Bikerscum - Patrick St. Jean

Last day of the trip. I packed the bike up, ate some breakfast and hit the road, heading south on I-540 past Fort Smith, continuing on US-71 to Y City where I got on US-270 and got in to Mena in time for lunch. After a great meal of Mexican food I got back on the road and got on the Talimena Parkway for the highlight of the homeward bound leg. The parkway is great, the scenery is amazing, and it's definitely a fun ride. I didn't take too many pictures because I was too busy enjoying the twisties. I got back on US-271 in Talihina and took it over to US-70, heading west. My advice, stay off of it. There's a lot of construction and it was down to one lane in places and 45 MPH for long stretches due to loose gravel. I picked up US-75 in Durant, OK and beat feet for home. Finally pulling in at around 5:20 PM.

Mileage for the day: 414

Total miles: 1824

All good things must come to an end, and today was it for the party. After taking down the tent and packing the bike up, I pointed it south on I-55, heading for Fayetteville, AR. The ride was smooth, the sun was out, and no significant issues. When I got to Springfield, MO I hopped off the Interstate on to US-160, then to US-60, then to MO-37. I picked up US-62 at Gateway and rode it over to I-540 and in to the hotel. After getting the bike unpacked and myself cleaned up I got a cab over to the Hog Haus for some really good brews.

Mileage for the day: 388

Another short hop, just running back from Peoria to the farm. The weather held for the most part, but just outside of Springfield it monsooned again, but the rain gear held and it was dry the rest of the way in. I spent the rest of the day catching up with friends and enjoying some most excellent pork tenderloin for dinner.

Mileage for the day: 122

Today's leg of the trip was a bit shorter, but just as much fun.  I headed out from the farm to UI-Springfield to get my student ID and meet my advisor for a promised tour of campus.  After the obligatory DMV like experience and the campus tour, I grabbed a quick lunch and got back on the road to Peoria. It was good to see Reese, he liked the Lego set I brought up. We went out to Chili's for dinner, then played some Uno, where he beat me soundly more often than not.

Mileage for the day: 154

It was an interesting morning...  I got a late start due to having to wait for the cops to show up at the convenience store I was filling up at.  There was a disturbed individual giving the clerk a really hard time.  Once statements were taken I got back on the road, heading to Dorchester, IL.

The ride was good, the bike continued to perform wonderfully, and the rain held off until I was about 15 miles from the farm.  Rain gear donned, I rode past the corn fields and farms to today's (and the weekend's) destination.

Tomorrow I'm heading up to Springfield to meet my graduate advisor and get an I'd card, and then on to Peoria to spend some time with my son.

Mileage for the day: 275

I pulled out at about 9:00 AM and headed north on I-35 for Oklahoma City. The RT really wanted to stretsh its legs but me being cheap, I kept the speed down. The first gas stop was in Norman, and it looks like I'm getting around 48 mpg. After lunch and fuel, I continued north and picked up I-44 in Oklahoma City and headed east toward my destination, Springfield, MO. The ride was good and went fast thanks to the 75 mph limit on the Oklahoma turnpikes. The bike really ate up the miles! One more gas stop in Joplin, MO (have I mentioned how much I love the fuel capacity?) and I was on the home stretch. I pulled in to Springfield at around 5:20, got a room, and unpacked the bike.

The Bill Mayer saddle is amazing. My jacked up back gave up before my backside did. I couldn't have done 230 miles on the stock saddle, but it was no big deal.  Definitely 2 cheeks up!

Mileage for the day: 471

I went down to one of the club member's house to get my brakes bled and the fuel filter replaced. It was interesting seeing how it's done, especially considering I wasn't aware that there are separate reservoirs in the ABS unit for the calipers. What came out was not pretty looking and it was good that we did it before the trip. The fuel filter went in fine, no problems there, and other than a broken fuel line quick disconnect, nothing major went awry. The bike's much happier now!

Two Wheel World finally got my rear tire in and I went down after work to get it mounted up. I kept the old rear as it has some life left in it, just not enough for the upcoming road trip. When I got back I mounted it back up to the bike, got all the bolts torqued down, and dropped it off the center stand for a test ride. The new tires definitely change the feel of the bike. It's more responsive in curves and easier to get heeled over. I'm now just about ready for the June road trip!

I got the wheel put back on the bike today and took it out for a test ride. It's amazing how much better the bike handles when it's got a fresh tire on there! Very impressive. Almost ready for the June road trip. I've got the rear taken off and am waiting for it to come in. Then a brake bleed and an alternator belt replacement and I'm good to go!

Getting ready for the June road trip and needed to put new tires on the bike. I've got another set of the Bridgestone Battlax tires which are already on it. The front wheel's coming off and will be done first since Two Wheel World says that they can get it in tomorrow. The rear's going to take a couple more days...