As I read this I'm sitting on the dock at the Youngstown Yacht Club where I work.  I'm stuck here until 3 this afternoon.  I don't know your schedule, but if you are here after three, I would buy you a Guinness and an order of wings at the Mug And Musket Tavern before sending you on your way.

I finished my choirs for the day and now free till Monday. If you know where you are going to nest tonight and it's less than 300 miles from me (intersection of I79 and 80) I maybe be able to meet up for a cool one this evening. I'll PM you my cell #.

Thanks, gents. In the end I slept an hour on the soft grass of an upstate rest stop, downed some Gatorade, almonds, a muesli  bar, then muscled my way through the fatigue and made it to Russell, MA where my old mate Illtyd is having a gentle (gentile?) garden party. I  am tired, as can be expected, and that first Sam Adams Boston Ale has me slowly relaxing. 

Trying to get up to N.B. to retrieve the Banner from Bert this coming week, details  etween us not yet finalised. I'll be in the New England states for a week and a half and will endeavour to meet up with any and all potential Banner sKribblers as I make my way homeward.

I recommend to anyone a thousand mile day, just have a place to rest yer weary head at fullstop. Doh!

Same here. I calculated a 4.5 hour ride from Toronto to Watkins Glen which is doable. However, I have plans for the long weekend and couldn't reschedule any of the tasks. Hope you're passing through NY / Southern Ontario on your return.

well done TWB , a grand effort considering you are only on the first crossover leg of the States.
Beware of the fatigue though . rest is most important .

After a coupla days relaxing in the much-needed shade of western Massachusetts I am in the eastern part of the state where it is 30+ degrees (low 90s) and VERY humid. I've travelled 3400 miles (5400+ kms)  in ten days, three days of which were spent riding round the Black Hills, the rest on the road crossing this vast country.

I expect to be here in New England until next Wednesday then returning thru Upstate, Ontario, over the Great Lakes and beyond. Let's make a plan. I am quite flexible with taking detours as required to get sigs on the Banner.

Cheers.

I am riding, with brother Jo, to New Brunswick Canada on Thursday arvo to meet with Bert Friday morning and retrieve the Banner. The next leg of its journey begins!

Stopped in Pepperell Mass where Jo has built a beautiful house in the woods next to a pond. Gunna be 35c today so imagine a coupla brothers cannonballing off the end of the dock into a spring-fed, clear lake like the children we are!


It's a little slice of cool heaven in the New England woods. Winters are a bit harsh for this warm weather ungulate.

Beautiful countryside TWB - very easy on the eyes compared to the tough time we are having in our very brown land. No green at all this winter.

Cheers

Gaz wrote:Beautiful countryside TWB - very easy on the eyes compared to the tough time we are having in our very brown land. No green at all this winter.

Cheers

Yeah, Gaz, shame about the drought. Feast or famine for our beloved Lucky Country. Australia, which rarely makes news in AmeriKa, unless a roo smashes through someone's window, Malcolm has a productive phone call with the clown, or a shark nibbles on yet another tasty surfie, is is all over the airwaves lately, especially now that New South Wales is declared 100% covered in drought.

Two Wheels Better wrote:... I expect to be here in New England until next Wednesday then returning thru Upstate, Ontario, over the Great Lakes and beyond. Let's make a plan. I am quite flexible with taking detours as required to get sigs on the Banner.

Cheers.

Hi, So that's Wednesday August 15th. What is your planned route? Is it up Maine Vermont, across at Montreal and northwards towards Ottawa, Algonquin and over the Great Lakes? Or are you going to hug the border through New York state and Southern Ontario then head northwards?

From western Mass I'll enter upstate New York near North Adams on the Mohawk Trail and go west across the state towards Buffalo - the route can vary as needed for sKribblers to meet with me. From there it's into Ontario and the rest is open, tho' my planned trajectory is up and over the big lakes then across Canada's prairie and mountain provinces to British Columbia. I may head out earlier, next Tuesday, but most likely ETD is next Wednesday.

Looking forward to you pulling through this area!  If an overnight stay hereabouts is needed, you are welcome here in lovely Welland.

