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Post by Doc on Nov 10, 2013 19:25:39 GMT -6
I'm going in for regular maintenance stuff, but if anyone is psychotic enough to want to join me, I'll be leaving Ozark at 6:45-7:00am and taking 44 east. It's about 4-4.5 hours, approximately 230 miles. Will be riding back around 1:00-2:00pm, so should be back to Springfield after nightfall. Temps are supposed to range from the low 20's to maybe 40-42 degrees, I think. Not sure what it'll be once you factor in the wind chill. Actual road time is about 9 hours, give or take. Overall mileage around 460 miles.
If anyone has grown tired of having fingers, toes or facial parts that have remained free of frostbite and want to rectify that situation as soon as possible, drop me a PM!
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Post by Doc on Nov 14, 2013 18:45:55 GMT -6
It was about 20 degrees out when I left at 7:15 am. It was a might bit nippy out. However, layered thermals and "Hot Hands" thermal packs (strategically placed) kept me warm and comfortable throughout the entire day, even when I wasn't on the bike (unlike an electric vest or other plug-in heated clothing).
Made it there in 2 hours and 56 minutes aboard a 2002 Kawasaki EN500. Not bad timing for a cruiser. Saw a tractor trailer lying on its side at mile marker 220, prompting the cops to close off the right lane for a bit.
Got home at about 7:15pm (would've been home half an hour earlier, but I made a few stops before actually heading to the house).
I wouldn't regard it as a scenic ride (most riders here seem to prefer those to riding for hours on the superslab). I'd regard it as more of an "endurance" ride, as a test to see whether or not you can travel about 500 miles on a bike during a single day in very cold temps WITHOUT thinking about selling your bike(s) and giving in to get a car, haha!
All in all, it was pretty good. Talked to a Hazmat trucker for a bit about the inattentiveness of most cagers. Turns out he used to ride as well, and he'd even known a couple that traveled the US on a fancy touring bike (can't remember the model). He said the couple finally decided to call it quits one year, when the guy was 88 and his wife turned 89. THAT is some dedication to riding right there!
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Post by 03rexrev on Nov 14, 2013 20:59:38 GMT -6
I made that trip ion the summer this year. I spent the night though and headed home the next day. Wouldn't mind doing it in the cold if I had a reason, but just to do it, I don't think so. I'm sure you had your reasons and I'm glad you made it back safe.  |
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Post by Doc on Nov 15, 2013 0:28:19 GMT -6
It was for routine lab work and maintenance. I go up there every week or two (now), so a trip like that isn't much of a big deal to me anymore. The first few times, though... man! I thought I was gonna die from exhaustion before I got there. Now I can make the trip on the stock seat with no special "air cushion" seat pads or gel shorts or anything. Just jump on and go. I usually don't even bother with a windshield (except for the winter months).
I average 15,000 miles plus each year on a bike, but I think I'll be closer to 20,000 miles by the end of this year. I guess it's like torture; do it long enough and it becomes routine and bland, hahaha!
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