The morning air was fresh on my skin as the sun rose in the East. I looked at my watch; I was on time for the start of my first official Saddlesore / Bun Burner ride. I did this same route last year but in the opposite direction. I could only hope this trip was as safe as that one. As I checked everything for the third time, I thought how fortunate I was to be able to chase this goal, this dream. It sure is great to live in America.
As I fired up the Harley, Renee, my wife, gave me a kiss for luck, I felt a chill run down my spine. This was the ride I had been thinking about for months. I was about to embark on a journey that many talk about but few are able to fulfill. This ride was not different. The plans were for three of us to take on the challenge. Regrettably life got in their way. Bill had received a concussion and Rob, owning his own business, needed to remain for some problems that arose prior to the ride. They will find their way sooner or later, but mine was calling me now. As I rumbled out the driveway a smile came across my face, for this was my day. It is 0600, the day looked new, the weather was great, and my bike was running smoothly.
As Im rolling along on the Turnpike, the traffic is light and the road is clean, what more could one want. I am hoping to ride from gas stop to gas stop without having to take a break, something I was unable to do last time I did this ride. The seat on the bike just did not allow for that much saddle time. My new saddle is firm and made traveling between stops a pleasure. As I pulled in to my first stop, I discovered that I could not downshift. After pulling over in the parking lot, I found the reason. The linkage had come apart. I cant believe this! The end before the start, how could this happen! After I calmed down and worked on fixing the problem, I found that it could not be repaired with conventional means. As I stood looking at my Achilles heel of the ride, I realized the problem was that the linkage kept falling off the connector. Upon looking in my saddlebag, I came out with some thin nylon string and after a few figure 8s around the linkage and the connector, I was ready to roll again. Sure am glad I had that string in there, you just never know what might come in handy on a ride like this.
Just inside the Ohio border I hooked up with a group of about 12 riders. It was nice riding with them through Columbus; it is much easier in a group than by yourself. Respect as any motorcyclist knows, runs with numbers. I stayed with the group until the next gas station. They were going to take a break, so I said my good-byes, hopped onto the bike and headed out. As I looked ahead of me I saw dark ugly clouds with nothing but anger in them. I thought if it rains, I will get to try out my new rain suit. As luck would have it there was a large column of rain in front of me, it looked more like a twister then a rain column as the rain was that heavy. I could not believe it but as I went along on the interstate, this column of rain remained about 200-300 yards to the left of me. All I got was a few sprinkles on me. As I continued on, I could see in the mirror that the column had passed over the interstate just behind me. I felt as if my dad were watching over me from the heavens above. Strange how being alone actually brings you closer to those that you love.
As I was traveling through Indianapolis I saw a sign for a Harley - Davidson shop that was open 7 days a week. I thought I would stop and see if they would be able to fix my linkage. Unfortunately, their service department does not work on a Sundays. So I bought a t-shirt and continued on my way. I figured if the linkage worked this far, it would be good for the rest of the ride. After all, the string brought me this far, it would not be fair to just toss it aside in the middle of the ride. It had every right to complete the ride just as I did. The sun is out again and the day is looking bright.
Illinois was pretty much just a ride in the park. The state has some excellent scenery. Each gas station was a pleasant stop as the people were friendly and very helpful.
Missouri was a little more interesting. I was about half way through the state when I got into bumper to bumper traffic. While stopped, another bike pulled up alongside of me and asked where I was going. When I told him his eyes got big and he said, man you got a way to go! He rode with me for the next 20 miles or so. It was nice to have someone to be able to talk to when we were stopped and waiting for the traffic. It helped to pass the time. I also believe that by the time he went on his own direction he was thinking of a big ride for himself. Who knows the paths and people we may cross and what influences our travels have on them?
