ramblinChet
Well-known member
Time for a change of pace since overlanding is not exclusive to dirt or gravel roads, or muddy trails, etc. Overlanding does include paved roads also so here is some information gathered on 1,792 miles over three days beginning in central Ohio, passing through West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and finally Mississippi. I drove on rough roads, smooth ones, in the city, on the highway, in light traffic and heavy, etc.
In summary, I can say the ride was quite comfortable and I felt great once it ended. This trip confirmed that I was correct in selecting the AEV Prospector package with 37" AT tires. As mentioned previously, I really desired the AEV Prospector XL with 40" MT tires and had the money saved. It ended up an exercise in self-discipline and despite my endless internal arguments I opted for the Prospector package with 37s since it was the best choice for my application. This long trip combined with my recent trip from Pennsylvania to Colorado and back confirmed that I had made the best choice. We can dive into all the technical details regarding the ratio of sprung to unsprung mass, rotational mass and it's impact on acceleration and braking, etc. In short, this trip was a dream.
Some of you know I roadraced motorcycles in a past life. My license was through WERA and my final season was in 1996 where I competed around these United States in the WERA National Challenge Series. I could share stories and try to explain but unless you have raced on the track and battled others at 160+ MPH it would just be words. Needless to say, motorcycles have a special place in my heart. Here is me on my first brand new motorcycle, a 1989 Suzuki GSX-R750, built to compete in production class roadracing. This was the world's first street legal race bike.
Below is the only picture I have of me racing my final year in 1996 on a brand new 1996 Suzuki GSX-R750 SRAD. My boy is down below me and as you might have guessed, he is on a Suzuki GSX-R750 also. He flies and is so much better compared to me - I am happy for him and impressed with his self-discipline.
Why am a rambling on about motorcycles and how special they are to me? It's because during my recent adventure I was driving past a place where I had always wanted to spend some time and it was my overland rig that carried me to the front gate of Barber Motorsports Park and Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. As with most of my adventures, this was not planned, it just happened. With over 1,600 immaculate motorcycles in their collection and over half on display, it is nothing short of amazing. If you have a day and are in the area and can appreciate fine mechanical machines, I would encourage you to stop by.
First, some beautiful artwork outside the main building...
Here is a tiny section of their huge collection spanning five floors.
Here is the exact make and model motorcycle my uncle Tom raced - a 1973 Husqvarna CR400. It was my uncle who showed me that anyone with a desire could race. BTW - Steve McQueen rode a Husky 400 in the movie "On any Sunday."
There are so many interesting motorcycles there to enjoy. Here are three that caught my eye. The first is powered by a Rotax rotary engine.
Here is another powered by a Wankel eccentric rotary engine.
And finally, for aviation enthusiasts, a seven-cylinder, air cooled, radial engine. I can't even begin to imagine how wonderful she sounds!
Of course, they also have the Porsche Track Experience available on the 17-turn, 2.38 mile, road racing course.
And I will end with this beauty, so very simple yet beautiful. A 1952 Triumph custom build by Jared Weems of Tampa, Florida, back in the early 80s.
In summary, I can say the ride was quite comfortable and I felt great once it ended. This trip confirmed that I was correct in selecting the AEV Prospector package with 37" AT tires. As mentioned previously, I really desired the AEV Prospector XL with 40" MT tires and had the money saved. It ended up an exercise in self-discipline and despite my endless internal arguments I opted for the Prospector package with 37s since it was the best choice for my application. This long trip combined with my recent trip from Pennsylvania to Colorado and back confirmed that I had made the best choice. We can dive into all the technical details regarding the ratio of sprung to unsprung mass, rotational mass and it's impact on acceleration and braking, etc. In short, this trip was a dream.
Some of you know I roadraced motorcycles in a past life. My license was through WERA and my final season was in 1996 where I competed around these United States in the WERA National Challenge Series. I could share stories and try to explain but unless you have raced on the track and battled others at 160+ MPH it would just be words. Needless to say, motorcycles have a special place in my heart. Here is me on my first brand new motorcycle, a 1989 Suzuki GSX-R750, built to compete in production class roadracing. This was the world's first street legal race bike.
Below is the only picture I have of me racing my final year in 1996 on a brand new 1996 Suzuki GSX-R750 SRAD. My boy is down below me and as you might have guessed, he is on a Suzuki GSX-R750 also. He flies and is so much better compared to me - I am happy for him and impressed with his self-discipline.
Why am a rambling on about motorcycles and how special they are to me? It's because during my recent adventure I was driving past a place where I had always wanted to spend some time and it was my overland rig that carried me to the front gate of Barber Motorsports Park and Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. As with most of my adventures, this was not planned, it just happened. With over 1,600 immaculate motorcycles in their collection and over half on display, it is nothing short of amazing. If you have a day and are in the area and can appreciate fine mechanical machines, I would encourage you to stop by.
First, some beautiful artwork outside the main building...
Here is a tiny section of their huge collection spanning five floors.
Here is the exact make and model motorcycle my uncle Tom raced - a 1973 Husqvarna CR400. It was my uncle who showed me that anyone with a desire could race. BTW - Steve McQueen rode a Husky 400 in the movie "On any Sunday."
There are so many interesting motorcycles there to enjoy. Here are three that caught my eye. The first is powered by a Rotax rotary engine.
Here is another powered by a Wankel eccentric rotary engine.
And finally, for aviation enthusiasts, a seven-cylinder, air cooled, radial engine. I can't even begin to imagine how wonderful she sounds!
Of course, they also have the Porsche Track Experience available on the 17-turn, 2.38 mile, road racing course.
And I will end with this beauty, so very simple yet beautiful. A 1952 Triumph custom build by Jared Weems of Tampa, Florida, back in the early 80s.
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