| Author | Message | ||
     Awprior |
We took Tripper's 'scenic twisty road' to get back to KC. 115 miles, and probably 7 or 8 turns. It was fun blowing through the Kansas counry side with the boys though, and Tripper launching a wheelie after every single stopsign. We stopped at this little joint to get gas, as it was pretty much the only station along the way. 87 octane was the only choice.  So we finally made it into Kansas City, and rode around a bit to check out the city lights and all. It was nearing 10 PM, and I had been on the road since 5 am, I was a tired kid by this time. We stopped by KC Bill's place and checked out a hot rod he was working on (gorgeous car!), and then Jeff Griswold and I headed to his place to crash for the evening. After the long day I had the day before, I decided to spend an extra day in Kansas City and relax a bit. I had put on a ton of miles since leaving California, and had never done long days like this before. The break was definitelt needed. Jeff, Tripper and I headed to the Kansas City HD plant for a tour and to take some pictures.  Now, I know this tale was posted somewhere else within this thread, but it bears repeating. The gentleman that gave us the tour of the plant (and also gave me a free t-shirt) was Phil Swope, the director of security for the plant. As we went around on his golf cart, we were talking a bit about the plant and all, and it turns out that Phil knew a good friend of mine that I go to school with here in MI. Turns out Phil's grandson ran over my buddy's Kawasaki in the parking lot of the plant the summer before. Small world.  And Tripper, next time you see Phil, give him my email address in case he needs parts for that Corvair. I happen to know someone that had a ton of those cars... So we left the plant and headed to Oklahoma Joe's BBQ for lunch. You just can't go to KC without getting some BBQ. Great food, great atmosphere. Sorta. The front of the joint was a gas station, the middle was the restaurant, and the back was a beer distributer. Pretty much had all the bases covered. I also did a rear tire change at Midwest Powersports. The D220 I started the trip with didn't hold up too well on the abrasive and straight roads through Kansas. The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent sipping Boulevard Pale Ale and watching the Republican Convention. | ||
| Awprior |
The next morning Jeff had a big stack of pancakes made up to get the morning rolling. We were headed east, I was going to St. Louis, and Jeff was going to roll along for part of it. Jeff, Suzanne, Rosie and Tootsie were great hosts, thank you again. Someday I hope to repay the favor. Jeff and I stopped by Mid America Buell and had a chance to see the new CityX. Neat looking bike. Jeff and I parted ways at this point, another new friend headed back west as I continued my journey east. My fraternity was having it's convention in St. Louis, so I felt the urge to swing by and say hey, after all, this trip was for one of my fraternity brothers. I cannot remember for the life of me what hotel the convention was being held at, but the valets and bellhops were not impressed with the Buell being parked on the sidewalk right in front of the hotel for a few hours while we had dinner. Whoops. I spoke with probably a hundered people about the trip, the reason for doing it, and the people behind the trip that helped make it all happen. Talking with all of them really made me feel great about what I was doing. I walked to the arch at dusk and took this   Followed by this one early the next morning.  After being on the road for a week, I was about the cross the Mississippi and head to Grand Rapids to meet up with Matt. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
welcome back Alex! sounds like you had a better time of Durango and 550 than me 'n JB2 did. congrats on the job, looking forward to more pix and commentary. FB&D  | ||
| Awprior |
The trip from St. Louis to GR was all highway, which inceased the suck factor for this leg of the journey. The traffic in Chicago was just as I had always remembered it from my trips to Iowa, and I couldn't lane split. That is one thing I missed from Cali. I got to Matt's place around 4 pm, and we had dinner with his family and a few of our Brothers that live in western MI. And this is Matt:   This little thing was pretty fun. Can't say the neighbors were too happy with my all to quiet Buell running around and this little smoke screen machine rolling around the neighborhood. Of course, it had to get a set of these:  We had another relaxing evening in GR, and I once again decided to push back the trip another day. Matt and I ran around Grand Rapids and Lansing most of the day, and then headed to Royal Oak, outside of Detroit for the evening. We met up with a bunch of our friends and again, spent a night relaxing and sipping cold beverages.  Realization of the trip: It's fun as hell to party after a long day of driving, but going to be at 3 am and getting up at 5 and riding all day is not the greatest thing in the world. We did it at the Thunderdome, and I did it here as well. But it was a damn good time. Tomorrow: The aventure into Canada begins... | ||
| Awprior |
Jerry, It sounds like I did. I loved the pics form your trip, keep coming with them as well. Can't wait to ride again, my friend. Hopefully soon. Alex | ||
| CJXB |
Congrats on the new job in January and finishing school !!! Glad to see you back at reporting on the trip and posting more pics, good to see you on line again !! CJ | ||
| Unibear12r |
Hi Alex Good to see more of your story! Was 87 octane as bad in K.C. as it was in Death Valley? Good luck with the "new" job! Glenn | ||
| Awprior |
Glenn, I'd say it was, but I also know I didn't have the same 'fill up' problems as what you were experiencing... Just had to throw that out one more time. The job will go well, I have no doubts with that. Just need to establish myself so I can get out and do what I really want to do. Good to hear from ya, buddy. Alex | ||
