Afan
... and this is my real name.
My first multiple day trip ended much quicker then I was thinking. It WAS "multiple" because it was more than one day, but it was also the "lowest" possible "multiple" number: 2.
I'm still debating with myself should I mark it as failed of it wasn't sooooo bad... Failed because I've ride 500 miles to be able to ride a little bit over 70 miles of Great River Road. Of course I enjoyed these 500 miles but the “target” was GRR. Failed because I rode 2 instead 4 days. Failed because I skipped several places I planned to see. Failed because I didn’t meet 2 people from this forum I promised I’ll see them…
Although, it wasn’t bad because I rode almost 600 miles in two days - never before. It wasn’t so bad because I camped after VERY long time, and I was camping while riding. And REALLY enjoyed it. It wasn’t bad because I rode GRR. 70+ miles only, but I did. It wasn’t so bad because I met few other bikers and enjoyed a short conversation.
And, one of the main reasons I took this trip is to got some answers on questions that bother me for a year or so. And I got many answers. But got new questions too. But more about it in my next thread.
Since this was kinda "micro" adventure, comparing to others, I’ll put everything into one post.
Friday. Noon. Leaving…
I was waiting on my wife to come home on lunch break and properly say goodbye to her knight in shiny armor and black STead. And take few pictures. What happened was “Hey! Hurry up, I have to go. I don’t have time… C’mon! Is one picture enough?” And she left before me, closed garage and I was so confused that I forgot to take with me printed map, list of all nice places to make a stop…
And after half an hour I realized that the helmet on my head HAS Sena 10 but DOESN’T HAVE mount for my action cams - it was on the other helmet. So, didn’t want to go back and I was thinking I’ll figure something out when on first break. And I didn’t because on my first break, to check if all bags are there - I dropped the bike.
I made a stop at a gas station and while trying to find good spot, crawling 2-3 mph, one car popped up in front of me. I hit the break and had enough time to watch my bike is going down. I was !%$##%^&$%$#Q@ and was #@$%@#%$^%^ even more when saw the ***#### passed my laying bike, and left the “scene”, without asking anything or at least asking me to help me to pick up the bike. I blame myself first for the accident but he MUST be realized I made mistake because of him?!?!?
Anyway, I wasn’t so worried, first I know I can pick the bike up (I already did it once ) and I realized I broke only the plastic so nothing serious to stop me. And THEN I realized my bike was leaking coolant and gas!!! And THEN I panicked. Luckily there was one young guy who helped me to pick it up. If it was just me, until I unload the bike I’ll be probably empty on coolant and/or gas.
I brought with me a duct tape and a box cutter but they were buried in the “toolbox” in one of panniers. So I bought a new “set” at the gas station. Result is here.
I was thinking to make the same “pattern” on the other mirror, to make it symmetrical but I was to lazy and already spent to much time…
I saw several nice places and nice views to take a picture but I had some issues with my side stand I couldn’t stand the bike - and that was probably one of the things that pissed me off the most. But about that in my other thread.
Got to my destination, Upper Iowa Resort and Renting, later that afternoon. The owner was a little bit surprised with me on the motorcycle so she gave me really nice spot, next to the river.
I planed to get to the campground using Upper Iowa River Road, gravel road, maybe 5-10 miles long. But immediately the episode with dropped bike and leaking coolant and gas went in front of my eyes. I saw a picture of my bike swimming in it’s own fluids, and me standing next to her, helpless… I chickened out and turned my bike around.
By the way, I didn't see any of you guys use a cover for your motorcycle?
Great spot, nice view… I really enjoyed. I met nice couple from Iowa, trailer next to me. They offered me a glass of wine but I brought bottle of Guinness with me for this special, “first time”, occasion.
Later that evening I was looking sadly at the fire pit because I wasn’t in the mood to start the fire just for myself. I needed company…
After my “failed” overnight at one person tent on my porch I decided to go with 2P or 3P tent. Day before I took my son to St. Paul, drop him off (day after he and his GF had flight to Las Vegas from Minneapolis airport) and drove home immediately. About 500 miles. So my plan to find bigger tent went down the drain and I had just a chance to buy 4P tent in Walmart. The size of the tent wasn’t so bad at all! After I inflated the air mattress and put all my stuff from bike inside - I realized the size was actually VERY good. I liked it. Pretty comfy. There are few things I didn’t like, specially running the poles through the “tube”. And flysheet had some strange opening over the back window that somebody can open it from outside and I can’t close it from inside?!?!?!? I didn’t get it.
