Shuey's Heading North to see Phil on Feb 2nd

Quite the adventure Shuey, glad you made it home safe. Inebriated people at 7am? Seeing Phil on groundhogs day is reason enough to tailgate I guess, LOL
 
I was going to say welcome to the madness .. however, I believe you are the madness.. .LOL

Great report, glad you made it through it all, must be too cold for bear or deer.. :rofl1:
 
Great ride report, it must have been an adventure for the memory bank! I've road in the snow once for a short distance, it was 28F and I was sweating hard inside my Kili with no heated gear! Glad you are home safe.
 
Wow that sounds like one heck of a ride! I think that I will ride in just a little warmer conditions! Glad you had a good ride and made it home safe!
 
The Dan said:
How did you keep the slush from building up on the bike?
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It was interesting, nothing built up on the tires or the bike. The only problem was with aux lights and a light coating on the STock headlight lenses. The glass of the Kristas and PIAAs is recessed inside the housing and they would fill up with the dirty slush. Looked like a gray cap insert, perfectly smooth and flat (thought it would be rounded) that would just . . . pop right off with a flick of a gloved finger. Since they're all LEDs on my bike now, no heat to melt them off. Unexpected, but not a major problem.

Good question,

Shuey
 
scootac said:
A semi going 40 mph on I-80???:rofl1::rofl1::rofl1:

HAD to be going UP a hill....
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Another surprise for me, as that was what I was expecting. It soon became apparent though that it was the opposite. The truck would speed up going up the hills and just before cresting start slowing down, then slow down even more once over the crest starting down the hill. Continued slowing until almost at the bottom of the hill, then start speeding up.

I'm guessing it was a control issue rather than speed and not letting the weight of the truck get away on possibly icy down slopes with gravity pushing it along.

Maybe Mac or some others with big rig experience can shed some light on this strategy.

Another good comment, thanks,

Shuey
 
The truck I followed was a flat bed with a load of lumber and he didn't go over 30 MPH on I 20 from Jackson to Monroe. The snow stopped falling a little west of Vicksburg, but the road didn't clear until Monroe. I've driven a big truck on that stretch of I 80 and in a snow storm and had my 4 ways going at about 45 MPH. I have never lost control, but I had seen several movie clips of what happens when you do lose it while I was going to truck driving school and knew it was something I didn't want to experience.
 
Shuey sounds like maybe pickemup truck strategy.
Enough umph to get over the hill. If I loose traction from acceleration, back off and let momentum handle progress no big deal.
Too much speed on the down hill and I loose traction things are going to be interesting.

Glad you made it and had fun.
 
Shuey said:
Another surprise for me, as that was what I was expecting. It soon became apparent though that it was the opposite. The truck would speed up going up the hills and just before cresting start slowing down, then slow down even more once over the crest starting down the hill. Continued slowing until almost at the bottom of the hill, then start speeding up.
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Interesting theory.
And after living here in central PA all my life and traveling I-80 in all kinds of weather,,, one I've never witnessed.
I have driven snow-covered I-80 in a 4WD at 35-40 mph,,, and had 18 wheelers pass me doing the normal speed limit of 65 mph. A friend that drives a PennDOT plow on I-80 doesn't have much good to say about 95% of the truckers that pass him in all kinds of conditions. When he's out there trying to improve the roads.
 
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An addendum, the truck I followed on I-80 and the other on I-79 were not passing anyone and with me in tow were being passed by everyone except a plow truck that caught up with us towards the end of my I-80 ride. Him . . . I was hoping would pass and get in front of us with the salt and gripper mix (sand, grit, whatever) continuing to spew forth.

All in all, as I expected (and counted on), the highway maintenance people in WV, PA, OH and TN deserve much more appreciation than they get. They do a great job in the worst possible conditions making their roads safer for all to travel. They can only do so much, but they're out there doing it at all hours as needed. If any of them are ST riders and reading this . . . THANK YOU. Let me know who you are and I'll consider it an honor to buy you a meal!

Shuey

PS: A side note . . . I lived in Clarion, PA, for nearly 4 years. I had a good idea what to expect and was prepared to stop at anytime and hole up as needed.

PPS: Riding in a Winter Wonderland of black and white . . . exhilarating and awe inspiring!
 
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The real follow up. They say a guy on a MC BLOCKED the SUN from the HOGS view. So he could not have seen his shadow. Thus this last blizzard we had. Many thanks there Shuey.
Shuey said:
An addendum, the truck I followed on I-80 and the other on I-79 were not passing anyone and with me in tow were being passed by everyone except a plow truck that caught up with us towards the end of my I-80 ride. Him . . . I was hoping would pass and get in front of us with the salt and gripper mix (sand, grit, whatever) continuing to spew forth.

