BMWbabe
0
Well... then you'll get one next year for sure... Terry will bust my chops if I don't go next year since I didn't go this year
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Down The Road I Go...
- Thread starter Squeaky
- Start date
If you're handing out shirts
sherob
0
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2006
- Messages
- 1,314
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- Brighton, CO
- First Name
- Robert
- Last Name
- Hughes
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2004
- Messages
- 13,331
- Reaction score
- 186
- Location
- Plantersville
- First Name
- Rebecca
- Last Name
- Reed
Yeah, so, um... then it was Sunday so I went home and went back to work on Monday.
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2004
- Messages
- 13,331
- Reaction score
- 186
- Location
- Plantersville
- First Name
- Rebecca
- Last Name
- Reed
Nah, it can't end THAT easily.
Here ya go. Sorry it took so long.
Day 16
May 11 - heading home
I woke up refreshed and as I packed the bike for the last time on this journey, it was apparent that I’d burned up oil somewhere along the way. I hadn’t been checking it because I was not too far over my oil change interval and the Strom hadn’t been known for burning oil before.
I topped it off with almost a half quart. Good thing Jamey met me up here, he’s the one who noticed it. He’s also the one who was able to get the bike up on the center stand while loaded, something I still struggle with.
Much better.
I ate breakfast - my decadent chocolate pie that I’d saved from dinner the night before.
Then Jamey went to check us out of the room and return the key. This was the only hotel I’d stayed in that had a real key instead of those plastic programmable cards. It felt good to hold a hotel key in my hand for some reason.
As we headed out, the plan was to head across to Oklahoma on the Talimena Scenic Drive, then head south across the Red River into Texas. Although he’d joined me for the last leg home, Jamey insisted he was just escorting me home and that I shouldn’t change anything about how I’d ride or handle stops along the way just for him. He’d be my shadow.
Well, my shadow didn’t plan for the weather and despite the bright shining sun it was chilly. I was doing ok with my jacket liner and rain pants, so I offered him my thermals so he could add a layer.
I stopped at the border
And he stopped up ahead at a turn-off, so I did what any good friend would - took pictures of him half dressed on the side of the road. : P
The elevation on the Talimena isn’t as bothersome as other areas, since there are more rolling hills than cliffs and jagged rocks-of-death to contend with.
We made it to town just in time to fill up on gas and grab some (real) breakfast.
I really couldn’t have asked for better weather to carry me home.
That - over there - is that what I think it is?
Yup, I was crossing over the Red River and had arrived in Texas!
Spank was glad to see some familiar signs too
And Jamey was just glad we’d finally pulled over!
We made our way down to Lone Star for lunch (kinda fitting, don’t ya think?)
It was Mother’s Day, but we’d missed the hectic lunch rush. It also meant we’d missed out on almost everything they were serving on the buffet, so we ordered up a few plates and talked about the rest of the route while we waited for our food.
Chopped steak with onions and hush puppies, although I’m told these aren’t “real” hush puppies and I’d have to try them again sometime.
We were, um, hungry…
Once done and back outside, Jamey just BEGGED me to ride my bike, so I agreed.
(Ok, so I just really wanted to ride the FZ and I convinced him by BS’ing something about how varying pressure points would help make his long ride more comfortable)
I took the reins of ye ‘ol FZ1...
As we mosey’d on down the road I spotted a sign for a town I wanted to check out. It made a good stop to trade bikes back, as I wanted to be with mine in the picture(s).
Beckville, Texas.
Most of my family calls me Bec, so it made me smile to know they’d get a kick out of my find.
The first sign that had the “H” word on it since I‘d left two weeks prior:
Longer shadows
Strangers falling in line behind bikes they see going their way
The setting sun. I would lose the race against daylight for the last time.
Downtown Houston. Blurry, but visible. No time for stopping, I could take pictures of this any day.
Minute Maid Park, aka “Orange Juice Field” - home of the Astros.
And the last traffic light before my house. Yup, I got caught at a red.
