I'm a week late in posting this, but I finally got to downloading all the pics from my camera. I've been aching to get out on the new Bonnie and put some miles on her, so my wife gave me a kitchen pass and thats where this report starts off...
I left my house in Omaha Nebraska at 9:03 am on 28 June. It was an absolutely beautiful morning - and cool enough that it required my heavy leather jacket. I headed over to Councli Bluffs Iowa and took the old Railroad Highway up to the junction of Historical Route 44.
Headed East on the superb and scenic route 44. I'm always surprised at the difference between the roads in Iowa vs. Nebraska. Iowa roads have more twists and turns, where as in Nebraska its always a straight line from point a to point b. Of course there are exceptions, but as a rule, Iowa has the better roads.
The bike was humming along perfectly. Yes, wind blast is an issue above 70, but hey, it's a naked bike. And oh ya, I got nailed in the face with a couple huge bugs, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to pay to have the old open face helmet on.
Think I pulled over at 140 miles to get fuel as the low fuel gauge was starting to flicker on and off. Othershave reported that the odometers on the new mag wheels Bonnie is off - it's hard to say how much, but Iwould have to agree. Iused the mile marker method of counting, and yes it is off - probably by 5 to 10%.
One of the reasons for this trip was to visit my old stomping grounds of my childhood in West Des Moines and Johnston. When I arrived, I drove through my old neighborhood and was absloutely amazed at how urban sprawl has destroyed the town. Seeing the old acreage brought back some memories, the best being the times I would ride my YZ 80 down the railroad tracks to the gravel pits. Except now of course the trail I used to ride is now paved and for bicycle/pedestrian traffic only.
Ate lunch at a pretty good burrito place on Merle Hay Road that used to be where my Dad's horse tack shop used to be. After lunch, I headed to my elementary school day's house. This area has not changed as much, so that was a relief.
Headed out of West Des Moines (avoiding the Interstate) and zig zagged my way back West, stopping at the birthplace of John Wayne. Not a fan really, but it was a monument that gave me an excuse to add a few miles to my day. See picture below...
Next, it was West again to Freedom Rock. If you've never heard of this monument, Google it. Every year since 1999, an artist named Bubba Sorensen paints a new patriotic mural on this huge boulder on Highway 25 just north of Greenville Iowa. As a retired US Service Member, I certainly appreciate it. Plus, if you're just blasting through Iowa on I-80, it makes for a nice break. Just take exit 86 and head south about a mile.
Then I spent the rest of the day heading west/northwest and rode through the scenic Loess Hills. Truly incredible roads - and without a doubt the best riding within a hundred miles of Omaha.
At the end of the day I had accumulated 485 miles, and could have gone on and on. The bike is so comfortable and easy to ride slow OR fast. I'm actually thinking of doing an Iron Butt sanctioned saddlesore 1000 on it - but think I need a fairing first. And probably will need to wear my full face helmet - bugs and sun can take a toll on an old face like mine!
Ok, so this was a boring report, but for those visual junkies out there, here are a few pics:
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