Sojourn Chronicles
We have had an incredible warm up. The temps reached 65+ and I have been lusting for a motorcycle ride. So, I aired up the tires, checked the chain, and fired up the V-Strom for a ride around the block. Okay, it was a long block, but much needed.
And of course, I found a church for a photo in Goshen.
See you on the highway.
Brent
It’s January—cold with a mix of rain and snow. Coronavirus has required us to stay inside. So, what’s a fella to do?
Planning. Getting ready for a fishing season along with a little motorcycling. That’s what a fella is to do!
Over the years, I have built fly rods and bought rods that would make it easier to carry them on a motorcycle. Then, I discovered Tenkara in 2013, and that changed my motorcycle/fishing world completely. However, I still like to use a conventional fly rod from time to time. It all depends upon the water to be fished. The minimalist approach to Tenkara just makes perfect sense with the motorcycle. So, for 2021, here is my list of gear for fly fishing with the motorcycle as transportation.
The rods:
Any one of these will fit into the bags on my motorcycle. From top to bottom:
Of course, there are a lot of other manufacturers and options out there. Find one you like, and get to fishing.
The packs:
I do not use a fishing vest preferring a pack instead. I have three in different sizes. They can carry an assortment of fly boxes. It just depends upon how much you want to carry, or more importantly, how much room on the motorcycle is available. L to R above:
With the minimalist approach of Tenkara, the small Fishpond chest pack is perfect, and it takes up less room in the motorcycle bags.
A net?:
I think a net is a luxury for motorcycle fly fishing, especially if you are also hauling camping gear. But I recently discovered a net manufacturer who has been in business since 1955, and I think his net will be just the ticket for saving space.
The top net is one I built. It is 21” long, and will fit in a bag if you tilt it a little. It’s a nice net, and there have been plenty of fish in it. The little one is an expandable net from Handy Pak Net Company in Pennsylvania. It has a spring steel rim, folds up to fit in that pouch, AND it is a bigger net than my homebuilt. The Handy Pak Net is going with me on the motorcycle.
Waders?
What about waders? Waders take up too much space, and if you’re going motorcycle camping, they are left behind. You either wet wade or fish from shore. If you’re just going fishing near where you live, there is probably room for waders. I prefer waist sock-foot waders with a separate boot. The waist waders fold up into a smaller package for transportation. Plan on some kind of plastic bag for carrying wet waders and boots home.
That’s all folks!
I am so ready to get on the motorcycle and go fishing.
See you on the highway (or maybe on the water … or both).
Brent
For some strange reason, I awoke this morning dreaming of my 2012 ride on the Oregon Trail. It was a 6,000-mile, 21 day adventure. But, why this morning? Maybe I’m just dreaming of another motorcycle adventure.
See you on the highway.
Brent
From time to time, I like to change the header photo. It is one of the ways to keep the web site fresh, and it shows that I am actually paying attention to it.
This is the full photo. The header image is cropped to fit a specific size space. The photo was captured at the Horizons Unlimited Virginia event–a gathering of adventure motorcycle travelers. I use this dock and another one to teach “Fly Fishing for the Motorcycle Traveler.”
See you on the highway.
Brent
Yes. I turned 70 recently, and before you start calling me an old man, you should know that 70 is the new 50. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I have fallen in love with the Moto Guzzi V7 platform. I could not imagine how good of a motorcycle it is, and how the V7 moves my soul. The problem is, the one I bought was not my first choice of V7s. I bought the one that looked the best at the best price, not the one I lusted after which was full MSRP. It was my hedge against uncertainty to buy the one with the best price. So, when that bike that I lusted over received a big discount, I decided to make things right for my birthday. Thank you Cadre Cycle!
Out with the 2019 Moto Guzzi V7iii Special (with a lot of chrome) and in with the new 2020 Moto Guzzi V7iii Rough, a scrambleresque version of the V7 platform.
When I showed this picture of the bike to Lin, she said, “It looks like it belongs in the Army.” Yes. Yes it does. I’m calling it my messenger bike.
My first two motorcycles were scramblers. I have owned four adventure bikes and two dual sports, and an assortment of other motorcycles built for the road. My motorcycle-throbbing-heart has been and always will be tuned to the motorcycle that will go down any type of road. Hence, a scrambler. Yes, I know the Rough does not have high pipes, but that is a small compromise.
The fact is, the V7 platform comes in a variety of flavors, for different styles of riding, and I choose this V7 Rough, for the Guzzi has moved my soul, and the Rough will take me places the Special was not meant to go, not without a lot of modification.
In 2008, I wrote a review of my first V-Strom 650 and why I bought that bike. As I have grown older, the same self-examination still applies for the type of riding I plan to do in my 70s.
“I started a self examination: What do I want in a motorcycle? What is important or a priority for my motorcycle purchase? Am I buying a motorcycle to impress others or declare a status in life? Would I rather ride or polish chrome? What kind of riding will I do? Where will I ride? How many miles will I ride each year? Will I be riding alone or two up with a passenger? There’s a lot more involved: initial purchase price, cost of ownership (repairs, parts, and extras), and what a lot of people call “bang for the buck”—which is very subjective.
I realized I would be much happier buying the motorcycle that fits the type of riding I plan to do, rather than buying the bike others think I should have. In a nostalgic way, I’m returning to my original roots of motorcycling. I want a multi-tasker, a motorcycle that can handle different types of roads and terrain. I want a bike that has utility. I want a bike that is affordable, and economical to ride.”
I should also include fun and easy to ride, and moves my soul. Riding it home from the dealer only boosted my feelings about the Moto Guzzi V7s. Like the saying goes, “You have to own one to understand.”
Now, let the accessorizing begin.
See you on the highway.
Brent
PS. With all that said, I still have the 2017 V-Strom 650. It’s a great adventure bike, and I have no plans to move it along. I have about 90,000 miles on V-Stroms. There will be more.
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