“Arriving at home” appeared on the GPS as I pulled under the carport. It was bittersweet - I wanted to be out on the road still. Making my way across states, traversing miles and miles of scenery, pavement, and memories - but at the same time, I longed to be home. In my comfort zone. Sleeping in my own bed.
I turned the key and returned to reality. It was over.
Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas
468 miles and one great shadow of a riding partner
Here ya go. Sorry it took so long.
Day 16
May 11 - heading home
I woke up refreshed and as I packed the bike for the last time on this journey, it was apparent that I’d burned up oil somewhere along the way. I hadn’t been checking it because I was not too far over my oil change interval and the Strom hadn’t been known for burning oil before.
I topped it off with almost a half quart. Good thing Jamey met me up here, he’s the one who noticed it. He’s also the one who was able to get the bike up on the center stand while loaded, something I still struggle with.
Much better.
I ate breakfast - my decadent chocolate pie that I’d saved from dinner the night before.
Then Jamey went to check us out of the room and return the key. This was the only hotel I’d stayed in that had a real key instead of those plastic programmable cards. It felt good to hold a hotel key in my hand for some reason.
As we headed out, the plan was to head across to Oklahoma on the Talimena Scenic Drive, then head south across the Red River into Texas. Although he’d joined me for the last leg home, Jamey insisted he was just escorting me home and that I shouldn’t change anything about how I’d ride or handle stops along the way just for him. He’d be my shadow.
Well, my shadow didn’t plan for the weather and despite the bright shining sun it was chilly. I was doing ok with my jacket liner and rain pants, so I offered him my thermals so he could add a layer.
I stopped at the border
And he stopped up ahead at a turn-off, so I did what any good friend would - took pictures of him half dressed on the side of the road. : P
The elevation on the Talimena isn’t as bothersome as other areas, since there are more rolling hills than cliffs and jagged rocks-of-death to contend with.
We made it to town just in time to fill up on gas and grab some (real) breakfast.
I really couldn’t have asked for better weather to carry me home.
That - over there - is that what I think it is?
Yup, I was crossing over the Red River and had arrived in Texas!
Spank was glad to see some familiar signs too
And Jamey was just glad we’d finally pulled over!
We made our way down to Lone Star for lunch (kinda fitting, don’t ya think?)
It was Mother’s Day, but we’d missed the hectic lunch rush. It also meant we’d missed out on almost everything they were serving on the buffet, so we ordered up a few plates and talked about the rest of the route while we waited for our food.
Chopped steak with onions and hush puppies, although I’m told these aren’t “real” hush puppies and I’d have to try them again sometime.
We were, um, hungry…
Once done and back outside, Jamey just BEGGED me to ride my bike, so I agreed.
(Ok, so I just really wanted to ride the FZ and I convinced him by BS’ing something about how varying pressure points would help make his long ride more comfortable)
I took the reins of ye ‘ol FZ1...
As we mosey’d on down the road I spotted a sign for a town I wanted to check out. It made a good stop to trade bikes back, as I wanted to be with mine in the picture(s).
Beckville, Texas.
Most of my family calls me Bec, so it made me smile to know they’d get a kick out of my find.
The first sign that had the “H” word on it since I‘d left two weeks prior:
Longer shadows
Strangers falling in line behind bikes they see going their way
The setting sun. I would lose the race against daylight for the last time.
Downtown Houston. Blurry, but visible. No time for stopping, I could take pictures of this any day.
Minute Maid Park, aka “Orange Juice Field” - home of the Astros.
And the last traffic light before my house. Yup, I got caught at a red.
“Arriving at home” appeared on the GPS as I pulled under the carport. It was bittersweet - I wanted to be out on the road still. Making my way across states, traversing miles and miles of scenery, pavement, and memories - but at the same time, I longed to be home. In my comfort zone. Sleeping in my own bed.
I turned the key and returned to reality. It was over.
Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas
468 miles and one great shadow of a riding partner
Last edited:
Thanks for finishing this... I have really enjoyed it!
achesley
0
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2008
- Messages
- 4,685
- Reaction score
- 74
- Location
- Jennings,La.