Welcome to Kansas, the sign I was both looking forward to and regretting in the same thought. I was looking forward to it because I knew that I had reached the 1000 miles in the 24 hour time limit. But I also knew that I was going to continue on, after getting my eyewitness form signed, for the 1500 miles in 36 hours. I remember how long and boring Kansas seemed last year, especially at night. I told myself that I would only go until I felt tired and needed to shut down for some sleep. In retrospect that turned out to be longer then I thought. I guess the excitement of reaching my first goal had a greater effect then what I thought it would. Time at my 1086 mile mark, 18 hours and 12 minutes. Central time is 23:12.
I have often been told about watching the skies when you are in Kansas due to the swiftness of the storms. Well the sky was black because of the night but the story was in the two massive storms that lie ahead. I have seen lighting like this only in pictures or on the TV. To see the lighting miles ahead spreading out across the night sky was breath taking. When it came down, it spread out as if it were the fingers on Gods hand. It must have spread across the sky for at least a mile and turned the night into day if only for a moment.
As I stopped for gas, I figured I may as well get into my rain gear for the trip ahead, I believed that this time I would be getting wet. It didnt take long as it started to rain within a mile after leaving the gas station. The rain wasnt that hard, just nice and steady. I continued on for a while before coming to an overhead bridge. I pulled under and put the four ways on as I was going to grab some food out of my saddlebag. Next thing I knew, there were headlights on me as a car pulled over. Now this is a highway that does not have a lot of traffic on it except tractor trailers at this time of the morning. Emerging from the car was a deputy named, Lance Fisher from Russell County. Lance saw the four ways go on while traveling the other direction and turned around to see if I needed any help. Lance is also a motorcycle rider, so we had a nice conversation and a quick snack. After giving Lance my phone number and inviting him to come East, he gave me his card and told me that I always have a place to stay whenever I am in Kansas. Two wheels can sure bring people together.
The rain was letting up so I figured I would get on my way. Lance said that I was lucky I did not go through the area 3 hours earlier. He said that they had golf ball size hail for about 15 minutes. Somebody was surely watching over me on this day. As I traveled along, I began to feel inner peace. I knew that my driving skills were within my control, but I also knew that the weather was out of my control, and that was OK. I had the soothing feeling that whatever came my way; I was going to be watched over and kept safe. I ended up splitting the two storms and only had to go through a couple more drops of rain. I dont think I could have scripted it any better.
The next fueling was in Hays, Kansas where I became witness to an event I call the dance of the crickets. I have never seen so many crickets in one place in all my life. The parking lot had thousands of crickets just hopping around. It is a sight that I will never forget. I was feeling pretty good at the stop, but soon became tired. True to my word at the next rest area, I pulled in, parked the bike alongside the picnic bench that made a great bed, and slept for about Two hours. Prior to falling asleep, I thought back on the days events and felt thankful that I have been given the opportunity to do such a ride. I am sure for each of us that have done such a ride there are many that dream of doing one, but are unable for whatever reason. I hope that one day they are allowed the opportunity to fulfill their dream, and may it be as great a ride as I was having.
One more gas station in Kansas and it is on to Colorado. The Two hour nap was just what I needed. The fresh air and blue skies were like open arms. They embraced me and invited me to continue on in my quest.
Colorado is a state with such dramatically changing scenery; it is hard to believe that you have remained in one state. From the flatlands of the East to the rolling and foot hills of the Rockies, you can see so much in such a short amount of time. What a wonderful state. The flatlands are like freedom, they invite you to take in a deep breath and enjoy the openness, to the Rockies where you are so humbled by their size and strength. To see the snow on top of the mountains in the middle of summer is such an awesome sight. It is a state that I so love to visit.
As for my journey I could have not imagined it any better. I arrived safe, my linkage stayed together, and the new day was ahead. I started this journey at 6:00 am in Hershey Pa. and finished it at 10:47 am in Castle Rock CO. the following day. The trip lasted 30 hours and 47 minutes and covered 1,668 miles. It has become the jewel of all my rides. I hope each rider has an opportunity to have such a trip and enjoy life on the road as I have been allowed to on this trip.
The great part of the trip out was that I was going to make the trip back. But thats for another story. Keep watching&&&
