“…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

                                                                SUMMER TRIP 2023

On the road by 8am I reached the border by 9am.

               Todays goal was Billings MT. The land consisted once again of rolling hills. Something I didn’t mention before is that Sturgis is going on now. Lots of Harley’s! The majority of them were going towards Sturgis while I was heading away from it. There were some who were out for a ride and going in my direction. When I stopped to take the picture at the Montana border two guys stopped and offered to take my picture in front of the sign. Not wanting to ruin a perfectly good picture I declined. They were impressed that I had ridden all the way from Delaware. Nice guys.

While there was some traffic on the route I chose it was never heavy.

    The route took me across the north east tip of Wyoming. In South Dakota the speed limit on the interstate was 80 ( I found that the cruise control on the Goldwing would not set above 77! ). I found out later this was also true in Montana. This meant that there were many drivers going 85 or 90 mph! I was just about the slowest thing on the road. 

In the background you can see some of the rolling hills I talk about.

        I stopped for gas in Broadus MT and then as I continued to ride west I came across a little roadside table. I pulled in and read for a while, watching a rancher ride around his domain now and then. Back on the road I decided to stop in Ashland MT for lunch. There were no restaurants in Ashland MT. So I stopped at a convenience store and had some chicken strips for lunch. As I ate I noticed a sign stating that the store was tribal owned. The last Native Americans known as “Plains Indians” had been in this part of Montana in the 1860s and 1870s. More about this later.

You have to look closely but in the background you can see the monument. 

Look closely and you can see the small white markers that show where each one of Custer’s men fell.

        As I got closer to Billings I saw a sign for a visitor center for Custer’s Last Stand. I went inside the visitor’s center I looked at a number of interesting displays, saw a short film, and rode up the monument for this historical event. The remains of Custer and his men are under the monument. As you can see in the picture above there are a number of white markers showing where each of Custer’s men fell. Quite a sobering visit.

At the monument site thunderstorm could be seen in the distance.

        With threatening weather in the area I decided it would be best to get to Billings and into my motel. It took around 35 minutes to get to Billings, and to my motel. I just didn’t want to get caught in a thunderstorm. Into the Days Inn, settled into my room. Later out to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. I managed to get dinner, and get back to the motel before the rain came. Tomorrow US 212 to Yellowstone on the Beartooth Highway. Can’t wait!

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

                                                                  Summer Trip 2023

Now you have some idea of the weather I rode inn ALL DAY!

     The fourth day of the trip proved to be the most difficult. I only rode about 340 miles, but hit rain by     9 am. The rain would be heavy at times, really reducing visibility down to yards. There was fog at times, and windy conditions. Very challenging riding conditions. 

As I rode across South Dakota I went through this town. 

For a minute I thought I had made a wrong turn!

        The route today was simple. Ride US 212 across South Dakota from Watertown SD to Belle   Fourche SD. The route was not the challenge, the weather was. Hour after riding through rain, heavy at times, and the Gold Wing did not miss a beat. I stopped for lunch at Eagle Butte SD, eager to get out of the rain for a while. Just west of there I came to a sign that said pavement ends. No…this can’t be right! Right away I had to brake hard. The road turned into mud with many pot holes for about 2 miles. Not fun on a big bike, in the rain…obviously very slippery conditions. 

Not many pictures today. It was simply too wet to stop for photos!

        By the time ( 11:00 ) I stopped for lunch I had ridden a little over 200 miles. I had about 140 miles to go. This should have taken 2 1/2 hours or so. It ended up taking just about that. I got to the motel around      3 pm. When I ride in these type of conditions I ride “gently.” No sudden braking or turning. Easy on the throttle, leave plenty of room from me to vehicles in front of me. I reduced speed, looked over the windshield, not through it. By riding gently I got to my chosen destination. The weather is supposed to break tomorrow. Around 260 miles to Billings MT. Plenty of time to “smell the roses.” After today I’m looking forward to it!

        

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

                                                        SUMMER TRIP 2023

Another day riding in the heartland of America.

       The third day on the trip was planned to be the third 500 mile day in a row. I do this so that I can “get out there” away from population centers. My goal was to make it to Watertown SD where I had already reserved a room. The route I chose was IA 3 west until it met SD 75 north. Then north on SD 75 until it ran into US 212 west. Then US 212 west to Watertown SD. As I look at it now this was overly optimistic.

