Triumphrat

Whisperinsmith · 06-23-2008

Well as many know by now, I didn't make my trip with Mistermellow as planned. He may not be aware of it now, but from reading his posts, he was much better off with me travelling on my own. My time constraints would have totally interferred with his enjoyment of his ride. I had to be back at work (today, June 23) and he is still on his ride.

I can't do justice to this incredible country with words or my inadequate photos. But here is a taste of a ride I've been meaning to take for a long, long time. And now, I've done it.

The first photo is my Tiger packed and ready to go.

First stop
Curtis BBQ before heading to the Bennington Triumph Bash.

After Bennington, I headed directly west to make it to L.A. to visit my daughter and son-in-law. In order to spend some quality time with them, I had to make good time across the continent. I had two goals; one, to get to my daughter and two, to accomplish the ride. Tourism was the last thing on my mind. For me, it was about the ride and for most here, that may sound like a total waste of a great cross-country ride. But remember, I was limited in my time. I owe no one any apologies as it was my ride. I guess I'm a loner for a reason.

I made my way into New York from Vermont and it was there that I began to see a pattern of dead deer that would follow me through most states. Early morning rides always made me wonder if one would jump out. I saw one bound across the road in front of the second car in front of me and witnessed first hand how incredibly fast an accident could happen. Luckily this time the deer made it across safely and the cars scooted by. Pause for thought.

I had left Bennington later than I wanted, so I only made it to Erie, PA for the first night. The second day was better in terms of milage. I left Erie at 6:00 AM and pushed my way to just beyond Decatur, Ill after getting lost in Indianapolis for awhile. This proved to be okay, as I took a turn that went right by the Colts training camp.
In Indiana and Illinois, I hit every storm that came east on that wave of incredible storms. I thought of Hedge as I was screaming by the side of a 100 mile blanket of black from the heaven to the ground and lightning snapping like bull whips throughout the entire wall. He told me not to pass by sights like this but to stop and grab a picture for the forum and for my reference later in life.

It was pouring rain that bounced off the pavement and I was praying that the road would continue on the path that led to the side of the storm. Just then, the road turned into it and my heart went into my throat. As I sucked it up and headed directly into this blackness, the road turn away from it. It was here that I stopped and tried to get my camera out from under the rain covered tank bag. I was frantic, but I wanted the picture. I had the camera out, but I couldn't push the button with the bulky gloves. I was about to take off my glove when a guy in a pickup came by and stopped and yelled, "You ain't from around here are ya! Get outta here!". It was then that I decided to beat feet. I didn't get the photo!

The photos that I did get after that were from the plains of the mid-west. I'll keep the pics to a minimum as they all look alike. You can see the plains go on forever until the Rockies start coming into sight in Colorado.

It was about here that I got my speeding ticket. I was running low on fuel and when I saw this little station, I pulled in immediately. I had just stopped for gas and when I put my foot down to put the kick-stand down, I stepped in some oil. My foot slipped and I layed the bike down but I couldn't get it up alone as it was too close to the gas pump and I couldn't fit in there. So I embarrasingly asked this dude for help. So after I filled up, I twisted the throttle more than I should have and right away, the cop's lights were flashing. He pulled me over and asked how fast I thought I was going. I said about 50. He says 67 and it's posted for 30mph in town. TOWN? TOWN? I asked him, "What town?" There are two buildings and they are both falling down!!! Town? You've got to be kidding me! Well, he wasn't and $145 later, I was off. So much for Colorado.

Actually, it's a beautiful state and I'll be back.

Whisperinsmith · 06-23-2008

The next pic is me in Colorado Springs, just under Pike's Peak.

I headed out the next morning in stormy skies. Hey, I had just ridden through what I thought was the worst rain storm I could possibly encounter, why wait here? Well, if you see the next few pics, you'll see that I should have waited!!!

The road was okay and the traction good until 8" of hail piled up! I lost control as I tried to avoid a big rut from the car tracks ahead of me. I slid about 30' and ended up with the the bike on my right leg. I felt pain in my ankle but knew it wasn't broken but I couldn't get the 450 lb bike off me. Luckily for me, a young couple in the red van stopped and lifted the bike up. Whew, the traffic was coming mighty close to me and it wasn't where I wanted to end my life.

Whisperinsmith · 06-23-2008

I was there for about an hour trying to start my bike. Soaking wet and freezing, I was feeling pretty frazzled. Then a Colorado State Trooper pulls up and turns his lights on to warn the traffic that I'd been flagging away for the last hour. Tired and wet and the bike wouldn't start, he tells me I have to move the bike off the road. Try pushing a 450 lb bike in 8" of snow and hail while you're wet and cold. No go.

It was then that I saw the KILL SWITCH WAS OFF!!!! What an idiot!!! An idiot!!! The woman must have hit it while she grabbed the handle bars to lift the bike and I never thought to look. Hey, did I mention I was frazzled?

Thank god for crash bars.

I told the trooper about the kill switch and he said he was a biker and would love telling this story to his riding buddies. He then noticed I was from Massachusetts and he lifted his right pant leg and there was a tatoo of the New England Patriots logo! HA, ya gotta love it.

It was then that he turned around and looked behind him. He looked back at me and said, "Is that a tornado?" Holy Sh!t. I'm not from around here and you're asking me? We both got the he!! out of there!

