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Riding to the Northeast


Earache

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That night landed us in Akron, Ohio. What a dump. I should have known better than to stay there, but was the only place I could get a hotel discount.

Ate dinner sat the hotel bar - forgettable burgers and beers.

The next day Craig and I split up; he headed north to Michigan and I west towards Chicago. Rode on the fabulous Ohio Turnpike for hours of tedium ... 

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Wheels down in Chicago amid 97F / 37C temps and 90%+ humidity. Felt great to get into the a/c in my room...

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Spent my first day there at my bud's house, changing my oil in his shop. And stopped by Chicago's finest restaurant for lunch. Had the whole place to myself ... 

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Bid my Chicago friend's goodbye and headed to Indianapolis for a couple of days and some Mexican food at a friend's restaurant.

Think the roasted pepper platter (habaneros and jalapenos) was a bit over done, but still tasted good...

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Following day was spent at my friend Clint's house hanging out at the pool drinking beers. Good day off the bike....

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After Indy, I hit Columbia, Missouri to stay at Todd's house. Got there kinda late and had to leave at 0200 the following morning to make it home.

I was trying to beat the heat by leaving early but the temp was already around 80F / 27C...

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Stopped in Kansas City at 0400 for fuel. Weird being in a empty place that is usually packed with cars and people....

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About 6 hours later and I stop for another pee break - STILL in Kansas. That fuckin' state is w-i-d-e as fuck ....

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But I made it home about 11-1/2 hours later with just over 5,300 miles added to the clocks.

It's good to be home.

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Eric didn't mention the fancy hotel was dog friendly. Americans spoil their dogs? Says who?

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By the middle of the trip I was a little nervous my tires weren't going to make it, especially the rear one. But I got home with a few hundred miles to spare on it. Well, sort of. Technically it wasn't to the wear bars but I replaced it anyway. There were signs.

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Before I left the bike had 2100 miles on it. Internet reports said these tires were good for 6500 miles and up. Well there were a couple reports of more like 3500 but some guys just can't have nice things. I figured I'd be at 4500 miles when I got home so no worries. This is at just under 4500 miles, I would have replaced them sooner had I been home. No, I could not recreate this photo with the new tire installed.

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3 hours ago, Marcel le Moose Fondler said:

Great stuff Eric....that's some serious millage...

Had three days of over 750 miles per day - those were a bit less than fun towards the end of the day. Most other days were less. Trip was 14 days with three days off of the bike to rest up, laundry, oil change, etc.

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3 hours ago, Marcel le Moose Fondler said:

Are you retired Eric ?

Pretty much. I still make custom furniture as a side gig, but only work when I want to. As my summer is very short - just over three months - I have to squeeze as much riding in as I can during the nicer weather.

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