“Ready in 5 minute” my ***!!! More likely 55 minutes. I was really embarrassed. Specially running around the tent locking the poles while previous pole got out!
I was lucky I didn’t learn head way about one missing item on Mellow’s Camping post/list (https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?134137-Camping-The-Basics) - piss-bottle. I survived without problems until morning.
I went to bed around 10pm, hoping to leave the campground early in the morning. The classic air mattress, the one you would take with you if you go by car, I inflated as Mellow suggested, around 75% - very good tip. It was nice and warm in my sleeping bag. But… First I couldn’t fall a sleep for a while. Excited or what… And after midnight it was getting colder and colder. It was still ok but I had picture of me sleeping in leather jacket and riding pants - last line of defense! Luckily I didn’t need them.
But the hot shower at 7:00 am was maybe the best half an hour of the whole trip.
I packed the stuff and left the campground around 9:30. The owner asked me if I wanted to have a breakfast but the picture of the late dinner I had at their “kitchen” gave my a shiver. I was told they had fresh grilled burgers so I ordered one. It was freshly - taken from their home freezer. And they were not grilled then cooked in a pan. And freshly microwaved. I wonder what she would say if I asked for “medium” burger?!? I had to put a lot of mustard to cover the %&#% taste…
And half an hour later I was in New Albin, the most north-east point of Iowa. The start of my Great River Road trip.
And again I had a lot of nice places to stop and take a picture but the side stand… Uhrgh!!!!
Art and Antique Fair in Lansing
Iowa also has Pikes Peak
At Guttenberg I had lunch break and after checking the weather for Sunday and Monday - I decided to go home. It showed me heavy rain from 8 am, all day long. Riding on rain and not able to stop and see some stuff - not my kind of traveling. And after missing the turn to North Buena Vista I definitely decided to go home, very pissed off.
I hopped on Lincoln Highway at Mt. Vernon and rode LH all the way to Marshalltown where I turned south to Des Moines. Made few stopes in Cedar Rapids, Belle Plain, Tama…
Gorge Preston Garage in Belle Plain
I really hope next time more miles… And pictures…
I'm still debating with myself should I mark it as failed of it wasn't sooooo bad... Failed because I've ride 500 miles to be able to ride a little bit over 70 miles of Great River Road. Of course I enjoyed these 500 miles but the “target” was GRR. Failed because I rode 2 instead 4 days. Failed because I skipped several places I planned to see. Failed because I didn’t meet 2 people from this forum I promised I’ll see them…
Although, it wasn’t bad because I rode almost 600 miles in two days - never before. It wasn’t so bad because I camped after VERY long time, and I was camping while riding. And REALLY enjoyed it. It wasn’t bad because I rode GRR. 70+ miles only, but I did. It wasn’t so bad because I met few other bikers and enjoyed a short conversation.
And, one of the main reasons I took this trip is to got some answers on questions that bother me for a year or so. And I got many answers. But got new questions too. But more about it in my next thread.
Since this was kinda "micro" adventure, comparing to others, I’ll put everything into one post.
Friday. Noon. Leaving…
I was waiting on my wife to come home on lunch break and properly say goodbye to her knight in shiny armor and black STead. And take few pictures. What happened was “Hey! Hurry up, I have to go. I don’t have time… C’mon! Is one picture enough?” And she left before me, closed garage and I was so confused that I forgot to take with me printed map, list of all nice places to make a stop…
And after half an hour I realized that the helmet on my head HAS Sena 10 but DOESN’T HAVE mount for my action cams - it was on the other helmet. So, didn’t want to go back and I was thinking I’ll figure something out when on first break. And I didn’t because on my first break, to check if all bags are there - I dropped the bike.
I made a stop at a gas station and while trying to find good spot, crawling 2-3 mph, one car popped up in front of me. I hit the break and had enough time to watch my bike is going down. I was !%$##%^&$%$#Q@ and was #@$%@#%$^%^ even more when saw the ***#### passed my laying bike, and left the “scene”, without asking anything or at least asking me to help me to pick up the bike. I blame myself first for the accident but he MUST be realized I made mistake because of him?!?!?
