Chapter 2: Planning a Ride in America

The Australians plan a trip to America to attend the Tame the Tail of the Dragon event

Damian recollects; Planning for the Ride in America, was first going to be just California, which I started planning (fly to LAX hire a bike) and have a short stay riding with John in CA, as an introduction to US riding.

Well, that took a dramatic change. I was always interested in the Tame the Dragon riding event in North Carolina and seeing members of the K1600 forum enjoying the get together. So, I thought “well let’s not put a toe in, I’m going to dive straight in “and do a full-on ride.

I was going to do the ride by myself but I mentioned it to the guys I ride with in Melbourne, Australia. Brendan said he would be interested in doing the ride with me. Brendan and I have known each other since we were about 18yrs old when he moved into the country community, I grew up in. So, we began the planning with John, Andy Morley and Jim Elliott with the TTD gathering in mind.

To fit it into our flight itinerary we had to get from the East side of America to the West in 6 weeks. This became hard, because there was so much, I wanted to see and do. Luckily, I had these guys helping because I got caught up wanting to bite too much off. It always helps with local knowledge to plan such a trip.

With Team USA setting up the ride and willing to guide Brendan and I across, it worked out even better than I could have expected. I didn’t really want to do touristy stuff (visiting The Grand Canyon was the only must see). I wanted to ride the roads and visit the places US riders do, see the real America.

I’m glad we planned it that way. America and its people “what a place to visit “. I can’t say enough kind words. The people I met and rode with made this ride what it was, “an unbelievable experience “. I organized the flights and the first part of the accommodation requirements.

First week with Virginian John, second week with the Eastern riding group at Switzerland Inn with Justin, Chris, Kevin and Scott. Justin led us to some great riding, Blue Ridge Parkway, Back of The Dragon to name a couple, along with many other great bike roads around the area. Then this team headed to The Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge with Brendan and I following to join other BMW riders and the rest of the trip guides, Andy and Jim. They had organized routes and accommodations all the way across the country..