DR650 escaping the midwest.

I've got 5 weeks until season starts again in Branson (a tourist town in Missouri) and I'm kicking off this dark season with an Iron Butt attempt! I intend to be on the road through the end of the month with a take it as it comes game plan. When something worth telling happens, I'll check in with an update and pics!

Itinerary: Now: Prep for trip.
1/5/11 Iron butt attempt: Branson, MO to Orlando, FL
1/8/11 Disney World Half-Marathon!
???-??? Visit GA, VA, AZ, CA, and Mexico (and anywhere else I find along the way at a much more leisurely pace)
0n or before 2/5/11 Return to Branson: Time to get ready for show season!

I enjoy riding. I really enjoy riding to nowhere in particular, to do whatever happens to be there when I get there. I wanted to take this ride with that approach, but since I was a kid I've been taught that goals and productivity are worthy of attention and traveling without maps is sure to get you lost... In that light I've set a few parameters to keep me in check: I'm going to grow a good beard.

What to bring... I've got to take running gear, camping gear, my computer, a camera, tools, spare tubes, a harmonica if I can find one, maybe a cool pair of jeans.. Man. This is already becoming a bloated list. I need more space! I intended to build a rack and mount ammo cans for storage but at the last minute I found some soft cases at Wal-Mart that allowed a so much cheaper (and easier) installation that I couldn't justify the money it would take to use the ridiculously cool ammo cans. Sigh... Maybe next time I'll get to put those on.

<b>Bend</b>--------------------<b>Mount</b>


<b>Velcro</b>------------------and..<b>Boom</b>. Luggage.
​

I'm switching to my road tires tomorrow. I don't think I'm ready to do this off-road style and considering the mileage I'll be doing, it's just better to leave the knobs at home.

As a dr650 rider, I subscribe. And hope you get a seat pad

Sounds ambitious and fun. Let me know when you get to ga. Good luck!

If you survive this on the stock seat, you've got a stainless steel /ceramic butt

One of the many great parts of riding a motorcycle is that you really get to experience more of wherever you're riding. During this ride I especially got to experience cool weather. I didn't really decide when to leave for the "Iron Butt" attempt. I had it in my mind that leaving in the afternoon would be perfect because I could drive down to Florida and arrive just in time to check into my room for the night! About 2pm on Wednesday I realized that the hottest part of the day (the part of the day that was above 40) was passing. I wished very much that I'd left during that time, but I wasn't able to leave until a bit after 3pm. The road out of Branson was nice for riding, but terrible for being comfortable. No chance of using a throttle lock and my hand/arm got sore faster then I'd imagined possible. I ride my motorcycle almost all the time including cold weather and in the snow/rain, but generally if it's not good weather I don't go further then I have to. I never was worried about getting tired and only slightly concerned about getting sore. My big concern was getting too cold to ride. I don't have heated gear, and it did get below freezing, but I was warm enough and kept feeling in my fingers and toes.

​

By the time I road into Memphis I was on Interstates. Major yawn for riding fun. Major AWESOME for trying to "relax" and make good time for the "Iron Butt" attempt. It also marked the town where my route reached Mississippi and it was in the 40's for good.

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BTW Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia were pretty similar: I could barely see through the fog and everything was wet, even though I could see the stars (I kept checking for some reason). I also kept getting confused on time zones during gas stops so half the time I was really relaxed and the other half I was solidly convinced that I had already taken to long to make it to Orlando in time. When the sun finally came up I could hardly believe it, so I took a picture in the first town I stopped.

​

I've got a couple more state line pictures, gas station pictures and pics with my storm covers on, but they aren't very interesting because after all, I was trying to make into Orlando in under 24 hours...

I did get cold. I did get sore, and I did get tired. But most importantly I did roll into my destination at 23hrs and 20 minutes! So I'm now a member (pending verification) of the IBA!

The bike fared well on the trip, but now my chain is done. It stretched quite a bit and had kink before I lubed it. So I've got to get a new one. I called until I got bored of trying and couldn't find a bike shop open on Sunday in Orlando. I'm not staying in that city: too big for the traveling on a budget type. I'll try to find one when I get to Miami. I've never changed a chain before. I'll do some searches to try to find if I can do it myself. In my mind I just take off the cover and swap the chain, like a bicycle right? Don't want to make any bike shop repairs if I can avoid it.

I'll introduce you to my bike and the few hackjob mods that I made to make it somewhat tour worthy next time.

Where am I now? Out at Cape Canaveral looking over the beach. I'll be heading south towards the Keys for now. This is way better then sitting in Missouri wishing the winter would go away.

