Yeah, a long overdue update. I finally have an afternoon where I don’t have to be somewhere or out doing something, so I’m taking advantage of it to update you chumps with what I am doing.
I left out of Brian’s place just north of Salt Lake City in Layton, UT around 9:30am last Friday. Taking it easy, enjoying the road. The bike was running well, zipping along the interstate at 80-85 for the most part. Wyoming quickly came and went. I wanted to pull off to get a picture of the sign, but I missed it due to the sign being at the end of an on ramp for the weigh station. Ah well.
I stopped off in Rock Springs and had a Subway sandwich. Whilst eating, a guy came up to me and started talking about my V-strom. Rather interesting, the folks you meet along the way. The rest of the ride on Friday was uneventful. I arrived in Cheyenne way early, and toured the city a few times before finding the KOA and setting up camp for the night.
The next morning I left out around 9 again, and headed further east. I soon hit Nebraska, and everything flattened out.
I saw a number of bikes on the road in Nebraska, but they were all Goldwings or Harleys, no V-stroms anywhere. Plus, the most safety equipment any of them were sporting was a 3/4 face helmet. I probably looked goofy in the leathers and full face helmet. I actually had to slow down for a while as my back tire was looking funny from long high speed riding on the hot pavement. The bike was trucking along great, although my gas mileage dropped to closer to 42-45 vs the normal 48-50. I started catching a wind from the south and really began to question my sanity by the time I made it into Lincoln.
Around about 6PM I arrived in Lincoln, and stayed with Chris and Gywen (I hope I spelled her name right). They were really nice. I played poker at the bi-weekly poker game with their friends, and they were patient enough with me to teach me how to play. I slept pretty well that night. I packed the next morning, and the three of us hit up the IHOP before I got back on the road.
I missed the sign for Iowa as well. As in, missed it completely. I have no idea where it was. Suddenly, I noted the exits had started re-numbering. Whups. Wind from the south messing with me still. I put in my longest in-saddle time on this leg, running a 210 mile leg without stopping for a break. The bike is pretty comfortable for the most part, and you can stand up for a break when need be.
I finally hit the big Mississippi River and crossed into Wisconsin. My route here was more north, so the wind was to my back, and the ride became comfortable. I also came off the interstate and took more of the ‘back roads’ which really looked like interstate, just more curvy. Lots of hills, cows, green, and corners. I was really happy through this stretch.
Finally I arrived in Madison and Ryan’s house, and Ryan, Amanda and myself proceeded to celebrate. Oatmeal stout for the win!
Monday evening I headed into Chicago, and I have been here since. I took a lot of pictures yesterday, but I will put them in a different post.
leave a reply