A Big Thank You on this Last Blog Entry

When I proposed this trip to my wife Judy at our wedding anniversary dinner in July of 2008, she was not initially keen. Her love of travel finally won her over and when I included John she was comfortable with the thought of driving the distance. John who has become quite a traveler in the last few years and loves to drive had no doubts. Without these two “on board”, I doubt the trip would have happened.

My daughter Megan was really helpful in marketing my trip and blog to her wide circle of friends. Mike, my son, gave me guidance on writing a good blog and helped with the graphic design of the bumper sticker and donation form.

All of the family and friends we met on the trip “rolled out the red carpet” for us weary travelers. We shared memories and accounts of experiences. They took us sightseeing and treated us to a wide variety of culinary delights.

Since I wanted to share the trip with others and had heard of the successful “Bike for Bread” effort started in Willimantic. I asked Victoria who heads the Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) if she could use some fund raising support. She was enthusiastic from the start and incorporated my effort into WAIM as a funding source.

The WAIM delegates warmly received me at their meeting when I outlined my plans for the trip. The donors have done a great job giving generously to WAIM. It was a chance to involve the faith community, family and friends. Through this blog I hope I have enabled everyone to live the trip vicariously.

To all of you I say thank you. I hope you all have the chance to embark on your own dream trip or experience.

Cheers,

Free Spirit (Dave)

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour" - Robert Louis Stevenson

Reflections of a Motorcyclist Returning Home

As I cruised along RT 32 toward Newburg, NY, I knew once I connected with I-84, I would be in familiar territory once again. I had to remember that I was not home yet and to keep my entire mind on my driving. On a motorcycle, one must drive responsibility for others anticipating problems well in advance. I still cannot understand all the people I have seen in my travels not wearing any protective gear. I guess it is all about feeling invincible and having the freedom to choose.

On my return, after talking to friends, some common statements were “ You must be glad to be home; I bet you are tired from that long trip; your own bed must feel great”. With our rest days and the occasional nap, the tiredness factor was kept under control. Once the trip was a few days old, our routines were established and one wasn’t going through the frustration of “Where did I put this” routine. This further reduced the anxiety and stress of travel.

As I think about the trip, I realize that I could have been perfectly happy to keep going a bit longer. I enjoyed every minute in the saddle despite a couple of iffy days where I had to don my rain suit. That is not bad for six weeks on the road. I miss the excitement of every morning starting up the bike and heading out not knowing what I would discover during the day. A new person, sight, sound or smell was always waiting to be discovered. I will miss the quiet of the desert and that lonely mountain road where the only sound is the wind chasing itself. I will miss the “big sky” where I could observe fantastic cloud formations and storms miles away feeling thankful they weren’t coming in my direction. I will miss being able to meet friends and family who I had not met in years.

Crunching the Numbers

Coast-to-Coast for WAIM: May 21, 2010 – July 3, 2010

Donations: $3,705

Total mileage traveled on the motorcycle: 7,282

Total mileage including trailering the bike from Vista, CA to Salt Lake City, UT: 8,166

Average mileage traveled per day on the bike: 243

Length of average riding day: 6 hours

Length of trip: 44 days

Rest and sightseeing days: 14

Travel days: 30

Scenic roads traveled: 13

States visited: 22

Continental Divide crossings: 2

Sections of historic routes traveled: Route 66, Santa Fe Trail, Lewis and Clark Trail

Bike Hours including traffic stops, gas stops, photo stops, and rest stops: 180

Cheers,

Free Spirit

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour" - Robert Louis Stevenson

Reflections on Motorcycling II

Wind

One of my concerns on heading to the more open areas of the plain and western states was the effect wind would have on my ride. Two previous instances came to mind supporting that concern.

The first was during the mid 1960s when I owned a Honda 160cc. It was a light sport bike and weighed about 280 lbs. It was a windy day and I was riding on the level past a canyon when I was blown over to the other side of the road with a crosswind gust coming out of the canyon. The other observation took place when I drove across the country with my daughter Megan a few years ago. In New Mexico, I noticed windsocks on highways where the road left a protected area to enter a space where the wind was funneled through a narrow canyon or valley increasing its velocity. It was a visual way to warn the motorist in high wind areas.

