So I’m reading about this amazing guy who is prepping for the 2020 Elefant rally. He plans to ride 800 miles through Germany on his Honda (with no fairing or windshield) in January to then camp outside in a tent. I’m not sure I’m up for that level of excitement, but I would like to spend more time riding to places other than work this summer. Last year I logged most of my 2,000 or so miles driving the 25 mile stretch back and forth to work in upstate NY. This forced me to expand my summer pant collection and purchase some heavy gloves. Summers in upstate NY are typically quite cool in the morning, so a ride in to work could be 50 degrees versus an 80 degree ride home. I also got a nifty pack for the tiny luggage rack on the back of my bike, which allows me, between my saddlebags and pack, to load up several bags of groceries. Sometimes, if I’m not in a hurry to get home, I take the back roads. Not as glamorous as an Arctic European trek, but you have to start somewhere.
One down, the rest is up 
Nice read 🙂 Why don’t you consider a smaller bike also in your garage, it would really change your motorcycling outlook and each ride becomes a real adventure – trust me! I hardly ride my 500cc Suzuki these days and sold the new Bonneville Scrambler (which was a dream to ride)
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I do love my Harley and it is a smaller one- a 750. But I hear you, I do a lot of hiking in the Adirondacks and it’s not the best for sandy parking lots!
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It sounds like you need to get out of town this summer and do some miles. Commuting is fine but getting out on the open road is so much better. And if you’re not confident by yourself I’m sure there are groups you can ride with.
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