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I started a Facebook group last year for VFR riders of Driftless Wisconsin. Being from Chicago I thought it might be a good way to link up with folks that really appreciate riding in this region of the country that wasn't scraped flat by the last ice age. We plan rides, camp- outs & let folks fortunate enough to live there when we'll be passing through. VFR's attract distinguished gentlefolk that morph into discerning adrenaline junkies on motorbikes. So I've only met real decent and interesting folks thru this group. Please feel free to join even if you are only curious. https://www.facebook.com/groups/204699877660244/?ref=share

So, my wife and I were supposed to go to Cedar Point for three days next week (Monday through Wednesday) but we found out she is expecting (a while ago) and that means roller coasters and amusement rides are out. Before she hits that uncomfortable stage, we decided that instead we were going to go on a small-ish tour for 5-7 days (we're allowed some flexibility here). We will be leaving Windsor on Monday, and then riding around the bay, up to Sarnia, from there we will be riding along the lake to Owen Sound, and up Bruce Peninsula, at the northern tip, we will be taking the ferry over to Manitoulin Island, riding north, and crossing the oldest working swing bridge in the world, further north than east to Sudbury to visit some old friends, then east again to North Bay, then south to Huntsville, again for a reconnection. After that, we will be heading to Vaughan to stop by at my sister-in-law's and then Niagara Falls, after that, we will be traveling along Lake Erie on our return trip home. Fortunately, I had a bunch of lieu time at work, so took two days off, which finally gave me time to do things I've been meaning to do for a while. Bled the cooling system, added my USB Power, which will complement my clutch reservoir RAM mount that should be arriving tomorrow along with my phone mount, killed my battery in the process (after several starts, I very intelligently left the key in the ignition and left it on), I freaked out because I thought it had something to do with the USB charger I had installed, jumped the bike and ran around town to charge the battery. Good news is, the bike seems to run at about 85C now instead of nearly 100-110, and I'm not afraid to idle. I also heard the fans for the first time since getting the bike. Need to top up my brake fluid next. But that is a job for tomorrow.

On hold till better weather...May 21, 2016 ... I have a wet marbles phobia. Anybody want to ride Santa Cruz mountains Sunday? May 22? Wannabe dual sport owners can camp off the beaten path. There is an eight mile stretch of dirt road at the end of day 1 …. I think any sport bike with decent tread could make it without problem. KSU 9am Sat May 21, Peet's Los Gatos 798-1 Blossom Hill (Kings Court Shopping Center) Day 1 https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zqVkZQDS4i8o.kF7e5CvbEaxs This is an unimproved camp ground…no water, no rest rooms, no poison oak. http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/gallery/image/70684-20150201-141800/ Day 2 https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zqVkZQDS4i8o.kZUZmAtRzj1k Some may want to make it a one day and head back to Monterey after checking out Prewitt Ridge ecn

As of right now, I'm planning a quick jaunt from Memphis to Mountain View, AR Friday afternoon and home Saturday evening. Not sure what I hope to get out this thread, except putting my plan to paper as a double-check on myself. Right now my goals are: One last long ride on the VFR Hammock Camping at Blanchard Springs Not freezing to death (low of 33f) Fly Fishing in the morning Hot coffee and breakfast maybe some backpacking/hiking around the area before I head home. It's only 3 hours and I've been over there several times for the Sylamore 50k. I love the area and figured it would be just far enough from home to feel like a real trip. I've been doing some spring maintenance this week including oil and filter, coolant flush and a really good clean up. Depending on cell signal, I'll try and update this thread with pics along the way. My phone is the only camera I'm taking, so it should be possible. I've also got a USB charging setup and iPhone Ram mount on the "dash" of the bike. Here's my planned route: And my trusty steed:

When life throws you a curveball, leave the stadium. Though you probably won’t find that on a motivational poster, sometimes a getaway is all you need. This time I'm armed with the trio of my VFR1200, my usual orange tent (sans its notoriously leaky rain fly), and a DSLR that still won’t autofocus. I ran away for the holiday, so for a few moments you can run away too -- hopefully on company time. As is now the custom, all captions/descriptions limited to 140 characters or less, Twitter-style, since modern attention spans are oh look, something shiny! Let’s roll.

I'm simul-posting this on ADV, but figure I will post here as well since quite a few VFRD members asked for a heads up whenever I got around to doing it. Mods please move me to "other motorcycle talk" if needed. A 2014 summer's tale of one idiot with no friends, a WR250R pack mule, and a leaky tent -- as told through the lens of a cheap DSLR that won't autofocus. 34 days of solitude, scenery, and aimless wandering in the Centennial State. All captions/descriptions limited to 140 characters or less, Twitter-style, since we all read Playboy for the articles. Let's roll.

Your defacto leader has emerged from the depths -- healed and ready to ride. Soon enough it will be time to celebrate the warmth and green hills of spring by camping in closed campgrounds. Speed limits will be disobeyed, maps will be largely ignored, and drinks will be served. Likely route: Day 1 - http://yhoo.it/1BVrRal Day 2 - http://yhoo.it/1MddkIs IN: BrianF ecn TC TJ crazybro? dadofseven? Motivation:

After months and months of anticipation, I finally headed out on my solo trip out west. 21 Days, 10 National Parks and 7,248 miles later, I returned home last Friday. Incredible, amazing, and unreal are all fitting adjectives to describe this trek. Seeing some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet is a humbling experience and it gave me a new perception of what really matters. Below are some photos from my phone. However, I will be posting mostly "real" photos from my Olympus EM5 in the report. I rode my 2007 Honda VFR800, a truly amazing bike that never quit. Maybe my next trip will be on a Commando? Clearing skies in the Grand Tetons A long but surreally beautiful day across the Hi-Line in Montana Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, Swiftcurrent Lake. Monument Valley. So cool. I couldn't get enough of Montana. It's a dream. More Teton awesomeness. Chicks keeping me up all night. Glad I got a chance to see these guys close up. Sometimes you need to put your bike in the hotel room Camping at Muley Point This report will be photo heavy!