June 8-11 STAR 2014 in Rapid City, SD

[Brick]

Bike washed... hair cut last Wednesday, mostly packed... Got an extra key- not a bad idea. 6:04pm... Hell I'm ready NOW! I might need a doggie downer tonight. Damn, I love traveling on a bike!


Brick

[Bob]

I''m speechless. Can't wait to see it in person.

You're being facetious, right? I mean, it looks just like it always does except for the yellow bag on the topcase and the sheepskin seat cover.

(or maybe he was talking about Mt. Rushmore...?)

[beachy]

ok it is 2 days in we are ready to hear progress and adventure reports give the dogs some crumbs please.

[Broz]

Having to much fun and spending so much time in the saddle we don't have time to write. After day 2 I have over 1200 miles from home (Matthews).

[Brick]

Great day! 120 miles of sweepers! On AR 16... Fantastic!


Brick

[Brick]

We are in Taos, NM... Great riding once we got to the NM mountains!


Brick

[Broz]

Who's gain head?

[Bob]

Glad you guys made it to Taos in one piece. In case anyone else is wondering, I am back in Charlotte. I made it to Memphis OK but it was then painfully evident that back-to-back 12-13 hour days in the saddle were not in the cards for me. So I made a leisurely day and a half ride back home along I-40 and then took old US25 up thru Newport Tn and Hot Springs, over to Lake lure and home. I knew it would be an endurance test for me at the get-go. Such is life. Next MC trip out west will be on the trailer.

[beachy]

looks like you guys are in for some nice riding today. Bob sorry it didnt work out.

[Bob]

looks like you guys are in for some nice riding today. Bob sorry it didnt work out.

Yeah, me too! lol I am beginning to think that heat exhaustion did me in. Every spring when it turns hot it takes me a few weeks to acclimate & work back up to the long day-rides we usually do. That initial heat wave just saps my energy--physically & mentally. Well, this year I missed the last 10 weeks of riding with my busted knee and I think the lack of exposure to the hotter temps set me up for this. I was feeling great the first 6 or 7 hours Sunday (cloudy/cooler) but as the sun and humidity started in I could feel it hitting me. It took me until 10AM the next day (Mon.) before I felt competent to ride again. I then hit I-40 eastward and again with cloud cover I was doing ok but as I crossed the Cumberland Plateau the sun came out and it got hot again; nearing Knoxville it hit me again, re-run of the day before. So after 400 miles I got off the slab for the a/c of a Hampton Inn east of Knoxville. The next day (Tues) was cooler and cloudy all day and I had a great ride on backroads home. Live and learn. Does anyone else feel this when the weather turns hot?

[Brick]

Today Taos to Durango visited Mesa Verde. 350 ish miles today. Short day. Tomorrow on up the Million Dollar Highway!

[Brick]

Lee and I rode down to bag Berthoud and Loveland passes then back up through Rocky Mtn Nat Park ending tonight at Wheatland, Wy. Cool but great day!
Oh yea, Don and Broz rode on up into RMNP because they hit the passes last evening. Don't know where they ended up tonight.


Brick

[Broz]

Rapid City

[Brick]

Well Lee took all the routes that the event had that went around Mt Rushmore put them together looking at the curves and not the attractions. He and I rode that this afternoon.
A Texas friend Dave Moss came along. It was about 170 miles. Great ride fun. Got to pass a LOT of slow lookers! [THUMBS UP SIGN]


Brick

[Brick]

A member from Fl won the bike he was not present. Lee and I rode south yesterday and picked up the Oregon Trail. Not much to see a few signs and some notice that we were on it in a few towns. Tough people back then! This can be harsh country!


Brick

[LeeDavis]

We finished the Oregon Trail later today and like Brick said, there wasn't much to it...no settlers, no wagons, no indian attacks, nuthin. Brick wanted to see a friend in St Louis and the way over there was slab so I followed suit and simply punched "Home" into my GPS. Brick peeled off in St Louis and I continued on until dark and found a motel in Padukah. My last leg is only 500 miles so easy run for me tomorrow.

[LeeDavis]

Earlier in this thread Bob raised a question about the effect of hotter temps. There's no doubt for me it's a big deal. On the second leg heading home, with cool temp, I did 750 miles and the only thing that stopped me going further was darkness. The last leg of only 500 miles whupped me pretty good but that was temps in the mid 80's. Not miserable, but not comfy either like the 50's to 70's we've had for most of the trip. Heading to RC, Brick and I rode in 50 degree rain all day across WY but with heated gear inside and rain suit outside I was snug as a bug in a rug and having a good ol' time.

Brick is still hanging with his friend in St Louis. What a lazy dog!

[beachy]

so did you put the fjr to bed last night and said see you in a week or so

[LeeDavis]

so did you put the fjr to bed last night and said see you in a week or so

The Z8's on the FJR still have plenty of tread left and it's ready to go some more. I'm ignoring it. The KLR is feeling left out so it's time for some dirt.

[beachy]

Lee and your thoughts on the metzlers are?

[LeeDavis]

Lee and your thoughts on the metzlers are?

Excellent touring tire. Lotsa mileage, good tracking even after some wear, sure footed on wet roads and decent grip in the twisties. My only complaint is the front tire started howling towards the end when the bike was leaned over hard. A few runs up and down a road like NC-80 might round it back off and take care of that.

[Bob]

Brick is still hanging with his friend in St Louis. What a lazy dog!

Brick has good taste in friends.

[Brick]

Another of my friends today in Chester, Il across the Miss from Mo!
Shortest day 321 miles from Chesterfield, Mo to Clarksville, Tn.


Brick