IA 3 west. Notice how much traffic there is!

        The day started out fine. The bike was, of course, running great. The thing about a Goldwing you simply get on the road, set the cruise control, play the music you prefer and enjoy. The bike is EXTREMELY comfortable. Miles simply melt away. However….when you’ve got 500 miles to do you really have to spend part of the day rolling at 70 mph or above. Clearly the route I chose ignored this! 

I simply HAD to take a picture of this sign. I wonder if the “old GRUMP” is a distant relative?

        The ride was really good out of Dubuque. IA 3 west is a very nice road, and the land consists of rolling land with some curves thrown in for fun. As the day went on the roads became straighter, but generally remained hilly for most of the day. 

LOTS of windmills as you ride across Iowa.

        I stopped for lunch in Cherokee IA. As I looked at the day I had only covered 200 miles. This may sound like a lot, but my preference is to get 300 miles in by lunch ( by riding on interstates ). This way when it is hottest, and you get tired, you are much further than 1/2 way. Looking at a map I decided to get up to I 90, take that west to Sioux City where I would pick up I 29 north to Watertown SD. Simple. 

This is in southern Minnesota. Looks a lot like what I rode through yesterday.

        I decide to use GPS. It makes the ride easier. I got to I 90, took it west and was making good time. THEN…the GPS told me to get off  I 90 to save time. Should I listen or not? I decided to follow the GPS, so I got off I 90. BIG mistake. The next several  hours saw me wander around norther Iowa, and southern Minnesota. Ultimately the GPS simply stopped navigating, leaving me in the “middle of nowhere.” In this area it may be 24 or 30 miles between towns, and gas stations. This could be a problem.

I had to take this picture to show there are indeed people “in the middle of nowhere.”

        Ultimately I simply stopped, look at a map, and came up with a route that would get me to I 29 and then on up to Watertown SD. Simply to make things more complicated it was clear there were rain showers in the area. I did ride on some wet roads, there were times that there were raindrops on the windshield, wet roads, and cooler air. In the end I was lucky. I could see showers around me but, with the protection of the large windshield of the Goldwing, I never got wet. I got to the hotel an hour later than I should have, but no harm done. Tomorrow starts the fun part of the trip. Only 360 miles to do. I will have over 1/2 done by lunch, will be able to stop several times and simply enjoy the day. Looking forward to it.

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

                                                            SUMMER TRIP 2023

Look what you can find if you get off the Interstate.

        I knew the second day of the trip was going to be difficult. The temperature was going to be higher, and I wanted to get past Chicago without getting near it. I came up with a good route, but it was going to take an hour longer than the first day. 

This is the Ohio, Indiana border on US 224. So far excellent riding.

        The route started in Galion Ohio. US 30 west almost to the Indiana border. Then take US 224 west until it runs into US 24. Then US 24 west, across Indiana and Illinois until it runs into I 39. Then I 39 north to US 20 west. US 20 west to Dubuque Iowa. Easy, huh?

A stop in the fertile countryside in Ohio.

        US 30 west from Galion to the Indiana border is like an interstate: 4 lane highway with a large grass median. As I rode it struck me how green and fertile Ohio is. Beautiful agricultural fields stretched away  to the horizon on both sides of the highway. This is an aspect of Ohio that most people miss. I found it very similar in Indiana and Illinois.

Fertile fields of Illinois along US 24.

        US 224 was very different than US 30. Most of it is 2 lanes, with stretches that wind through wooded areas the cast shadows across the road. Sometimes it was riding through a tunnel formed by the trees. There were times it was curvey, pleasantly so. Simply good riding. It intersected US 24 at Huntington. 24 west from Huntington is a major road, so it is a 4 lane highway with a grass median until Logansport. From there it is a pleasant two lane highway. Reaching Kentland, which is the last town before the Illinois border. I decided to have lunch. One of the things I enjoy most on these trips is finding the restaurant where the locals eat. I found a family restaurant in Kentland and had a good lunch. So far everything was going well.        

Along US 20 just before Galena Illinois.