Anyway, I wasn’t so worried, first I know I can pick the bike up (I already did it once
) and I realized I broke only the plastic so nothing serious to stop me. And THEN I realized my bike was leaking coolant and gas!!! And THEN I panicked. Luckily there was one young guy who helped me to pick it up. If it was just me, until I unload the bike I’ll be probably empty on coolant and/or gas. I brought with me a duct tape and a box cutter but they were buried in the “toolbox” in one of panniers. So I bought a new “set” at the gas station. Result is here.
I was thinking to make the same “pattern” on the other mirror, to make it symmetrical but I was to lazy and already spent to much time…
I saw several nice places and nice views to take a picture but I had some issues with my side stand I couldn’t stand the bike - and that was probably one of the things that pissed me off the most. But about that in my other thread.
Got to my destination, Upper Iowa Resort and Renting, later that afternoon. The owner was a little bit surprised with me on the motorcycle so she gave me really nice spot, next to the river.
I planed to get to the campground using Upper Iowa River Road, gravel road, maybe 5-10 miles long. But immediately the episode with dropped bike and leaking coolant and gas went in front of my eyes. I saw a picture of my bike swimming in it’s own fluids, and me standing next to her, helpless… I chickened out and turned my bike around.
By the way, I didn't see any of you guys use a cover for your motorcycle?
Great spot, nice view… I really enjoyed. I met nice couple from Iowa, trailer next to me. They offered me a glass of wine but I brought bottle of Guinness with me for this special, “first time”, occasion.
Later that evening I was looking sadly at the fire pit because I wasn’t in the mood to start the fire just for myself. I needed company…
After my “failed” overnight at one person tent on my porch I decided to go with 2P or 3P tent. Day before I took my son to St. Paul, drop him off (day after he and his GF had flight to Las Vegas from Minneapolis airport) and drove home immediately. About 500 miles. So my plan to find bigger tent went down the drain and I had just a chance to buy 4P tent in Walmart. The size of the tent wasn’t so bad at all! After I inflated the air mattress and put all my stuff from bike inside - I realized the size was actually VERY good. I liked it. Pretty comfy. There are few things I didn’t like, specially running the poles through the “tube”. And flysheet had some strange opening over the back window that somebody can open it from outside and I can’t close it from inside?!?!?!? I didn’t get it.
“Ready in 5 minute” my ***!!! More likely 55 minutes. I was really embarrassed. Specially running around the tent locking the poles while previous pole got out!
I was lucky I didn’t learn head way about one missing item on Mellow’s Camping post/list (https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?134137-Camping-The-Basics) - piss-bottle.
I survived without problems until morning. I went to bed around 10pm, hoping to leave the campground early in the morning. The classic air mattress, the one you would take with you if you go by car, I inflated as Mellow suggested, around 75% - very good tip. It was nice and warm in my sleeping bag. But… First I couldn’t fall a sleep for a while. Excited or what… And after midnight it was getting colder and colder. It was still ok but I had picture of me sleeping in leather jacket and riding pants - last line of defense! Luckily I didn’t need them.
But the hot shower at 7:00 am was maybe the best half an hour of the whole trip.
I packed the stuff and left the campground around 9:30. The owner asked me if I wanted to have a breakfast but the picture of the late dinner I had at their “kitchen” gave my a shiver. I was told they had fresh grilled burgers so I ordered one. It was freshly - taken from their home freezer. And they were not grilled then cooked in a pan. And freshly microwaved. I wonder what she would say if I asked for “medium” burger?!? I had to put a lot of mustard to cover the %&#% taste…
And half an hour later I was in New Albin, the most north-east point of Iowa. The start of my Great River Road trip.
And again I had a lot of nice places to stop and take a picture but the side stand… Uhrgh!!!!
Art and Antique Fair in Lansing
Iowa also has Pikes Peak
At Guttenberg I had lunch break and after checking the weather for Sunday and Monday - I decided to go home. It showed me heavy rain from 8 am, all day long. Riding on rain and not able to stop and see some stuff - not my kind of traveling. And after missing the turn to North Buena Vista I definitely decided to go home, very pissed off.
I hopped on Lincoln Highway at Mt. Vernon and rode LH all the way to Marshalltown where I turned south to Des Moines. Made few stopes in Cedar Rapids, Belle Plain, Tama…
Gorge Preston Garage in Belle PlainI really hope next time more miles… And pictures…
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