I've been away from here a long time!  No intarweb access at home and a busy schedule will do it to ya I guess!

I finally got both days off this weekend, and I went on a trip to see my friends in upstate NY.  Rode up to Albany and stayed with my little brother, then up to the Lake George area to see an old Navy friend, then all the way down to Binghamton to stay with my old college roommate for a night.  Then all the way back home!  Something around 850 miles in 3 days.  I had monkey butt from sitting in the saddle that long, wearing jeans and mesh overpants...  

The ride around Lake George was sweet   expored some back roads, beautiful scenery I got stuck in Saratoga while the horse tracks let out, and a huge concert was starting.  As much as I love Saratoga, summer/horse season really sucks  :x hour and a half in stopped traffic!

The last day, my friend in Binghamton and his brother rode with me out half-way, stopping at the 'Hawk's Nest' along the NY/PA/NJ border.  The ride was fun, lots of curves... Did Bear Mountain too on the way home

Does anyone know where I could get those little frame straps for Tourmaster Cortech bags?  I lost one oh... and I lost my pair of prescription sunglasses because I didn't check and make sure all the zippers were closed after a stop    

You have a friend in Binghamton and went on this ride and I didn't get to go??    Haha. I live just up the road from Binghamton!

I was in LI a couple weeks ago. Hicksville, Jones Beach, etc. Funny you mention losing your prescription sunglasses, I lost my regular glasses in the Ocean at Jones Beach! $300 later I got my new ones  :x

So if you're ever around Binghamton again, and want to ride with another GS'er, let me know! I am there and in the area often.

Quote from: TurkinaI went on a trip to see my friends in upstate NY.
[...]
Something around 850 miles in 3 days.

Sounds like a great trip!

Quote from: TurkinaDoes anyone know where I could get those little frame straps for Tourmaster Cortech bags?  I lost one

I don't know if you can get them through Tour Master or not.  But if you have a pet store nearby you might take one of your other straps in and compare it to the various dog leash solutions they sell these days.  You might get lucky!  (If you find the right clip, a seamtress or tailor or leather shop could do the sewing for ya.)

Quote from: Turkina...  Something around 850 miles in 3 days.  I had monkey butt from sitting in the saddle that long, wearing jeans and mesh overpants...   ...

I can sympathize, though the longest I've spent in the saddle was only 1/3 that distance in one day.

If you solve the Monkey Butt problem, let us know.  I've got a sheepskin that I'm experimenting with, but not yet "fresh as a daisy" after 200 miles yet.

Best reviews I've seen is for the AirHawk Seat Pad.  I've seen one in the box and it's fairly simple yet pricey.  At almost 3 times the sheepskin, I'll be trying a few more variations of padding my rear and cushion before getting that puppy -- but I've nothing but good stories about its use.

Quote from: RedShift

Quote from: Turkina...  Something around 850 miles in 3 days.  I had monkey butt from sitting in the saddle that long, wearing jeans and mesh overpants...   ...

I can sympathize, though the longest I've spent in the saddle was only 1/3 that distance in one day.

If you solve the Monkey Butt problem, let us know.  I've got a sheepskin that I'm experimenting with, but not yet "fresh as a daisy" after 200 miles yet.

Best reviews I've seen is for the AirHawk Seat Pad.  I've seen one in the box and it's fairly simple yet pricey.  At almost 3 times the sheepskin, I'll be trying a few more variations of padding my rear and cushion before getting that puppy -- but I've nothing but good stories about its use.

Actually, I have little problem with the cushioning in the seat (I've got a '96).  What I hate is the lack of air circulation between my butt and the seat.  On hot days, the skin gets red, irritated and painful, especially on my legs right below my butt So you get Red Monkey Butt!  :mrgreen: It's not like a bruise, but the skin hurts!  :x

In hot weather monkey butt is a fact of life.
Can't wait for cooler weather.
Two weeks ago I did a sweep on my DL650 with my riding partner we went from the Lake Placid area to Ottowa, Minawaki, Mt. Tremblant, Montreal and back to Saranac Lake.  I did a little over 600 miles my riding partner did 740 he started out from Speculator, NY.  It was hot, we did it all in one day.
I can do 400 miles on the GS without the seat bothering me.  After that it becomes work.
Can't beat the DL650 for long distance touring.