From there I wanted to make it to Durango on Rt 160, so I headed down Rt 25 to Walsenburg and turned west and up a mountain pass. I made it maybe an hour before hyperthermia set in and I thought I was about to die. I stopped in a small town, Fort Garland. What a neat Lodge! $40 bucks. Best place I stayed all trip.

More to come.

brit3 · 06-23-2008

The Cop and I hope you pissed on the Colts training camp......
Hey buddy it's Matt from New Hampshire on the black S3, glad to hear you made it safe, cant wait to hear about the rest of your trip.
Keep your eyes open for Al's story, he unfortunately did hit a dear this past weekend in WV.

Whisperinsmith · 06-23-2008

Here is where I watched the Celtics kick the L.A. Laker's butt!

The next morning I headed out in freezing weather. Rt 160 from Ft. Garland was very flat until Wolf Creek Pass where it crosses the Rockies. Freezing again! Then once I headed down the pass, the weather changed dramatically. I started shedding gear and liners and changed gloves to vented. What startling changes in weather and geography for an eastener to see. I scooted by Durango as I had to make up some time. I ended up in Cortez and stopped for lunch.

I thought I didn't like Mexican food!

Wow! Was that a great lunch! I bought a t-shirt there I loved it so much.

Then I was off to the desert. Oh boy. I had no idea what I was in for. The four corners was a tease.

Man, you are out in the middle of nowhere! Nowhere! I was sucking on a dry Camelback at that time and my fuel was low. I have to tell you, I was a tad worried. Nothing in front of me and the last gas station was way, way, way back there. Nothing to do but forge on.

Whisperinsmith · 06-23-2008

Finally I made it out of the desert as I started climbing toward Flagstaff, AZ. Cooler and some vegetation. Then small trees. Then bigger trees. Nice.

I stopped for the night and up early the next morning thinking of Prescott, AZ. I headed down 89a and realized I hate heights!!!

I stopped and grabbed this photo where it was flat.

Then I turned back in near Sedona. I'm not sure what this town was, but it was typical of the southwest colors. Nice place.

Then I headed west to L.A. What a long ride through the Nevada and California desert at temps over 110. Did I say long ride? LONG RIDE. Hot, hot, hot. Coming over San Bernadino was another tease. I thought I was close to L.A. Man, the expanse of the west is something I'll never get used to.

Finally! L.A. and my daughter.

Whisperinsmith · 06-23-2008

My daughter and son-in-law put up with me for a week and were so gracious. I ate like a king and what great kids. Lots of laughs and a well needed rest from the bike. Although, it was odd. I had no ill effects at all from riding except a little buzzy head for a day after I stopped. I found I had more stamina and endurance than I ever gave myself credit for. But I had to make it back! I'd only gone half way.

After visiting for one week, I knew I had to be back a week from Monday and it was Saturday. I didn't want to miss Mt Rushmore, so I headed out early Saturday morning as was my habit. I'd get up each day at 5:45 and do 300 crunches and 30 pushups to get my blood pumping. And then off for a good distance before lunch.

I didn't want to do the desert again, so I headed north on Rt 5 in California. Do you know how big and long that state is? I was going only a little over half way up the state to Sacramento! Whew! Five to six hours later, I turned east on Rt 80 to Reno, Nevada. (What a sad city. People grasping at hope at slot machines. Casinos on one side of the street and pawn shops on the other.)

I stayed the night and left early the next morning with no regrets. I was trying to make Salt Lake City, or more specifically, Park City, Utah by nightfall.

Whisperinsmith · 06-23-2008

Ah, the Great Basin of Nevada! I'd never heard of it. Simply amazing. These photos do no justice to the expanse!

Then after wave after wave after wave of what I thought were the Rockies, came the Salt Flats. It was a very long day and I still had miles and miles to go.

I couldn't stop on the salt flat road to take a picture, but it was 120 miles of dead straight and maybe one inch deviation in levels for the entire run! They had signs telling you, "Drowsey drivers are dangerous". Hey, put a curve in the road then! 120 miles of white!!!

I still had hours to go.

Whisperinsmith · 06-23-2008

Finally, Park City. My neice.

After a great time with her and her husband, I headed out early again as is my habit. I wanted to enjoy this run so I took my time in Utah and Wyoming. I made it to Cheyenne and watched the Celtics clinch the title.

The next day I was off to some great roads on the way to Mt Rushmore. Beautiful weather, but windy. Then fog! Fog! Thick as soup. It cleared up as I got closer to Mt Rushmore, but then thick, back clouds threatened.

I didn't get closer to Chief Crazy Horse than this,

because of this!

But I made it to Rushmore.

A big goal for me.

Whisperinsmith · 06-23-2008

The next day was to have been the Badlands, but the fog was too thick and I had planned on running through them on my route home. I missed one of the best sights of the trip. I'll go back! Fog for three hours.

Nothing much to take pictures of for the rest of the journey. Fog again in Pennsylvania for a few hours in the morning. I could think of nothing but deer running out in front of me. Not a comforting thought.

Every bug from each state is on my windshield.

And finally, home.

That's my tale. Notice the missing panel on the side bag! Thanks to the slide in Colorado. Hey, that's replaceable. I had to switch my right foot peg with the right passenger's peg as that too was damaged in the "crash". Notice the duct taped passenger peg. That's the damaged one that I thought I might need if something else happened, so I taped it in place.

All in all, I'd do it again!