I would suggest that you cross from New York into Ontario at the Lewiston/Queenston Bridge.  Then up along Georgian Bay to Sault Ste, Marie and up over Lake Superior.  I did that trip last fall and the scenery is fantastic.  There is a 200 mile stretch of wilderness where the road is the only sign of civilization.  Make very sure you have a full tank for the run to Nipigon.  I got there after a terrifying 50 miles with the red fuel light on, and ran out of gas a half mile from the gas station(which, of course, was up a steep grade from where I was).  The tank was so dry I couldn't even smell gas in it.

Wish you were doing the return in the end of September.  I am planning a trip on the TransCan from Winnipeg to Vancouver over the Canadian Rockies and would enjoy riding with you.

I'm in Woodstock, in the province of New Brunswick, Canada, on Atlantic time, after a 400 mile ride through the states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Heavy, grey thunderstorms, pregnant with rain, birthed on the highway in front of me and behind, and all I had was a wet ribbon of tarmac steaming and humid as I rolled along at 115kph. Can you imagine that the often cool Maritime Provinces get above 30c these days?!

Tomorrow, meet with Bert, receive the Banner, and engage US customs! It's a good thing my paperwork is in order.
 

It's official! The Banner(s) are in my possession. Bert, my brother Jo & I had brekky, laughed and waited out a rain storm of epic proportions.

I didn't realise Berts house was so large that each door was individually numbered with it's own marked parking space too

Jealousy is rife here TWB . Can't imagine the fun you will have riding back around the lake . 
Hope you get to catch up with a few krew along the way . 

I see the 10th Anniversary of the Far Cairn Rally takes place as you arrive back in Oz . Possibly a bit tight for time getting it to the rally .

norton71 wrote:I didn't realise Berts house was so large that each door was individually numbered with it's own marked parking space too

Bert is not known to brag. Those are the doors of each K bike!

Ed wrote:Jealousy is rife here TWB . Can't imagine the fun you will have riding back around the lake . 
Hope you get to catch up with a few krew along the way . 

I see the 10th Anniversary of the Far Cairn Rally takes place as you arrive back in Oz . Possibly a bit tight for time getting it to the rally .

The lake? There's a stack of them, Ed! 

I have not looked at the FC dates this year. I'll be very busy thru September then free in October. I am looking at maps of OZ in a shortened version of my 2010 Ride Right Round....we'll see.

I do hope to meet with some members and am starting to align the route west and times, most likely departing New England this coming Tuesday by mid-day.

Two Wheels Better wrote:
Bert is not known to brag. Those are the doors of each K bike!

You were not to reveal my secret TWB. I am glad that you didn't tell them that my shed has 18 rooms, and the last 2 are the bar and the pool.

Crazy Frog wrote:

Two Wheels Better wrote:
Bert is not known to brag. Those are the doors of each K bike!

You were not to reveal my secret TWB. I am glad that you didn't tell them that my shed has 18 rooms, and the last 2 are the bar and the pool.

With K cylinder blocks for holding up the bar, pistons as drinking mugs and LT comfort seats to recline on, no, I didn't mention it.

September will mark the 5th Anniversary of the sKroll's introductrion to the forum and the start of its global enkounters with many of the riders who frequent these pages . 
I thought I'd put up a bit of a kollage of some of the places and faces it has had the pleasure of being in the kompany of .  

2018 also marks the 10th Anniversary of the Far Kairn Rally in Tottenham NSW. 



There are too many pics to tell the full story of the skroll's travels , and many more travels to be had . 

Hoping to see it make its way to Japan , North Kiwiland , Kedada Alicante ( Spain)

Thanks for the Kollage and posting it on the forum.
Hopefully, it will go around the world (again).

The Banner(s) have officially landed back in Australia. I will be in Queensland for a coupla weeks then heading south & west for the month of October on my red RS. Who gets the baton hand-off next in this ongoing relay?

wish I could be their with you, have a great time "mate"!

caveman wrote:wish I could be their with you, have a great time "mate"!

Yeah, Caveman, you'd love it, even riding on the 'proper' side of the road. 

Two stabs at the button and she jumped to life on two year old petrol...

crikey   !!   that has to be a win ...eh dazza ? 
good to hear .

