Pic Heavy 2016 Ride Report - 40 Days Following the Front Wheel

Ed Hobgood said:

As usual, great report thanks for keeping us up on your ride.

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Getting close to the end...just a few more days to go.

Kevin

Day 33 Concluded-




We've not traveled this road before, but it sure looks like we are headed into a storm. When we stopped for gas we put on our rain suits.


























Back rolling...















...it looks like we're going to miss the worst of it. We are starting to hit roads that have already had the storm pass over.

















But there is no avoiding some of it. There was a fair amount of lightning off to our right, but only rain ahead.















This was the last pic Mary took before tucking the camera away for the next 30 minutes. It got very heavy....in this pic, when it was just starting, you can see a good amount of rain going above and to the left of my hand.













I got just a snippet of video. The video camera somehow was seeing much better than I was. lol It was coming down pretty hard. I almost pulled over.


We hit a low spot in the road where the front tire hydroplaned briefly.


Click HERE to see the short video.








After a bit we came out of the storm and just ran in and out of light rain the rest of the way up the pass and down the other side.















This is a really fun road, and though it is a bit wet, we had plenty of traction...













...for some spirited riding.











More in next post.

Day 33 Concluded-




A small waterfall as we got near the summit.













Here is a short video of some of the fun we had going up the hill to the summit of Wolf Creek Pass.


Click HERE to see the video.








At the summit. I've lost track of how many passes over 10,000 feet we ridden in Colorado, but it's been a bunch!













A look back as we start the ride down.















A picture of us both in the mirror. As you can tell, this has been an amazing day of riding. Colorado Rocks!


While we are really enjoying today, there is a bit of melancholy to the day. Tomorrow I am dropping Mary at the airport to fly back and see her dad.


We've been on many trips together over our 25 years of marriage...never had to interrupt one before, and finish it out separately.













Another look back at this beautiful country we're riding thru.













As we got near the bottom of the pass, the canyon walls narrowed up, and there was a pretty robust stream running along the right side of the road.













Here is a short video of the picturesque ride at the bottom.


Click HERE to see the video.









Headed into another heavy rain cell. Was only 5 minutes, but it was coming down hard!















The TG is running really well. 40 mpg since we put on our rain suits. We are back at the same elevation as we started at 72 miles ago. Could not be more happy with it.















That is our motel in Alamosa up on the left. It barely started raining as we arrived. By the time we were unloading it was coming down hard.









What an amazing day! I hope I did not drag it out too much with 97 pics and a few videos...I pared it Way down as it was. We have really enjoyed our time in Colorado.




Day 34 coming soon.

Kevin

Here is a good little tune by Chris Jones, Wolf Creek Pass.
Jim

desertclassic said:

Here is a good little tune by Chris Jones, Wolf Creek Pass.

Jim

Click to expand...

Fun song! ThumbUp

Kevin

Day 34-




Loaded up at the Super 8 in Alamosa. Rained a fair amount last nite, cleanest the TG has been in a while.















Passing by the turn off to the Great Sand Dunes National Park-















We're moving along at a good clip, Mary needs to be at the airport in Colorado Springs in a couple of hours.


Stunning view to our left-















This is a really nice riding road, just some relaxing winding asphalt.















Some fellow travelers....thought there was a trike in the mix...it was a bike pulling a trailer.















Climbing our last mountain pass in Colorado this trip. La Veta Pass, with a summit of 9426'.













Coming down the other side of the pass, super fun road...but we are a bit subdued, knowing in a couple of hours we are going separate ways.













Straight shot now to the 25. Still getting right around 40 mpg. Right around 155 miles on this tank, climbed and descended two passes, cruising mostly between 60-70 mpg.















On the 25 now, long, mostly straight to Colorado Springs Airport.











More in next post.

Day 34 continued-




Pulling into the airport at Colorado Springs.


I do solo trips all the time, enjoy them a lot. But it is a bit of a different feeling having started the trip together and finishing it solo. I think it is just as much that we know John will not be with us much longer.















After helping Mary get checked in, I take off for Kansas. Not sure how far I'll get, but this is what I see as I leave the airport-













I turned east right before hitting that rain, starting the long trek across the high flat straight desert of Colorado...













