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1200 mile ride update
Last week I went to western Virginia because my job sent me there. So I took the "HogEater" out on it's first long trek. It was also the first long trip for me on a bike of ANY kind in over 12 years. So, needless to say, I was slightly apprehensive about it.<br /><br /><br />
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When I started out at 5am here in Virginia Beach it was a mere 29 degrees. I soon found that I had to stop quite often for a quick "warm up" break. So I knew that this would cause my expected 8 hour ride to become a LOT longer.<br /><br /><br />
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I met with RMRC51 just outside Charlottesville for breakfast, coffee and a long chat. I sure hope that we will be able to get together again in the near future for a good ride. It was VERY nice meeting with you.<br /><br /><br />
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The HogEater handled extremely well. In fact much better than I had expected. No issues with it whatsoever.<br /><br />
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Other than the chill in the air that day it was a LOT of fun.<br />
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Stopping at rest areas turned into a question and answer session no matter where I was.
Both young and old seemed very interested in taking a look and asking tons of questions. Again, the advice I received a LONG time ago held true. If you are not a friendly person, DON'T get a trike.<br /><br /><br />
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After arriving very late on Wednesday afternoon all I did was check in to the motel, take a much needed HOT shower and then hit the bed.<br /><br /><br />
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The next day I had about a 45 minute ride through the mountains to the first job. A lot of twisties and some great, even though it was overcast, overlooks.<br /><br /><br />
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The ride back from the job wasn't nearly as fun. It took me the better part of two hours to make that same 45 minute trip due to a VERY cold rain, being unfamiliar with the roads, and the seemingly endless parade of dump trucks that kept passing me. Evidently THEY knew the roads much better than I did!!!!!<br /><br /><br />
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The next day I headed in the other direction towards Kentucky for the next job site. It was supposed to be a much better day but it certainly didn't start out that way. I took the Hogeater over to the Kentucky line for a photo op.<br /><br />
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Not realizing until it was too late that the fog was quite thick. But I did get the photo.......<br /><br /><br />
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After I had completed the job I headed back to Virginia Beach in a lot better weather conditions.<br />
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Temps were about 60 or better once I got out of the mountains. But, due to the snow that had fallen the night before, it kept it feeling cooler than what it was.
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I left out of there at about 3 in the afternoon and arrived home about 11:30pm. I did not have to stop near as often going back as I did heading out. Only stopping for fuel, restroom and the obligatory stretch break. All of which I tried to do at the same time.<br /><br /><br />
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As for the Hogeater. The new ((to me)) trike handled all of those mountain twisties like a champ. Handled the interstate speeds amazingly well.<br /><br />
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And I would not hesitate in the least to jump on and do the same again. Although, I did feel a bit more worn out than I did years ago. But that's NOT the fault of the trike.<br />
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That's the getting old thing coming to bite me in the rear end!!!!!<br /><br /><br />
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And, for those of you that are curious. The HogEater got a full wash and wax job within 24 hours of arriving back home. I absolutely HATE having a dirty machine!!!!!
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