A long ride...
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 1
From: Christiana, Tn
A long ride...
I just got back from the longest ride of my life. And yes it was a motorcycle ride, not a trip, not a vacation, not a sight seeing adventure...Just a long motorcycle ride which is exactly what I wanted and needed. 2960 miles in 5 days, one day was only a 200 mile day.
I left on Friday July 6th and rode to Flint MI to meet up with a good friend. The next day we rode up to Alden MI and spent the night with my father in law. On Sunday we headed out. Rode the tunnel of trees and then across the Mackinac Bridge and hit highway 2. That night we stopped in Ironwood WI. Monday morning, after having to replace the battery in my buddy's bike we hit the road again. Stayed on HWY 2 all the way to Grand Forks ND and then headed south on Interstate 29. Made it all the way to Sisseton SD and got a room. Tuesday morning we left out at 6:00 am and rode together to Brookings SD. Here my buddy headed west, I had to get back home because of my job so I kept going south. I did 1110 miles this day and got home around 2:30 am, almost 21 hours in the saddle.
This was the most amazing mind clearing, find yourself ride I have ever taken. It is amazing what you feel, remember, or learn about yourself when you have this much time to just think. I know riding long non-stop days is not for everyone and a lot of people do not like riding by themselves but I think everyone should take a ride like this at least once in their life.
I tried to embed a map but couldn't figure out how so here is a link. For some reason the mileage is a little off. According to my odometer it totaled 2960 miles but the map is showing 2896.
http://https://maps.google.com/maps/...cdeaf134&msa=0
I left on Friday July 6th and rode to Flint MI to meet up with a good friend. The next day we rode up to Alden MI and spent the night with my father in law. On Sunday we headed out. Rode the tunnel of trees and then across the Mackinac Bridge and hit highway 2. That night we stopped in Ironwood WI. Monday morning, after having to replace the battery in my buddy's bike we hit the road again. Stayed on HWY 2 all the way to Grand Forks ND and then headed south on Interstate 29. Made it all the way to Sisseton SD and got a room. Tuesday morning we left out at 6:00 am and rode together to Brookings SD. Here my buddy headed west, I had to get back home because of my job so I kept going south. I did 1110 miles this day and got home around 2:30 am, almost 21 hours in the saddle.
This was the most amazing mind clearing, find yourself ride I have ever taken. It is amazing what you feel, remember, or learn about yourself when you have this much time to just think. I know riding long non-stop days is not for everyone and a lot of people do not like riding by themselves but I think everyone should take a ride like this at least once in their life.
I tried to embed a map but couldn't figure out how so here is a link. For some reason the mileage is a little off. According to my odometer it totaled 2960 miles but the map is showing 2896.
http://https://maps.google.com/maps/...cdeaf134&msa=0
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Outstanding! I've done riding like that and although I don't recommend a steady diet of it, it is just as you said...A great way to clear your head and get to know yourself a little better.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Sylva,NC
If your odometer is anything like my 2009 Ultra, it always reads more miles than my GPS.
I made a trip to Northern MN about the same length as yours and odometer miles was over the GPS by about the same as you, guess thats how we get all the miles!!
I made a trip to Northern MN about the same length as yours and odometer miles was over the GPS by about the same as you, guess thats how we get all the miles!!
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 536
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
LOL, now you're just in time for an oil change ;-)
or I know I would've been overdue, I change my oil every 2K.
or I know I would've been overdue, I change my oil every 2K.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 167
Likes: 2
From: Maplefalls, Wa
Sounds like a great trip. i will bel leaving on my trip in two weeks, leaving Washington State and headed to Virginia to visit friends, just me and the back roads.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,172
From: Oxford, Nc
I do indeed understand. I just got back from 5 states in 2 1/2 days. NC through VA WVa, Pa to Ohio to have dinner and spend the night with my friend in Akron.
Left Akron at 6:00 a.m. rode to Cleveland to visit another friend then left Eastbound St Rt 322 all the way through Pa to Harrisburg, then South on 15 io Frederick, Md where I finally got a room at 11:00 p.m. ( Long day.)
Straight down 15 through VA to the house in NC the next morning.
1300 miles. The heat was oppressive, the hydration drinks expensive, ( just about every 2 hours,) and I didn't think of work for one damn minute. And that was the whole point.
Left Akron at 6:00 a.m. rode to Cleveland to visit another friend then left Eastbound St Rt 322 all the way through Pa to Harrisburg, then South on 15 io Frederick, Md where I finally got a room at 11:00 p.m. ( Long day.)
Straight down 15 through VA to the house in NC the next morning.
1300 miles. The heat was oppressive, the hydration drinks expensive, ( just about every 2 hours,) and I didn't think of work for one damn minute. And that was the whole point.