- First Name
- Andy
- Last Name
- Chesley
Neat run Squeaky. Thanks for taking the time and efforts to share your trip, pics and insites with us. Kinda reminds me of the (breaking in new bike ) trip I did in the summer of 02 on my R1150GSa. Was headed to Nova Scotia but played about so much on the backroads (my preferred method of travel ) getting to Maine that I had run out of time.
dukey33
0
whew! glad to see you made it home (even though we knew how it ended).
Great adventure. Thanks for taking us along.
Great adventure. Thanks for taking us along.
hcope1
0
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2003
- Messages
- 161
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Birmingham, Al
- First Name
- Buzz
- Last Name
- Copeland
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2004
- Messages
- 13,331
- Reaction score
- 186
- Location
- Plantersville
- First Name
- Rebecca
- Last Name
- Reed
How do you plan to do the "No Clever Name" event?
I might have to get myself fired.
...or just sick for a few days and take the hit on my paycheck
Absolutely ENTERTAINING trip report. 
Two questions:
1) What tire did you decide on for your trip (mostly interested in the rear since I am burning through the rear in 4-5K miles) and how did they fare?
2) Headed to Maine after the Red Bull GP. Any must do sights, roads or eats?
Two questions:
1) What tire did you decide on for your trip (mostly interested in the rear since I am burning through the rear in 4-5K miles) and how did they fare?
2) Headed to Maine after the Red Bull GP. Any must do sights, roads or eats?
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2004
- Messages
- 13,331
- Reaction score
- 186
- Location
- Plantersville
- First Name
- Rebecca
- Last Name
- Reed
Absolutely ENTERTAINING trip report.
Two questions:
1) What tire did you decide on for your trip (mostly interested in the rear since I am burning through the rear in 4-5K miles) and how did they fare?
2) Headed to Maine after the Red Bull GP. Any must do sights, roads or eats?
I have Michellin Anakees on it, and I typically get 8k or so before I usually flat spot it badly enough that I need a new one. I had about 2k miles on them before I left for this trip. Granted, I don't run a very "spirited" pace, so YMMV. I was getting right around the same mileage from Tourrances but I switched to the Anakees when I read that they were just as good on loose rock/dirt but were a tad bit 'stickier' for track days and street riding, and I've had no issues with them at all so I've kept it up.
I just did the track day on the same set of tires (so about 7k on them now?) and I'm still not quite at the wear bars. Granted, the rubber is balled up pretty good on them (especially the front) from running it hard on the sides, but that should wear itself smooth again this weekend to Hico. I'm estimating 650-800 miles this weekend, and then they'll probably be toast. Time to get a new set ordered...
I really only spent an hour or so in Maine itself, and about 45 minutes of that was at a gas station eating a sammich and talking on the phone. Lame, I know. I can direct you to some very cool roads in the area and share my GPS file that I accumulated through asking folks here and on ADV for ideas.
I bought a 2610 but I'm far from GPS-competent.
You'd probably be wasting your time to send me any of those files, but suggestions on roads are welcome! I plan to eat lobster 
and ride there for a couple of days at least. 
Gilk51
2
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2005
- Messages
- 17,300
- Reaction score
- 26
- Location
- Arlington, Texas
- First Name
- Charles ("Chuck")
- Last Name
- Gibke
I plan to eat lobster
Is the Tamster also going? Sounds like another good trip...
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2003
- Messages
- 1,901
- Reaction score
- 12
- Location
- Huntsville, Tx
- First Name
- Debbie
- Last Name
- McMullen
I see you got motivated to finish up. 
Maybe I can join you in '09 for your next big trip.
Maybe I can join you in '09 for your next big trip.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2008
- Messages
- 288
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Cleburne, Tx
- First Name
- Mary
- Last Name
- Adachi
Great RR!
Thanks!
Now, you deserve that pie! <G>
Mary
Thanks!
Now, you deserve that pie! <G>
Mary
Hey Squeakster! Very nice ride! I had forgotten you took this trip but you did a good job with it!