Welcome to iRIDE

Posted on July 22, 2012, George Josol - HOME

My intention for this blog was to share our iRide experience with family and friends. If anything, it let everyone know that we are safe and also provide our current location. I tried to blog the highlights of iRide but in reality it only covers a small percentage of what we experienced.

We’ve seen so much in a short period of time. I’ve had to a few days to reflect and think about our journey. Everything happenend for a reason and what makes this trip so memorable is that we had so many positive experiences throughout the country. It’s also confirmation by having a partner with a positive attitude you will enjoy the moments shared together ten fold.

We were fortunate to have a few photos taken with each other. I know we can always do the arms length photos but its also nice to have typical snapshot photos too. Some of the photos below were taken by complete strangers that we happened to meet while stopping for gas or food.

First day of iRide leaving Starfish Court. We had full riding gear on with padded protection. By the time iRide was over we down to tank tops and t-shirts. I bought a long sleeve T-shirt in Route 66 and wore it 90% of the time, it sort of became my lucky t-shirt. When the weather started to get close to the 100 degree mark, off went Lorraine’s gear. She suntanned on the back of the Goldwing probably the first 1500 miles or so.

Spent the day with Mallory and Patrick in New Orleans, LA. We are at the West Side of the Mississippi waiting for the dueling barges 4th of July fireworks to begin.

The French Quarters is located on the other side of the river, I believe the area we stayed at was called Algiers. What a cool and different way to spend independence day!

On the way to Florida we stopped at the famous Cafe Du Monde. Lorraine said it wouldn’t be right to be in New Orleans and not have their Beignets and Coffee.

Here we are at the tourist section of Orlando, FL. My sister and bro-in-law treated us out to this place called Bahama Breeze. Great conversation, food and location. The restaurant located right across the street from the Embassy Suites, the hotel we stayed for a few days.

We took this photo in Cocoa Beach, FL. just before we walked down to Atlantic Ocean side sands. Thanks again to Judi and Nick for taking a lot of photos and showing us the ideal spot.

After spending time at the beach we had grubbed down on Southern BBQ.

Getting ready for our Graceland VIP Tour. Memphis TN

Lorraine and I in front of Graceland Mansion. This is not an easy shot to get as there are at any moment hundreds of tourist walking around. We happened to be at the right place at the right time and having an employee present to take the picture.

Rolling the high plains of Checotah, Oklahoma. You’ve heard that place before right? LOL!! This is near the Eastern part of Oklahoma. I have to say once we hit the panhandle area it felt as if we were on a treadmill going 90MPH as the scenery was the same for miles and miles.

I thought taking the Oklahoma backroads would allow us to see more of the hidden treasures of traveling. I soon found out there is nothing to hide for hundreds of miles. LOL!

We rode the trolley, carriage around Beal, Front and Main Street Memphis, TN. It just so happened that they were having bike night on Beal Street. This meant plenty of live entertainment and businesses being open for tourist as well as the bike night attendees.

Memphis is one of those towns where you need at least a week to explore. We were there for 2 days, just long enough to do the Graceland tour. Luckily we stayed in the downtown area which made it walking distance to the local attractions. The young lady driving the carriage took this photo for us.

Going through the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Colorado. That just has a kick-ass ring to it! We stopped for gas in a small community called Gypsum. One of the local girls offered to take a photo of us.

Before we left the Atlantic Ocean we did the classic beach shot. To the other beach goers we must have looked odd, a biker couple grabbing the sand and touching the water with huge smiles and giving each other the high five!

Having the experience of iRide was validation that we both loved long distance touring and that it will now become a goal for us to do each year. We may have longer or shorter rides in the future but none will ever be like iRide.

This was a 50th birthday present from my wife Lorraine, a bucket list check off. I will forever be grateful for what she has given me, a ride of a life time. An iRIDE.