September 17, 2012
September 18, 2012 (Tuesday)
The first U.S. Team meeting was held tonight at the hotel. Logistics, schedules, protocol, volunteer positions, and team introductions were conducted.
Tomorrow the plan is to finish some bike prep and then go locate and walk some more special tests.
Today was sunny and almost hot. It’s now past midnight, and it’s dumping rain outside. Weather could be a huge factor in this event.
Thanks for all the encouragement to share some insight for the team from our perspective. It takes a lot of time to organize and share the photos/story, but time permitting, I enjoy it and know that is a way for so many of you to share in the experience vicariously.
Tomorrow the plan is to finish some bike prep and then go locate and walk some more special tests.
Today was sunny and almost hot. It’s now past midnight, and it’s dumping rain outside. Weather could be a huge factor in this event.
Thanks for all the encouragement to share some insight for the team from our perspective. It takes a lot of time to organize and share the photos/story, but time permitting, I enjoy it and know that is a way for so many of you to share in the experience vicariously.
September 19, 2012 (Wednesday)
September 20, 2012 (Thursday)
I know this doesn’t have anything to do with motorcycles, but I feel it is important that if we are to come half way across the world, to understand the history and culture of the host country. That is part of the magic of the ISDE, similar to the Olympics, in that it is a melting pot of cultures.
Having my son participate in the ISDE and having the gift of my family here to support him is a dream. However, my perspective was reinforced today that in the grand scheme of things, racing motorcycles around the countryside is quite trivial, but also a wonderful privilege to be representing our country and the freedoms we enjoy.
Tomorrow morning is a team photo shoot, followed with administrative inspection (all the paperwork), and then bike inspection and impound. After that we’ll focus on spending the next 3 days walking the tests and preparing in other ways. I know Josh (and all the riders) are really ready to get this thing started, and it will only be amplified over the next few days after they can’t touch their bikes.
Having my son participate in the ISDE and having the gift of my family here to support him is a dream. However, my perspective was reinforced today that in the grand scheme of things, racing motorcycles around the countryside is quite trivial, but also a wonderful privilege to be representing our country and the freedoms we enjoy.
Tomorrow morning is a team photo shoot, followed with administrative inspection (all the paperwork), and then bike inspection and impound. After that we’ll focus on spending the next 3 days walking the tests and preparing in other ways. I know Josh (and all the riders) are really ready to get this thing started, and it will only be amplified over the next few days after they can’t touch their bikes.
September 21, 2012 (Friday)
Tonight at the Rider’s meeting, they had all the riders sign a Team USA Arai helmet to send back to Japan for Mr. Arai. They also had a big Team USA ISDE banner that all the riders signed, that they will be auctioning with any money earned going back to the team.
The bikes are all impounded. The focus for the next two days will be walking tests and mentally and physically preparing for the 6 days. Let’s go!
The bikes are all impounded. The focus for the next two days will be walking tests and mentally and physically preparing for the 6 days. Let’s go!
September 22, 2012 (Saturday)
One more day…..and then it’s finally here. The riders are all so antsy to just get out and ride. We have several tests to still walk tomorrow, and I’ll post up some photos when I can. The bandwidth at the hotel is still a huge issue so it’s taking way longer than I would like.
Now, if I could just buy a darn drink around here that is larger than 12 oz. and actually has some ice in it.
Now, if I could just buy a darn drink around here that is larger than 12 oz. and actually has some ice in it.
September 23, 2012