(btw, Better pics on future updates: from here on out I've no schedule to keep, just enjoying the ride and wherever I find myself.)

as another DR owner ... in!

as a warning ... get moving ... the cold is heading south and quickly.

Best of Luck on your journey!

A quick intro to the DR650 I'm riding. It's got cruise control (via a bungee cord), highway pegs ("custom" square pipe mounted with u-bolts to engine guard), a long(er) range fuel tank from Safari, the seat has been restuffed (much softer, thanks to the previous owner), and of course that luggage I showed you earlier. It really makes a pretty good touring bike. Nothing like a purpose built bike, but very passable and much more "unique."

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Znz-uHOwDKUnl6yBM0YSnEGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TSvI8nceS5I/AAAAAAAAAok/LGJm8kI6HsE/s400/people.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/F5v9bvfL61UCKNVY8VzAwUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TSvI8cyV2FI/AAAAAAAAAog/lJZWIDHvaoE/s400/disneystart.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bq2OrwGnDd0TR2cWuwJ1lUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TSvI7s5RzaI/AAAAAAAAAoc/Q62Eev66ohs/s400/castle.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tWFl5GGA-Tk96b0UJZBWtUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TSvI81Os3qI/AAAAAAAAAoo/56ZwpzxjkLs/s400/tall.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
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I didn't take pics from the Disney World half marathon (someone else took them while I left my camera in my bag), but I'll share some of hers. That race is awesome: fireworks for race start, DJ's every few miles a car show to run through. Oh! And running down a closed freeway with 22000+ people! Not at all moto related, just happened to be a part of this trip. If you're into running, it was a real fun event. I'm glad I got to run it with friends though because it would not have been nearly as cool otherwise.

Last night is what I count as my first night on the road. The first few nights I spent in hotels which were great, but don't qualify as adventurous in my book. Last night's camp was nothing special. Just threw out my bag, cooked a bit of supper and called it quits. Had to fight off a curious raccoon at around 11pm but other then that nothing but palm trees, stars and the sound of waves.

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Not a bad way to start a morning!
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I started off this morning right with a bit of oatmeal and met some fishermen (and women) trying their luck on shore. In true form they told me about all the fish they'd caught yesterday, but were having no luck this morning. I've got a small pole with me, so I'll give it a try at some point before I start heading north again.

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These birds knew what was up!
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I've still not gotten my chain fixed. Stopped at a bike shop/sales/car sales/uhaul rental place only half expecting to find someone who knew anything about motorcycles. In fact the owner turned out to be pretty much an expert and an avid rider (before a crash earlier this year). I chatted with James for a while, but in the end he didn't have my chain in stock so I'm back on the road, still looking.

I've decided to take A1A down the east coast of Florida. It's much slower I suppose, but man is it beautiful.

Think my bike would make a good lawn ornament here?​

Nothing but beaches, yachts, and the biggest homes I've ever seen in person. I'm not sure my little DR650 fits in with all the Lambo's, Bentley's, and other exotics, but the people I've met so far were really friendly.

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</td><td>Major real estate through Boca Raton</td></tr></tbody></table>
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I've been checking the weather and south I am going! The barista at Starbucks has pointed me to another motorcycle shop near by, so I'm going to stop in there before continuing down A1A through Miami and into the Keys!

subscribed

I'm ready!

This is amazing. I thought over 350 miles in one day on a DR was a big deal. Congratulations.

Oh man, a few days go by quick! I stopped near Miami Beach to try to get an update on the local scene. There's no camping. I checked. People are less friendly down here. Seems like they don't "get it." When I asked about a campground a local went on and on about the great spots. Then pointed across the street and said, "hey just pick a spot on that hotel's lawn. That's what all the homeless do." Oh well. I ended up in a hotel. Can't complain about that. Walked on the beach went swimming etc. Not much else to report about that really. Tried to hit a couple "night life" spots that were walking distance, but there just wasn't much going on.

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w6XyTpC8HSKmxpwNu3YIiUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-R2tV-EVI/AAAAAAAAAow/VqpK5xx8bQM/s400/100_0553.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EFPnqQpRU1ByUSqph3FCQUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-R3OT06DI/AAAAAAAAAo0/lvllK42A_Ak/s400/100_0549.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
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<td>One of the fountains in front of a grand hotel</td>
<td>Beach park in the city</td>
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This morning I spent searching for moto parts again. After visiting and calling several shops I've acquired a chain breaker AND my new chain! But no sprockets. The shop I got the chain breaker from even gave me a discount on the it just because they didn't have my sprockets. No complaints from me! Getting through South Miami was a experience of a different kind. I like riding in traffic. Sort of a thrill in and of itself I suppose, but it took forever to make it out of town. There was contruction on Hwy 1 through a good portion of the ride.

