So, now that I'm on my computer and feeling better (yay!)...
The trip was by far quite a lot of fun. The negatives were mostly that I didn't apparently have the bike prepared; the running on 3 cylinders really is what made it less than absolutely stellar for me. If I were to do this again, finding out why it runs on 3 cylinders would be the crucial before-I-go step. The choke issues I had were nothing catastrophic, and I really need to re-learn how to adjust the cables properly. I'm 90% sure that's why the clutch is slipping. The cable is literally falling out of the handle!
Left Monday around 11 am, and had lunch in Ohio. I pointed the GPS to "Unnamed Road, Georgia" and it was 19 hours away. Perfect. Got my first tank of gas in Ohio as well; I had put 10 miles on the tank of gas before that. Fuelly reports this was 15165.0 so my odometer when leaving was 15175. I got gas in Ohio, and promptly dropped the bike. Word of advice: don't start the bike, then jump on the pegs to jump over. That will possibly make you force it into gear, and make it tip over. After 2 nice Ohio people helped me right it, I went to get some lunch at the local diner. Good food. Just before I stopped for gas, it had started sleeting. After eating, it was stop-and-go on rain. Later on, it started getting foggy, forcing me to stop around 7 pm. Monday night, Christmas Eve, was quite a bit of fun. It didn't drop below freezing since I carried 2 things of water with me and they did not freeze. I do believe, however, the temp dropped to near freezing. If I remember correctly, my weather app reported 33 degrees. I woke up sweating in my bag. It'd passed its first test!
First day: Michigan > Ohio
After leaving the state park, I went into town, used some bar's rest room, and then went to Wal-Mart to get a new charger. Lo and behold, Wal-Mart is closed on Christmas. Who knew?
I pointed my GPS to Texas, knowing it was a 2-day ride away. I did this because I'd forgotten that Piute said the blizzard was turning North into Missouri. I thought the snow would hit Texas and be gone the next day, as I was pulling in. So I marched on to the beat of my own 4-cylinder motor, going through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois (and seeing that awesome 1972 CB350) and into Missouri over the Mississippi river. Within minutes of crossing over, it started raining. But the bike, she was doing oh-so-well in that rain! I got to Flying J in some nondescript town, and asked them if they knew where the rain was ending at so I could ride out of it. They informed me that I was nuts, there was a blizzard that was going to hit in a matter of hours! So I brainstormed with the manager, his cell phone, and a little luck later we decided Blytheville, Ar was where I should go. So I hopped on the highway (first time this trip) and stayed behind a semi, as I couldn't rev past 5k due to the cylinder issue. I stayed at a Super 8 and got it for $51.
Second day: Ohio > Indiana > Illinois > Missouri > Arkansas
Next morning, the hotel was out of power. Just my luck! No hot water, no electricity to charge my phone. I went down, had some cereal, and asked them what was up. Apparently, just before I'd woken up, the power had come back on for around 10 minutes. So the owner said it was likely going to be coming on soon. It was out for another hour. The owner said that, last time they'd lost power, wind had knocked power lines down for 100 miles and they hadn't had power for quite some time, so the transformer having blown wasn't nearly as bad. Meanwhile, because he took sympathy for my situation, he said not to worry about the check-out time of 11 am. To take all the time I needed and just relax. After the power came on, I watched a little tv, took a hot shower, then packed up the bike. Ended up talking with the guy for a bit over an hour. Then I took off, hopped back on the bike, and went South on I-55. This took me through Memphis, Tn and into Mississippi. Once I'd passed into Mississippi, I hopped off and went back onto the back roads.
I was going to change in the bathroom there, but the thing was disgusting, outright disgusting. I don't remember why I was going to change, just that I was going to. Instead, I'd pointed my phone to a state park I'd chosen at the Super 8. However, after getting on the back roads and it getting dark, it got cold. Too cold to make it there. I went to a McDonald's, researched the area, and found there was a state park around 25 miles away - Holmes County State Park. I went there instead as it was 30 minutes away, versus 1+ hour. Got there, and the place was filled with RV's. I rode around quick, didn't see any tent-specific camping, and knocked on the ranger's door (they had a trailer for the ranger). He was a really nice fellow, named Greg. He said to just take any spot, and that it'd be the same cost as an RV - $18. Said to just pay the park entrance guys in the morning. grabbed the flattest spot I saw, set up camp, then went and met some people that had a bonfire going.
