2019 Syracuse to Nashville

2,100 miles in ten days starting on Sunday August 4th. At the moment we are riding only 210 per day but there will be daily rides on top of this which will be easy. The group is getting older particularly Mark T.  They tend to be up late and early to bed. Plus they tend to want to have a nap when we stop at Harley dealers for repairs.

We have three riders from Buffalo (Two with Hondas!!!!) They tend to wear Honda shirts and sit at another table when we eat.  We Harley boys grunt and groan when talking about chrome. The Honda boys talk about plastic in whispered soft tones.  The thought was that we Harley boys should get Honda bike covers so that no one would steal them. (The bikes, not the covers.)  This was rejected because we could not find paper bags big enough to go over our helmets as we were putting the covers on.

Also on the trip are three riders from Florida. I think they will be getting hungry around four in the afternoon because that is when Floridians have early bird specials and have discounted dinners early.  One of the Floridians is new to the group. He is in for a treat with us ruff, tuff types. We will all have to speak slowly until he gets used to us slick New Yorkers.

There is three of us from Syracuse. God's country.

We Northerners will all meet up in at lunchtime on day one and ride through Pennsylvania, West Virginia and meet the Southerners in Gatlinburg Tennessee. We have a couple of days riding the area then ride over to Nashville for a full day of sightseeing. On Sunday August 11th we start heading back home and arrive back on Tuesday August 13th. Not sure when they will get home because without our help they might get lost.

Tomorrow I'm off on my motorbike to Kennebunkport.(Famous as the President Bush holiday spot.)  422 miles one way and should take about eight hours. I'm riding via Woonsocket, Rhode Island as it is one of the only states I have not visited in the USA. Only a few more states to go to visit all fifty.  Will be returning home next Thursday or Friday as I'm riding down to Nashville on Sunday August 2nd. The ten day trip is with the bike "gang" I ride with almost every year. We plan to cover about 2,100 miles.

2019

It is the end of Winter and I'm planning rides for this Summer. Below is all the major rides over the last few years. As you can see I have covered a lot of miles and seen a lot of America.  In 2019 I hope to cover three big rides. The first is 3,285 miles around the great lakes solo. No hotels booked, no set distances and I'll wake up when I have rested, ride when I want to and rest when I need to. It will depend on road and weather conditions. Also how long it takes to cross the border into Canada and back into the USA.

Trip two is ride to Cape Cod (Near Boston) for a week with the family. I ride back home and the next day set out with my motorbike riding friends down South to Virginia and Tennessee. This will be a leisurely ride. Waking up at the crack of noon, visiting Harley dealers repairs for bikes other than my own plus long rest stops for cigars and stock price checks.

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.