AN ODYSSEY OF ADVENTURE AND DISCOVERY
by Joseph Notovitz
Day One
In honor of my Mom, who was a Holocaust survivor, I make a solid effort to participate in the annual Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance Ride to Remember. This event supports Holocaust education in cities where it is needed most. Each year, the event takes place in a different city, and is a powerful tribute to the memory of victims of the Holocaust, serving as a reminder to never forget the lessons of history. Motorcycle riders from across the nation come together to ride in solidarity, to fight hatred, and appreciate the good things we all have.
It was Thursday, August 25, 2022. I had just completed my packing list — it contained each and every item I would need to gather and load before departing the next morning for the Ride to Remember, with a stop in Ottawa, Canada. In Evernote, one of my important note-taking tools, I have around 16 packing lists, each for a specific trip destination, length, mode of travel, number of days, and season. For this first ever planned route to Kanata, Ontario, then across the United States and back to New York, I had no pre-written list. So my list, called “Cross-Country — 30 days”, with its 48 individual items, took some time, but allowed me to pack and load in a very short time.
My BMW R1200GS fully loaded for the journey
The next morning, I headed northward, to attend my cousin’s daughter’s wedding — with my son Steven, my wife Gail, and my formal wedding clothing — following the next day by car.
On long motorcycle trips of mostly highway, I typically aim to cover around 300 miles per day. This is a lot for some of my friends, and too short for others. But for me, it allows a casual enjoyment of the journey, as well as time to experience sites and photo opportunities along the way. My trips, as with this one, involve a stop around every hour and a half — for fueling, washroom, lunch, and stretching. The following three important items are a part of every trip:
Hydration
I will always wear my Camelbak 4-litre light and durable water pack, and I will take 8 sips every 30-45 minutes without fail. At most ages, dehydration can trigger serious health issues, regardless of weather condition. Stopping for a break, and taking a few sips out of a purchased water bottle is never sufficient, and will almost always lead to dehydration. Hazardous loss of focus, heat stroke, fatigue, and heart arrhythmias are a few of the maladies you will face if seriously dehydrated. With the tube and mouthpiece inches from your mouth, a Camelbak offers the only viable solution to consistently and safely hydrate throughout the day.
Staying Limber
I have a number of simple exercises and stretches I do around every two hours throughout the day, first stretching key muscles to prevent cramps and discomfort. Starting from my ankles, I work my way up to my neck, then follow with several resistance exercises to work the most important muscle groups — arms, legs, core, shoulders, and back. These exercises can go a long way to minimize the pain and stiffness of a long ride. In an upcoming article, I will share some specific exercises, and order of doing them.
Safety Gear
No matter what the weather or local laws throw your way, full safety gear, and a full-face helmet are of utmost importance. Thrown on top of everything, I wear a Hit Air air-bag vest, with a tether. If I am ever separated from the bike (during a crash or fall), the vest will deploy in less than a quarter of a second, which offers protection before “impact”. It can be worn over any type of clothing, and can be reused multiple times — the CO2 cartridge can be replaced within a few minutes (I carry 2 just in case).
During my first day, I experienced scenic and curvy roads through New York State’s Old Route 17 along Delaware River, Cooks Falls, County Road 71, Fish’s Eddy, and Hancock, before reaching a Motel 6, in East Syracuse, 278 miles from my start.
Sunset and a Motel 6 welcome me to East Syracuse, NY
Day Two
As I roared towards the Canadian border, I could clearly see in the distance, increasingly dark and ominous skies. For me, it was a huge, virtual road sign saying I should pull over, and calmly deploy my rain gear, as soon as possible. So I complied. My two-piece rain suit is thin, but it allows not a drop of water to seep through, no matter what the sky flings towards me. My rain gear, coupled with my familiarity of riding my bike through heavy rain and groundwater, offer me the confidence and focus I need to keep going.
Approaching a strong rain storm ahead
Suddenly, I entered a massive rain storm, pelting me with water and wind feeling like hail. With howling winds, and sheets of water, the bike behaved solidly and predictably. Visibility was adequate, as long as there wasn’t any vehicle directly in front of me. I couldn’t help but feel exhilarated by the raw power of this storm, and passing through it unabated. Then as swiftly as it appeared, it passed, revealing sunlight, and a remarkable sense of calmness. For me, this kind of adventure — facing the forces of nature with a sense of determination and confidence — is what I live for.
I continued across the border, and off to meet my family at a happy occasion, and my last stop before heading southwest to Monterrey, CA.
Stay tuned for the next installments of this series as we ride along with Joseph west across Canada and back into the United States. Be sure to subscribe to Roadcraft USA to be notified when new features are published.
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