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achesley
0
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2008
- Messages
- 4,685
- Reaction score
- 74
- Location
- Jennings,La.
- First Name
- Andy
- Last Name
- Chesley
Finished packing the bike on Sunday afternoon. Checked to make sure all was sitting good for the start of the trip.
Left home and topped off the gas tank on Bandit at WaySide in Jennings at about 6:am. Set my old trusty Garmin 276C to zero and erased current track in memory.
Weather a bit misty and running was cool through the open vents on the Transition Jacket by Tourmaster. Have another full vented jacket that really works well down here but as I plan on being in some high elevations, but, it stayed home due to lack of room.
Also did a bit of modifications to the luggage system I use. Pulled off the luggage rack and the tailbag attached to it. Just running a Nelson rig set up of a tail bag with saddle bags. The saddle bags are attached with two straps across the seat and a couple of tie downs to hold it on. The tail bag is attached to the saddle bag via 4 clips. Makes it easy to load and unload the bike at motels I’m thinking. Jury is still out on that though. Tank bag is a large Marsee Magnetic I just mainly use to long trips. Carry a water bladder with tube and bite valve in there plus camera, hat and other small stuffs.
Using the high line, my route for the day. I changed colors for every day.
Up LA 26 and watching as South Louisiana wakes up about the farm lands and small towns I go through. Though about stopping at one little general store my niece works at but it was still closed when going by. Up at the junctions of LA 26 and US 162 I turn Bandit North and watch these towns coming alive and a bit more traffic. The Coshatta Indian Casino is not far so a well used route for players and workers. I remember pre casino, having these roads mostly to myself at early hours but not any more. Progress? I guess.
Any how, we ease up the mostly new and old road surfaces at 65 to 70 per as since they have 4 laned it , DOT Louisiana saw fit to put the speed limit at 65. Yea. But, the small towns are known speed traps so you want to be at the posted speed when approaching them.
Up the road to the Indian Creek Recreation turn off, another brand new surfaced road and major speed trap, to I-49 North. A quick stop to check luggage before hitting the I state and were off. Alexandria was still not in full awake / go to work mode yet so just cruised through it without traffic problems. Started getting sprinkles just North of town but not bad enough to dawn rain gear yet. About 10 more miles I was hunting for a turn off to get it on though as the sprinkles picked up but not to a full blasted rain yet. Put all the rain covers on the tail and saddle bags. Need to do modifications to these before next trip as the saddle bag covers do not go all the way on with the tail bag attached. Did not worry about the tank bag as it was protected by the windshield from direct blast and lots of scotch guard spray.
Just on the road a few more miles and the rains came hard. Slowed to 65 for some of the more heavy stuff and lower to dodge cars poking alone at 40 or so on the interstate. A few even pulled over as it was that hard at spots. But, 30 miles up the road in this and it slowed to a medium soft rain mostly.
Passed up my usual gas stop at Natchitoches due to major rain, so stopped at a little store/truck stop in Coushatta, La which had old type gas pumps and about 30 cents more per gallon. But a neat little store and was cooking up some food for noon passerbys. Tables in a corner to sit and eat at. Will remember this one. My kind of places even at higher gas price.
Arrived at the junction of 1-49 and 1–20 in Shreveport and aim us Westerly bound on I 20 for Texas. Still in intermitted showers till about the Visitors Center where I pulled off for a break. Talked to a few other people watching the very large tv screen with the weather channel happening. Seeing the major stuff was all south of here and pretty good chances for not hitting any more heavy rain, I pulled off the rain pants and the covers on the saddle bags since they kept wanting to slip off anyway. Found them to be holding water due to the fit I guess. But nothing wet as I have all packed in plastic bags inside. The Tourmaster jacket leaked very good. Especially at the chest vents which I had forgot to close before hitting the hard rains.
. So , was pretty much very wet in the front and had had even soaked down past my rain pants to get most of the top of my jeans wet also. So, next hard rains, the rain gear top will be used also. I find the Gore-Tex and other stuff don’t work too good in really hard rain for a long period of time.
Well, after leaving the Welcome Center, we haul it on I 20 to US 69 at Lindale and go north from there. I’m crusing along and passing through this little town of Alba,Tx. and see a sign
on this old looking café and just liked the looks of this place
so did a U turn and stopped to eat. Neat little local place with 6 buck lunch. Signs noticeable were , We don’t accept any credit cards or checks. No dancing on the tables with spurs on.. Did a lunch of Hamburger steak, mash potatoes, green beans, roll , chocolate cake and glass of ice tea for exactly 6 bucks. Taxes were included in the price. Loved it. Very friendly place.
Looking across the road I see this establishment called
And wonder at the happening at night in that place.
Onwards up US 69 to the US 82 junction and then west to Wichita Falls where I’m spending the night. Very low I net access so didn’t try to upload the few pictures I took. Not a lot caught my attention on the rest of the ride except the clearing skies and the temperature on my thermometer getting up to 93 or so in the last 50 miles to WF. WF is a confusing place since the highway construction runs you around motel row. Use to be simple, just roll into town, pull over at a motel and bingo. Now, you almost have to use your GPS to guide you to one. Or, at least I fine it easier that way.