...which was pretty much the same as I crossed into Kansas.















I am taking pics with the video camera...not trying to hold the camera that Mary uses and ride at the same time.


This road, the 70, has a great surface. I'm eating up the miles running 80-85 mph. MPG have dropped, partly due to the speed, partly the wind, and partly the lower altitude.















Gas stops are a lot quicker riding solo. lol I am playing music off of the USB and the two gas stops I made tearing across KS were less than one song each.















Beautiful sky, great road surface for making miles disappear...and farmland, and more farmland. Whenever crossing thru farmland like this, I am thankful for the farmers that do the massive amount of work that makes it so easy for us to get our food.













Decided to stop in Wakeeny, KS. A moderate 450 miles for the day...wanted to go further, but I was hungry & there was a Super 8, so just called it a day.









Day 35 coming soon.

Kevin

Day 35-


Leaving out of Wakeeny, KS...













...there are a LOT of miles that look like this.













But the road surface is good, the traffic is very light, and the speed limit is high. These wind generators are HUGE!













I've been chasing the rain for a couple of hours, finally caught up with it...













...pulled off the interstate and got under it to put on my rain suit.













It came down steady for a while.











The last bit of 35 in Kansas is a Toll Road. Pulled into this gas stop on the toll road.


Got some gas, met a guy that rode in the Hoka Hey Challenge a couple of years ago. Talked with him for a bit. That is one crazy ride!


Went over to the McDonalds and got some lunch. Called Mary. She had a really good visit with her dad!













Back on the road...













...the bottom fell out and it was coming down very hard for awhile.













It let up to just a steady rain by the time I arrived at the next toll booth.









More in next post.

Day 35 Continued & Concluded-




Back on the road after the toll booth. Yep, their mattress is getting wet AND it is trying to fly off their vehicle.













About an hour later, I had stopped for gas and then caught up/passed them again.













I missed the sign for entering into Oklahoma...must have been in the rain somewhere...but this is Oklahoma now.













Passing thru Tulsa, taking the Broken Arrow turn off, to the southeast. Decided to stay in Muskogee tonight.













In the late 90's I had business that took me to Oklahoma more than a few times. The roads were horrible then, and ever since I have avoided Oklahoma.


When planning this trip I thought they have had almost 20 years to get their act together, maybe it won't be so bad now.


No offense to those who live in Oklahoma...but the roads are still terrible. I suspect it will be another 15-20 years before I ride thru that State again.













In the final stretch to reach Muskogee. Looking at this photo of the road surface, it does not look bad...but it is bad, very bad.


Talking to the clerk at the hotel, his words were "we have more toll roads than any other State, and worse roads than any other State, someones pocketing the money."











Turn off to Muskogee.











Tomorrow I am taking imold's advice and going to hit Mt. Nebo in Arkansas. Will be posting up pics soon.

Kevin

Mt Nebo is one skinny road going up that mountain. Great views but one narrow road.

I would recommend Mount Magazine about an hour south of Ozark, AR. It has a much better view(s).

Kevin, sorry to hear of your co~pilots departure, for the reason stated.
Prayers for John...

DJFaninTN said:

Mt Nebo is one skinny road going up that mountain. Great views but one narrow road.

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Yeah, it got pretty narrow, but it was a ton of fun!

Wingfoot said:

I would recommend Mount Magazine about an hour south of Ozark, AR. It has a much better view(s).

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Gonna add that to the list for future roads to travel. Thank you!

peteg59 said:

Kevin, sorry to hear of your co~pilots departure, for the reason stated.
Prayers for John...

Click to expand...

Thank you!

Kevin

Day 36-




Leaving my home away from home in Muskogee-













Headed for Arkansas.















More toll stops in OK. This is the last one.















Had the road pretty much to myself for a good bit...enjoying the open road.













Passing the turn-off for the 40 headed west, a bit down the road is the 40 headed east...















...on the 40 now, not long before I cross into Arkansas. More traffic now, including some fellow travelers.













Arkansas! Got a few hundred miles of road in this State, then a corner of Tennessee, then a 75 miles of familiar road in Mississippi before arriving home.