| Unibear12r |
Well even an old dog can still learn a thing or two. At least I know how to fill my gas tank now!  Glenn | ||
| Bomber |
Alex -- give a shout in the summer next, we got some riding to do, and you ain't far at all atall! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Alex, 'tis very cool to see Matt out playing like that! how's he doing? FB | ||
| Iamike |
Alex, Congrats on the job. Let me know when you're moved in and we'll all get together for a few. | ||
| Awprior |
Mike, Can do. I'll be out there at the beginning of February for work, but will be in the area in Jan a few times doing house hunting trips. Lets see... The last pics were taken in Royal Oak, MI at the Sky Bar with a few of my buddies from school. The next morning, I met Bill Rufus at the bridge to Canada at Detroit.  | ||
| Awprior |
The ride to the bridge was rainy and cool, but this was the first bad weather I had encountered, other than chasing a few storms through Utah and getting dumped on pretty bad there.  (Message edited by awprior on November 09, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
We traveled on back roads for quite some time, as the 401 was packed with traffic because of a festival in Cornwall. We had intended in staying in the area, but everything was booked for the weekend. This is close to Cornwall, ON, overlooking Northern New York.  (Message edited by awprior on November 09, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
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| Awprior |
We spent the night right outside of Montreal. After a hearty meal and a few beers, I was headed to bed. The late nights were beginning to catch up, and the ride today was slow with bad weather. Hopefully the next day would be nicer. This was taken outside of our hotel the next morning. Nice weather again!  (Message edited by awprior on November 09, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
This was taken at one of the rest stops along the TCH, near Rivere du Loup.  The ride on day 11 was great. We rolled through Montreal at dawn, and the city looked like a really cool place to visit when time allows. Added it to the list of places to visit again. The TCH had little to no traffic, since we were on the road early on Sunday. The ride south from Rivere du Loup into New Brunswick was amazing. Miles and miles of trees, the smell of pine everywhere. My only concern was the logging trucks we saw, and what kind of damage a 30' log could do to a bike if it were to fall off of a trailer. (Message edited by awprior on November 09, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
Overlooking the St. John River near Fredrickton, NB. We followed this river, seemingly forever, as we rolled through New Brunswick.  (Message edited by awprior on November 09, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
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| Awprior |
The Welcome Center at the eastern end of Nova Scotia. I believe it was near Amherst. As the next few pictures will show, the weather was rainy, foggy, windy etc. It wasn't the best weather of the trip, but it was great to smell salt water again. I had left California only 11 short days ago, and, once again, could smell the sea.  (Message edited by awprior on November 09, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
Check out the flags... It was a brisk, cold wind.  (Message edited by awprior on November 09, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
Overlooking the flood channel (I guess that's what it it) between Amherst and Sackville. It's as narrow a stretch of land between the Bay of Fundy/Chignecto Bay and the Northumberland Straight.  Truro, NS was the stopping point for this leg of the trip. Bill and I pulled into a hotel, unloaded and headed off for dinner. On the way back, we ran into a gentleman from Boston with a Road King who was up for the week to cruise around the island. Truro is easily within one day of Boston, and probably two days away for anyone else north of the Mason Dixon line... I'd highly recommend it. Hell, next time I'm back east for a bit, I'll lead the ride. The next round of pictures are the real exciting ones... the rest of Novia Scotia and Newfoundland! until next time... Alex (Message edited by awprior on November 09, 2004) | ||
| Firemanjim |
Alex.Refresh my poor old brain(alzheimers/oldtimers at work) did I ever send off a check to you to cover my portion of monies from our CA to Utah ride?If not --how much and where to? | ||
| Awprior  |
Day 12: Bill and I had an early morning departure from Truro, NS headed to the ferry launch at North Sydney, NS. The ferry was scheduled to leave at 8:30, so we headed out around 3 am.  (Message edited by awprior on November 22, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
The next few pictures were taken along the TCH in Nova Scotia. We stopped when we saw a good pic, but didn't have the time to write down the exact locations.  (Message edited by awprior on November 22, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
One of the many many lakes, ponds or whatever they are called throughout NS. These two pics are among my favorites.  (Message edited by awprior on November 22, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
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| Awprior |
This picture was taken somewhat by accident, a few days later I'd be hanging a right past the mill and tearing through the Cabot Trail with Dana, with Roger and Oz somewhere behind. This is another one of my favorites, it's a great discriptor of what everything looked like in this area. Very surreal.  (Message edited by awprior on November 22, 2004) | ||
| Awprior |
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