Summer Trip IV

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

     When I plan my trips I choose distances for each day, but this is not written in stone. Typically if I see something interesting I will go and explore. With the state of my tires, and the effect the heat was having on them, this curtailed exploration. Sometimes unexpected factors can have a dramatic impact on the trip, both positive and negative. Once again the unexpected is what makes touring so much fun.

A look in side of the Twisted OZ Motorcycle Museum in Augusta KS.

     I checked El Dorado looking for some neat, local restaurant where the locals gathered every day to have coffee. As I searched on the iPad I could find no such place. Anxious to get on the road I surrendered and did something I usually avoid. I went to McDonald's for breakfast. Guess what I found. There were probably twenty "local" senior citizens sitting in groups of various sizes having coffee and starting their day. In fact this McDonald's had become the "local restaurant people gathered in to start their day." The changing face of America.

Interesting building. The museum has grown into a second building  just to the left. In between a picnic table and some shade,

     I don't like riding through cities, so I rode south out of El Dorado planning to take a long detour south to avoid riding through Wichita. I rode US 54 south to US 400, rode west to Augusta KS and then went south on US 77 on my long detour. As I rode on US 77 I thought about my tires, and the number of miles I had yet to cover to get to Colorado Springs and new tires. Reluctantly I turned around went back 5 miles to Augusta, "girded my loins" for the run through Wichita on US 400.

The bike in the foreground is a Suzuki RE 5 rotary engined bike. My roommate in college, Curtis, had the same bike, but a different year. 

     As I rode through Augusta I noticed a small sign on the left side of the road that said Motorcycle Museum. Glancing at the clock on the bike I decided to go take a look. There were two guys looking in the windows as I got off of the bike. They had also seen the sign and decided to take a look. A glance at the door showed that the museum opened in 20 minutes or so. The other two fellas had to get back on the road, but I decided to stay and take a look. I found a picnic table in the shade and sat down to read for a while.

A beautiful Norton Commando in the foreground, and just to the left you can seen the red gas tank of  a Honda 750 Four,which was the bike that ended the dominance of Harley's and British bikes. 

     At the appointed hour a pickup truck pulled up and a gentleman got out. He turned out to be the curator for the museum. As we sat there and talked a Harley pulled up and that fella joined the conversation. Soon another bike pulled up, this one a 20 year old Honda GB500 TT in pristine condition. Over the next half an hour another couple of guys stopped by to see if there was a ride planned for the day, and what everyone was doing. I sat for an hour and talked motorcycles and motorcycling with these people, and then the curator gave me the tour of the two building that make up the museum. Once again a an absolutely wonderful discovery and experience strictly by chance, meeting really nice people, all of which enhances the trip.

This is an Indian which has a custom built 6 cylinder motor. It was featured in a book which you can see open to the article sitting on the seat.

     The ride through Wichita was no big deal. Although there was construction on the eastern approach to Wichita, its no New York City. I stopped in Kingman KS for lunch, and then continued west on US 400 which would take me directly to Garden City KS for the night. The heat was the main issue. I saw several bank thermometers 100 or 102. The heat was oppressive. I stopped at the small town of Ingalls KS for gas, and bought two bottles of water. One was for me, the other for my shirt. When you get out here shade is at a premium. I found some under a tree just behind the gas station. I took my shirt off and poured the entire bottle of water on it, totally soaking the t-shirt. Putting the shirt on was a shock because I used cold water, but boy was it refreshing! I was delightfully cool as I rode out of Ingalls, now less than 45 miles to the motel. My shirt was totally dry in 15 minutes, but I was refreshed as I made my way to the motel, and my own private air-conditioning. With an I-Hop right next door I walked to dinner and then retired to my room to watch a movie. Tomorrow Colorado!

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. 

Spring Trip III

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

Breakfast at the Waffle House, right near the Super 8 Roanoke.

     Generally I like to get "...up at 6, out by 8..." If I'm traveling by myself I can generally get up, pack, load the bike, have breakfast and be on the road in an hour and a half. When traveling with others you move only as fast as the slowest "packer." On the third morning Curtis and I were up and out of the motel by 7am. Breakfast was at the nearby Waffle House, and we were on the road by 8am. After a gas stop at an Exxon on the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway we continued our journey south.

Just on of dozens of terrific views along the BRP.

     Today our goal was to ride south from mile marker 122 to mile marker 408, which is where the Mount Pisgah Inn is, and where we would meet Curtis' brother Gary, who was traveling up from Atlanta. 286 miles on the BRP on a sunny day is bliss! The plan was to take a break at an overlook in the morning, and then stop for lunch at Boone, North Carolina. Then ride in the afternoon, taking a break in mid-afternoon, arriving at the Pisgah Inn by 6 or so.

Robby and his Can Am Spyder. You see more and more of them on the BRP.