But first a detour to Mt. Nebo, and then Hot Springs.


I turned off the 40 at Dardenelle, got gas and headed to Mt. Nebo.


I like signs like this....they mean Fun Ahead!













Headed into the first of many switchbacks...









...in the middle of the switchback.











More in next post.

Day 36 Continued-






Coming out of the first switchback.













This is a very steep, and somewhat narrow road, lots of turns, angles, and generally a lot of fun!















Tight & Sharp...













...a road that highlights the strengths of the Tri-Glides handling.















This photo, with the car in it gives a better perspective of just how steep and sharp these corners are.















Stopped at a scenic look-out part way up the hill...













...walking back from the look-out.













At the top of Mt. Nebo...













...the views are 360*















These deer had just crossed the road in front of me...I stopped and watched them take their time walking into the woods.













Thanks to Imold....last year he suggested taking this ride up Mt. Nebo. Glad I did, was a fun road, and great views!




On the way up I had the video camera snapping photo's, on the way down I was recording video.




Click HERE for a very short snipped of video of a couple of curves.






Imold also suggested taking the 7 from Dardanelle to Hot Springs...which is what I did after coming down from Mt. Nebo.


It was a fun road and I'll post a few pics of that ride soon.

Kevin

Kevin, thanks for sharing the ride with us.

I meant to comment earlier, I really like the short videos, just enough to see what's going on. ThumbUp

Just wanted to thank you for your thread

Kevin, I'm relatively new to this forum having just purchased my first Tri 4 months ago, my third Harley to date. Your thread has really been inspiring to me and my wife, giving us the itch to plan some trips. My wife finally feels comfortable on the Trike, she just wasn't on my 2 wheelers. Thanks again for your thread and your ever willingness to offer advice to help a member out.
Brad

BillR said:

Kevin, thanks for sharing the ride with us.

I meant to comment earlier, I really like the short videos, just enough to see what's going on. ThumbUp

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Good to hear your liking them. ThumbUp It's sometimes difficult to go thru all the footage and pick up just a bit...there is so much great riding. But it has to stay short for uploading.

badintn said:

Kevin, I'm relatively new to this forum having just purchased my first Tri 4 months ago, my third Harley to date. Your thread has really been inspiring to me and my wife, giving us the itch to plan some trips. My wife finally feels comfortable on the Trike, she just wasn't on my 2 wheelers. Thanks again for your thread and your ever willingness to offer advice to help a member out.
Brad

Click to expand...

Great to hear you're both enjoying your TG. We have always done trips, but now on 3 wheels it is much easier and more relaxing. Hope the two of you get to make a lot of good memories together!

Kevin

Day 36 Concluded-




The 7, running from Dardanelle to Hot Springs is about 60 miles of some great riding.















It is a fun road with...













...curves...













...elevation changes...















...tree-lined...













...winding sometimes, sharp sometimes...













...just a great riding road. A welcome change after the straight riding of east Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma!











Oh, and sprinkled with old bridges!











There was very little traffic between Dardanelle and Hot Springs. That changed when I hit the tourist town of Hot Springs.













This looks like a fun work truck!









Once I got thru Hot Springs, it was a hop, skip and a jump to Malvern.


I could have pushed thru to Mississippi today, but it was extremely hot & muggy, and the air conditioning of the Super 8 on the side of the road was calling my name.




Day 37 coming soon.

Kevin

Day 37-


After a little over 10,000 miles riding, thru 12 States, it is 225 miles more to get home. A bit of it on the 30, then the most on the 40, then the 55, followed by a bunch of backroads to the house.




Leaving out- just filled up with gas across from my home away from home in Malvern, AR.













The 30 is a nice little stretch of road, out of Malvern...













...I had it mostly to myself this morning.















On Interstate 40 now.















A bit of traffic.















Farmland-















I-40 between Little Rock & Memphis is pretty much a "get from point A to point B" road.


I turned the music on, put it on cruise, and stayed as far away from semi's and crazy cagers as I could.


Before I knew I was nearing Memphis.













Crossing the Great Mississippi River...

















...Into Tennessee.

















Taking the lower loop around Memphis.









More in next post.