I'm unsure of what words can describe the journey taken in January to February of 2019.
First off, my parents would definitely say stupid. The internet would and was calling me crazy.
But none could understand a mental state of being a drifter. Tackling adverse conditions with equipment considered inadequate and far from sensible, the worst decisions make the best stories. So those critical words evaporated after the first mile towards California.
Being naked to winter elements and unchained to daily rigors of life kindles a fire developing man into maverick.
And so, it happened.
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Graduation day came in December of 2018 where I earned my 2nd BS College Degree at the expense of thousands of dollars. The most logical course of action was to accept one of a few job offers to recoup the cost of an empty wallet.
But instead, I pursued a more logical course of action - decline all those offers and ride a 20 year old Italian superbike across the US during the winter.
Yes...this was the more sound decision.
And without haste the planning began:
My route would take me across the southern hemisphere of the mainland. Even though it's generally warmer in the south during the winter, there were plenty of 30F-40F days to come. But that was no issue (well until NM), as three years of riding in the mid-atlantic developed an immunity to the cold.
Great, I know where I'm going! Next up...will my damn bike make it?
"Ducati 748" isn't normally associated with "reliable." There's a notion that they're unreliable vehicles.
But that is misguided. After two lowsides and plenty of miles in the summer, winter, rain, and sleet - this bike proved to be a tank. And this bike would prove the internet wrong.
That being said...the internet was truthful in noting it's a high maintenance hoe. And indeed it was under the knife two weeks prior to departure.
Valve adjustment, timing belt replacement, replacing faulty valve rockers, etc. it added up.
The result was a hot and solid italian model.
Open heart surgery
The infamous flaking rockers that plague the 748/916/996...ouch
EMS Ducati please save me (and he did)
Yeah, you need to fix that
Four score and seven years later
With the bike up and running the last concern was packing what was needed and a solid luggage set-up. Since I had never camped before, couchsurfing, motels, and the generosity of strangers were my best bet for shelter arrangements.
Seriously, who the hell is camping in 30F weather.
The missile
My personal baggage
With the purchase of an Amtrak Autotrain ticket from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL the trip was officially happening.
This was crazy. For a long time I dreamed of owning this bike and fantasized of riding across the US with it. All the problems associated with this motorcycle warded off the prospect of doing exactly that.
But here I was. 25 years old, on my dream bike, going on a trip I always dreamed of doing. It's gonna be a god damn ball.
D-day soon arrived and the Duc and I trotted down to Lorton in 28F weather. A proper initiation for the trip to come.
Let's do this
Sexy stud and sexy machine
Mmm...strapped
The man
Bon voyage
The ship sailed and left all my previous anxiety in the train station. We were on the move. This was a reality.
We're riding across the country boys.
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Florida
Landfall.
I was the only man wearing full leathers on the sidewalk as the vehicles were unloaded. Like a black dot on white paper, I stuck out from the crowd. Yet it was a reminder that I was alone on such a journey.
Honda civic, Toyota Sienna, BMW 3 series... this is getting quite bori - DUCATI, *sigh* FINALLY.
The Duc and I looked at each other anxiously, curious on what note this trip would start on
Key on. Killswitch on. Crank Crank, Run Runs Runs...Stalls.
God damn it you Piece of sh...
Alright let's do this again
Crank crank...runs, barely runs, barely running, alright I guess we'll run this time...
Unknown to me then, My Duc was quite a stubborn starter. That characteristic gave me a lot of headache in that moment.
Leaving the depot on this crappy note cast serious doubt in regards to this whole idea. But a quick turn onto the main road and having the Ducati hit its stride I came to the realization that
"Shucks, I'm in Florida"
And so our first leg began. From Sanford to Jacksonville our GPX route lead us through orange orchards, ocean sides, and quiet residential areas. A very quiet and pedestrian beginning to what should be a trip of a lifetime, apparently.
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