These guys need their own paragraph. When I got there, they were drunk. Especially the old man. He started by talking about how school shootings today are only being done by crazies. Then asked if I was a crazy, or a terrorist. Because if so, him and another guy (Mark) had pistols in their pockets, and would shoot me so I wouldn't do anything. I said a white boy from Michigan can't be a crazy or a terrorist, and they said 'okay.' Well, this lasted for around 5 minutes. Then I was asked if I was a terrorist again. This went on all. freaking. night. long. They asked if I was hungry, and I said no, I'd eaten earlier. They asked what, I told 'em McDonald's. They said that wasn't acceptable. They had 2 fresh from this year venison sausage on the grill, so they toasted me 2 hot dog buns, then we put mustard and mayo (wtf?) on the buns and I ate 'em. Tasted AMAZING. Meanwhile, while eating, I had to again tell 'em I wasn't a terrorist. But was warned that if I was, they had a pistol in 2 of the 3 men's pockets to take care of me. Then I was offered a bunk in their RV because it was cold. But if I pulled any terrorist moves, they'd kill me. I politely declined - 5 times - and went back to my tent. Oh yeah, I also had to explain that up here in MI, our gun laws vary wildly county by county. And that, since I wasn't packing on this trip, I must really believe in the Lord to test my faith in him. What happens if I get held up? No gun to protect myself? Oh man, I must really, REALLY trust the Lord to protect me.
I'm an Atheist. I didn't tell 'em that. They may have thought I was a terrorist then.
Third day: Arkansas > Tennessee > Mississippi
The next day, I was told by these fine terrorist-trapping men that I'd have to ride the Natchez Trace Parkway, take that until it ended, then go to this Cajun restaurant and camp at this RV park. They said no worries, they accept tent as well and that it was moderately priced. So after breaking camp, I put the Natchez Trace Parkway into my GPS and it brought me to a backwood-USA county road. Then said "You have arrived". There was no road but the county road. It lied to me! I said screw it, put in Baton Rouge (where the restaurant and RV park were just outside of, they were in Henderson, LA) and it had me go there. Including 3 miles on a dirt road. What a way to scare the crap out of me. So it brought me to the Natchez Trace, and I rode that for over 100 miles. That was an exquisite ride, even among the dead trees and empty fields. It was truly amazing. I learned it runs from Memphis, Tn to Natchez, La. I want to drive that from end-to-end sometime. While getting gas, I also saw a newer Honda CB1000 getting gas. I thought that was ironic. He was coming from Baton Rouge to Memphis, and I was going the opposite way. We just happened to stop at the same time at the same gas station.
As night started falling, I started getting closer to Louisiana, and where I was going to camp. I got to the RV park around 7:30 if I remember correctly, but they were closed. They also had a locked gate up, said they didn't accept tenters, and it was $30+ for camping. Crap. So I instead went to the Cajun Town restaurant they recommended, which was amazing. Had Catfish, Frog Legs, shrimp, jumbo shrimp, oysters, and jimbalaya. The waitress told me what to do, how to eat it, etc. Was rather awesome. Afterwards, she tried telling me about a local place to camp, but couldn't give me directions nor point it out on Google Maps. Instead, we found a local-ish state park 1 hour away. So I went there, getting there at 9:30. Found out they closed the doors at 9 pm. Saw what I was thinking were the rangers on 4-wheelers, and promptly followed 'em to their camp. Turns out they were teenagers just out and about. They told me the only place was either a hotel, or I could go to McGee's Landing up the road. So I went back there; the road it intersected with was the road I got on the levee from. Doing 70+ on the levee road? Freaking awesome. So I went into the campground, didn't see any tent-only, and pulled back onto the road. I was searching on my phone for another place when someone came up and asked if I needed a hand. I said I was looking for a place to camp, he was apparently the owner of McGee's Landing. Said it was $15 "if I used the bath house". I said screw it, okay, and he told me where the tent camping was. I went there, set up camp, and passed out. Next morning, used the bath house to relieve myself and saw the "Please don't flush toilet paper" sign I showed you guys before. I left after paying; told the lady at the front desk that I didn't use the bath house, so she charged me $10.