I will be back in brisvegas on the weekend after all ...work commitments have changed ...yet again .

perhaps I should collect the sKroll - Banner and pass it on when we all next meet  at the new England tablelands meet in a couple of months for further adventures south ?

but before then, there are a few locals that are new to the forum since the last appearance of the banner up- this ways

namely martin , reg , black brick , Mathew , and a few others that haven't seen it at all ...yet

perhaps a local meet in the coming weeks could be a good idea?

do we have any events - swap meets on the calendar guys ?

or perhaps just a bbq up at the lookout ,,,before Mt Nebo ...might be in order ...again ill bring snags, bacon , rolls and drinks ...?   anyone ????

if I get  a decent response perhaps Saturday week 29th ...and twb can pass the banner and meet the new guys ?

unless dazza is up for a local ride before then ?

glorious sounds good on sunday 23rd ??

I'm right up until the 19th of October, then I'm off to Tas. Unfortunately I will be tin topping down to Melbourne for a week and catching up with relies and mates. Then ferrying to Tas for two weeks of exploring.
Regards Martin.

Pick a day any day and i will see if i can make it
Matt

I'm planning to take Pamela north to Mackay, leaving on Sunday the 23rd, back the next Thursday, so it'd havta be this coming Friday, Saturday, something like that. Then we're flying off to Victoria the night of the 28th. Let's see if we have a consensus.

"Two stabs at the button and she jumped to life on two year old petrol..."


These bikes never fail to impress me!  Hopefully other parts on the K didn't end up like the Snap On.


Is the Toyota yours as well TWB?  Great trucks that you don't see too many of round here where I live.  A buddie of mine has one, complete with snorkel and right hand drive.


Enjoy your time adding more signatures to the Banner and generally ripping about!

Saturday is best for me.
Regards Martin.

Is the Toyota yours as well TWB?  Great trucks that you don't see too many of round here where I live.  A buddie of mine has one, complete with snorkel and right hand drive.

That's my brother Shane's V8 turbo diesel Landcruiser. He likes his tradie work utes with the dog box and tools. They're a common sight Down Undah, rugged as they are.


Off to meet Rick G at Aratula mid-day to swap parts. I am eager to burn off the browning premium petrol (treated beforehand) on this sunny day blast towards Cunninghams Gap. Charlie kept the Motobatt in good nick!

Charlie, 

On the weekend of 29th I am possibly heading off to the Cane Toad 40th, so may not be around.  I've been asked to attend.  

Dave.

Good to hear you're back on Aussie turf TWB . With plenty on the agenda . 
It sounds like this coming Friday or saturday( 22nd ) is needed to offload the banners to the Kweenslanders. Hope all goes well in the handover.
Safe and enjoyable travels for you and Pamela , and any who join you along the way .

As it turns out, with not enuf days to get everything you want to do done in the short time Pamela has here, we are obligated to go to Surfers on Saturday mid-day. So this weekend is booked, but I'm free from 2 October on for the month. If it turns out we do a Queensland meet end of the first week of the month I'm good with that. Of course, I'm free during weekdays too.

29th and 30th   sat / sun   work for me  

1st of Oct Monday is a public holiday   so may be a chance for everyone 

I meant to be packing the Pajero to go to Morton island between the (2nd Tue) to the  (7th Sun)      

But Im sure one small ride wont take up to much time over the three days

Only days I'm committed is Tuesdays and Fridays.
Regards Martin.

As I said, I'm in Victoria 28 thru late 30 September, free after 2 October for the month.

Dose Sunday the 14 of October work for everyone  ??

Matthew-Brisbane wrote:Dose Sunday the 14 of October work for everyone  ??

