Pre BBNP ride report - Ducati.ms

rickmillertx · Jun 22nd, 2007, 8:19 am

I got my 06 ST3s back from AMS and its 6000 service. So I took it on a 250 mile checkout ride this week to make sure all was well.

This coming Tuesday I'm rolling out of the garage and heading to Big Bend National Park. It is about 550 miles one way, but I like to wander when traveling so the mileage will be a little more. This trip will be different for me because I'm going backpacking. I have done a lot of day hiking, but never an overnight in the wilds hike.
This should be a good first time backpacking trip. I'm going to take a lot of pictures so I'll report in upon my return 7 days later.
My wife is betting that all my gear will be on ebay the following week.
I'm going to keep my eye out for any other Ducatis. I just never see any out on the road.

Bill_Anderson · Jun 22nd, 2007, 9:26 am

I read an article about BBNP in "Rider". The author was touring the park on a yellow 748. Isn't this a bad time of year to go because of the heat? I have heard it is best to go there in the winter when things cool down a bit.

rickmillertx · Jun 22nd, 2007, 9:58 am

Heat is an issue. I had the trip planned for April but things kept getting in the way of the ride. According to weather.com the weather should be in the mid 80s which is cooler than Dallas right now. I'm hoping for anything under 95. Just in case, I have ordered some wicking under clothes to try. I'll give a review after the trip.

rickmillertx · Jun 24th, 2007, 2:03 pm

PANIC!
I went to the garage this morning to start the final prep for my trip and bingo. The front tire is flat. After cussing for a while I spin the tire around (still has nipples) looking for a nail. Nothing. Refill the tire and check the stem. There it is leaking out of the stem core. I can't find my valve removal tool so I'm off the the auto parts store. Hopefully it is just loose or something. One way or another I'm going to fix this.

Bill_Anderson · Jun 24th, 2007, 2:10 pm

Good luck. My most recent rear tire had leaking valve stem. I fixed that, but the tire has still had an intermttent leak from an unknown source for the past 12 days. Check those tire pressures every morning.

rickmillertx · Jun 24th, 2007, 6:35 pm

I replaced the value and it is not leaking now. Just something else to worry about in the back of my mind. Now the weather report for Dallas on Tuesday is 100 percent chance of rain.