Iron Butt
Today's post is not late. I did not have a sufficient amount of time after the end of the ride to compile my thoughts and experience. Remember when I talked about ambition? Well it got the best of me again when I started crunching some numbers. I had set some boundaries for my trip that I threw out the window. My initial plan for today was only to ride from Massachusetts to Akron, Ohio and I decided against it for reasons. I thought well what is another few hours on the road? I could go for another unofficial Iron Butt ride. I say unofficial because I never submitted my documentation for my ride in 2019. I did not plan on collecting documentation for this ride either since I did not map it out. I am going off the GPS recording information and hoping it is accurate enough.
I left around 0730 and please do yourself a favor, think about future you. I always say screw future me and I hate myself for it in the morning. I should have filled up my gas tank the night before but sadly I left it as a task for day of travel. It may have not an issue except the pump I picked was not functioning. While not the end of the world it is a minor inconvenience moving to another another pump. I really need to start looking out for future me and this will come up again later.
Since this was a long stretch to my destination it was mostly interstate. However, I did get to cruise down Merritt Parkway which was a more scenic route compared to normal interstate riding. I kept on riding until I hit Pennsylvania (PA) and paid a $3 cash toll (I still need to sort out the tolls for NJ/NY). I was warned PA could be a long boring stretch and I can confirm it was, at least for for I-80. My tl;dr for PA is a lot of dead deer and the most state troopers I have seen so far scattered in various spots along the interstate.
I stopped for a late lunch at McDonad's in White Haven, PA and ordered my usual. The staff was helpful and changed my order to save me a few dollars with their current deal. Dining is still limited to outdoor seating which is fine except it usually means limited seating. One person was just sitting on the floor outside for what I think was so they could be shaded. When I was getting ready to get on the road again that shaded person had walked to the only other bike in the parking lot. I gave them a wave because motorcycle and they acknowledged. They proceeded to ride off in what I imagine is an image of freedom: motorcyclist sans helmet wearing a hat, sunglasses, smoking a cigarette, and riding into the sunset. Some people might see it more risk than freedom, but the decisions are made by the individual. So many signs across the states to basically click or ticket, but helmets are mostly optional. I guess because motorcyclists have decided their fate?
While I was getting gasoline in Snowshoe, PA a person made conversation after seeing my setup. They mentioned they ride but typically shorter rides. I wonder how many types of riders there are from (filthy) casuals, endurance, street, racing, etc. and the breakdown of it by group. Someone has to have a pie chart somewhere, right? This person mentioned they enjoy some history and had recently made a trip out to Primm, NV to see Bonnie and Clyde's car. They also mentioned to be mindful of road conditions and tires because of heat. I had seen quite a bit of tire carcasses on the highway at this point too. I had a small snack and hydrated before hitting the road again.
At some point everything just slowed down and eventually came to a halt. This would be fine if I had the luxury of climate control rather than just suffering in the heat, but it is all part of the experience. I need full immersion. I probably should have taken the alternate route once there was an exit, but I foolishly thought it would improve since it started moving. This stop and go would go on for miles which I thought was only because it was consolidating down to (1) one lane. Wrong. There was multiple points I was worried about physically overheating. So I made a dangerous choice and tailgated the semi-trailer in front of me so I could hide in its shadow. I only hoped the brakes on it worked well because there was no way I would be able to move quick enough if it rolled back. The shade it provided helped a little bit to protect me from the scorching sun. Since we sat for minutes at I time I put the kickstand down, turned off the bike, and caught up on some messages. The stop and go was due to one lane being resurfaced and someone with a sign attached to a poll toggling traffic from slow to stop. The power this person wielded. Most of my trip I have not really needed lane sharing/filtering since traffic is usually light. It is in instances like this it would have been a great benefit for me (yes, I am selfish). Maybe one day other states will come to their senses.
It took a while but I eventually made it to (The) Ohio state. I stopped for gasoline and some water. While I was taking a short break I hydrated and cleaned my helmet because bugs. As I hydrated a person made a comment about how they loved my bike and setup. They mentioned they are looking forward to their forties (because mom) to start riding and made a twist of the wrist motion.
I made it to Columbus, OH around 2042 for another gasoline stop. While I was taking a small break a person walked up to me to talk about the bike. They were interested in my setup and journey as I suppose my setup is a bit much or different from the norm. They are new to riding and received an old bike from their father. Their father said if you can get it running it is yours. So the bike is currently with a mechanic to make it road worthy. If they enjoy their experience riding they hope to do long trips as well. This person also saved me. I was too focused on the destination and neglected critical things needed to make it to the destination, tires. One down to some wire. They noticed my front tire was different and I took a look at it as well. It was at this moment I knew something needed to be done miles ago.
I spent some time looking for local dealers and a place to stay for the night in the area and near Louisville, KY. I found a dealer in the Louisville area less than a mile from some hotels and also off the interstate. It was a gamble if I could make it there but I took the risk. I hobbled onto the interstate, turned on my hazards, went 55, and watched as vehicles passed me. I stopped at rest stops along the way to check on the tire condition. The only other thing I was worried about was crossing paths with deer and I hoped cruising at a slower speed would give me more time to react, if necessary. Fortunately for me no deer appeared and there were less bugs on my helmet.
I finally made it to my destination around 0221, 5 hours and 39 minutes or 239 miles later. I needed gasoline and a room for the night. To avoid hurting future me I decided to get gasoline before turning in for the night. No good deed goes unpunished. The first gasoline station I went to shuts down their pumps for the evening. Who does that if the pump accepts credit card? Fine there is another one across the street...that I could not get to without cautiously looking both ways. For those that do not know motorcycles do not always trigger the sensors for stop lights. It can be very annoying and if there is a vehicle behind me I often move past the line hoping they will creep up. There was no vehicle and often times they do not creep up. I filled up my tank and checked local hotel prices.
The first hotel I went to only had double queens for $117+tax so I declined. I only needed a room for a few hours before the dealer opened at 0930. I even considered going to Waffle House for food and a power nap. I was advised to get a proper room and found a location just on the other side of the highway. I checked-in shortly after 0330, but unfortunately the only room available was on the third floor. It was late and I was exhausted. I did what any normal person would do with groceries but in this case with my bags, one trip. It is all bundled together so it should not be that bad...until you forget the two sets of doors into the building are not automatic and your room is all the way at the end of the hallway opposite of the lift. I wonder if I woke anyone up with my squeaky boots.
I set alarms, kept the curtains open, and a light on. I did all this hoping I would wake up and get to the dealer when they opened. Good night, sweet prince.