Fourth day: Mississippi > Louisiana
When I woke up on the next day, it was raining. I found out the tent wasn't waterproof. It wasn't sopping wet, but water had gotten in nonetheless. However, I broke camp after it'd stopped, and the sun was starting to come out. 15 minutes after I left, however, it started raining again. It was a soft rain, so I decided to keep going. As I got out into the country side, however, it started getting harder. And harder. And harder. The bike started running on 3 cylinders, and I was soaked to the bone. Suddenly I saw a go-cart shop on the other side! I pulled in there, got under their awning, and as I dismounted I saw this giant bear of a man. He had to be at LEAST 6'6", 350+ lbs, and just a gigantic of a man. I asked if it was okay to wait out the rain there, and he said "No problem!". Then he pulled out his phone and we looked to where radar said the rain was, as my phone was dead. We tried to charge it, but it refused to come on. So we just threw it in the pack. Meanwhile, a Sheriff deputy showed up to buy some fireworks (the guy also sold fireworks). We hung out as the rain just beat the ever-living crap out of the ground. Finally it started easing up and we went to look at what he had. It was a rather smaller selection, but all the greats. He charged the man $45 for what he got, and told me that what he'd gotten, in town 5 miles away it would've been $100 - $150. He also built up golf carts. He showed me his workshop, it was rather nice. He also did construction. This man did everything...
Finally, it started easing up, and the radar looked like it was clearing up for the day. So I took off. Boy, what a lie that radar was! Within 10 miles, I was in another torrential downpour. I pulled off into a gas station. I went in, took off my jacket, ordered a burger (they had a grill going as well as gas station) and went into the bathroom to dry out my feet. I came out, and they were mopping around my jacket; there was 1" of standing water around my jacket! I was there for several hours as the rain just kept hitting. So much for the radar being accurate. They said it looked like it'd be an all-day soaker, and that I should get a hotel. After a while, it started easing up, so I took my leave to go find said hotel. As I left, my phone started working again. I pointed it back towards Dallas, and took off. After a few hours of on-again off-again, I had to get a new charger. I found a gas station, they didn't have any. I went to Dollar General, got an el-cheapo one. One of the cashiers there was apparently from Dallas, and it was really easy to get there from where I was. She gave me directions, and off I went towards I-20. The bike started running right again, the rain was largely done, and I was getting out of there!
Then I got pulled over. Cop said my tail light was inadequate. A couple weeks ago, I discovered my lens cover was missing. Not sure what happened to it. I told the officer that it'd gone missing in Illinois, they were rare as hens teeth, and I was going to get one from a friend in Oklahoma. He then asked to see my registration. I didn't have it. He asked for insurance. I didn't have it. My registration went missing back in April when I was trying the bags for the first time; they'd rubbed against the tire and the registration fell out of the resulting hole. My insurance, I tried getting that from my insurance agency but they took forever to get it to me - it was here when I got home yesterday! Cop came back, no ticket, just wanted to make sure I was aware the red light in there wasn't enough (I have a red LED bulb in one of the sockets). He recommended I pull a white one out, and put another red LED bulb in at my earliest convenience. I thanked him for the advice, pulled out a white bulb, and took off. I got to the highway, and a little while later went to try finding a hotel - the bike seemed like it was running a bit tired, I was cold, and just wanted to get away. I stopped for gas where I was told the nearest hotel was 10 miles away. I got back on the highway and the bike started running awesome again. Plus it looked like the rain clouds were breaking up. So I said screw it and just kept going. I stopped at a Flying J, got dinner, and then went outside to my bike. The choke wouldn't work. So I used a pliers to force it up, got the bike running, then took off to the hotel I'd already reserved 20 miles away. Got there, got my room, ($51) and went to move the bike. Again, no choke. Got it to finally fire, then moved it to my room. I had the handi-capped room so I got to park in the handi-capped parking area! Should have been a sign. The room's heater wasn't working, so I called the front desk. Found out there was no other available rooms, then the heater started working. Whatever.
