Corona-cation - road trip across the U.S.A.

[2372ighost]

Building miles of memories!

[Chuck & Susan]

And memories of those miles last a lifetime!!! 

[Chuck & Susan]

Day 8  /  Thur Sept. 3rd   /  Pinedale to 600 Spruce St Woodland Park, CO 80863  /  8hr  /  520 miles

It would be another day of perfect weather for riding and we had a few miles to go. Just after leaving out that morning Josh spotted a moose and her baby. He went back the get the footage that would be edited into his video. The mom was on one side of the road, baby was in the creek on the other side. Every time he turned to film baby then turn back to mom, she was closer. After a few times back and forth, he decided it was time to go. Good choice….

BTW, after watching that video again I remembered that they kept telling me the whole trip that looking back in the mirror that it appeared that I was always dragging my boots on the road. @2:21 as he films looking back you can see this. It’s really just the trailer tires behind me…

Josh said we had a choice to make of the highways south thru Colorado, ether on the eastern side or the western side of the main mountain range. There would not be much difference in the mileage ether way we go. The eastern route would take us thru Fort Collins, Bolder, Denver, And Colorado Springs. That sounded too much like traffic and boring. We all agreed the western more rural route would be best and more interesting.

As we neared the mountains, we could see the blanket of smoke from the wildfires that had been burning. There was a slight wind out of the west that pushed it eastward. So, taking the west side route was an even better choice. As we neared Walden, I realized that the fire in that area was enveloping Hwy 14. That was one road I loved so much years earlier when Susan and I was riding the old wing out here. It was absolutely stunning going over the mountains into Fort Collins. It’s sad to think what it might look like now till it grows back. Also, Hwy 34 from Granby thru Estes Park and into the Denver area was closed. That is another awesome ride. And Estes Park is the home of the Stanley Hotel. Rather famous hotel Susan and I toured years ago. One more road of interest while I’m on the subject, Hwy 6 known as Loveland Pass, it’s kind of a bypass of the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70. It goes up and over the Continental Divide instead of under it. I think it was used for the construction.

Anyway, back to this ride. We rode past all those and headed thru Breckenridge and into Hartsel then turned east on US-24. It carried us up and over the Continental Divide and into Woodland Park. Good ride and views. The Airbnb this time was in a residential area. The shots of deer in the yard Josh had in his video was the yard where we stayed. The neighborhood was full of them. I guess they help keep the grass cut….

After an oriental dinner it was time to get some rest and tomorrow is Pikes Peak….

Chuck

[Chuck & Susan]

Day 9  /  Fri Sept. 4th  /  Woodland Park to 609 Walnut St Clayton, NM 88415  /  5hr 30min  /  290 miles  / see PIKES PEAK 

How lucky can we be…? Another wonderful weather day. Here is a pic of Pikes Peak at sunrise taken from the street in front of our Airbnb.



As soon as we got out of the driveway the low tire pressure indicator light came on. I knew something was wrong but it wasn’t flat so we went on to the Pikes Peak hwy. Right after we made the turn, I had them pull into the parking lot of the North Pole Santaland that was there. I figured that for one I needed to air up the tire and check it. But also, I had felt like I would slow them down from having fun. The trailer does limit my lean angle to a point in the tight curves. Susan and I had been to the top a few years ago. So, I sent them on and put the wing up on the center stand and started searching the brand-new rear tire for the problem. After a few mins I found it.



No telling when I picked it up and appeared to be a sheet metal screw that had already worn down. Sometime the prior day I would think. It really wasn’t leaking much unless I manipulated it a bit. I decided that rather than risk trying to plug it here I would air it up and wait till we get to Clayton NM. I was worried the plug might not take and mess up the days travel. The pressure indicator would tell me if it got low. Josh and Mike really enjoyed their ride as you can tell that from the video. On the trip down they were having so much fun they ran right past me. I watched as they hit the brakes and pulled a U-turn. They agreed to the plan on the tire and we rolled out and headed south to New Mexico.

The ride on I-25 was mostly flat heading south with most of the ridgeline to the right. Still nice views and occasionally there would be a winding pass between the hills. Not far into New Mexico we turned east on US-87 and rolled onto Clayton and our Airbnb for the night.

