Prepping for another winter

The end of the year is at hand.  It has been a wonderful year full of good friends, good rides.  For the first time, I took a 1000+ mile ride by myself to clear the head and do a bit of a "Walk-About."  I needed it.  Christmas saw new handlebars for Kermit, replacing the bent ones I have ridden with since 2006 (or was it 2007?).  As the winter wraps it's snowy arms around us once again, I will fire up the propane heater in the garage and spend time doing all the prep and repairs that are needed for that first ride in the spring...hoping no more than 3 months away.

I asked Lana to go with me to the Motorcycle Show this year, either in Detroit or Cleveland.  She has not really been into motorcycles before, so time she gets immersed in the culture!  I do not suspect that she will be as impressed with the new models as the new leathers! LOL...

I hope to post some pics, both of the show and of the bike maintenance.  I keep promising to add more to this blog, but, well, you know how that goes...

A fall day in October

The sun peeked over the horizon on Saturday.  I struggled to get out of bed, but knew what would be a motivation to entice me to get the housework done (or at least most of it).  A RIDE!!! OK, was not really that spontaneous, but taking part of a day off for a ride was the motivation I needed.  And the weather was amazing, something rare during my free time.

I rushed through the various chores and called a friend.  "Ya Ready?" I asked?  She said that she would be by the time I got there to pick her up.  I ran late as I drove through the four lane traffic jam in Northern Columbus. But finally arrived to pick her up.  She was very young when her father had taken on the back of a bike, so I had my challenge to make this a great trip.

The weather continued to cooperate, and we took a wide range of roads; residential, city, country, highways.  We rode through a state park (parts of which were closed because of govt shutdown) and saw some vibrant trees showing their autumn splendor.  We hit a bar in Waldo known for their bologna sandwiches.  It was a great fall ride and great company.

Prepping for Interlochen

An annual pilgrimage, Interlochen,MI is about 400 miles north near traverse city.  The campgrounds are on sandy soil, always rains, temps range from mid 90's to high 30's. The location's claim to fame is that it has the hottest showers around.  Somehow, this less than hospitable "resort" becomes a playground for the VROC riding club every August!  

A few days away still, I have already done half my packing. This year I go it alone.  I have a tent, camping gear, stove, cooking utensils, cooler, and clothes all packed up for a long weekend ride.  Did I mention pain killers? Plenty of pain killers for my rear end...that is a long 8 - 10 hr ride!

Now...to contain my excitement until I can twist that throttle!!!

Resting at home on Saturday morning, having a cup of strong coffee and reliving the ride.  This really is one of those "Bucket List" things for me.  I am not sure what is the most attractive in the adventure; Walk-about aspects of being by myself to think about the challenges and wonderful things that have been laid at my feet, spending entire days on my motorcycle, meeting new people, seeing new things, or just proving I can do it.  The randomness of the trip was very important, not knowing where I will end up each day.  It was great to have the technology to stop at a gas station, fire up the iPhone and find the nearest inexpensive hotel then call and make reservation.  The AMA and AAA discounts were very valuable!

But it is great to be home. Soaked in the tub last night, and then crawled in my own bed.  What a great way to end the trip. 

Here are some misc pictures and the route I took.  Each star represents were I ended up spending the night.

And a few miscellaneous pictures

Views like this were commonplace, but far from common!

Ohio River as I took a short rest.

This is a Red Roof Inn!  Really!!!  $40/night

Kicking back after 400 miles.  Far better than pitching a tent!

The total is in....

1,224 miles, the longest ride I have ever done. I am home now, safe and sound, tired and sore.  But what a great time it has been. Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia. I rode through some very large cities and small country towns. Spent hundreds of miles on America's highways and two lane back roads.  It was beautiful weather when I started, but had some nasty front that brought in rain and colder temperatures. Had good rain gear, great luggage, warm clothing when I needed it.  Met some interesting people on the road.

I will load up a map and more pictures when I get a moment, and also update the states I have ridden.  This has been one of the best vacations I have ever taken.

400 miles down, 400 miles to go...

It was a great day for a ride. Decided to take the long way home. From Georgia to Alabama to Tennessee to Virginia. It started out cold, and threw on the chaps. Fingers got a little cold by late morning, but was able to take the chaps off. Got to Wytheville, VA after a little over 400 miles today. Decided I earned a good dinner and went with catfish at Crack Barrel.

Did a google maps to find out how much longer I had to ride tomorrow to get home. Just under 400 more miles! Oops, knew it was a longer ride, but not THAT much longer!

Rainy day in Georgia

Started the day missing breakfast. No rain outside! Then looked at the radar. Yikes!!!

Decided that I would try running South and was able to stay dry - for a while. The storm finally caught up with me just South of 40 and 75. Ducked into a Marathon to get a drink and put on my rain gear. Soon a Goldwing pulled up with a couple. Had a great talk - he had a lot of history and we spent some time talking about some of the great riders that he road with, and I just read about! When the rain let up, we rode together for about an hour - he was headed to the TN Goldwing rally, and I to Georgia. So we split ways just north of Chattanoga.

The rain kept coming on and off. Picked out Baymont Inn, parked and checked in. Sure enough, another downpour. Defn a rainy night in Georgia! Here is hoping the weather improves tomorrow.

Day one - kinda

Got a good night sleep and on the road this morning. Rode through Ohio on small two lane roads. Listened to some great country music, hit some nice roads and detours as well. About 250 miles later, it looked like rain coming in so I grabbed a room in Richmond KY. Got lucky at a Red Roof with a $60 room with king size bed and jacuzzi.

Now for some pizza, beer, and water!

Getting ready

 Went to sleep last night, thinking about my upcoming trip.  Get up at 7:30, have a leisurely cup of coffee and breakfast. Go to the dentist at 9:00, and then pack and head out for a week of riding. Relaxing, relaxing, relaxing....

Then reality hit...

Woke up this morning, looked at the clock and it was 8:35!!!  I overslept!!!! My dentist appt was in 25 minutes!!!!  I rushed through shower, and other morning routines. I got dressed, and went downstairs to put on my boots.  Whew!! Checked the clock on the cable box.  I did all my morning routine in about 10 mins!  I had 15 minutes to get to the dental appointment, and I rushed out the door!  I made it to the dentist 5 mins before the top of the hour!!!

As I pulled into the parking lot, i saw no...NO...cars in the front parking lot. I look at the truck's clock.  Clearly I forgot to reset it with the time change since it said it said 7:55. Made a mental note to reset the clock.  Looked at my watch.  7:55...Oh dang...I am an hour early!!!!

 I am now back from dentist, sore gums, but all good.  Having a couple cups of coffee and then pack and head out!  Look out drivers, here I come!
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Update. 

• Headed out, and immediately found that I needed to stop for fuel. Stop at gas station...
• After fueling up, I remembered I forgot my medication (I am diabetic).  Turn around...
• Leave again...and then could not remember packing my iPhone (my primary contact with the rest of the world). Stopped, checked out all the packing places on my bike.  No phone.  Turn around.
• Spent about an hour or more looking for phone through bike, house, garage, bedroom.... before remembering I took it to the dentist in the morning, and left it in the truck!

By this time, I was frustrated, hot, frustrated, sweaty, frustrated ... and did I mention frustrated? I decided that it was best NOT to get on the road in that state of mind. So now I am ready to take off first thing in the morning, rested, and not frustrated.  Crossing the Ohio River in Maysville (at least that is my current thoughts!)