4,651 RJM total miles (7,485 Kilometers)
6 days RJM riding to New Mexico
2,476 RJM solo miles (3,985 km)(plus ride to Meadville PA 8/18/17 after lunch)
413 miles (665 km) average per day RJM solo ride

2,175 (3,500 kl) Hog trip miles (Note: Mark T less 50 miles (80 km) for truck travel.
Buffalo boys less the distance from Buffalo to Syracuse)
8 days riding with Hogs
272 miles (438 km) average per day for Hogs

Filled bike 23 times (23 Au) on total trip
$301 ($381Au) spent on gas
Used 109.5 US gallons (91 Au gallons, 415 liters)
Average 42 mpg (50 mpg Au, 5.6 liters/100 kilometers)
Paid average of US $2.75 per gallon
Paid between $2.50 to $3.10 per gallon US
Previous Hogs trips 42 to 45 mpg




Quotes from the 2017 ride (The great thing is I only put in quotes that do not pick on me.)

On relating to Mark T’s riding so far this year – “Mark T has ridden only 80 miles this year”. I said "on each of three bikes or total". Mark T just said "#%&*"

Mike “I will use my navigation once I work out how”

The expression on Mark’s face when I suggested he allow his lovely wife to use his IPhone location on her app.

Kevin to Mark S “I told you to bring rubbers not rubber bands.” (Mark used numerous rubber bands to hold his iPhone on his handle bars)

Hog rider to Dudley & Little Dudley. “Have you done lubing each other up”

Remark to Mark T about his off road experience - “Was it this bike?” Answer from Tug "Yes but it had a different motor."

Mark T comment on Harley dealer “They don't open until 9 so we don't have to leave early.”

Kevin “I'm not using that $300 rain suit even if it rains”

New name for Mike – “gas cap”

Comment to Mark T “You are just a coat whore”

Waitress – “One other custom did not like the ribs”

Tug “It was just a reaction to the ribs landing in my lap” (On being falsely accused of a temper tantrum.)

Mark T “Mike has a girl’s arse and Tug has a girl’s bike”

Tug to a well-wisher at lunch stop - “Nice day for riding.”  Tug - “Yes I wish we were.”

Mark T on his ride to the Harley dealer - “The truck was air conditioned and very comfortable” (Unlike his usual U Haul truck)

Mark S to kitchen hand opening plastic bag of eggs “Is that why the eggs taste bad?” Her snippy reply "you don't have to eat them"

Receptionist on reply to asking them to fix noisy air conditioner the night before “We can fix that air conditioner today”

Mike said “I have to get up early to go and see my parents” (Most chuckled - OK all but one)

 

 

 

 

Day 17. August 19, 2017. 283 miles. Total trip 4,651 miles. Home safe and sound. Again no rain. I now have to work on my trip summary so it will take a few days. No great events. Two of the boys peeled off in Buffalo and one headed to North Syracuse. No bike problems and no visit to Harley Davidson.

 My jacket. It has now done a lot of miles.

 

An anonymous photo of a rider who left his gas cap on the pump again and waited for someone in the group to get it again. Although posed he was not happy. It was particularly funny because I normally try to gas up first and register my statistics. This time I was the last to be ready and they were already at the exit revving their engines and giving me abuse. Twenty yards up the road this photo was taken.

Day 16 August 18, 2017. 250 miles today. The day started off well with breakfast with Mike Wilson's mom and dad.  By 11pm we were minus 16 miles. Yes you guessed it another stop at Harley Davidson. This time Kevin's bike needed a new gear change lever. Worse news is the only Honda in the group has not had one problem. The day then just got worse. We had lunch about 2.30pm.

The day then just got worse. We had lunch about 2.30pm. We finished lunch, mounted the bikes and in two blocks I realized I had left my phone on the table. I thought I could pop back, get it and join the boys just down the street. The waitress said there was no phone so we had a little search but no luck. I rode out but no sign of the boys. I realized one of the guys had picked it up and was having a joke (some joke) with me.  I raced on thinking they had not stopped to wait for me. (i.e. I could have been dead in a ditch) After a while I realized they had taken a different route. I just followed the fastest route on my Garmin. I rang Susan as a back up plan in case the boys in fact did not have it.  

I arrived at the hotel, fired up my iPad and found the phone was at a truck stop between the lunch stop and where I was now in Meadville PA. It was stationery so I called Mark T who told me he was in a different town than I had on my map. I then called my phone and Mark answered. He had my phone. Turns out they had taken the wrong route and that is why I did not catch them. I arrived an hour and and half before them. When they arrived at 8pm they were adamant it was all my fault.  Tomorrow is the last day. They predict some rain so let's hope they are wrong. 

 Relaxing at the Harley location waiting for repairs again.

 Guess who found the air conditioning.

 The guys gather around the best bike again.

 Our only Honda rider felt lonely and had to seek out similar company.

This time we lined up the bikes from right to left - Best bike first. (Oh guess who.)