Now it was time to see about that tire issue. I keep plugs in my tool pouch… Or so I thought... I guess I loaned them to someone and didn’t put them back. I guess I should have taken inventory of that pouch before we left. And then Mike announces he had tire plugs with him. You mean to tell me the guy that brought the least stuff brought plugs? You’re kidding me, right? Nope he had stashed them under the seat. Well, I’ll be…. It reminded me reading about @Chitza having a spare clutch lever on her Alaska trip. Josh filmed as I fixed it with Mikes plugs. It took great and with no leaks. We decided to test it and head out for dinner. It did great. And to this day is still in there. I plan to get some local miles out of that just purchased tire before I replace it. On return to the Airbnb, we made a fire in the ring out back and talked about the trip for a while.

Being a tourist and site seeing was over and from here on out it was a matter of heading home…. But the adventure is not over….

Chuck

[Chuck & Susan]

Day 10  /  Sat Sept. 5th  /  Clayton to 1296 Farm to Market 450 Hallsville, TX 75650  /  9hr 30min  /   631 miles

Knowing this would be the longest single day ride of the entire trip we left out before sunrise. Mike had been struggling with long mileages. This was going to really test his endurance. Road fatigue was really setting in. Many times, today he would have his butt off the seat and hanging ether to the left or right side. The man was not going to give in.

The weather was great as we left, but we also knew we would be headed buck into the warm humidity of the southeast that we all know so well. It was all flat roads across farm and pasture land as we headed thru Amarillo and towards Dallas. At one of the gas stops we ran into a problem. Mike had unlocked the seat to raise it and fuel up. Somehow the key had bent and now would not work in the ignition. And that was the only key. We pulled the tool pouch out from the wing and used the ratchet to CAREFULLY hammer the key out straight. Knowing if we broke it, we were stuck. After a few attempts it was successful. And we headed on our way.

As we rolled into Dallas the humidity and clouds were getting thicker. And so, to was the traffic. This was a Saturday afternoon, the traffic shouldn’t be that bad. I guess it was due to it being a Memorial Day weekend. It was stop and go with a good bid of sitting. And then the clouds opened up and we were sitting in heavy rain too. Oh well just water, it will dry…. As the traffic cleared and we started out of Dallas, so did the rain.

Just east of Dallas we stopped for fuel again. While on this stop Mike noticed cord showing on the rear tire. Not a lot at this point but enough to know it wasn’t going far. Josh started making calls trying to find a shop with a correct tire in stock. After several attempts he found one in Tyler TX. Problem was they closed at 5:00pm and GPS said we would get there at 5:15pm. After he explained our situation, they agreed to wait on us and make the change. WOW what a crew, on a Memorial Day Saturday they are willing to work late. We headed out and by the time we arrived that cord was showing all around the tire. Mike had them change the front and rear tires to match. A set of Shinkos. While the NC700 was in the shop we looked thru the gun shop they had in the same showroom as all the new bikes. This is Texas…… I also tried to get Mike to just ride out on a new Goldwing. As he rubbed his butt, it was tempting, but he had to get the 700 back to its owner too. What a trouper…. I also want to give a notable mention that if you’re in the Tyler TX. Area and need help, shoutout to #BroadwayPowersports in Tyler, Texas. They stayed open late on a holiday weekend to put some new rubber on the NC700! Super great people!! And the guys suggested a Mexican restaurant that very popular in town. We saddled up and went for Mexican food and a brew.

It’s been a 14-hour day. After a good meal we were ready to find that Airbnb for the night. After passing it we figured out that it appeared to be a storage building complex. It was really a speed shop for a racing club. The front building had full living quarters. Very nice man cave with pictures and memorabilia of circle track and drag racing. I guess that behind all those garage doors were cars. Really nice place for car guys. This was going to be our last night all together and Josh wanted to record some footage of us having a round table discussion about the adventure. He still hasn’t posted that footage yet. If or when he does, I’ll add it to this thread later.



One more day to go for Mike and myself…. Josh has 2…. Is it over yet?

Chuck

[Chuck & Susan]

Day 11  /  Sun Sept 6th  /  Hallsville to Mobile, Alabama  /  7hr 10min  /  453 miles

It’s time to go home. Or at least I would be home tonight. My own shower and my own bed. Home with Susan and a big hug. Knowing there would be homemade sweet tea that I was also missing.

