Day 17, long run, but airborn

Day 17

Concord NH

Miles 520

TTL miles 2386

I got up today to clouds and showers, although not really looking forward to riding in the dampness as I had the bad experience on the way to see Autumn in KC, I still decided to push through and go. If I did not, the my departure would have been delayed another 4 days till next week as I would have preferred to hang out with my father in law.

In any case, I suited up complete with heated jacket and pushed on. I was nearly hit twice on I81 the traffic was heavy and the trucks as obnoxious as usual. To stay safe in such conditions require travelling at a rate of speed just faster than the traffic, to counter any aggressiveness. Unfortunatly this required me to travel in the high 70s....although the bike can go that fast, I choose not to. I went as far as Hazelton, and cut off onto I80, a quieter interstate that really goes no where special. I was able to give Ms. Garmin a workout as she routed me through some of the prettiest areas I could believe. It was quite funny seeing the old catskill vacation places, now sadly in ruins as the city folk go further north to Maine and Cape Cod.

My goal today was Albany, NY. In part because it would A. break up the distance to maine equally, and B. provide a good source of cheaper hotels. Well, as you can see, if you follow my SPOT I am sitting in Concord NH. When I got to Albany it was 4:00, I was doing OK and two factors were against me, actually three if you count the weather twice. 1. I am sick, I feel dizzy and generally not well, it will get worse, the sooner I can get home the better. 2. Rain and snow are forecasted on my route. I learned my lesson in the Rockies with that stuff, and would like to avoid it if possible. Also, with it comes salt, and I would REALLY like to avoid getting that stuff on this bike. 3. Tomorrow will be horrible COLD, like in the 20s cold. I figured I would take advantage of the warmer weather and get as close to home as possible as to minimize the cold riding and of course avoid making number 1 any worse.

The bike is running beautifully, the rear main seal has stopped leaking completely so she must be broken in, the charging system is stellar with the new brushes, etc etc., My new Oil sender is nice and dry, and about the only leak I have now is my shift seal and final drive.

Mileage today was about 50mpg...and I believe the MPG is due to the massive fairing that streamlines everything.

The bike is safely covered under my window, locked up and asleep. That is where I am hopefully heading now.....