Finally Home

Great trip and an adventurous ride home. Another great year.

Back on the road

After an all morning hunt for the right battery, and tightening Al's terminal cables, we're back on the road. 95 miles to go.

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Ok, this time it IS my bike.

Dead at a gas station outside Scranton. After tearing it down to check wires, we put it back together, pop started it, and I putted 9 miles thru PA construction in the dark with no headlight to a Comfort Inn. Napa is around the corner. Hope they have the battery I need. 170 miles to go tomorrow. Boy am I ready to get home. 

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Limping Home

Al's starter problem resurfaced today, and now mine is having the same problem. 320 miles to go and we won't be shutting them off for any reason. The last start for both of us was a push / pop start. Not easy with a 900 lb bike.

Down but not out

One more repair as Al's air cleaner goes skipping across the lane in front of me and into the grass. A little walk back to grab it, a few screws tightened, and we're back on the road. At least it wasn't a saddle bag.

And not a mile earlier at lunch he commented that you have to talk to your horse. "You take care of me and I'll take care of you".

Today's Route

Last Day (we hope)

Might make it home from Sturgis in a day if we crank. Some rain pushing behind us and a chance in front of us. It always seems to rain on the first and last day. Hopefully we avoid it all today.

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Long Day

Stopped in Sturgis Michigan for the night. Ran 650 miles today after losing an hour to the time zone again. Tired, cold, and ready for bed. 750 miles to home. Should be able to make it tomorrow as long as there are no delays. Thankfully we don't lose another hour.

Location:Indiana 9,,United States

350 down, 300 to go

No, it's not my bike this time.

Al's bike down for the count Friday, waiting for me to get back from Rapid City with a new battery. Today it's in the shop at a Des Moines Harley shop with the same problem. Looks like a bad starter relay. Grabbing lunch and we'll be back on the road in no time.

Almost on DesMoines

Quick pit stop. Lunch and gas in an hour in DesMoines.

Saturday

After a morning delay yesterday, we rode til about 9:00 and made it almost 500 miles to Sioux City IA. Our goal today is South Bend IN, about 600 miles. Not sure we can get home Sunday, but we should be closer for an earlier arrival on Monday.

Tim

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Stopped in Wall SD

Al's battery is dead. Looks like an hour trip back to Rapid for a new one. Not gonna make Desmoine today.

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Friday

Leaving the hills today. Great week with lots of fun riding. See everyone soon.

Last Day at the Rally

Packing up tonight and heading home in the am. Had some great rides today after hanging out at the Knuckle and checking out some more vendors. Tom headed back to Mn early this morning, so it was just four of us today. Found some more new roads around the Black Hills that we haven't ridden before, and had another great day.

We're gonna head out early and see how far we can push. Desmoines is 650 miles so that our target. If we get there, we can get to Toledo on Sat, and maybe home by late Sun. We'll see how we're feeling as we go.

My Next Bike

Look closely. There's bits of everything on this thing.

Last Day at the rally

Good bfast at the cabin, a new rt into town, and a walk around the rally downtown for one last look at all the vendors. Heading home tomorrow.

Aladdin

Quick stop in Aladdin WY, population 15. More people in the parking lot today than live there.

Stone House

Stone House Saloon

Our spot on the map at the Stone House.

The crew at Devils Tower, WY.

Devils Tower

Closer than we've ever been. Very cool.

Hangin in Hulett WY

The Gang.....

On the SD / WY border.

Headed back from the Wildlife Loop

Stopped for a great Prime Rib at a small place just outside of Lead.

Wed AM

A quick stop at the Pump House for breakfast and then off to Hulett WY, Devils Tower, and The Stone House Saloon. Another sunny, hot day of riding.

Rocks grow bigger than the trees

Black Hills

Lots of evidence of the drought everywhere. This is the result - entire mountainsides black with fire damage. Other mountains covered in dead pines just waiting to catch.

Lunch in Custer SD

Great ride thru Wyoming, south back into Custer. Quick stop for lunch and headed back north to the Iron Mtn Road and Keystone.

Needles

Lunch on Monday

Great twisting ride on the Needles today. Stopped for a quick bite at the Blue Bell Lodge.

Cabin

Location:Lead, SD

No Service

Lots to update, but service is terrible. Posted 4 or 5 updates that disappeared. I'll have some more up later.

Day Four

Starting out by heading back to the Saloon for breakfast. Loud storms last night, but
it looks clear an much cooler for today's ride. Got the bikes out from under the overhang and all geared up for another 440 miles.

Location:Laurel, NE

Day Three

Left Princeton this morning at 9:30 after a lame hotel breakfast. Hot already but looks dry for the day. Turns out to be a great day, with only one stop for construction heading into Waterloo. We check out Silver Eagle Harley and add a few things to the wish list, and then head out to Nebraska. We pull into the Big Red after 7, and grab a great steak at The Saloon. It's starting to feel like a second home. Rough weather moving in tonight, but tomorrow looks dry again. Been in touch with Blooper, Rod, and Borje coming up from Houston thru Denver, and Tommy from MN. Looks like we'll all meet tomorrow. More to come.

Finally reached Princeton IL.

Tough day of riding today. Hot from the very beginning, and finished in the upper 90's. Crazy Chicago drivers and a few close calls, but no traffic jams. Glad to be here. Chillin' out in the ac for a while and heading out to dinner soon. All country driving from here on out. Two more days to go.

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Almost to Toledo

Day Two

Leaving Youngstown for day 2, riding thru OH, IN, and IL. Supposes to be in the mid 90's all day, but no rain. Hope all is well back home.

Tim

First trouble of the trip

Brake light stuck on due to a bad switch. Was on for 650 miles and melted the bulb into the socket. Got to Bike Town 10 minutes after closing tonight, but Larry in service spent 90 minutes til he had it fixed. Not the first time BikeTown bailed me out.

Just wrapping up today at Pastor Dave's project. The porch roof is just about done, and the fence is almost completely painted. A good feeling to help someone who does so much for other people. If you want to view his web site and learn about his mission, go to http://thedoorstudents.com. There's also a place to donate if you are looking for a worthwhile cause. Leaving to meet Al in a few hours, and then off to Ohio for tonight.

Tim