7 July 7, 2009
Up kinda late = 6:30A. Went and saw what was for breakfast at the continental bar which was not a whole lot. A roll and coffee did suffice. Loaded up Bandit , shuffling stuff around so it would carry better. Still playing with this. It’s gonna take time before I really get satisfied with it. Was spoiled to all the miles I did on BMW GSs with the hard luggage and set up I ran on them for over 100K miles of traveling about. I moved the bags a little forward so they would stop bending the signal lites so much but this proved to put them more onto my back and when I would stand up for a few miles, they would slide half way onto my seating area. We’ll try something else tomorrow.
Anyway , got on the road about 7:45 A headed out on US 387 to Amarillo.
This road is like a freeway mostly. Slow for a few small towns and such but as a rule you can run 75 on it. Good road and I didn’t take any pictures on it till the end where I saw they had put up a very large wind generator array since my last trip this way 2 years ago or so. At Amarillo I got onto I 40 and crossed the border to New Mexico , stopped at the welcome center, got a map, filled my water bag and walked about the place a bit. Even watch the tourist show in the little theater.. Left there and headed west on the 40 till I got to San Jon and connected with NM 469 to Logan where I connected with NM 39. Very neat County roads which I had mostly to myself. These roads followed the contours of the land more than the US roads that they lower hills and fill n some valleys for. After passing through Mosquero, I turned onto 419 which runs through this valley and some canyons. Very neat ride for 30 somewhat miles and never met another car on the whole road after passing one right at the start. But, very hot in the afternoon for the most part. Light colored Tourmaster Transition Jacket really did a great job keeping the very hot air off my skin and venting to evaporate wet tshirt. I had a cool vest with me but didn’t use it. No place to charge it really, after I left on this road. There is hardly nothing. Be sure you top off with gas when ever you can and for sure on this section. It was in Las Vegas , N.M. before I saw an open gas station since Logan. I found out today that I’ll have to be more careful on topping off my gas tank with this bike. I love having a 200 miles range when touring the back roads of the west and I’ll have to add an aux tank to the Bandit to be assured of that. ;-(. To run out of gas on some of the roads I was on this afternoon , in the solo mode I run in, the heat I was running in and no people or vehicles seen for about 40 miles would not be good for your health. Also in the canyons my cell phone didn’t connect. ;-(.
But, arrived at Las Vegas tired , hot, hungry, so, commenced to correcting these things.. Also to note, the Garmin sure lets you know where any gas stations on it’s data base are, but, does not tell you if they went out of business or not.
The pictures are just random shots of the day. And, things that got my attention.
Next will be Day 3.
Left home and topped off the gas tank on Bandit at WaySide in Jennings at about 6:am. Set my old trusty Garmin 276C to zero and erased current track in memory.
Weather a bit misty and running was cool through the open vents on the Transition Jacket by Tourmaster. Have another full vented jacket that really works well down here but as I plan on being in some high elevations, but, it stayed home due to lack of room.
Also did a bit of modifications to the luggage system I use. Pulled off the luggage rack and the tailbag attached to it. Just running a Nelson rig set up of a tail bag with saddle bags. The saddle bags are attached with two straps across the seat and a couple of tie downs to hold it on. The tail bag is attached to the saddle bag via 4 clips. Makes it easy to load and unload the bike at motels I’m thinking. Jury is still out on that though. Tank bag is a large Marsee Magnetic I just mainly use to long trips. Carry a water bladder with tube and bite valve in there plus camera, hat and other small stuffs.
Using the high line, my route for the day. I changed colors for every day.
Up LA 26 and watching as South Louisiana wakes up about the farm lands and small towns I go through. Though about stopping at one little general store my niece works at but it was still closed when going by. Up at the junctions of LA 26 and US 162 I turn Bandit North and watch these towns coming alive and a bit more traffic. The Coshatta Indian Casino is not far so a well used route for players and workers. I remember pre casino, having these roads mostly to myself at early hours but not any more. Progress? I guess.
Any how, we ease up the mostly new and old road surfaces at 65 to 70 per as since they have 4 laned it , DOT Louisiana saw fit to put the speed limit at 65. Yea. But, the small towns are known speed traps so you want to be at the posted speed when approaching them.
Up the road to the Indian Creek Recreation turn off, another brand new surfaced road and major speed trap, to I-49 North. A quick stop to check luggage before hitting the I state and were off. Alexandria was still not in full awake / go to work mode yet so just cruised through it without traffic problems. Started getting sprinkles just North of town but not bad enough to dawn rain gear yet. About 10 more miles I was hunting for a turn off to get it on though as the sprinkles picked up but not to a full blasted rain yet. Put all the rain covers on the tail and saddle bags. Need to do modifications to these before next trip as the saddle bag covers do not go all the way on with the tail bag attached. Did not worry about the tank bag as it was protected by the windshield from direct blast and lots of scotch guard spray.
Just on the road a few more miles and the rains came hard. Slowed to 65 for some of the more heavy stuff and lower to dodge cars poking alone at 40 or so on the interstate. A few even pulled over as it was that hard at spots. But, 30 miles up the road in this and it slowed to a medium soft rain mostly.
