Ahhh, so, about the previous post. You see, "thesis is done" is a complicated statement. There's finishing the thesis, but there's also the minor business of defending, making revisions, and getting out a paper before the trip so it doesn't get scooped by a competitor. Also: applying for postdocs. And don't forget trip preparation.
So I am still in Cambridge. Departure date has been rolled back to Sept. 1. And I've finally conceded that this is now the "fall of freedom" tour. And I've cut out the Florida bit, instead choosing to concentrate mostly on the dirt roads of Canada. I've seen the Eisenhower highway system before, thank you very much.
But trip preparation is well on its way. More details shortly.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thesis is DONE!!!
THESIS IS DONE, MY FRIENDS, done Done DONE i SAY!!!
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
ok, still a bit of minor editing and fun stuff like writing the acknowledgements, but practically speaking it is .......
wait for it .........
DONE !!!!!!!!!!!!
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
ok, still a bit of minor editing and fun stuff like writing the acknowledgements, but practically speaking it is .......
wait for it .........
DONE !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Almost ... done ...
... the thesis. It will be finished in less than 24 hours.
More importantly, I will be on the road in 1 month. And counting....
More importantly, I will be on the road in 1 month. And counting....
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Notes from the thesis cave...
I have sealed myself off from all civilization. There are roommates out there, I'm sure. Right now I do believe that they are cooking bacon. Maple flavored, if my nose serves me well. Or perhaps they also made pancakes. No matter! The outside world is of no use to me now.
For right now, it is just me and the thesis. 95 pages of astrophysical lore, and likely to be 110 by the week's end. Seven chapters. Two appendices — or perhaps three, should the inspiration strike. The shades are drawn, and the air conditioner maintains a steady temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Its quiet hum my only companion.
At times, I am driven to seek sustenance; as much as I try to concentrate without pause or interruption, my mortal needs cannot go unmet. At those times — and those times alone! — I venture forth from my thesis cave. Nearby, there is a friendly trader from the land of Syria, in the far-off Middle East, from whom I often order exotic falafel or lamb shwarma sandwiches. Farther, there is an establishment run by Mexicanos. I fancy their bean burritos, and the route to their shop carries me past a 7-11, at which I can procure milk at low expense.
But I waste too much time! I must return to my astrophysical lucubrations.
For right now, it is just me and the thesis. 95 pages of astrophysical lore, and likely to be 110 by the week's end. Seven chapters. Two appendices — or perhaps three, should the inspiration strike. The shades are drawn, and the air conditioner maintains a steady temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Its quiet hum my only companion.
At times, I am driven to seek sustenance; as much as I try to concentrate without pause or interruption, my mortal needs cannot go unmet. At those times — and those times alone! — I venture forth from my thesis cave. Nearby, there is a friendly trader from the land of Syria, in the far-off Middle East, from whom I often order exotic falafel or lamb shwarma sandwiches. Farther, there is an establishment run by Mexicanos. I fancy their bean burritos, and the route to their shop carries me past a 7-11, at which I can procure milk at low expense.
But I waste too much time! I must return to my astrophysical lucubrations.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Summer of freedom begins ... NOW!
It's the solstice, the official beginning of the summer. Funny, I don't feel any free-er. I feel like I should be working on my thesis instead of procrastinating with this silly blog. In light of the rescheduled trip, I probably should rename this thing the "Fall of Freedom" blog, but that sounds far too ominous.
Returning to work ... NOW!
Returning to work ... NOW!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
SOLD! DRZ400S
Back down to a one-bike stable now: just me and the 1150. I'll miss having the lighter dirt bike, but the money will certainly help finance my trip. And the bike definitely went to a good home.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Super mega update!
I am neck-deep in thesis writing, which is why I haven't put up anything on here in a while. That said, I've gotten in some incredibly fun riding in the past month! Here are some pics.
April 21-22: BMW XPLOR Rally in the NJ Pine Barrens
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
MAN! what an awesome couple days of riding. On Friday through Sunday, I attended an off-road rally and lessons sponsored by BMW's XPLOR program. It was epic.
Friday, I rode down to Hammonton, NJ, with my friend Miriam and Brad (aka Beez) and Buck (aka BuckRider) from ADVrider. (All Pine Barrens photos shamelessly stolen from Beez, unless otherwise noted.) We got there in time for the registration and a discussion about the trails and riding itinerary for the next two days. It was an uneventful ride down. Or so I thought.
On Saturday morning around 8 am, we were getting ready to head out for the ride.
I was airing down the tires on my 1150 when another rider pointed out oil all over my left front brake caliper. Oh crap. Turns out my left fork seal had blown on the way down. Oh double crap. The bike was certainly not ridable in its condition. But before I could even get to the "what the hell am I gonna do now?" panic stage, a BMW rep walked up to me and gave me the keys to a brand spankin' new X-Challenge to ride all Saturday. 17 miles on the odometer.
I was bummed.
OK, not really.