     There are a lot of overlooks on the BRP. You simply can't stop at each one of them. I like to ride for an hour or so and start looking for a scenic place to stop. On the BRP that means you travel 50 miles or so.  The thing about the BRP that makes it so great is that it is generally a series of S curves, with a few straight stretches thrown in so you can pass slower vehicles. There are a few really tight curves rated at 30mph, but the majority are 45mph, and you can really work on your skill. After an hour of this fun we stopped at an overlook, and found a gentleman named Robby there, along with his Can Am Spyder. Robby is a former Harley rider, but began to have some physical challenges, and was almost ready to give up riding. His son had a Spyder, let him try it, and then decided to get one. He really enjoys it, and is able to keep on riding. I have a friend who has a beautiful Gold Wing, but is afraid to ride it. I think a Spyder might be the solution for him. For myself, if the time comes where I have trouble "holding the bike up" I'll get a Spyder before I stop riding.

Gary walking down to the rocking chairs where we waited for our table at the Pisgah Inn  and enjoyed the view.

     After lunch in Boone NC we continued south once again. At the afternoon stop Curtis texted his brother that we would be at the Pisgah Inn by 6pm or so. On arriving we found Gary there, and he had already put his name in for a table. We had a wonderful dinner, enjoying the spectacular view along with the food. After dinner a quick run down the BRP to mile marker 428, but on this evening it was too cloudy for a nice sunset. I led the way back to mile marker 408 where we get off on US 276 fro the ride down to Brevard. This road is a real challenge in the dark! At the Parkway it twists and turns for 10 miles or so down the mountain with a series of 15mph curves. Leaning a bike, trying to see into a corner to correctly judge your line with only your headlight and the amber reflectors in the road takes intense concentration. We all made it down to the intersection of US 276 and US 64, and then right towards Brevard. In ten minutes or so we were at the house we rented. LOTS  of motorcycling tomorrow!

Spring Trip 2019- II

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

The view from an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

     The second day of the trip we rode from Chantilly VA, near Washington DC, to Roanoke VA. The route was Interstate 66 to get away from Washington, then route 55 over to Front Royal VA. Then down US 340 to Waynesboro VA, where we had lunch. US 340 from Front Royal goes through the Shenandoah Valley, through some small towns. It has some twists and turns, and we could generally run at 60 mph.

A stop to admire the view along the way.

     From Waynesboro we rode Interstate 64 over to the exit where the Blue Ridge  Parkway has it's northern point. From there it was about 120 miles for the exit to get off and ride into Roanoke. One of the key aspects of riding on curvy roads is how to approach turns. On a motorcycle it is imperative to "pick your line." If you make a mistake and need to change your "line" the bike might "wallow," and it will  slow you down. The worst case scenario is to come out of a corner too wide into the opposing traffic, or off of the road completely. On the Blue Ridge Parkway this could result in going "over the side," and maybe a long drop!

Curtis can't seem to leave his cell phone alone! 

     Some people use engine braking only to slow down for a curve. The challenge is this  might not slow you down enough. I prefer to down shift and use the brakes. This brings up another question: front and rear brakes, or only one or the other. Again, my preference is to use both if needed approaching a turn, and then just the rear as I go through it. In my experience the front brake tends to make the bike sluggish to lean into a curve if you are using it aggressively. During the turn grabbing a lot of front brake tends to make the bike "stand up." You can hustle through turns by getting wide approaching them, slowing down by downshifting and using both sets of brakes, and then using the throttle and rear brake control your speed so that as you see the turn coming to an end you can accelerate out of it. With practice, and patience, your skill at riding curvy roads can improve and add to the enjoyment of motorcycling.

A gentleman we met along the way riding a Can Am Spyder. A former Harley rider, physical problems stopped
him from riding a Harley, but with the Spyder he could continue to ride, in spite of his challenges. 

     The Blue Ridge Parkway is 465 miles of motorcycling bliss. I know of people who think riding the Tail of the Dragon is the pinnacle of motorcycling, but the length, the changes in altitude, the almost continuous numbers of "sweepers" (turns that can be taken at some speed), and the scenery make the BRP the best!

The wife and children of the owner of the Super 8 in Roanoke VA. Interestingly they walked
right past Curtis' bike and wanted to sit on mine. Hmmmmm? 

     We arrived at the Super 8 Motel in Roanoke by 6:30, after stopping for dinner at the Outback Steakhouse. I had an interesting discussion with the owner of the motel, and his two sons were quite take with the bikes. As we were unloading the bikes they came over to stare at them. I told their mother to put them on the bike so that I could take a picture, which I then sent to the owner. This interaction was the cherry on the top of an excellent day of motorcycling!

Spring Trip 2019

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

Sunset at mile marker 428 of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

     Every spring and fall my two college room mates and I go on a bike trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lately we have been renting a house in Brevard, North Carolina. My two friends do some hiking during the day, and I ride. This year, due to a conflict one of them had with work, the trip was pushed back into late May. The result: better weather, warmer temperatures, better riding.

      As usual I rode down to Chantilly Virginia, just outside Washington DC, to Curtis' house. Over the years I have developed a route that takes me around Baltimore through Maryland horse country, and totally avoids the interstate. I takes longer than going by the interstate, around Baltimore, and then down to Washington DC, but remember "...its about the journey, not the destination..."