All in all, as I expected (and counted on), the highway maintenance people in WV, PA, OH and TN deserve much more appreciation than they get. They do a great job in the worst possible conditions making their roads safer for all to travel. They can only do so much, but they're out there doing it at all hours as needed. If any of them are ST riders and reading this . . . THANK YOU. Let me know who you are and I'll consider it an honor to buy you a meal!

Shuey

PS: A side note . . . I lived in Clarion, PA, for nearly 4 years. I had a good idea what to expect and was prepared to stop at anytime and hole up as needed.

PPS: Riding in a Winter Wonderland of black and white . . . exhilarating and awe inspiring!
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Holy Smoke'ems.. i just read this story.. I too am from that neck of the country... I can't believe you rode across I-80 in that weather??? :)
so my next question is to Shuey. what's you future plans? how far out do you plan? expected yrs of life? Any life insurance? LOL.
there is no way i would attempt that.. great story though. I am currently looking up the rules of "Hall of Fame Entries" for you.


Ride ON.
 
OhioDeere said:
Holy Smoke'ems.. i just read this story.. I too am from that neck of the country... I can't believe you rode across I-80 in that weather??? :)
so my next question is to Shuey. what's you future plans? how far out do you plan? expected yrs of life? Any life insurance? LOL.
there is no way i would attempt that.. great story though. I am currently looking up the rules of "Hall of Fame Entries" for you.
Ride ON.
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I really hope to have some pics up . . . SOON, but life just keeps getting in the way.

Never rode on any ice at any time the whole trip. Supper roads and good friends, great adventures . . . isn't that why we have motorcycles? :)
Besides, it was really beautiful riding along with the snow flakes racing towards my helmet. Just gorgeous!

Shuey

PS: Ace . . . sorry the funeral got in the way or you might have been there too! As for the hog, 7:20am in the middle of the woods, the only way he sees his shadow is with a flashlight! BUT, never fear, no shadow means an early Spring. So, tough it out big guy or ride down here . . . plenty of room at the Wolfe Inn!
 
I,m looking at coming your way very soon.
Shuey said:
I really hope to have some pics up . . . SOON, but life just keeps getting in the way.

Never rode on any ice at any time the whole trip. Supper roads and good friends, great adventures . . . isn't that why we have motorcycles? :)
Besides, it was really beautiful riding along with the snow flakes racing towards my helmet. Just gorgeous!

Shuey

PS: Ace . . . sorry the funeral got in the way or you might have been there too! As for the hog, 7:20am in the middle of the woods, the only way he sees his shadow is with a flashlight! BUT, never fear, no shadow means an early Spring. So, tough it out big guy or ride down here . . . plenty of room at the Wolfe Inn!
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OK all, here's the pics to go with the text in Post #15. It was a really great trip. I won't retell the adventure here; just adding a comment or two to denote where the pic fits into the story. Most will be obvious. Hope you like them.

Shuey


First, here's my overall route, a legend, and a blow up of the "Pennsylvania Loop."
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Here's some that shows the excitement in Punxsutawney, PA, on Feb 2nd when Groundhog Phil gives his winter forcast. Great fun.
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Then it was off to Clarion and the new found joy of riding in the snow.
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After the sub and making it up to I-80 without tipping over, I made my way to Cranberry Township (Mars), PA.
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Then it was down to Pittsburgh to visit with my good friend Ruth at the opening of her art exhibit. It was also a good opportunity to get a picture of her and her namesake, Flat Ruthie, who travels with me encouraging stops along the way.
Note: Flat Ruthie has her own blog site recording her travels all over the globe: http://cardboardmetravels.com/

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Heading on South, these final pictures were taken at Flat Ruthie's request! :)
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That's all folks. Hope you enjoyed the show.
 
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Wow Shuey!!!! Wonderful report. One question why does the ground hog have red teeth in that one pic? Blood? LOL

See you at Moonshine!!!!

Jay
 
JCB said:
Wow Shuey!!!! Wonderful report. One question why does the ground hog have red teeth in that one pic? Blood? LOL
Jay
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Well, they were more brown than red and my guess is it was from the wood chucking contests with the woodchucks so see who could chuck the most wood. The groundhog won as . . . no one could figure out how much wood the woodchuck chucked. ;)

Shuey
 
If anyone is interested in the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray, then this . . . might be of interest.

This is a fascinating podcast by Stephen Tobolowsky who played Ned Ryerson in the movie describing the making of the movie.


BTW. Back up a few posts and I've added pictures to go along with my trip notes in Post #15.
Enjoy,

Shuey


http://www.slashfilm.com/listen-ned-ryerson-describe-making-groundhog-day/
 
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