Ireland

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've been riding the bike on the left side of the road to get prepared for the trip. But these damn Snowbirds down here keep flipping me off. Starting to get excited for these 2 vacations coming up. I think these are going to be my biggest adventures since I was in the Navy. Brenda has always worried about flying and I figured with this latest knucklehead pilot she'd be freaking out. But she's hanging in there. Looks like we won't be able to ride up with you guys though for Inzane. We can't take that much time off after our Ireland trip. I think we'll leave early Friday morning and do the trip in 3 days. Any suggestions on a route would be appreciated. Thinking either up thru Monument Valley and Arches or up thru CO. on the million dollar Hiway. Haven't been either way. See you guys down the road.

[BigMac (SoCal)]

You ride safe Rob and have a great time. See you in InZane .

Dave

[NautiBrit]

Rob,

Driving on the opposite side of the road isn't that tough until you come to a roundabout. Also, be careful crossing the road and look left, right and left again NOT right, left, right. I'm sure that you and Brenda will have a great time.

[Jess from VA]

I flew over the Atlantic eight times (to Istanbul).  You get worse jet lag going over than coming back.  Coach seats for this long suck, and get claustrophobic, esp when the guy ahead of you leans back into your lap.  Depending on the aircraft, the smart move is to volunteer for emergency exit row seats as soon as you're able (others know about this, so beat them to it), where there is often only two in the row instead of three, and a missing row ahead of you so you get more leg room (closest thing to first class without the expense).  If you cannot do it when ordering tickets, it's worth showing extra early for the flight.  You cannot have any alcohol if you sit in them.  You have to appear interested in helping others get off the plane, and pay more attention to the briefings (when we all know if the plane goes down, we're all doomed).

If you can't get them, then order three small splits of red wine, drink them right down, and try to go right to sleep.  I always carry both ear plugs and shooter's muffs in carry-on, which gives you as close to silence and you can get, in order to sleep (and insulate your from screaming babies/young kids who invariably have inner ear problems at altitude).  This is a good idea, even in the exit rows (after the lights go down).  I once tried to buy red wine for everyone under two; some cheered, but most just gave me dirty looks.

The problem I had with left side driving was... I did fine until I got out in the country on long winding roads with no cars at all, and by force of habit ended up over on the right side again, and then barely avoided a head on coming around a corner.  Try to avoid this.   Look right before stepping off any curb to save your life. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob,

Driving on the opposite side of the road isn't that tough until you come to a roundabout. Also, be careful crossing the road and look left, right and left again NOT right, left, right. I'm sure that you and Brenda will have a great time.

Sounds good George . I've been trying to get myself psyched up for the roundabouts. I have a hard enough time with the ones here.

I flew over the Atlantic eight times (to Istanbul).  You get worse jet lag going over than coming back.  Coach seats for this long suck, and get claustrophobic, esp when the guy ahead of you leans back into your lap.  Depending on the aircraft, the smart move is to volunteer for emergency exit row seats as soon as you're able (others know about this, so beat them to it), where there is often only two in the row instead of three, and a missing row ahead of you so you get more leg room (closest thing to first class without the expense).  If you cannot do it when ordering tickets, it's worth showing extra early for the flight.  You cannot have any alcohol if you sit in them.  You have to appear interested in helping others get off the plane, and pay more attention to the briefings (when we all know if the plane goes down, we're all doomed).

If you can't get them, then order three small splits of red wine, drink them right down, and try to go right to sleep.  I always carry both ear plugs and shooter's muffs in carry-on, which gives you as close to silence and you can get, in order to sleep (and insulate your from screaming babies/young kids who invariably have inner ear problems at altitude).  This is a good idea, even in the exit rows (after the lights go down).  I once tried to buy red wine for everyone under two; some cheered, but most just gave me dirty looks.

The problem I had with left side driving was... I did fine until I got out in the country on long winding roads with no cars at all, and by force of habit ended up over on the right side again, and then barely avoided a head on coming around a corner.  Try to avoid this.   Look right before stepping off any curb to save your life.

Good advice Jess . Thankfully for me , I can fall asleep anywhere. It's the poor suckers around me that have got to listen to me snore ( I'm sure my ribs will be sore from Brenda elbowing me all the way there)

[Ron]

Hey Rob

I may be in the same boat as you for Izane. I was planning on riding up with the SOCAL but work may not allow me the time. If I can't swing the work time I also was planning to leave Friday. I like to ride alone, but if that happens maybe we can ride up together if you like. I have rode Colorado many times and that is the route I would take. I will send you some routes to take to your email even if we don't ride together. Each day will be about 400 to 450 a day.

Ron

[The emperor has no clothes]

Hey Rob

I may be in the same boat as you for Izane. I was planning on riding up with the SOCAL but work may not allow me the time. If I can't swing the work time I also was planning to leave Friday. I like to ride alone, but if that happens maybe we can ride up together if you like. I have rode Colorado many times and that is the route I would take. I will send you some routes to take to your email even if we don't ride together. Each day will be about 400 to 450 a day.

Ron

Thanks Ron. I appreciate the info. It would be great to ride up with you 

[Ron]

Hey Rob

You have mail

[The emperor has no clothes]

Hey Rob

You have mail

t :cooldude:Thanks Ron. Can't wait for June !