I believe Josh had originally planned to take some back roads south to ride eastward closer to the coast. Hurricane Laura just a week or so prior had left tremendous damage in Louisiana from Lake Charles northward. We decided it might be best to avoid as much as possible at the time and to take I-20 east back to Mississippi. In Jackson MS. we turned south on US-49 and down to US-98 back to Mobile.

The weather was good and feeling like home in the southeast again. Hot, humid, bugs on the windshield and the canopy of trees we love so much. No rain, and no heavy wind, and no drama or exciting obstacles to hinder the nice ride. Well maybe just those rough roads that Louisiana seems to like.

Just a nice time to ride and reflect on the journey we just made. A day to just ride and relax from the adventure and all the things we had experienced in this story.  The other day @2372ighost made the comment:” Building miles of memories!”  and he was right. And the memories of those miles shared with Josh and Mike will always be a great moment in my life. Along with so many road trips that I have made in the past.

Before arriving back in Mobile we made a last fuel stop so Mike could return his steed back to its owner with fuel in it. Also, so Mike could get his bags out of the trailer and strap them to the seat. I would not be making the turn off US-98 to follow them to Jeff’s house. I had another hour or so ride across Mobile bay to my home. Susan heard me pull up at the house and met me at the door with a big smile, a huge hug, and a cold glass of that homemade sweet tea……. Ahhhh…. The wing and I are Home……


Day 12  /  Mon Sept 7th  /  Mobile to Sarasota, Florida  /  8hr  /  570 miles

My trip was over but Josh and Mike still had to get home to their families that were waiting on them to return. And I think they were tired and ready to be home too. Josh documented his solo ride back to Sarasota in his video. He left very early before sunrise and I think he was relying on coffee to keep him going. Mike had mentioned that he was looking forward to that plush comfortable cloth seat in his F-150 Chevrolet Silverado with the A/C and cruise control. I bet he enjoyed that comfort as he returned to Fort Paine.

I just want to add that this might be the first BIG road trip ether one of these kids has made, they will never forget it and neither will I. I don’t think Mike will ever make another 5,000+ mile trip on that NC 700 again and Josh sold the Baby Wing a few weeks later. My Goldwing will remain my ride of choice. It was built just for these types of road miles. I may not be able to chase @klaviator and the great group that rides with him through the off-road trails. But the Goldwing will get Susan and I up north to camp out and ride the mountain roads. That’s good enough for me.

We hope to see and ride with all the cool kids from Motorcycle Alabama again very soon!!!!

Chuck

[klaviator]

Great ride report Chuck!  Tell Josh he did a great job with the videos as well.  I'm glad you guys were able to do this trip.  It will be something that you will always be able to look back at and smile.  This is especially true for the two younger guys since this was their first long trip.  I'm sure they will do more trips in the future but this will always be their first!

Thanks for taking the time to write this up.  It reminds me that it's been a long time since I took a long road trip and I need to do one this year.

[Chuck & Susan]

Thanks Klaviator!

I really enjoyed doing this report. Not long after we got home, Hurricane Sally came to visit and still working on some of the clean-up. But I realized that I have been so busy that I never really had the chance to just think about all the moments of the adventure. The report really give me the opportunity to reflect. I'm sure you know what I mean by that. Your awesome story of the ride of your life was very interesting. I'm sure it brought back things you had not thought of for years.

I'm eager for another road trip!!

Chuck

[klaviator]

I know exactly what you mean.  I enjoy doing ride reports and I also enjoy being able to look at my ride reports years later and relive the ride.  Let's face it, the memories fade over time but being able to look at a ride report keeps those memories alive.

[2372ighost]

Great report! Thanks for sharing.

[Chuck & Susan]

Not long after getting home Josh made a review video of the top essential items that he listed as needs for the trip. I thought I would share this with you.

Maybe you find something that may need for your next trip.

Enjoy!!

TOP 10 Best Road Trip essential bits of kit, gear, to make the trip better

Chuck

[TFancher]

Wow that was an awesome trip. One that you guys will never forget. My wanderlust has been flaring up lately and this write up and videos really got me thinking. Reminded me of the Alaska trip with the mention of the infamous “clutch lever” incident! Funny thing is, I now have an extra clutch lever for each of my bikes packed in my tool kit thanks to [mention]Chitza [/mention]!
It’s good to hear from you guys again [mention]Chuck & Susan [/mention]I hope to see you guys on a ride sometime soon!


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