HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I'm excited today is the last day of 2009.  Had a fantastic year full of fun and VERY different things to do in filmmaking - plus my idea was born to take my Because I Can World Tour!!!

This is why I am excited, because tomorrow is 2010.  An even bigger year of discovery, change, adventure and fun!!  There is so much planning going on as we speak, and then the adventure itself will have a heap full of an even more exciting unknown.  What life changing experiences will I bring back with me?  Who will I meet? What amazing place will I discover - EVERY DAY!!!

Until next year - stay cool!!

Which bike?

Off again today to look at a couple more bikes: KTM and Aprilia.  I don't know much about the later, but I am feeling good about KTM because it seems more light weight and manageable.  They all say I will get used to the heavier bike, but after watching some advice yesterday on a documentary, it was a common comment to acknowledge that a smaller bike would have been better.  And some of those people were riding 650's!  I am looking at that size now, because I know there is no perfect answer for everyone.  But I think that to go lower would limit me too much.  I do want to be comfortable on the trip, so 600 cc range will be better on the road.  However, smaller will be more flexible in those odd situations, as well as if I have to roll the bike into a hotel for the night.

Anyway, research continues.  Christmas has slowed me down a bit, but now I am back on track.  Getting paperwork organized is my January goal.  But first things first - I want a bike!!!

Crashed and Burned

Not a great test run today!!!

Crashed at a big intersection just before returning the bike to the dealer.  BUMMER!!!!  What does that mean??  Bike to big?? or Pilot Error??  I was test driving a BMW F800gs.  Previously interested in the BMW 650gs, but so many adventurer riders recommend the 800.  I can see why, it was lovely to ride - sits up high, very comfortable and powerful!  I'm 5'9" and my toes touched the ground, but not flat feet.

My leg somewhat protected the bike in the fall, however the bike lost a turn signal and is very scraped up on the side.  

My leg is quite swollen and bruised, doesn't want to bend much.  And it hurts!!!   Shook me up a bit, I'll tell ya.  But I got back on the horse and finished.

Ugh, now what??  Well I did try helmets on today, and found one I liked, but not the color, so I ordered the same helmet from the US for less than half what it costs here and in the Matte Black I wanted!

That must mean I am still on my way, just a bit torn as to what bike I will take.  Salesman said before I got on the 800 that the 650 is better for me.  He wasn't even upset I crashed his bike, but he took me over to the 650 and said here, sit on this again.  What a nice man!!

But then there is the adventure bike in Melbourne I am supposed to go see tomorrow. It's the 800 again, however it is completely set up with everything I need and ready to go!

My leg is big and throbbing, and usually the 2nd and 3rd day are worse.  

It's not the end of the world, and I just remembered that young Jessica Watson crashed her yacht into a cargo ship on her test run.  Not the same, I know but if it makes me feel a little better..

Oh well, that's enough for poor poor pitiful me.  But thought you'd enjoy the update.  Until then...

All Directions!

Hello...So much to do, my head is spinning!  And now I've just added more work to that huge pile already!   Since school finished and my holiday trip to visit family is over, it's time to get back to proper paid work.  Going to work full time until I leave in April, so all the masses of things I am organizing and researching will be compressed into a shorter space each day. Yay!!  Just what I needed!

But I must remember when I was in University, that my grades were actually quite average.  Until I got a job.  And for some reason, I was far more organized and got much better grades as a working student.  I've heard others say this over the years, so there must be something to it.

I certainly don't sit around all day twittling my thumbs at the moment... it amazes me how the days fly by and how each and every little item or plan in regards to this trip is massively time consuming!!  Maybe I am putting too much pressure on myself to get it perfect or right the first time.  But I feel it's important to make the best decisions possible.

My current list of things to do is 4 full pages handwritten - see I told you I'd start that list!  I've been so lucky to cross off... 2!  And only today added....12!!  Not the desired direction to go, but we'll get there...

To-do List

Finally got some sleep last night... crashed about 6 pm, and woke up around 4 this morning! That's a big sleep for me! Still feeling a bit slow, but that's jet lag for ya! Had a gorgeous moonlit walk along the ocean this morning, and when I wasn't enjoying the moon, my mind was racing about all the things I need to do to organize this trip. Completely overwhelming!! Decided to get a better "to-do" list on paper so I can start checking them off. Nearly felt like I was going into panic mode... and wondered what I have gotten myself in to. Until I remembered that this is far more fun than working 9-5 at an office in the city..

Day 1 - Sherri Jo's Because I Can World Tour

Wowee!! It's Day 1, of Sherri Jo's "Because I Can!" World Tour blog! Welcome!!

I love to travel and I love adventure, so this is the official first day of my trip planning to take a solo motorcycle trip around the world starting in 2010! Why?? Because I can!!

Completely knackered from my flight back from America to my home in South Australia clocking in at 32 hours. My body has decided it's just not going to sleep at all as it's still trying to figure out where in the world I am and which time zone that might be.. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with my family in Indianapolis, Indiana. And as usual, I ate too much!!

But now it's time to get serious and dig into the plan. There is so much to do before setting out on a journey such as this: gear, itinerary, visas, etc.. Goal # 1.. Get a motorcycle!! Nothing like starting at the bottom and working my way up - I like it that way..!

I am getting so much support and advice from everyone already, so Thank You!

I've never done a journey like this, especially solo. So I am looking forward to learning and creating along the way.. and I hope to inspire others to do the same!

SJ