Fifth day: Louisiana > Texas
I left the hotel, bound for Dallas/Fort Worth. My friend went to lunch at 4 pm in Azle, Tx so I was bound to get there. After only 20 minutes or so, the bike kept acting like it was losing and getting power. I decided it must have been the choke, and pulled off. I got McDonald's again (I haven't eaten this much McD's in YEARS!) and then tore into the bike. Turns out, the choke mechanism itself was frozen. Some WD-40 fixed that right up, and it was smooth as butter. Put everything back together, retested it, and then got back on the road. No other issues, got to my friend's work (Wal-Mart!) just as she was going to lunch. We spent the hour together, then I went to get oil (I was low). I then put Wichita Falls into my GPS to go to the campground out there - Lake Arrowhead State Park. Went there, camped, found out my AC charger wasn't working, and had no phone as a result. So I put the air mattress under the pavilion, the sleeping bag on that, and slept under the stars. It got cold. Very cold. The bag worked though; my legs and torso was warm. My head? It took me almost all night to figure out how to get into the bag far enough to cover my head.
Sixth day: Texas only :(
The next morning, I found a Flying J. I got gas, bought a new AC charger, and then got directions to IHOP. I went there, called Piute and woke him up, called my grandma to let her know I wasn't dead, and updated the thread. I then threw our meeting place into GPS, got that all working again, then took off. Halfway there, the phone was nearly dead so I just wrote the directions down on a piece of paper, said screw the phone, and just went there by good 'ole-fashioned pen and paper. Got there, found out they were out of hot chocolate, and waited nearly 1.5 hours for Piute to show up. He finally gets there, we eat lunch, then take off. I navigate as the phone's started working again, and we go-go-go. Halfway there, I find my rear brakes are acting up. We pull off, decide the mechanism that takes my pedal and moves it to the drum is sticking, and take off. We get to Piute's house late, and hang out there for the night.
Seventh day: Texas > Oklahoma > Missouri
I take off from Piute's place, and decide its time to get home. Unfortunately, Mother Nature still has a thing against me. Apparently, she wants to teach me that this side of the Mississippi is bad for me. As I go on, it keeps snowing though the roads are largely kept clean. But slowly the bike starts running on 3 cylinders again, a fog starts settling in, and I cannot justify continuing. The road isn't as clean, I'm getting passed by semi-trucks, and overall I feel that getting a hotel is the best bet. I find a Super 8, their cheapest rate is a Manager's special for $53 + tax ($60 otd). I pay it. They help me out, we put the bike in a maintenance closet under lock-and-key. I spend my New Year's Eve watching A Few Good Men and something else. I also eat a bunch of popcorn and drink a lot of Apple and Orange Juice. Also apparently the Amish have a Mafia that likes to shoot things up.
Eighth Day: Missouri only :(
I wake up, deciding that I'm GOING TO GET HOME TODAY. I get the bike - it starts up beautifully. Awesome. No problems whatsoever. I move it to in front of my room, load it up, and take off. I get on the highway. I can feel that same loss of power, where its kicking on the highway. I'm not thrilled about this. Also, it starts slipping. If I try to go faster than about 65, it acts like you just pulled the clutch in and free-revs. Okay... I remember I didn't check the oil, perhaps its low? I pull off, find another Wal-Mart. As I pull the clutch, my bike revs up to 4k rpm. I look, and the choke is still pulled all the way out and won't go back down. Great, choke is frozen again. I go to the Wal-Mart, get 2 quarts of oil, then go to work on the bike. Let's see:
*Oil was 1.5 quarts low
*Choke was frozen, but as soon as I lubed it everything started working
*Sprayed down the rear brake mechanism with WD-40. That solved my rear brake issues.
*Something else, but don't remember now...
