A hand up NOT a hand out

When I started my donate page to help raise funds to do an Asia tour, I started it with a business plan. I wanted to use the adventure to write about in my second book. I want to write the story so that it feels like you are right there beside me taking it all in.  That is just part of my plan. The other part of my plan is that I am going to publish my second book on my own and not with a publisher.
    FULL DISCLOSURE
   The only way to explain my first book's revenue is to talk numbers. I think a lot of people think that I am getting rich from my book but let me disclose a few figures. When Barnes and Noble sells my book or Amazon.com, my royalties are 96 cents. I get a royalty check for these and others distributors of my book every 6 months. My last royalty check was for 138 dollars. That was for 6 months. I make more when I sell my book myself so truth be told, I would rather have one way for the public to get my book- by shopping on my website EverythingBeanre.com.
   Now this brings us to where I am today, asking for money. I am well on my way to making this a reality. I will be in Asia as I already pucrchased my plane ticket. I land in Vietnam on Dec 10th. The donations that I get will effect the legnth of my trip and the countries that I am able to visit. It will all be reflected in my book but also in this blog and on Facebook. Rest asured that there will be many many pictures on facebook and I am sure there will be some pictures that everyone will enjoy. I would love to take everyone with me but living vicariously through my on this trip is the next best thing.
   I am also trying to give my supporters something back immediately. I've always said that I couldn't do what I do without the support of my friends so everyone that donates anything will have their name in my book as a supporter. I'm calling these people "Team Bean're". Another thing that I am doing is to have a pre sales of my next book to all the donated 50 dollars or more. The minute that my  book is finished, I will mail out a signed copy to all that donated 50 or more. I am going to try and make a little homemade DVD of my try over in Asia for donors that gave 100 dollars but I thought that wasn't enough so I am working on a Bean're 2014 calendar to give out before I leave to all that donated 100 or more.
click here to donate now
    I am 1/3 of my way to my goal and I have a few more weeks so if you can, I ask you now to support this.  Everything collected it truly appreciated and will be used to propel this project. Thanks for all the support both in the past and now,
Your friend,
Bean're
go fund me page

Why Vietnam?

   I recently announced that I will be flying to Vietnam on December 10. I love exploring the world and this is one country that I always wanted to go to for many different reasons. I've also wanted to tour as many countries in Asia as I could so it only seems like a natural starting point.
   This trip is going to be different though, even for me. There are many things that I am doing differently. I am not taking my bike as the expense is just too much ( 5000 one way). Instead, I will be buying a bike when I get there. It will be a small cc bike- something that the locals ride. I still plan to put a purple spray can paint job on it and some Bean're stickers and make it mine. I plan on spending about 3 months traveling across such countries as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myamar, Thailand, India, Tibet and Bangladesh just to name a few. I am doing it on a shoestring budget but it will still cost more then I have.
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   I'm asking for support. This trip I am asking for help BEFORE I leave. It is just too big of an ordeal to do on my own and I really feel like the time to do it is now. I can't wait till I have enough money or that day may never come.  This trip isn't just a vacation. I will be writing about the entire adventure for my next book. I will be collecting footage for at least a home made DVD. I will also be taking lots of pictures, many of which will end up on Facebook for your enjoyment. As donors to this en-devour, I am offering back all these things.  Join Team Bean're and be with me in more then just spirit. There is no minimum or maximum although there are certain amounts that do have rewards. EVERYONE donating will get their name in my next book as official members of Team Bean're. Thanks for you support!!!
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Rally venues during off season

    A lot of bike rallies began at tourist destinations that were off season. This allowed a great venue and cheap prices and helped out the local economy. The problem  is that once the rallies started becoming successful, the off season just came prime time and rates went back up, sometimes even higher then normal peak season rates.

    Here is an example of Myrtle Beach in October. Oceanside motels for 29 to 39. This isn't just one hotel either. All up and down the strip is billboards toting their low prices and every place has vacancies- no reservations needed. If you want to be a high roller, you can find a 1 or 2 bedroom condo for under 100. There is still plenty of warm weather for riding and another important reason for coming here when it isn't bike week is the local law enforcement. They go back to "normal" mode instead of "high alert" and you don't get pulled over for things like wearing non-DOT eye protection or having a blue dot in your tail light.

 This is by far my favorite time to hit Myrtle. I found this out when I was living in the Carolinas back in the 80's but I forgot just how fun it was till a recent visit through there.  

There is no reason why you couldn't get several of your friends together to ride to just such a destination and have your own mini bike week. The money you save just could go towards some new scooter parts!

My two back to back world record attempts on a mini bike

I set out to break a Guinness World  record on  July 28th ( it was postponed a day due to mechanical problems). Within the first few hours I blew my 1965 NSU motor up.

I thought the problem was that I was riding a 2 stroke ( oil mixes with the gas). I threw the broken mini in the chase van and made a bee line to Anomosa, Iowa where my friends at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa were helping me locate another mini. Kody Wisner of Wisner Cycles was the connection made and another mini bike was purchased. It was a 1984 Honda Z50.

