Day One- Thursday June 2nd 2005 - 683 miles
Thursday started at 3:15 am, at which point I hit the snooze for the last time and hopped out of bed. By the time I showered and remembered to forget those last few items, and got out the door it was nearing 4:30. A quick detour to work set me back. I went to look for my polarized prescription sunglasses, thankfully I had packed them, a fact I didn’t figure out until somewhere in NY on I84.
It was 6am by the time I hit Portland, Me, so I was not going to get through Hartford prior to rush hour, but I was safely off on the road. It was cold enough to need the electrics. The temp 40° on one bank clock. The bike ran well and fuel mileage got very good once I settled into a pace. 70-80 is where it feels best. 80-90 is ok, but requires more attention and effort to be aerodynamic. The bulk I am hauling is quite noticeable. The bike is 455 lbs when dry, and a max load is 477 lbs including fluids, people and gear. I never did get to the transfer station to get weighed, but I calculate I am pushing the top end. Three panniers are 120+ lbs total. I did get a chance to weight them at a friend’s house. Add 250 lbs for me fully dressed, the tank bag, the bag/mat/tent bundle and the only thought is where can I find a 40 lb girlfriend? (wait, don’t answer that!)
Fully Loaded the night before depature.
I pushed hard for the last half of the day and stopped frequently. I even paid a quick visit to a Triumph dealer in Wilkes Barre ( I think - and isn't being able to edit my posts a grand thing)
I pushed on until I was too tired to ride more
Friday Jun 3rd 9:24 am 250 Miles+-
Southwestern PA – “a motel” in “a town” – Supposedly this place has wireless, but it doesn’t function in this room.
Slab. So here I am in Shippensburg, PA. It almost 10 am, a peek out the curtains tells me what I don’t want to know. It is raining. Showers my Butt! I didn’t get in until 8 pm last night. The last few hundred miles required stopping every 50-100 miles to stretch. One fill-up was 4.5 gallons, when I looked down at the trip OD it read 224 miles. !! that’s almost 50 MPG.. wow! That’ll save some bucks.
Traffic was manageable, but I can easily say running the slab sucks big chunks of butt! Semi buffeting, ‘nuff said. Bad drivers and a hectic pace add to the fun. The “they are all out to kill me” thought is a very good one. Thinking that the driver of the car that is tailgating, might be a scorned lover bent on destruction and I am in the way, is a safe way to ride.
My goal for the day now depends on the weather. I don’t mind riding in the rain all that much, it’s the after effect of wet that makes it a pain. Skyline drive is apt to be a wash of clouds and rain, although I would see little other traffic! Sigh, I’d rather have this then temps in the 90’s. Time to get packed.
(notes)
Sunday Morning - June 5th 2005
A quick note - I have More to post that I previously jotted down in Word, but time is pressing.
Saturday was a hoot. I'll post more detail later, but suffice to say I did several hundred miles of twisties and let chance be my guide and I was not disappointed!
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'll respond and post more in a day or so..
Cheers!
[ This message was edited by: JasonS on 2005-06-10 17:00 ]