To counteract the force of the expected wind conditions, I did have a 500 lb bike and a long wheelbase increasing stability but would it be enough? On the westward part of the trip, headwinds were the norm with an occasional light crosswind thrown in. Then I entered Utah. I had my crosswind test on my trip from Logan, UT back to Provo, UT on the way back from Utah State University. I was headed south and the weather front going through caused westerly winds and gusts of 60-80 miles per hour throughout the state of Utah. I found the bike to be very stable with the occasional lurch but I could stay in my lane. The problem was keeping my body stable on the bike. The wind did its best to push me off the bike by tugging and pulling me to the left. By tucking in my arms, pressing my legs against the gas tank and ducking down behind the windscreen, I was able to reduce wind drag. Keeping my speed up like one does when landing an airplane in a strong crosswind, I was able to keep the bike on the road. At the same time, in the back of my mind I was preparing myself for that unseen rogue gust making all my preparation for naught. Fortunately it never came.

Winds were also friendly on the trip. I remember heading east and suddenly realizing how much more acceleration with less throttle I had with a 20-30 mile an hour wind behind me.

Reflections on Motorcycling across the Country

To travel is a chance for adventure and unexpected situations, which make a trip memorable. The motorcycle puts one out into the environment to experience the weather, the curves in the mountain roads, the smells of freshly cut grass and flowers by the roadside, the camaraderie of other cyclists, and the independence of being responsible for oneself and the machine.

The camaraderie continued throughout the trip. Whether I stopped for lunch, to change into rain gear or to take a picture invariably someone would pull up in a car, truck or motorcycle and ask if I needed help. It was particularly evident when I stopped in isolated areas. It renewed my faith in humanity counteracting the negative media hype suggesting strangers are not to be trusted.

As I rode across mountains and deserts, I felt connected to the cowboys who rode their horses on cattle drives, fence patrol, and camp outs. The sky above me was limitless and the views in every direction were mind expanding. It just felt great to be alive and I felt fortunate to be able to have this experience.

Seeing the sign indicating a 20-mile per hour speed limit around mountain curves for the next 20 miles on the Colorado Rim Rock drive was a thrill and a challenge. One must enter the corner at the appropriate speed in the appropriate gear and then power through the corner. Using power through the corner stabilizes the suspension system and gives one more control over the dynamic forces.

Having John and Judy as a support team with the car as a backup for supplies like our computer, lunch makings, warm clothes (rarely used), and bike repair supplies has enabled us to be better prepared for eventualities. This arrangement gave us all a chance to have some independence following the same route and then sharing our adventures when we met at the end of the day.

Germantown

We added another 197 miles to our journey traveling from Indianapolis to Columbus. The weather was outstanding. It was clear and dry and in the seventies.

This evening, we decided to go into Germantown and try a restaurant there. We chose Schmidt’s Restaurant Und Sausage Haus. While waiting for a table, we visited the Fudge Haus next door and sampled some of wonderful European chocolate as appetizers. Umm good! When we finally sat down for our meal, Judy and John had the buffet with an assortment of sausages included. I chose the cabbage rolls, which were superb.

Later we roamed the brick paved streets enjoying the neat houses decorated with flowers in beds and window boxes. The neighborhood was turn of the century with many houses constructed of brick blending nicely with the bricked paved streets. It was another interesting day to add to our annals.

The Brickyard

Being in Indianapolis, IN after driving 277 miles from St. Louis, MO, we wanted to tour the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the site of the Indianapolis 500. As a storm rumbled through Sunday evening with high winds, we hoped it would clear out for Monday. Except for a few clouds early Monday, the day turned out sunny and warm.

We visited the museum and viewed the historic racecars. They ranged from the first racers to modern racers including Danica Patrick’s racecar. Advances in technology like superchargers and gas turbines were used to get more speed from the cars. Superchargers were banned after the speed became too great for track conditions. The use of gas turbine cars was the rage in the 1960s but with flameouts and technical problems they soon went out of favor. There is a beginning collection of motorcycles began with the start of motorcycle racing on the Formula I course built on the infield in 2000. In 1909, the first vehicles to race on the track were motorcycles.

Part of the tour was a bus trip around the track with stops to kiss the bricks and view the press areas, winner’s circle, and pits. Kissing the bricks is a tradition. There is a yard wide strip of old brick next to the finish line where a good many of us kept this tradition alive. I picked a spot where a racer had burned rubber on the finish line to get the taste of the track.