        The plan went awry when US 24 was closed at Chenoa just 16 miles from I 39. I navigated through the Illinois countryside finally finding an on ramp to I 39. Then it was turn and burn up to Rockford where I hit US 20. I had spent a lot of time in the saddle, and the day was getting hotter, and more humid. 

You can seem just how much traffic I hit navigating across 

Indiana and Illinois on back roads.

        Arrived in Dubuque around 6:45 local time. It added up to 11 hours in the saddle, with increasing hear and humidity as the trip drew to a close. It was a tiring day. Checked into the hotel, turned the AC down to 66, went the Texas Roadhouse for an excellent steak dinner. Time to rest up and recharge for what should be an easier day tomorrow.

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

                                                                SUMMER TRIP 2023

The Goldwing on the side of the road along OH 586

        My wife and  I were watching Yellowstone on TV, and I kept noticing the scenery. I decided that my big trip this summer would be a trip to Montana, and to spend some time there exploring. I have been through Montana before, but just rode through on the interstate, and didn’t see much of the state. I put together a 17 day trip from Delaware to Montana and back. I would also take a look in Idaho, and would begin the trip home through Wyoming. Sounds like fun to me!

Downtown Martinsburg Ohio.

        The way I planned the trip was that the first 3 days would be 500 mile days. By the third night I plan to rest my head on a pillow in Watertown SD. This gets me beyond Chicago and all of those population centers. 

The park in the center of Mount Vernon OH

Notice the wonderful fountain in the backround

        I left home around 7:45 in the morning and rode to Lancaster PA. PA 283 from Lancaster to Harrisburg and onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Lunch at Somerset PA, then on to I 70 at New Stanton PA. 

Inside the Eat and Park restaurant in Somerset PA.

Notice the “Smiley” cookies on top of the pastry case!

        I 70 west through Washington PA, around Wheeling WV, then across the bridge into Ohio. I chose a route in Ohio that I knew would include some good roads out of Zanesville. OH 146 north to OH 586 that would take me to Mount Vernon OH, then up OH 13 to OH 95 west to Mount Gilead. Then north on OH 61 to Galion.       

My wife’s family home in Galion OH.

        The challenge tomorrow is to get to Dubuque IA, navigating around Chicago and other large cities. I have another 500 miles to do tomorrow so I can’t just wander around, taking my time. I think I’ve got a good route planned. I’ll find out tomorrow.

SPYDER TRIP DAY 5

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

                                                                        SPYDER TRIP DAY 5

After a trip like this I often reflect on the beauty and the solitude.

    The last day of the trip. Sad. But by this time I’m missing home, the family, my pets. The issue here is that I was probably going to run into rain…and I did. The objective today was just to get home, but to make the ride as pleasant as possible. I decided to get right on I 81 from Roanoke and shoot up to Stevens City where I could cut over to US 340, take that to Fredrick. Then up US 15 for a little bit to MD 26 to Eldersburg and then on the route I’ve memorized to get around Baltimore. 

    I slept in today, causing me to not get on the road until 7:45 ( instead of 7:30! ). It was a beautiful morning in Roanoke. From the hotel I got on I 581 and took it to I 81 north. Very different ride than I had experienced over the last 4 days. On the way down I did not ride an interstate highway at all. Today I rode around 165 miles from Roanoke up to Stephen’s City. Constant 70 mph plus, sometimes with sprints higher to get away from or in front of traffic. For the most part I 81 is a 4 lane highway, although there are some stretches of 6 lane highway. In the state of Virginia on a 6 lane highway they designate the right lane as the slow vehicle lane, the center lane as the travel lane, and the left lane as the passing lane. No commercial vehicles, except busses are allowed in the left lane. On a 4 land highway all bets are off. As a result when trucks need to pass slower trucks they can be in the left lane for 1, 2, or even 3 miles, usually only going a few mph faster than the trucks they are passing. The result of this is a back up of traffic until the passing truck pulls back into the right lane. I try to anticipate this situation and get in front of the truck before it pulls out. Sometimes I am not successful!