I get the bike buttoned back up, and go to pull the choke - no movement. Okay, this was smooth as butter 10 minutes ago, wtf? I try starting the bike - the starter button doesn't work. WTF. It actually kills all power; I don't have oil or neutral lights on either. Uhh... I turn the key off and on, get power. Go to start it. Lose all power. After several tries of this, finally it actually kicks over. Bike doesn't want to run, but does. I rev it a few times and get going. I start the run of my life, trying to get home and not have to stop somewhere where the bike will get cold and need the choke to start. I ride through Missouri, then Illinois where I get some directions. I figure out precisely which interstates will get me home. I go through Illinois, into Indianapolis, In. There, a guy is really nice, lets me stay at the gas station, and gives me a free refill on my hot chocolate (THEY HAD HOT CHOCOLATE! WOO-HOO!) I get back on the interstate, but the bike is running hard. It needs a rest. I need a rest. It's 21 degrees out and dropping. I'm freezing, 4+ hours from home. And after that last stop, my tach gauge lost its back lighting; I no longer have a way to see how fast I'm going. Its getting late, I'm freezing, I've got a bike that needs a rest. I decide I'm going to get a hotel. I see a sign for a Motel 6 having rooms for $32 + tax. Awesome! I get a room, take a quick nap, then plan my work that's ahead of me...
Ninth day: Missouri > Illinois > Indiana
I wake up at 3:30 am, naturally. I walk to the 2 gas stations nearby, but none sell diesel oil. I've decided I'm going to change the oil and see, once and for all, what's going on with my choke. Neither of 'em have diesel oil, but they tell me Wal-Mart Supercenter (which are open 24 hours) is only 1/4 mile away. I walk there, get 5 quarts of oil, and walk back. First I tear into my bike to figure out what's going on with my choke. Turns out, the cable itself froze up. It just happened to choose RIGHT after the bike was put together to freeze. I run a new choke cable with my safety wire. I test it to make sure it works. I then do my oil change. Apparently the ice buckets that come in a room? Fit the oil amount perfectly. It was within 1/8" from the top when it stopped. I put the drain plug in, put the oil carefully into the trash can w/ plastic bag, then take out the plastic bag and take it to the trash. I fill my oil, then go back inside. It's 6:15 am, I'm exhausted, and pass out. I wake back up at 10:30, intending to take a shower. However, let me tell you about this room:
*Smells like smoke. As in, someone was smoking just before I got it. All rooms in Indiana are non-smoking per literature they had up. Yeah, okay.
*Sink doesn't drain
*When you turn on the faucet, your feet get sprayed with water
*Twice, my keys stop working. First time, I didn't even get in. And neither time was the front office person surprised.
I decided I didn't need a shower. I go to check out, inform them of the issues, and go to take off. I get the bike running, and go to take off. I get going and forego getting gas; I knew the bike wasn't warm enough to start again without the choke, and I didn't want to risk that. I go 50 miles or so, get gas, and get Subway. While eating, I feel like I have to crap; I decide this is a good indicator for when I'll need to stop to warm up anyways, and get out of there. 70 miles later, I feel like I've got to crap and puke. I stop, find out I have food poisoning. Oh joy. I don't get gas, but take off after warming up. 30 miles later, I make my final junction; I stop for gas and food poisoning. 35 miles later, I stop for food poisoning/heat. Finally I make it home, where I lay on the couch for hours, puking up anything I put down (I tried Powerade, that came back up immediately; I tried water, and that stayed down for 5 minutes before making a return trip). Called into work today, and just rested and such.
Tenth day: Indiana > Michigan (HOME!)
My last Fuelly odometer reading is 18301. I went 68 miles after that to get home. So, 18369 - 15175 = 3194. Over 10 days, thats an average of 319.4 miles. Not bad, I suppose. Especially since I tried getting home 2 days earlier, and would have. If it wasn't for Mother Nature.
Turbos, Hondas, 4-bangers, what could go wrong?
Shiny: [...] Considering the weather you've had to put up with I'd say you get an Iron Butt award and a Frozen Nipple trophy to go along with it. First time I've ever posted the word nipple... it ends here.
Locked
watching you dodge a Mid-west bizzard and south coast tornados,ride through 4inch down pours,(was great THX)
But the best time 
was following you through Oklahoma and having a visit,
You'll be fine or you'd been dead all ready ,cazyy azz .......
watching you dodge a Mid-west bizzard and south coast tornados,ride through 4inch down pours,(was great THX)
But the best time 
was following you through Oklahoma and having a visit,
You'll be fine or you'd been dead all ready ,cazyy azz .......
to reality 40's though