Lower 48+ on an XR650L

RIP shooterdave,

I ride a xr650l and your report was one I used when I decided on which bike to ride. God bless and god speed!
One things for sure you really.........LIVED!! On your terms and I admire you for that.

It felt weird typing this , ....surely they got the internet in heaven......

DM

I remember when he wrecked and Vance went to save him. Damn. Where is Vance these days?

I only found this report a few weeks ago, and I read through it on my spare time at work. It truly was fantastic. I come to hear that Dave has passed, and it is rough. I feel like I got to know him after reading this. My condolences to those who are personally effected by this. I feel as if this ride report will live on to show the life and personality that Dave had. Does anyone know who he was planning to go RTW with? I think it would be amazing if there was a way to help fund his RTW trip in remembrance of Dave. RIP ShooterDave

"Life is not a destination, but a journey. Everyone WILL die eventually. Its just a matter of how and when. What counts is what happens before that time, and how you live it. You only live once. Treat everyone as you would want to be treated and it will come back to you ten fold. Thank you for accompanying me along this journey, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. May your journey be as enjoyable.

Now go..... "

My towns 'Relay for Life' event is coming up in a few weeks. I'll be buying a luminary for Dave.

I wonder what the ridings like up there? Heavenly I'm guessing.

So sorry to hear about this. I never met Dave but I followed him on his great journey. He definitely inspired me to "get out there". Thank you for that Dave. Rest in peace brother. I will take a ride on my XRL soon and dedicate it to him.

At a loss for words. RIP

For those who haven't seen it.

Shocking! What a great guy for the world to lose. I really feel for his parents. Other family, fiancé, and friends too, but for a parent to lose a child? Furthermore as the child is about to enter the prime of life. Yikes! So sorry, especially hitecmom and dad.

Dave was a joy to have stay with us, and for me to ride with, help work on his bike, hear about his adventures, and offer my observations of life to. He was so well-spirited and had a wonderful contagious positive attitude about him. We were hoping and expecting to see him again someday.



That's where I met him. We didn't eat there, we ate wholesome meals at home my wife prepared. We talked a good bit about diet.

I took him on some pretty technical dirt, and that was before he let me know he'd only been riding a few months, but he took it easy, did great, and didn't flub up. Up in the mountains it was foggy that day. I expressed regret that he couldn't enjoy the normally great views from certain spots along the way, and he informed me that he was thoroghly enjoying it the way it was. Said it reminded him of a scary movie, that something was going to jump out of the fog. I said yeah, deer and bear can be pretty scary when you're tooling along on a bike. He laughed.



My bike keeps getting in the way! This was after it cleared up a little. Since we were riding near the border with WV, I convinced him to let me get this shot, though he said he'd already gotten a welcome to VA sign elsewhere.



After the second night, he was ready to git on his way. I forget now where he was headed from here, but I got a shot of him ready to hop on and take off.



Godspeed, Dave!

I lost my father to leukemia in between Dave's departure from our home and his departure from earth; though the two didn't meet while here, I'm sure they have met where they are now. As Dave and I are kindred brothers to a common cause, so are he and my dad.

Heavenly Father,
I know it's not possible to fully comfort a grieving parent, but please do what you can for Dave's parents.
In Jesus' name,
amen?

Ok, that's freaky - as I was scanning over the pictures, passing the one where he is giving the thumbs up, I could swear Dave gave me a nod! Seriously! :eek1 Love you too, bro! See you on the other side!

Jesus, I'm tearing up here. I was looking for a trip report where the rider just took what they had and left and found this one. Too quickly I skipped to the last page and, wow, just wow. I feel for his family.

I am glad he got at least this ride in. I'm glad he didn't wait, like too many do, to be able to afford the "right" bike, the "right" gear, etc. Lesson here, the right bike for a trip and the right gear for a trip just might be what you have. Don't put it off any more than you have to. Me? Every vacation I'll be on the road somewhere. Who knows when it will be the last one? Ride. Enjoy. Let this guy be your inspiration.

A great inspiration to all who followed his story. Far too young to leave. At now 74 I feel an obligation to ride as often as I can & use the gift of life that God has given me. RIP Dave.

Funny thing is that Dave did say at some point that he wanted to inspire people. I know he inspired many before his death but when he died it spurred me on to get on with my trip and do it and this summer I did and I know that Dave was along with me the whole way.

Every day is a gift so get out there and enjoy life like Dave did because know one knows how much time they have.

Hell of a ride that man took !!! Good for him and RIP young man!!

I just found this the other day, and I'm deeply saddened...
Dave stayed at my house on his trip .. Out standing young man, I will miss him ...
28 yrs old,, Way to young to have passed..

This was the first and only ride report I read from start to finish, followed it from the beginning. And after reading several posts of Dave's, he often reminds me of myself, friendly, energetic, and cares enough to tell it like it is.

What an amazing report. Inspiring in so many ways.

Our time here is short. RIP buddy.

I missed this ride report back then. Saw it this morning, got sucked in, and read every page. Saw the dates of the posts and figured Round 2 was getting underway, or something. And it ends like this.

I'm sad. I'm also glad I found it and read it. I'm old enough to be this kid's dad and wish I could live life like he did.

RIP Dave. Thank you for sharing your incredible journey.

I still think about Dave all the time,i really miss him,always will


BUMP


B

Thanks for the bump. Haven't checked back here in a while. I was lucky enough to meet and host Dave in Tahoe on the last leg of this trip. Took him to breakfast on his 25th birthday and saw him on his way in a snowstorm. (Pics in here somewhere) Have been meaning to post the story. At nearly half my age he was and still is an inspiration. RIP brother Dave.

If anyone knows how to contact his parents, they might like to have the videos with Dave in them.

Please forward my email to them:

Vanceforster@gmail.com

RIP Dave.

"Bump"