Richard knows that I am a horder of decals. Last year before Christmas I purchased a new modular helmet. My plan was to use this helmet for my trip this year
My whole riding career I have only worn half or 3/4 face helmets. I know they aren't as safe but I wear glasses and it was always a struggle to fit into a full face without destroying them. Plus they felt a bit claustrophobic. This year because of the great distances I have to travel I thought I should be a bit safer so I broke down and bought a Modular full face HJC with built-in sunshade
I like to keep things "as new" so today I nearly cried when I had to peel off the factory labels
There, it's nearly peeled off . I bought the model where you could install a BT: Bluetooth communicator, or so I thought but it is not designed to be used with the Sena, which I also bought around Christmas. I shared a dual-pack with Richard. I fiddled with it and mounted it on the outside of the helmet with the supplied steel bracket. I noticed from the Sena website that there was a new software upgrade for it which was just released. So I registered my serial number and got the update installed. I am now running with the new software but with no-one to talk to I haven't had any opportunities to use it yet, not even for music so I
can't tell you if it works better, or not.
I have never ridden with a full face helmet so tonight I put it on and went for a short ride to top up my gas tank. It hurts when you have to buy premium fuel which is just over $1.61 per litre (+US$6.09 / us gallon). This is why I decided to take the USA Route across the northern States. Boy, this helmet feels very hot inside even with the Vents open. I was sweating even though the air was cool.
So I have come to the end of the line. Tomorrow is my birthday dinner and the next morning I hop on my bike and head down the highway. I can hardly wait.
Click on my Spot2 link anytime to find my location as I ride East. If you are near my path and you have some time available, perhaps we can get together. It would relieve the boredom of being alone and having to talk to myself all day.
I am not a big fan of full face helmets for the same reasons but I wear one on big trips anyway...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your last dinner before the big road trip. I will try to follow you as much as my crappy internet connection will allow...
Wishing you many miles and smiles and friendly encounters on the road.
Sonja:
DeleteYou get less peripheral view looking out the smaller "shield" and have to turn your head more, plus you can't look down without aiming your head. The only reason I bought it was for the solid chin bar where I can cable lock it to my bike. You cannot do this with the "other" helmets. Plus if it should rain, with my 3/4, the rain drips down into your neck and then down inside under your jacket.
With so many miles I was thinking of the safety aspect. Plus I think the wind buffeting feels less
Happy Birthday!!! I have always worn full-face helmets and love my HJC. The integrated sunshade is awesome. If you connect the Sena to your phone via bluetooth you can answer the phone while riding, which is awesome. Not that I've had long conversations or anything, but it's good to have that capability.
ReplyDeleteI'll be keeping my eyes on your Spot and hope we can rendezvous. Either way, I'm looking forward to your trip. Be safe, enjoy your day today, and I hope to see you soon.
Kathy:
DeleteI have an IMC Camos BT unit on my other helmet and it is synced to my iPhone and I also have a BT adapter for my AM/FM radio so I do listen to music. I was saving this helmet for my trip so yesterday was the first time I used it. I haven't gotten around to syncing my iPhone to it yet
Looking forward to meeting you too
Bob, that looks very similar to the new helmet I just got! The one I have vents pretty good though, especially at the top of the helmet and around the chin area...
ReplyDeleteCheers and here's hoping you have a great ride.....
dom
Dom:
DeleteOnce moving, the air flows nicely through two vent openings on the top. But sitting at a stop light it gets very hot. I don't buy expensive helmets but I replace them every 2 years but I like the built-in sun visor
Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteSorry I have been out of pocket, and apparently missing so much! I was thinking of you last night and thinking I should give you a call prior to departure. But it sounds like you have your hands very full and time is short. Maybe sometime on the road.
I hope Mrs. Skoot is doing well with thoughts of your departure. Ride safe. Have fun. Don't speed (and get caught).
Lori:
DeleteThank you. I know you are busy right now trying to find 5 pairs of hands and legs doing what you have to do. Hope you get sorted out soon and all goes ahead smoothly.
As long as I find WiFi I can leave my Skype ON so you can see if I am on-line. I was worried to leave Mrs Skoot behind without domestic support but she said she will be fine.
I am not a Speeder. Slow and steady wins the race. Riding dynamics are different without a riding buddy support
Congratulations on surviving removing the decals and the labels from your helmet. A suggestion for your new helmet. Last summer, I picked up a mirrored visor for my HJC Symax II and it made a huge difference in the temperature inside the helmet. Plus no one can see who you are.