This bike ROCKED. I'd never ridden in deep sand before, so I needed all the help I could get, and the smooth suspension and engine on the X-Challenge was truly confidence inspiring. I want one.
I was in the beginner group, so we were first up for lessons. I volunteered to be an example (of how not to do it, as often as not) for Jimmy Lewis. Here he is, giving some pointers.
And then off to riding!
The Pine Barrens are intense. I'm not at all used to sand, and the sand there is ... well, the locals call it "sugar sand" because it's so fine-grained. I went down a number of times (sorry BMW!) before starting to get the hang of it. But once I did, it was the most exhilarating riding I've ever done. I'm afraid my camera battery was dead that day, so no pics, but Miriam, Buck, and Brad took some good ones. One of the many highlights was riding on single-lane roads with cranberry bogs on either side.
Don't lose it on the sand and swerve! I enjoyed many, many "holy crap did I just make it through that?!?" moments with other riders.
The next day, I was back on my 1150. DeSimone Motorcycles of NJ replaced my fork seal overnight ... and charged me only $20, the cost of the parts. DAMN. Mad, mad props to them for their support of this event. Riding the 500 lb 1150 through the sand was a wee bit more nerve-racking than the 300 lb X-Challenge. Still, another great morning of riding with some fun water crossings ...
May 18: New suit!
The leather jacket and unvented pants weren't the most comfortable (HOT) at the Pine Barrens rally, so they certainly weren't going to do it for a long summer ride. So I bought a Rev'it Off-track jacket and matching Dakar pants. This is one sweet suit.
(And hey, parents! -- it features high-quality armor out the wazoo!)
May 20: Central MA dual-sport ride
Compared to the sandy mayhem of the Pine Barrens, I enjoyed a relaxed ride on the dirt roads of western MA in this organized dual-sport ride.
It was pouring that morning, but it turned out to be a beautiful day.
April 21-22: BMW XPLOR Rally in the NJ Pine Barrens
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
MAN! what an awesome couple days of riding. On Friday through Sunday, I attended an off-road rally and lessons sponsored by BMW's XPLOR program. It was epic.
Friday, I rode down to Hammonton, NJ, with my friend Miriam and Brad (aka Beez) and Buck (aka BuckRider) from ADVrider. (All Pine Barrens photos shamelessly stolen from Beez, unless otherwise noted.) We got there in time for the registration and a discussion about the trails and riding itinerary for the next two days. It was an uneventful ride down. Or so I thought.
On Saturday morning around 8 am, we were getting ready to head out for the ride.
I was airing down the tires on my 1150 when another rider pointed out oil all over my left front brake caliper. Oh crap. Turns out my left fork seal had blown on the way down. Oh double crap. The bike was certainly not ridable in its condition. But before I could even get to the "what the hell am I gonna do now?" panic stage, a BMW rep walked up to me and gave me the keys to a brand spankin' new X-Challenge to ride all Saturday. 17 miles on the odometer.
I was bummed.
OK, not really.
This bike ROCKED. I'd never ridden in deep sand before, so I needed all the help I could get, and the smooth suspension and engine on the X-Challenge was truly confidence inspiring. I want one.
I was in the beginner group, so we were first up for lessons. I volunteered to be an example (of how not to do it, as often as not) for Jimmy Lewis. Here he is, giving some pointers.
And then off to riding!
The Pine Barrens are intense. I'm not at all used to sand, and the sand there is ... well, the locals call it "sugar sand" because it's so fine-grained. I went down a number of times (sorry BMW!) before starting to get the hang of it. But once I did, it was the most exhilarating riding I've ever done. I'm afraid my camera battery was dead that day, so no pics, but Miriam, Buck, and Brad took some good ones. One of the many highlights was riding on single-lane roads with cranberry bogs on either side.
Don't lose it on the sand and swerve! I enjoyed many, many "holy crap did I just make it through that?!?" moments with other riders.
The next day, I was back on my 1150. DeSimone Motorcycles of NJ replaced my fork seal overnight ... and charged me only $20, the cost of the parts. DAMN. Mad, mad props to them for their support of this event. Riding the 500 lb 1150 through the sand was a wee bit more nerve-racking than the 300 lb X-Challenge. Still, another great morning of riding with some fun water crossings ...
(photo courtesy of Gary5410)
... before heading back to Boston. It was a great weekend with great people. Here's my riding buddies Miriam, Buck, and Brad on the way back.
May 18: New suit!
The leather jacket and unvented pants weren't the most comfortable (HOT) at the Pine Barrens rally, so they certainly weren't going to do it for a long summer ride. So I bought a Rev'it Off-track jacket and matching Dakar pants. This is one sweet suit.
(And hey, parents! -- it features high-quality armor out the wazoo!)
May 20: Central MA dual-sport ride
Compared to the sandy mayhem of the Pine Barrens, I enjoyed a relaxed ride on the dirt roads of western MA in this organized dual-sport ride.
It was pouring that morning, but it turned out to be a beautiful day.
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Step aside,