Passed up my usual gas stop at Natchitoches due to major rain, so stopped at a little store/truck stop in Coushatta, La which had old type gas pumps and about 30 cents more per gallon. But a neat little store and was cooking up some food for noon passerbys. Tables in a corner to sit and eat at. Will remember this one. My kind of places even at higher gas price.
Arrived at the junction of 1-49 and 1–20 in Shreveport and aim us Westerly bound on I 20 for Texas. Still in intermitted showers till about the Visitors Center where I pulled off for a break. Talked to a few other people watching the very large tv screen with the weather channel happening. Seeing the major stuff was all south of here and pretty good chances for not hitting any more heavy rain, I pulled off the rain pants and the covers on the saddle bags since they kept wanting to slip off anyway. Found them to be holding water due to the fit I guess. But nothing wet as I have all packed in plastic bags inside. The Tourmaster jacket leaked very good. Especially at the chest vents which I had forgot to close before hitting the hard rains.
. So , was pretty much very wet in the front and had had even soaked down past my rain pants to get most of the top of my jeans wet also. So, next hard rains, the rain gear top will be used also. I find the Gore-Tex and other stuff don’t work too good in really hard rain for a long period of time. Well, after leaving the Welcome Center, we haul it on I 20 to US 69 at Lindale and go north from there. I’m crusing along and passing through this little town of Alba,Tx. and see a sign
on this old looking café and just liked the looks of this place
so did a U turn and stopped to eat. Neat little local place with 6 buck lunch. Signs noticeable were , We don’t accept any credit cards or checks. No dancing on the tables with spurs on.
. Did a lunch of Hamburger steak, mash potatoes, green beans, roll , chocolate cake and glass of ice tea for exactly 6 bucks. Taxes were included in the price. Loved it. Very friendly place. Looking across the road I see this establishment called
And wonder at the happening at night in that place.
Onwards up US 69 to the US 82 junction and then west to Wichita Falls where I’m spending the night. Very low I net access so didn’t try to upload the few pictures I took. Not a lot caught my attention on the rest of the ride except the clearing skies and the temperature on my thermometer getting up to 93 or so in the last 50 miles to WF. WF is a confusing place since the highway construction runs you around motel row. Use to be simple, just roll into town, pull over at a motel and bingo. Now, you almost have to use your GPS to guide you to one. Or, at least I fine it easier that way.
7 July 7, 2009
Up kinda late = 6:30A. Went and saw what was for breakfast at the continental bar which was not a whole lot. A roll and coffee did suffice. Loaded up Bandit , shuffling stuff around so it would carry better. Still playing with this. It’s gonna take time before I really get satisfied with it. Was spoiled to all the miles I did on BMW GSs with the hard luggage and set up I ran on them for over 100K miles of traveling about. I moved the bags a little forward so they would stop bending the signal lites so much but this proved to put them more onto my back and when I would stand up for a few miles, they would slide half way onto my seating area. We’ll try something else tomorrow.
Anyway , got on the road about 7:45 A headed out on US 387 to Amarillo.
This road is like a freeway mostly. Slow for a few small towns and such but as a rule you can run 75 on it. Good road and I didn’t take any pictures on it till the end where I saw they had put up a very large wind generator array since my last trip this way 2 years ago or so. At Amarillo I got onto I 40 and crossed the border to New Mexico , stopped at the welcome center, got a map, filled my water bag and walked about the place a bit. Even watch the tourist show in the little theater.
. Left there and headed west on the 40 till I got to San Jon and connected with NM 469 to Logan where I connected with NM 39. Very neat County roads which I had mostly to myself. These roads followed the contours of the land more than the US roads that they lower hills and fill n some valleys for. After passing through Mosquero, I turned onto 419 which runs through this valley and some canyons. Very neat ride for 30 somewhat miles and never met another car on the whole road after passing one right at the start. But, very hot in the afternoon for the most part. Light colored Tourmaster Transition Jacket really did a great job keeping the very hot air off my skin and venting to evaporate wet tshirt. I had a cool vest with me but didn’t use it. No place to charge it really, after I left on this road. There is hardly nothing. Be sure you top off with gas when ever you can and for sure on this section. It was in Las Vegas , N.M. before I saw an open gas station since Logan. I found out today that I’ll have to be more careful on topping off my gas tank with this bike. I love having a 200 miles range when touring the back roads of the west and I’ll have to add an aux tank to the Bandit to be assured of that. ;-(. To run out of gas on some of the roads I was on this afternoon , in the solo mode I run in, the heat I was running in and no people or vehicles seen for about 40 miles would not be good for your health. Also in the canyons my cell phone didn’t connect. ;-(. But, arrived at Las Vegas tired , hot, hungry, so, commenced to correcting these things.
. Also to note, the Garmin sure lets you know where any gas stations on it’s data base are, but, does not tell you if they went out of business or not. The pictures are just random shots of the day. And, things that got my attention.
Next will be Day 3.
Keep it coming. 
I pushed to Brownwood instead of staying at Abilene on the way back and was nearly in heat trouble. 
