Well it getting closer to the trip and I am getting stoked... Bethany recently had a AP teachers conference in Atlanta , so she dropped the kid off at her parents house in Alabama and then on to Atlanta for the conference. I was able to get 2 days off and decided to ride up and give all my equipment (and my body) a test on this 7-8 hour ride to hotlanta. Did I mention that here we are in the later part of June in Florida? I put all my gear on and put my extra clothes in my backpack and headed north along back roads. I don't know if the jungle is just as humid as Florida or worse. As I stop at a light, the tarmac is baking beneath me and the 93 degree sun is blazing down from above. No wonder every other motorcyclist I encountered on my trip just had the bare essentials like a t-shirt and shorts and maybe a helmet. Well the only relief is when you get going and your sweat cools you down by the wind. I wouldn't have it any other way, one of my co-workers son in law just got into a moto accident a week ago and that pore bastard only had helmet and no other motorcycle gear, but that helmet saved his life. The trip was great as I was riding many time by myself on these back roads. Johns moto, a Suzuki 650, handled great and the scenery and small towns that I came across were unique in there own way. I got a lot of stares by some of the locals but that was to be expected. When I got to hotlanta it was nearly 6pm and the traffic was scary! I was glad to get off the busy interstate and find the hotel. I had a good time exploring Atlanta with my wife. Atlanta is truly a big city and has it's own culture, definitely saw a lot of characters downtown.
Next morning I headed back , but this time I decided to go on the interstate and get back home, it was fine and I actually got back to Fernandina in record time. Conclusion, my gear is going to be hot in the jungles of Peru , everything is comfortable and feels solid, as long as I keep moving the vents in my jacket will let air in and cool me down. Once we start climbing the temp will drop and the humidity will dissipate and my gear will be perfect. I have not tested the durability of the armor in my jacket/pants but that is a good thing. Next post will be when I get to Lima.
