I finally made it home just after 10pm this evening. I had a great time and really enjoyed meeting everyone, even though I didn't meet up with you all until Friday evening and then missed your departure Sunday morning. Logged approximately 2950 miles for the week in good weather and bad. Even though we got hoodies for the rally I think I still need to work on a patch...
For the haters here's my ride summary
Wed - Quick 240 mile jaunt up to Dahlonega. Beautiful weather and great start for my road trip.
Thu - Got on the road before sunrise (if you can believe it) and had frikkin' AWESOME weather until after dark. Not a soul on Rte 52 going west from Chy's and the temperature was perfect. Sunny and cool all the way across 64 through TN and it felt like it was getting humid as I was making my way to Little Rock, AR. Because I had such a good day and made it pretty far I decided to keep going until I got to Eureka Springs even though it got dark and my common sense told me to stop for the night. The last leg of the trip (from Harrison to Eureka Springs) SUCKED because that huge front (it caused tornado warnings in MS and AL the next day when it moved through there) came through and I got soaked in the deluge (even with raingear). There were practically rivers in some of the streets. Bike electrics got wet and my filter pods were saturated so the bike was running like crap but she never cut out (phew!). Logged just over 800 miles that day.
Fri - Spent most of the morning drying out, stopped by the Rider's Rest but no one was around (I stayed at a motel within rock throwing distance since there was no room left at RR). Decided to go on a ride by myself and eventually met up with everyone when they got back from dinner.
Sat - Rally ride, much fun was had by all. Weather was cold but at least it was dry.
Sun - Left to go home via MO, KS, OK, TX. Headed northwestish from Eureka Springs and looped through aforementioned states, stopped for the day in Mt Pleasant, TX. Weather was cold but dry for most of the trip but started to rain as I got to Mt Pleasant. I actually listened to my common sense this time and stopped since I had come pretty far and was getting tired. Most memorable part of the day was seeing all the flooded areas in KS from the storm front that drenched me on Thu night.
Mon - RAIN. ALL. DAY. (and lots of it) Dang weather liars said it would be dry (although that forecast was a few days old already). I low-sided making a left hand turn after eating lunch somewhere in Louisiana (took I-20 from Shreveport all the way through to western Alabama). I only slid about 10-15 feet, bike and I are fine, just a few scratches on the bike and I have to straighten my shifter arm out. Those Triumph engine dresser bars and slant bags have been better than any insurance policy for practical protection. A couple folks came over and helped me pick my bike up. I wheeled it over to the gas station I fell in front of, checked it over, straightened a few bits out, did a quick road test down an empty street and got back on the highway. Even though the rain caused my low-side (that and my heavy rear end because of my top box) it helped minimize the damage by giving me a film of water to slide on instead of grinding on dry pavement. After that, passing through MS was uneventful. I crossed into AL as it was getting dark and was on my way to the next town where I planned to stay for the night. As I was riding I saw a bird as it flew from the right side of my field of vision going towards my left (it got lit up by my headlights) but it wasn't going fast enough to cross in front of me before it hit the left side of my chest and my upper left arm. I think it was probably a dove or something about that size but it didn't fall into my lap and I wasn't about to go back and check. It wasn't enough to startle me or throw me off balance, just an "Oh, crud" moment before I inadvertently sent it to birdie heaven and lost my bird-strike biker cherry.
Tue - The roads dried out, WOOT! Kept my raingear in my bags all day and the sun actually peeked out late afternoon as I was going through central GA. Temps were great all day and it was a nice end to my ride home.
Now I just have to clean my bike. If you guys thought it was dirty at the rally you should see it now after all the weather I've been through the past few days. Despite the mishaps I'm still glad I went.