I started my second world record quest from Strawberry Point Iowa.

I ran the mini hard trying to really make good time. I ran it wide open thinking that the little Honda was bulletproof. I was only doing about 34mph. Here is a video of just how fast wide open looks-

I didn't think this would hurt it but it got very hot with in the first hour.  After letting it cool and making some adjustments, I slowed my speed down to between 20 and 25 mph  and even with a severely damaged motor, I made it 166.7 miles in less then 10 hours before the motor finally seized up. As much as I wanted to claim this title, I have to throw in the towel this year after exhausting much time and resources.

In hand sight, I realize that I was very hard on both mini's. Riding along on 2 Cannonballs you would think I would know that this wasn't a race- it is an endurance run yet I made a rookie mistake of wanting to do too much too fast.
I also want to thank ALL my sponsors and especially Kevin "Mailman" O'Brien for following me in a chase vehicle and all the help building and repairing my mini's

It may be over now but both mini's are very salvageable and I plan on returning next year with the knowlege and experience gained and capturing a world title-

Mini bike world record attempt update

As the time it is almost time to leave for Sturgis on my mini bike and attempt to break the Guinness World record for longest distance on a mini bike ( 1400+ miles), I just wanted to give an update and give so props out to all the help I had.

The destination is The Legendary Buffalo Chip where my longtime friend and sponsor, Rod Woodruff will be waiting with a masseuse and a hot tub.

Here is the video of the first time I got it started ( a week before I leave).

      First of all thanks to all my supporters  like Klock Werks, JIMS, Feuling, Progressive Suspension, HHI, Renegade Wheels, Rinehart Exhaust, Earth X batteries and Heaven Cycle in Miami. Being a two stroke I am lucky to have Spectro on board also to keep everything running smoothly too. Sabina with Unique-Designs-Upholstery is doing the custom crush velvet seat. Avon Tyres, the best tire on the market, unfortunately doesn't make a tire this small.

  I want to thank Big Will Ramsey with Faith Forgotten Choppers for making my custom intake since you cannot buy one for the 48 year old motor  (NSU Quick 50 made is 1963-65).

 My friends with Shadetree Racing in Lexington, KY  are re working the gas tank. Dozer is welding in a custom gas cap and Casanova is heading up the paint and body work.

Brandy is polishing my custom gas cap.

Kaelin's Custom Cycle and the help of Frank and Dee Dee that I could not do without.

my main man for this deal will be Kevin "Mailman" O'brien. He has always been there for me but really stepped up this time and will be following me ( at 35 mph) the entire 1400+ miles, 6 days trip to Sturgis. He also is making me a custom helmet to go with my super hero costume for this trip from his and Philip's company, Fu King helmets.

and lastly but most important is Mickey Eddinger. Mickey passed away last year after a 15 year battle with cancer but before he did he wanted to be involved as he loved racing and wanted me to have his personal van to keep up the racing tradition. Mailman will be driving this ( and hauling both our bikes) and this way Mickey is with us every inch of the way. We love you Mickey!

Cedar Point is a must during Ohio Bike Week

I always like checking out the fun things to do in cities that host motorcycle rallies. Here in Sandusky, Ohio, the host city for Ohio Bike, it is also is host to the Cedar Point, the roller coaster capital of the world. I decided to come up early and check it out again.
  Their newest ride is The Gate Keeper and it is responsible for 7 more world records for the park. It is also a winged roller coaster in which you hang out to the side with you feet dangling.

This meant I had to ride Cedar Point first and what a ride it was. At the first drop of 164 feet as I was twirling ( also holds a record for the most twirls), I was having second thoughts.

The second thoughts were gone by the time it was over.

Next ride on my list is one I rode before but I still think it is the most thrilling and most unique ride ever, The Top Thrill Dragster-

For this ride, I had to take the front car.

And when it took off, I was all about it!

And I was still smiling at the end-

10 years ago, me and my brother rode Millennium Force.

It was just as good as I remembered.

It was worth coming up to Ohio Bike Week a day early and take advantage of one of the world's best amusement parks. Good to know I am never too old to have some fun!
Special thanks to Wil Born of Ridin' on Motorcycle Magazine for these great photos!

Breaking a Guinness Book of World Record

  Everyone remembers the Dumb and Dumber scene where they ride a mini bike across the Midwest to Aspen. In the fictitious movie, it was roughly 500 miles that they rode and on a mini bike engine that had somewhere between 150- 200 cc's ( cubic centimeters). My idea will be to go almost triple that on 1/3 the cc's.
    This year I will be riding a 49cc Honda mini bike from Louisville, Kentucky to Sturgis South Dakota ( 1346 miles) where I plan on arriving at The Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground on Thursday, August 1st.  This will shatter the old record of longest journey on a mini moto ( 50cc's or less) that was 445.26 miles. As they say, " go big or go home". I am going for it and when Sturgis is over who knows, I just may ride it to Aspen.......