That's the weekend of the Koszciusko rally which I hope to attend, and ideally I'd have handed off the Banners by then, but if not they'd be with me so I can get them to their origins. Earlier is better.

want me to flash over bright and early  Saturday  (8.30 ish  22-09)   dazza

then nothing to plan or must do after ?

then if available options happen at a later date ...all good ?

 all other times through the week pose work "must do" options I cant escape

pleased to announce that " The Banner " is officially back on Aussie shores  (having taken the pictures )
yet again, it has been around the world with recent visits to UK Spain France Canada I believe , with some familiar and notably esteemed  names added 
we would have to acknowledge the contribution of the many that have transported the banners safely on its travels ...cheers guys , fabulous effort 


many thanks to TWB who has rescued it from Canada (lol) and added a few notable signatures from our brothers on his travels ,
yet again across the United States and Canada border regions

almost ready for some local signatures for those that came in late or missed it last time it came this way






we will have to do a signature signing ceremony locally , in the not too distant future ,before it heads south again .



along with "The Banner"  came "The K100 Forum Banner" with many thanks from the contributors and Crazy Frog for its existence ...so members,  please make the effort to sign on this one .











ill have to hang the banners for as long as possible to smooth out the folds that have developed along their path

and would like to hear options for the packaging of the banners for the future travels

currently thinking that a plastic map tube should be utilised for further transport with the banners rolled

is that a yes ?



edit -  just have to add that I met TWB at the Yatla Pie shop , which was the first local meet of the k100 forum riders around this area now some 8 or more years past , with an international guest travelling in aussie , Doug - aka clubbie -     all the way from Canada , we all rode though the twistys of some national parks and fantastic scenery that abounds on this little section of coastal strip

Charlie maybe an archery arrow tube like this  extendable el cheapo one on the bay.






If you catch up with John ( Blackbrick , could you see if he managed a pic whilst in NZ.

A piece of PVC pipe with caps.

Ed wrote:Charlie maybe an archery arrow tube like this  extendable el cheapo one on the bay.


If you catch up with John ( Blackbrick , could you see if he managed a pic whilst in NZ.

yep a good idea  Ed

yes I did catch up with him (blackbrick)  and he does have pics
I gave him my email address  to send some along , but maybe they got lost in the interweb thing ? 

hopefully ill get time to head up that ways again ...not on a Saturday morning (he has a work run Friday -sat morning )

with a thumb drive and collect some pics to share on here .

I noted some rain damage on one of the ends of the banner ...and some smudging of the red colours (bleeding ?) when rolled up
perhaps a thin layer of material might be required , as rolled up

not  a bad idea .75 ...but a map type tube will draw less attraction , and announce the contents a bit better to those at security ?

better ask tackler, i recon

I would go for the most durable option because if it is being carried in the hold of the aircraft then it will be pushed, shoved, dropped and abused in every conceivable way.  PVC is pretty durable and you can cut it to length.  Also you can add stickers or paint it.  Good for putting your contact details on it.  

It will have to be checked in normally and depending on its length may go into oversize baggage.  The length will also determine whether you can carry it into the cabin with you but I doubt it.  If it goes into the cargo hold, then depending on your baggage allowance/airline you may have to pay for extra for it to travel.  it will be x-rayed one way or the other so the contents won't be a problem.  

I'll check with the regular airlines as what is permitted in the cabin as lot of business' nowadays have those carry on portable pop up "brand" banners.  7kg carry on is pretty heavily enforced by the airlines here.

thanks mate
ive also noticed on internal flights  the size restrictions apply also ….although you wouldn't be surprised how many folks flaunt the rules and bring 3 bags onboard these days ..,.that really should go in baggage …a holes the lot of them meaning that overhead baggage carried on is a fight to get even something small onboard with you stowed where you need it .

I think the easiest option is to go for something light but strong ….conduit is pretty heavy stuff relatively .when packed internally .b ill look around I guess

It won't go into the oversize hold - you need something absolutely humungous (like an Olympic pole-vaulter's pole) to trigger that. Even a six-foot / two metre tube will fit in the standard baggage holds of just about any commercial aircraft. I spent a year on the ramp at Belfast City Airport, hence the craic about the vaulting pole. That took a lot of careful effort to get it along the tops of the baggage containers in an Airbus A321.

Regretably, a lot of baggage handlers are not careful in their jobs and we would see that daily on the inbound Heathrow flights. We were careful; we prided ourselves on handling passenger luggage as if it were our own. I still managed to break my left-hand ring finger twice when stowing luggage in a baggage container...

The tube I used for the Banner is a regular telescopic one for rolled up architects drawings, screw cap one end and it has done a great job of protecting the  Banner and great for travel on the K!

To maintain professional Australian courtesy this photo was taken by Gaz on his visit to Ireland......