    Initially things went well. I rode with traffic from Roanoke to Harrisonburg with no problems. I often try to find a “gap” in the traffic where I am between groups of cars, riding with the cruise control on, with no vehicles near me to the front or behind me. This is the safest place to ride. As I approached Harrisonburg the sky ahead was darkening. It was apparent that I was riding into rain, and did so just after I passed Harrisonburg. Rain began appearing on the windshield, and I looked for an overpass to pull over to put on my rain pants. Some years ago I realized the riding jackets and coats should be waterproof. How waterproof are jackets, boots, gloves etc I don’t know. I have often been disappointed, but if the gear works well it take little or no time to get ready for rain. In this case by jacket and boots were supposed to be waterproof so I only had to put on rain pants. As I was putting them on a guy on a Harley pulled up behind me to put on his rain gear. He had not wind shield or other protection on his bike. The Spyder did a great job of giving me protection, with my boots getting little or no rain on them. The fellow on the Harley had a more difficult ride through the rain than I did!

    The rain was with me from just above Harrisonburg almost to Frederick MD. I was totally out of it as  rode through Frederick on US 15. Then I got on MD 26 just north of Frederick, rode that through Libertytown MD to Eldersburg where I had lunch at a Chili’s. Then I began the circuitous journey through the Maryland countryside, through Finksburg, Fowblesburg, Hempstead, Hereford, Jarrettsville, Forest Hill until I met US 1. US 1 north across the Conowingo dam to Nottingham PA. Then back roads home. In all it was a great trip. The bike performed flawlessly, was great in the rain, as well  as LOTS of fun on the curvy BRP. A 5 day trip, not a whole lot of miles on any day, and, generally, very good weather. At this time the next trip I am planning is to Montana, and Wyoming, probably in September on the Gold Wing. In the meantime lots of local riding on different bikes every day. Tomorrow, on Father’s Day, we are going to my daughter’s house where her husband’s family is up visiting from Florida. There are going to be about 7 children there, so I am planning on taking my sidecar rig so I can give kids rides around the neighborhood. Should be a fun day!

My older daughter on a trip at age 7.

This is on the BRP at the Virginia/ North Carolina border. 

Note her tedddy bear, Sonny, that she still has to this day!

SPYDER TRIP DAY 4

“…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

                                                                SPYDER TRIP DAY 4

Back up on the BRP before 9 AM

    After looking at a map I decided to take US 221 out of Boone to US 21, through Sparta to the BRP. Once US 221 leaves US 421 it becomes a better ride. Some of it is 4 lane, but much of it is a twisty two lane road with many curves, many of which are not well signed. What this means is that the speed limit may be 50 or 55, but if you are not paying attention you may find yourself coming into many corners “too hot”. You need to pay attention.

Looking over the seat into the hazy morning sun

    

    Once on the BRP off of US 21 the ride becomes sublime. It is unfortunate that the BRP is closed in places because you could spend a week of days riding this excellent road somewhat in isolation. On this trip I found traffic generally light, especially as I have gotten on the road each day of the trip by 7:30. I don’t ride at extremely high speeds on the BRP, but I do ride at a pace that is somewhat challenging. The focus becomes how well you can “operate” the machine, what gear you are in going into turns, your line through the turns, and when to roll on the power exiting the turn. Lots of fun.

Historical marker just before the Virginia border.

    I timed it so that I could have lunch once again at the Lakeview Restaurant MM 200 in Fancy Gap VA. Back on the road by 12:30. I had plenty of time to ride 75 miles to my exit for Roanoke. I found an overlook around MM 150 to take an afternoon break, during which I finished the book I was reading. A leisurely ride of around 25 miles was left, during which I saw the only two Park Rangers of the trip. As I descended into the Roanoke River valley the temperature, and the humidity, rose significantly. I pulled into a gas station to fill up and saw I had ridden 187 miles today. I took off the long sleeve shirt I was wearing for the 10 minute ride to the hotel. Checked in by 3:15, watched a movie, some news, planned to go out for dinner around 7 PM. Tomorrow will be utilitarian, as was the first day of the trip. The first 1 1/2 hours will be on the Interstate from Roanoke up to Stephen’s City where I will get on US 340 and navigate to Fredrick MD, and then onto my route circumventing Baltimore. There will be some very good riding tomorrow, through the Maryland horse country around Baltimore. As nice as some of the ride will be, it won’t be the BRP!

An overlook just before Roanoke that features a classic primitive log cabin