notice in some pics you have the top box on behind the sidecar and not in others. Is there a lot of weight and where do you leave it when your not using it. CiD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KTMrad 68 Report post Posted November 10, 2016 2 hours ago, Covered in Dust said: Cool stuff Randy, I notice in some pics you have the top box on behind the sidecar and not in others. Is there a lot of weight and where do you leave it when your not using it.CiD Chris, if I'm staying with friends or in a motel, or even camping, and just go riding and return to home base...if I can leave some of the weight behind, that's what I do. The less weight for day trips the better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
97xr400r 39 Report post Posted November 10, 2016 the good stuff! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