Day 15. August 17, 2017. 245 miles today. I broke the 4,000 barrier now 4,118 for this trip. We dodged rain all day. Mike W and Mark T share riding lead and they do a great job.  (Although I will deny it if asked) Working out the route, watching the weather, watching for idiot car and truck drivers and looking out for stuff on the road as well as gas stops and points of interest. Safety is the big key. I ride last and stop overtaking traffic as well as holding the lane until all the guys are in the same lane. I am also in charge of giving dirty looks to drivers on cell phones.  With my helmet on and hiding my face I look 25 and a very nasty piece of work.

Forgot to mention the other famous person who lived in Zanesville. Diana Wilson. Mike's mother and father live 20 miles south of here too.  The only trouble with bikes today was mine as would not start straight away twice. Will have it looked at when I get home. Kevin's bike has a gear shift issue but Mark (Honda rider) fixed it. Two days more of riding and one night in hotel. We have a short hop to Meadville PA - just 203 miles. Hopefully no rain.

 Guess who this grandchild looks like?

The famous grandchildren were asked to pick out the best bike and point to it. No coercion. They immediately went to the best bike! Amazing.

 Zanesville

 Coloring in is a challenge for some. Keeping inside the lines can be hard.

 Time for a drink.

 Big horns

 Zanesville.

Day 14. August 17 2017. 268miles today. 3,873 miles so far. Tonight we arrived at 10pm. An hour change for the East coast and we had several delays. We had a late start and one of the bikes broke down on the way to Indianapolis and would not start.

I will not mention whose bike but just to let Phyllis know that it was not a big issue. The Harley dealer came out 30 miles with a trailer. The unnamed rider rode in an air conditioned truck and found it very comfortable. Also an unnamed rider left his gas cap at the pump.  I can just say Diana that he remembered very quickly and it was retrieved. Dinner was pizza and wings. There is a gaming conference in the hotel and it is like nerd city. Tomorrow we head to Zanesville Ohio. Famous for being the home town of my sister in law Sharon as well as Diana Wilson.

The broken down bike. It was not the battery.

 The van from the local dealer 30 miles away
 

Nice Harley dealer, Great service. A small relay was all that was needed. At least he didn't have to get a new motor.

Day 13.  238 miles today. 3,604 so far. Nice weather and good highway. At 11pm we had covered 12 miles. Tomorrow we head for Indianapolis Indiana just 251 miles.. For dinner tonight I tried the famous St. Louis ribs. They were served raw to say the least. The fries were good. Had a big lunch so not a big loss. On the trip we relive previous trips and it is funny how details such as weather and accommodation get greatly exaggerated.

Day 12.  Early start. By 10am we had done 7 miles. Today we rode 309 miles after stopping at the Harley dealers. Kevin had to replace his stolen rain suit, Michael Wilson had to buy new boots and Mark Clark had to have his clutch handle made easier to use. Mark C had to ride double on Mark T's bike to lunch (Mexican) whilst his bike was worked on. We were very lucky with the weather. It was supposed to rain all day but not a drop.

Nice dinner followed by cigars and drinks around a fire pit. Tough life on the road. Tomorrow night we are in St. Louis Missouri after a short ride of over a couple of hundred miles.

 Toll booths were fun with the lead paying for everyone. The system stinks because if you leave the highway you have to pay again

The Harley dealer on Route 66

 Two up. An unusual event on the rides

I think he is saying "now don't go too fast and be safe"

 

 It seemed like we ate more than we rode.

 Enjoying a drink after a hard day.

 The fire.

No not looking at the stars. Having a little nap

Has Sharhin called?

It was funny at the time but was proved to be a premonition.

 

Day 11.  267 miles today from Amarillo Texas to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Two of the bikes had things taken off them last night whilst we slept. A helmet and a bag with wet weather gear. No security and no cameras and the hotel did not care particularly.

The day started off misty and cool and we expected to get very wet but we're very lucky and not a drop.  The afternoon was 82 but seemed a lot hotter. Tonight we are off to a brew joint. Tomorrow we head off to Springfield Missouri via Tulsa.

 Notice the rider was not identified. I suggested "some day" should be printed underneath the logo as the bike has not been ridden after several years of restoration.

 Sitting around but almost ready to ride.

 Birds of a feather!

 Bad picture of a pig out front of a gas station.

A casual shot of the best looking bike by an anonymous photographer.

Day 10. Albuquerque NM to Amarillo Texas. 314 miles today. We left at the crack of noon - 11am Syracuse time. (9am local). We took a side trip along an old part of Route 66. Lot of bicycle riders sweating up the place along the way. Great country vistas. We also stopped at Cadillac Ranch famous for Cadillacs buried like Stonehenge. The place was in the middle of a corn field and muddy as heck. Empty spray cans everywhere and very ordinary. But we had to see it. Tonight we are at the Big Steakhouse motel. Strange but very Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas. Tomorrow Oklahoma City.

Starting to get hot and looking for shade

 Relaxing before the ride

 The Cadillac Ranch entrance. Very wet, muddy and you can see abandoned shoes.

Interesting but litter everywhere

The Hogs gang. Looking very tough

 The bikes before the robbery. Notice we have lined up in order of best looking bikes.

 Motel was well painted and clean. Pity no security cameras.

 The dining hall. Food was not good. Raw steaks not good when you eat well done.

 The boys discussing the menus.

 No they are not dancing. just putting on wet weather gear.

Not going here again.