ReplyDeleteHave fun on your trip, I'm very envious…
Richard:
DeleteWhen I was packing my new rain jacket. You know, the one I bought months ago, I had to snip the tags off those too and figure out how it managed to fold into its own pocket. I'll have to look into a mirrored visor. Can you use this at night too, or do you have to change over ? If I see a large M/C shop I can go in as I need to buy an evaporative vest too
Yes, you would need to change it back but it's only like 30 sec once you get the hang of it. I got the mirrored one as I thought it would reflect the IR portion of the spectrum and it did. But I also routinely open the visor to the first notch when in town.
DeleteHappy Birthday Bob!!
ReplyDeleteHere's to another good year of riding. Have fun when you set out tomorrow. You'll get used to that helmet and your body will appreciate the protection.
Trobairitz:
DeleteIt is much easier to be following the tail lights of a certain Blue bike. On my 3/4 helmet the shield vibrates a lot from the wind . I think my new helmet is more stable. Will find out tomorrow . . .
You've spent decades being dutiful, waiting for this moment and now it's here. It's time to stop worrying and let yourself go. If all you can think about at this moment is more mindless shopping you are missing the moment. Discomfort and loneliness and fear are there, waiting for you. New friends, amazing sights and a complete loss of routines are also lying in wait. Imagine all the new people you crave in your life... They are there on the road waiting for you. Plus cooling vests, gravel, deer and monstrous US medical bills if you fall off. You'll mange, now you just need to start enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteTake the training wheels off and be the Adventurer you know is quaking inside all that brand new riding gear. You'll be fine, make sure you have fun.
Agree 100%! Very well put.
DeleteMichael:
DeleteThank you for being perceptive. The fear is more about being independent and self reliant. I am more comfortable being in a group than being by myself. I find it difficult to accept kindness from strangers but I will try to be humble . . . as I am more about giving than receiving.
I am not that into shopping but I find that the heat can wear you down and I get dizzy, I forget to stop and don't drink enough water, nor eat when I am by myself.
Bob: The only time I ever broke down was in the desert close to Sturgis. I was in a place where the cars could not see me until it was too late to stop. Despite it being over 100F I was able to push the bike to a better area. A guy in a P?U from South Carolina stopped, gave me water; drove 40 miles up the road to get help, came back to let me know and then refused any payment. He said I could pass it onto the next person.
DeleteI have found once you get away from the big city, Americans are like that. Good people.
A few years later at Arches I literally stumbled upon an elderly couple sitting under a tree near a really long arch. It was quite a hike and it was hot. Turns out they were afraid that they couldn't make it back.
I explained who I was; and what I do for a living. ( I support special needs people in the community. ) I promised them that we could take it really easy and that I could either help them or get help if there was trouble. It took some time, they were afraid, but once underway things got quite chatty and we made it back without difficulty.
It was payback time.
In the backcountry it's ok to accept kindness from strangers in a way it isn't in the City.
David:
DeleteI usually stop for people too. Not that I know how to fix anything but to give moral support and go for help
Happy Birthday Bob! I'll be anxious and watching for a chance to intersect.
ReplyDeleteCoop:
DeleteA wise friend told me recently that "if it was meant to be, then it will . . . " He also told me that "I try too hard" and that is true. So while I want to meet ALL OF YOU I have decided that it is not always possible due to time constraints.
If you are close and there is a chance we could be at the same place at the same time, then I would look forward to meeting.
happy birthday bob! have a great ride!
ReplyDeleteMs M:
Deletethank you. Hope you had a good time in Holister. Wished we could have been there to enjoy the FUN too. Looks like you are off to a good start and lots of riding this year
Happy Birthday and safe travels!
ReplyDeleteN
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI am not a huge fan of my full face helmet. I long for my 3/4 helmet often. But it does protect me when I need it.
To vent, I've found that removing the little chin guard (not sure if yours pops out or not) really increased my airflow. Give it a try. I can pop it back in if it rains, so I have it in my rain gear bag.
Believe me. I've been in the south and it's friggen so hot! I know what you mean!
Hugs,
Sash
www.SashMouth.com
I've been following your Spot most of the afternoon to see if you would make it to Idaho (maybe a little cooler than central WA). Received the Spot msg at 3:51 AKDT so the system works.
ReplyDeletegreat posting of latest-thank-you-for-birthday-wishes
ReplyDelete