Big Spring Ride: Part Five: Windiest Day Ever

Everyone had a very windy day on day 7 of the 2014 Cannonball in Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas heading into Ulysses, Kansas, but not as gusty as today. We got pushed around a lot. Not a great first day of riding for Kylie, but she did great. No complaints from her.

I had been concerned about packing ever since I was preparing for the trip.

But this morning, I shifted items, putting the good stuff in my big bag and placing it is the protected area under the seat.

I took my clothes and put most of them in my back pack and secured it in the space in front of the seat,

Kylie had all of her stuff in a back pack that she wore while riding.

We didn't look like the Beverly Hillbillies at all.

It took an hour to ride the 10 miles to get out of New York City, then headed north on the west bank of the Hudson River.

On the Manhattan Bridge we felt the heavy wind, a steady 25+ mph with significant gusts.

This wind followed us all day. It was quite cold too.

But we had fun on our 4+ hour ride to Hunter, NY in the Catskill Mountains.

I had detours on the route, the best one into Piermont where we had lunch at a little cafe/deli/grocery store.

Once in the Catskills, we looked for a place for dinner but almost nothing was open.

We settled on a beer at Ronni MacGregors Pub, then were told that a nice restaurant would be open five miles down the road so we headed there only to find out that they were closed for the week.

We ended up eating at a diner in Windham that served enormous portions. We each ate less than half of our decent dinner and were unexpectedly served cake as a dessert. Not bad.

Nothing else to do so we came back to the empty small hotel so I could post these notes.

I am so lucky that Kylie wanted to do this ride with me. It is simply wonderful.

Bill

Kylie at the start of the day. I was relieved that everything we brought could be carried on Max.

A brief stop on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River to take in the skyline.

A quick stop to check out a waterfall as we approached the hotel in Hunter, NY.

Kylie and the waterfall.

Big Spring Ride: Part Four: Scooter in the Big City

Monday found me riding from Hagerstown, MD to Brooklyn on a path that took me through the Holland Tunnel, across Lower Manhattan, then the Manhattan Bridge to Kylie's apartment in Crown Heights.

Needless to say, traffic was heavy, at times standing still through several light changes, but I made it easily.

We took off to find a suitable garage for Max for the night, then rode the subway to have lunch outdoors. It was quite warm but we were in the shade.

Both worn out, we returned to her place and took a quick nap.

After that we took another subway to the Brooklyn waterfront to a couple of parks with views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, then a beer and later dinner.

It was great to be able to spend time with my wonderful daughter before the adventure begins.

Bill

Inside the Holland Tunnel

Walking around Brooklyn after dropping off Max.
I couldn't help but notice this Venetian Palace behind Kylie.

The Brooklyn Bridge with Manhattan beyond.

A framed view of the Manhattan Bridge.

Big Spring Ride: Part Three: Hot Springs

The Saturday ride was to Hot Springs, NC for lunch.

Fuzzy took us through many fun roads heading up.

Then we came back down the famous 209.

The day closed out by having almost everyone dine at Guayabitos, where a few had the largest margaritas I have ever seen.

As usual, it was a fun weekend of great rides with some very fine folks.

I highly recommend joining one if any of you ever gets a chance.

Bill

Part of the morning ride. Curves and mountains.

Following Will on his Indian through the woods.

One of the cool turns on the morning part of the ride.

After our ride, I took a solo ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I caught these Harley riders just before heading back to the hotel.

Big Spring Ride: Part Two: BRP

Without Old As Dirt attending, leading the routes was left for Fuzzy on his Kawasaki Versus 300. It was somewhat of a test for him as he is going to Alaska on it in two weeks.

He chose the Blue Ridge Parkway with the access nearby.

These shots are from the morning ride where we encountered fog and a lttle rain later in the day.

7 hours and over 200 miles of beautiful riding.

Max says it is getting 95 mpg on these rides. I will be able to verify on the next fill up. The fueling today had 70 miles of highway, but still got over 80 mpg.

Bill

Early morning it was wet from the even earlier morning rains.

Still a mist in the air.

We would round a bend and find thick fog.

Getting dryer as we approached lunchtime. More later.

Big Spring Ride: Part One: The ride to NC

I left as the sun was coming up this morning.

For some reason, I had never felt comfortable with the preparations but it all finally came together.

Part of the discomfort is that there will be five days riding two up with bags for two. One of my bags was sitting where Kylie will be sitting soon, so it still has to get worked out.

I have two sets of ROC straps, so we can come up with something.

Within the first three miles I was confronted with a slow moving train blocking my route, so I turned around, filled the tank and took the highway around to US1.

Then my left elbow started hurting a little, then my neck, then I had to stop to pee a few times.

Nothing was as easy as normal.

Then my neck got sore, then sort of sore all over, but I made the 450 miles in 9 hours. It felt good to unload the bike and lay down.

The smaller than usual crowd then assembled to reacquaint each to the others. It is a nice bunch.

I am looking forward to dinner and a couple of beers.

Bill

A rare selfie taken somewhere in Georgia. I thought I would show off my chins.

Kylie

My talented daughter Kylie is going on a ride with me in a little more than a week.

She happily agreed to ride with me from her home in Brooklyn to the mountains of New England, finishing in Portland, ME.

She is a graphic designer in the city, but she is leaving her current job just before I pick her up, looking for something interesting do when she returns from the ride, followed with trip of ten days in Paris with her mother.

I was talking about her to a friend today and looked at her Instagram page, where I found some of her artwork.

She has massive talent and should easily find something she enjoys.

In the meantime, I can't wait to spend some time with her.

Bill

She designed the Cannonball graphics for 2016 and 2018 along with Rocket & Me.

Kylie was drawing a chair a day for 100 days. This day she drew my favorite chair, Vanessa.

Her company sent her to San Francisco for four months last year. Of course, when there, photos of the Golden Gate Bridge are required.

I Changed My Mind

I didn't sell Razzo.

I had seller's remorse before the buyer came to pick up Razzo.

I sent him a message asking if it would be OK if we didn't go ahead with the sale and I keep the beautiful machine.

The thing that prompted the change of heart was that I rode it around the neighborhood today and wondered why I would sell such a perfect machine.

I know that it is much better for me than a Super Cub or a Spade.

When I got back his answer it almost made me cry.

Bill

P.S.  I posted about this on Modern Vespa.  My food friend 😉 BD found offense with me backing out of the sale and let me have it.  Totally understandable knowing our sour relationship.  Two more joined in showing their disapproval.  I get it, but it was a different type of sale agreement and I still offered it to Kevin if he really wanted it.  He was fine with the change of heart.