Summer Trip III

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

Check out the population of Preston MO.

     Good morning Missouri! Since Oscar's was such a great spot for dinner, I had to return for breakfast. After breakfast I picked up US 54 out of Jefferson City and rode west, towards the Lake of the Ozarks State Park. This area with access to lots of lakes is a summer playground. A large amount of boats, restaurants, shops, and people. It seemed pretty touristy to me, but I get it. With long hot summers  people need a place to relax and refresh. Its just not the type of place for me.

Oscar's for breakfast. GREAT omelet. 

     I stopped mid morning in the town of Eldon to take a break. I found the city park, which also featured a very active swimming pool. It reminded me of when my daughters were young and I used to take them to the outside pool at the University of Delaware. Many happy hours of swimming, reading, and relaxing while some one else took care of the pool. A nice summer activity.

Town park and pool in Eldon MO.

     My goal today was to ride to El Dorado KS. The trip would take me along US 54 the whole way. One thing that became a large factor was the heat. Temperatures in the upper 90s, and I saw a few thermometers the read 100 during the day. The key is to hydrate, stop often, keep the speed down a little. My bike is water cooled, but I didn't want to take any chances.

Just another hot day in Missouri. 

    Before I left on the trip I changed the oil and filter, checked the air in the tires, and checked the brakes. The tread on the tires was marginal, probably 2,000 miles or so left on them. In the intense heat of Missouri and Kansas they started wearing faster. I called Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza in Colorado Springs CO to see if they had a set of tires in stock. They did not. They referred me to their other shop, Apex Sports, where I spoke to Gary in the parts department. He checked and he did have a set of Dunlop tires that fit my bike. He promised to hold them for me. Unfortunately Apex is closed on Sunday and Monday. He transferred me to service where I spoke to Haden. They opened at 9 AM, and I told him I would be there by 8:30. Early start on Tuesday.

Summer Trip II

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

The sign painted on a barn along route 46 in Indiana.

     Ok. So the second day of the trip was supposed to be another day on I 70 going west. That lasted until I saw a sign in Indiana for Knightstown, which claimed to be the location of the gym that was used in the movie Hoosiers. As a former high school basketball coach how could I resist? I got off at exit 115 of I 70 in Indiana and went to have a look. At once I was back to the type of motorcycle touring I love. Back roads. Small towns.

The Hoosier gym. Check the sign in the background.

     Unfortunately the gym was closed due to maintenance, but I did get a picture from the outside. If you look closely at the picture you'll see a sign for the gym. While I was there I took advantage of their park in the middle of the town so sit for a while and read.

A drive in theater? Still in use 2019? Welcome to rural middle America.

     This was a 500 mile day, so I had to get going. I navigated along US 40 (the same road that passes through Delaware!) to rejoin I 70. Along the way I passed a drive in theater that is still being used today. In addition, while passing through a small town, I found a diner to have lunch. This is an aspect of touring that I really enjoy. The menu was simple, the food was good, and the people were nice. How much better does it get?

The Crossroads 46 Diner Spencer Indiana, found by chance as I wandered  west. 

     The afternoon on I 70 was a typical ride: lots of trucks and traffic, running along at 70mph, or 75 mph and the need to really stay focused. Across Indiana, into Illinois, and then, finally, into Missouri. Getting around St. Louis was not as bad as I thought it might be. Instead of going through the city, I was directed north around St. Louis, only seeing the famous arch from afar. Then off I 70 at exit 148 where I picked up US 54 to Jefferson City, arriving at my motel by 6:30.

Oscar"s Classic Diner in Jefferson City Missouri. Not exceptional on the outside, but inside wow!  Found by chance. 

     After I checked in I looked on the iPad for a place for dinner, but found nothing I liked close to the motel. I set out on the bike and came across a sign along the highway that mentioned Oscar's Classic Diner. OK, sounds good to me....and it was. Inside a classic diner that featured the Harry Truman Chicken Fried Steak. As a former history teacher I had to try this. Delicious! A 15 minute cruise back to the motel after dinner, and my 660 mile day on the road was at an end.

This poster is on the wall in the men's bathroom at Oscar's. 

Summer Trip I

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

My 6 year old grandson Charlie standing next to Black Beauty as I get ready to leave for my trip.

     This summer I decided to "...go west young man, go west..." I have ridden all the way to California, and ridden the coastal highway there. Beautiful! However, like many others, I missed a lot along the way. While I have been to Colorado, mostly on interstates, I had never ridden to the top of Pike's Peak. Seems like a plan! Last summer I took my BMW R1150GS, this summer it would be the Honda ST1100, affectionately known as the Black Beauty.

The Eat 'N Park at New Stanton PA.

     Unlike last summer, when I went to Alaska, I didn't think I would have to worry about the cold. I would be dealing with summer heat going out and coming back. For riding gear my rain suit

 would do. I would take a fleece, and a leather vest, but the major thing I needed to take was lots of sunscreen.When riding in hot weather you need to stay hydrated, use lip balm, and lots of sunscreen. Getting sun burned on the first couple of days of a trip can really take some of the joy out of the experience. As I thought about the trip I decided to do two 500 mile days just to "get out there." After that 200 or 300 miles a day. I enjoy riding the old US highways, in and out of small towns, getting a feel for life there. 

Black Beauty looking out through the window in New Stanton.

     The first day I got up at 6, had breakfast at home, said goodbye to my wife, daughter, and my grandchildren. I have developed a habit of giving myself two hours to get up, packed, eat breakfast and get on the road. In this case I was on the road bye 7:45. Today I would be doing a ride I had often done. My in laws lived in Galion Ohio, and my plans were to go past Columbus to Springfield Ohio, about 527 miles on the first day. 

Rest area on I 70 in Ohio. When its hot its important to stop more often to rest and hydrate.

     The first part of the trip took me on familiar roads, 896 to Lancaster, then 283 to Harrisburg PA, then west on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Again, the idea for the first two days was to get west, out to Missouri. After that little interstate driving. With the 300 mile range of the ST1100 I rode out to New Stanton PA, where I had lunch at the Eat N' Park, and got gas. Then back on the bike, to Wheeling WV, then on into Ohio, past Zanesville, around Columbus, then on to Springfield. Day one, 530 miles or so, at the motel by 6:30 PM. Dinner at a local restaurant, back to the room for some TV, then asleep by 10:30.