Routine Maintenance

I did it. I woke up around 0830, showered, geared up, and brought everything down to check-out. All in one trip, again. I spoke briefly with the person at the counter about the trip and I was on my way. Ads are everywhere including the key card for the hotel. Where does it stop? I need uBlock Origin in real life.

I hastily loaded my bags on the bike since the dealer, CC Powersports Louisville, was only a few minutes away. I walked in and asked for the service department. I told the person at the service counter about my poor life choices, explained my situation/trip, and asked if they could accommodate me today. The staff was great and extremely helpful. We talked for a bit about their rides and preferred style of riding. We looked at the different tire selections available for my bike and what would work well for me. The initial person I was talking to has 8 motorcycles and prefers dirt biking. We discussed the sights The United States has to offer versus traveling abroad, and this is one of the many reasons I am on this trip. We also discussed how we hope to continue riding well into old(er) age until we are no longer physically able to. They themselves had an injury from a previous ride they are recovering from with a few weeks to go. With another ride planned soon they said they would go on it whether or not they were fully recovered. They asked another staff member about the available tires as well to see what would best suit the ride.

I was hoping for the Dunlop Roadsmart III, but it was not available. I asked them to check my rear tire as well while for replacement. We went with a front Michelin Power 5 and a rear Michelin Road 5 which should be enough to get me home. The service person had asked about my ride and was glad to hear I was riding a sport (touring) bike. They too ride sport bikes for touring and said if I am ever in the area again I am welcome to join on their rides. They said I would be surprised at some of the roads in the area.

I asked for chain maintenance as well because I have neglected adjusting the slack. They said they would do that and check other wear and tear items. I brought my bike around back and unloaded everything. They said I could have left it on, but remember it was hastily loaded on so this would allow me secure it after service. I loitered around back for a bit while the bike was being serviced. The staff occasionally coming out back to keep me updated on the progress. Once it was all finished they had me bring in my gear so I could load it up while in the shop. I paid for the service and parts totaling $575. I would not be surprised if I end up on Just Rolled Into the Shop.

While I was loading up the service person mentioned if I or anyone I know is riding through the area on a day the shop would be closed (Sunday/Monday) to call ahead because they could provide a referral to a couple other local shops to accommodate. I thanked them for their amazing and prompt service. They said they are all riders too and have been there also hoping to receive great service on their journeys. The service person provided their recommendation of what PSI to keep the tires at cold (something I had not checked in a while, shame) to avoid premature wear. They also said keep the forks clean otherwise I will have a bad time. I was in at 0930 and out by 1130 so I could hit the road again. Before officially hitting the road though one of the staff members took a picture of me and sent me on my way. Next stop, St. Louis only four ish hours away.

I do not think I could thank them enough for their service and I would certainly recommend them. If I am ever passing through again I will definitely stop by. They said the ride would feel a lot better and of course the friendly reminder about breaking in the tires. The ride was certainly better and learn from me, do not neglect (critical) routine maintenance. I wonder if it would have been safer to wheelie the whole way prior to getting my front tire replaced? Not that I know how to do that but I can dream.

I was on the road again sooner than I expected. Reading would come into play again at a gasoline stop. I put in my card and read the very difficult display. However, no fuel was dispensed...until I read the basic instructions: flip up to start pumping and down to stop. Like a light switch on/off. Maybe it was common before and I am just not old enough to have encountered this in Southern California?

At this same stop I went into the shop for a cold water. As I was going to leave I could only think about how useful a reverse gear would be but thankfully I was able to slowly push myself and the bike backwards enough to leave.

There are quite a few sights I have not been able to capture in digital format for your viewing, but there is always Wikipedia or Google Street View. While crossing from Kentucky into Indiana I saw the Fourteenth Street Bridge which compelled me to take the next exit to see if I could take a picture of it. It is amazing what people have been able to build over the years with proper motivation.

There is an old abandoned crumbling bridge missing a section on the Indiana and Illinois border. It was visible to me as I crossed I-64 West. Sadly to take my own photo of it I would have had to unsafely stop on the bridge. Instead I asked my friend I was on the phone with to send me the following message: IL IN 64 broken bridge. This would remind me to include it here in my post and it was more helpful than another note I had left myself: danger zone for stops. As I sit here thinking about it I am wondering if it because of rest stops without washrooms or closed rest stops while I was exploring New England.

The clouds you see in the banner image was taken from Damiansville, IL. I had hoped to take it from a gasoline station that I thought would be right off the exit but instead I found this village. I took my photo and I was on my way. All this while having a 3-way conversation with friends discussing a day ride when I get back in June. I wish I had taken a picture sooner of the clouds because it reminded me of the Toy Story cloud wallpaper.

As hours went on I knew St. Louis was near and then I saw it. I saw it before crossing the state line, Gateway Arch (not to be confused with Arch Linux, okay it has never been confused with this but Arch). I found an exit once I was in Missouri so I could take a quick photo to document my progress. I passed by a sportsball stadium with a statue of Musial and it was also wearing a mask (context: 2020 COVID-19 pandemic prompting face mask wearing). I found a quiet street to take my photo before heading to my stop for the day.

I made it to my destination around the same time my host (family) would arrive. Pizza was ordered for dinner and some cookies I forgot about. We ate pizza and watched motorcycle camping/travel videos on YouTube. I was surprisingly more awake than I expected considering the day before. So while watching videos I worked on the previous post and this post. I was particularly fascinated by Ed March and his adventures on a Honda C90 documented here. We discussed the trip and other life things. They wish they had known about my last minute New England route so they could recommend some roads such as Route 112 also known as Kancamagus Highway. We watched as I continued to work...until I fell asleep typing. So here I am finishing up these posts on the morning of 2021-05-22 while watching this episode of Ed and 90.

Thank you readers for your concern when you noticed a daily update had not been posted. I will be sure to put up a placeholder for proof of life (if it exists) in the future if post(s) will be delayed. I have about another week on the road before I make it back to California. I need to finalize my route and make adjustments to keep my timeline. Some sights will have to wait until another adventure can take place. Maybe one day I will take a real risk and embrace a nomadic lifestyle?