FINALLY -- a 2-Wheeled Roadtrip

I can't remember the last time I took a motorcycle road-trip.  For the last couple of years -- at least -- it seems like I have been relegated to the beach here; not that that is a bad thing.  In fact I brag how almost everything I need is with-in a couple miles of the house.

But I'm a driver.  And it doesn't really make alot of difference WHAT I'm driving.  I just like to go.  But I can not drive AND do the office work required to keep my other drivers moving.  There is a lot of freight out there moving everyday.  But a lot of truck drivers too.  To get the best paying loads you have to be quick to respond when a new load is posted.  That requires active, aggressive monitoring; something very hard to do while holding the steering wheel going down the road.

I needed to be back in the St. Louis area last week.  I had both my truck and one of my trailers down here in FL as well as my motorcycle.  The last time I left STL, there was a load going to Valdosta, GA that I decided to take.  It's on the way to where I stay in FL. I put the trailer in a nearby RV storage facility for the month I was in FL.

When it was time to leave FL, my mother rode along with me; her first trip in my truck while working.  We went 30 miles south first and picked up a car going to IL and then headed up I-75 thru GA.  We got a motel room the first night outside of Atlanta and then detoured slightly east to Augusta, GA to add a small tractor attachment going to KY.  That piece got delivered late the same day and then on to north-central IL where we delivered the car after spending a second nite in a motel.

Mother was visiting family and planned to stay a month or so.  My business required less than a week and then I was ready to get back to paradise.  I have very little need for my truck -- and NO need for my trailer -- in FL.  It makes more sense to leave it in Belleville where I can usually find a driver to put in the seat for the day, if a special need comes up.  So back to FL on my motorcycle.

Almost 1100 miles in less than two days.  One point I'm particularly proud of (although one may question my sanity) -- NO windshield.  I have one but hate the way my bike looks with it on.  I like that olde tyme nostalgia look.  The windshield detracts from the totally chromed out front end.

The wind-in-your-face at 80+ MPH presents a number of considerations.  Breathing is at the top.  I wear either a face mask (specially made for this application with breathing slots and soft fabric on the inside) or sometimes just a large bandanna worn like the bank-robbing cowboys of yesterday.  I also wear long sleeves regardless of the heat.  Keeping the wind and sun off your skin is paramount to making this ride tolerable.  That leaves dodging bugs and tiny rocks thrown up in construction zones as the next important thing.

Also at 80 MPH, the wind is doing all it can to rip you off the bike.  I have a special bag (called a T-bag) that sits on the passenger seat forming a large cushion (assuming I have nothing 'pointy' like belt buckles in the wrong place) for me to lean back against.  This bag mounts on the sissy bar and keeps me in position with minimal effort.

Many will question the logic of putting ones self in such a grueling position when more comfortable options are available.  All I can say is, if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand.  I CAN tell you one thing though; seeing the world from a motorcycle seat is so different than ANYTHING else that until you have done it, you can't really imagine.

I rode more than 600 miles the first day making it to Macon, GA.  After getting a motel room and a shower, I ventured downtown Macon to Cherry St. and found a neat little restaurant -- The Bird --and sat on the patio watching the world go by.  Great time.  I'll be back.

The next morning was out early and finished the last 400+ miles.  I got in here about 3, plenty of time to clean-up and enjoy one of my top-5 things -- FL Sunsets.  And bonus!!!  There was also a full moon that nite.  And not just any full moon but the biggest of the year since the moons orbit was at it's perigee -- closest point to the Earth.  Moonrise was almost the same time as sunset. 

So now, I'm back in FL.  Still just two drivers.  I had a third, I thought.  But things changed at the last minute -- literally.  We shall see how that goes.  Business is good.  Life is great.

Oh, and a shout-out and Mozel Tov to my cuz in Cali -- she had a baby girl a couple weeks ago.  This is the cuz who went to Israel for a couple years, got married last year and moved (with hubby) back to LA earlier this year.  I'm very excited for both of them and my #1 cuz (her mom)!