Left There Sober

In the afternoon, we toured the huge Budweiser Brewery. It is an awesome complex. We saw all the processes for brewing the beers and saw bottles and cans speeding along conveyer lines so fast they were a blur. Also included was a visit to the Clydesdale horses and wagons. Then we were bused to a huge room with chairs, tables, and a bar where you were allowed two free beers with pretzels. The Brewery covers quite a few city blocks and of course has a large gift shop. A memorable day!

Cheers,

John

Up in the Air

Today was fabulous day sightseeing wise. We drove into St. Louis and went to the Gateway Arch. It towers over the city and the Mississippi River at 636 feet. Rectangular in shape the outer skin is made of stainless steel plates. You enter and go through security like the airport. Then into a very large area holding two theaters, a museum and the proverbial gift shop. You show your tickets and go to an area where there are eight small doors in a row. You have a number and go to the capsule matching your number. Each one holds five persons in very close quarters. Riding to the top is similar to being on a Ferris wheel. At the top, you enter a long span with windows on each side giving you a gorgeous view of the river and the city. You lean against a slanted area for your window viewing. A great experience!!

Cheers,

John

Another Trail

Today, the clear, warm weather made it time for another scenic road to get away from the tedious driving on the interstate. It came at the end of our trip to St. Louis, MO from Kansas City, KS. We chose Route 19/Route 94 running along the Missouri River from New Florence, MO to St. Charles, MO. This was a choice by the website http://www.motorcycleroads.com/ recommended by motorcyclists for “twisties” and scenery.

This route followed part of the Lewis and Clark trail along the river. It was not hard to imagine Lewis and Clark’s journey along the river. When I stopped to take a photo mosquitoes quickly attacked my gloveless hands. Probably similar insects gave Lewis and Clark the same welcome. The road made sweeping turns through hills along the river over narrow bridges and then it would straighten out along the fertile plain along the river. Corn was the dominant crop with vineyards taking a close second. The vegetation was lush and obviously benefited from the rivers regular replenishment of the soil.

Larimer Street Style

Looking for some sights to see in Denver, we focused on the “Lo Do” (Lower Downtown) District. After parking at the Plaza Hotel, we rode the free shuttle down the pedestrian mall in the center of the city. We were looking for Larimer Street where Victorian buildings reflect the styles of the 1800s.

Larimer Street was named for General William H. Larimer, Jr. founder of Denver City. Larimer Street escaped the 1863 Denver fire and gained a reputation of being Denver’s main shopping and entertainment area. The Vanderbilt’s, Guggenheims, and Rothschild’s dined and shopped in Larimer Streets finest establishments.

We marveled at the soft colors and intricate architectural detail. I went off to photograph these architectural marvels. With the temperature in the nineties, John and Judy partook of a cool drink in the Market, one of the shops on Larimer Street.

Lebanon Silver Mine

Arriving at the mine by rail, we were met by a guide who had worked in the mines in his youth but as he said “I finally got smart and became a brick layer” to avoid the risks and back breaking life of a miner. A boy would start his mining career at 8 years old working 10 hours a day running errands, keeping the stove in the miner shack going and learning the trade.

Our guide showed us how early miners worked in teams of twos with one holding the drill bit and the other a sledge hammer pounding holes for dynamite sticks to blast the rock face loose. This was done by candlelight with the sledgehammer hitting the end of the bit just inches from the holder’s head. They would swap regularly so if one missed there would always be a chance for “pay back”. He showed us the tools used and focused on one long instrument with a small spoon like end. This was used to remove the dynamite sticks that had not exploded. This task was always assigned to the person who had set the charges. It was not unusual for an unexpected explosion to occur in this process. Add that to cave-ins, flooding, gas explosions, and damage to the lungs by breathing in silica dust and one could understand why unions and federal regulations developed. To get us interested in the types of ore, our guide showed us samples taken from the mine. The copper mixed with silver was our favorite.

Then we entered the mine. The temperature plunged about 20 degrees from temperatures in the nineties outside. We all donned hard hats, which were to become very useful. We walked on a narrow plank between the old rusted tracks used to haul the ore out occasionally whacking our hard hats on the low rock outcroppings overhead. We developed a hunch to avoid the overhead and wondered what 10 hours of this would be like. Alternately we would look up for obstructions and down to stay on the narrow, slippery and unstable walkway. One misstep and the waterlogged mud would suck off footwear. Water ran over the floor below the planks and dripped from fissures above our heads. We stopped at one of the intersecting mine shafts to see a vein of silver, which could go for miles through the rock. That is what the miners would follow for as long as it was profitable.