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5fciCWMjuVxnW0Q-P7R7SkGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-VIOrgtWI/AAAAAAAAApo/x-2J6X_uhtg/s400/664_1054.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Kenqy13oERuta8EiSTErgUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-VIq-uX9I/AAAAAAAAAps/ZIsVW36pyJg/s400/664_1055.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td>
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<td>Choose your path...</td>
<td>Try again!</td>
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I stopped at 3 or 4 shops trying to find my sprockets on may way down and into the keys (basically anything that said or closely resembled a motorcycle shop along the way got a visit).

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MlYjmwrM7K-RO_2XUISJQUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-VIpZCeKI/AAAAAAAAApw/e4RU7mQybaY/s400/664_1060.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2qvazaqAZTGLaaJaQ0Arq0GqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-WHCxTMxI/AAAAAAAAAp8/RmWm0NY1_8E/s400/664_1062.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
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<td>I think my DR aspires to bigger things then it's original purpose.</td>
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As dark approached I made it into the keys! I have this to say about camping in the keys. It's not easy to find open spots this time of year! All the campgrounds I tried were full before I finally tried to work out a deal with a run down resort to use a piece of their grass. I wasn't sure what to expect of the Keys. The ocean and wildlife was beautiful, but the cities and properties were generally run down. Oh watch for snowbirds, they might getcha.

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gllmrPURaRovbE8SEE3J_EGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-TrewLdNI/AAAAAAAAApM/K9Rchk3XSMk/s400/100_0579.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rxDJRfbN3nEwVerIbF7_zEGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-TrtW0OoI/AAAAAAAAApQ/Qe0eurTolIs/s400/100_0591.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/btt6RpQ2pJy-aw8Nn5N_90GqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-Tr5kacRI/AAAAAAAAApU/RhQLormtZUM/s400/100_0587.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
<td>Spent a few hours walking through the woods looking
for "key deer" Finally saw a couple, but they were too
far away to photograph</td>
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The next day I finally made it into Key West.
I decided to stop and wait for the sunrise just after crossing the 7 mile bridge.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WpLiUoW9CyTL_OEqbGYpbUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-TrEZDxjI/AAAAAAAAApI/ythy0-wlnbE/s400/100_0572.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>
7 miles of bridge!

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qROFu28FQBbzYjzNmfjylkGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-R3GnsAwI/AAAAAAAAAo4/0I26XgUrp0s/s400/100_0563.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>
Waiting for the sunrise

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MCWak5B0F71u09GgK8UA2EGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-R3W_cwRI/AAAAAAAAAo8/746zB1DFEps/s400/100_0566.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a>
Still waiting..

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2hC8a03Iej9G37AizxlZcUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-R3tw3lHI/AAAAAAAAApA/i-BvaJ0_iHM/s400/100_0569.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>
Well. The day started, but the sun didn't show from behind the clouds.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kjq2u1gegkrrSHSB5d_Q7kGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-TsGY1ZuI/AAAAAAAAApY/ourbu0FJEHc/s400/100_0592.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>
Yeah... I was there. (but more research said that this actually is just the furthest south a civilian can go on the keys)
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I made it all the way out here so I got a campsite to stay the night! Only an expensive but well equipped campground had spaces available so that's what I got. Unfortunately for me they've got a cold spell (60s and 30-40 mph winds), so the city itself wasn't very busy. They did have the usual touristy things and a few street performers at Malory Square. One of the famous parts of Key West is the "alternative lifestyle" people. Some of them live on smaller keys and weave baskets, play music, make art etc. I walked around and watched the street performers, visted a few of the shops, and checked out the art galleries (for those artists that had "made it"). All in all it's a nice little place.

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UBJ2zyWLsDs3EkM5p6_2S0GqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-VHx2mDbI/AAAAAAAAApg/2JsPpCfYw6E/s400/100_0593.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VIWwY9xKKVobT_K2xrYyYUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-VILNZDfI/AAAAAAAAApk/Fplhz8hsucA/s400/100_0594.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
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<td>It's good to be on 2 wheels. Free parking!</td>
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gF-KZTO4dJG6UqIYeXiwyUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TS-WHUNbklI/AAAAAAAAAqE/qfCqpawkv9o/s400/664_1073.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a>
"Pay me for this performance or I'll be forced to stay in your country and marry one of your daughters!"
​

The night was uneventful. Met a few vacationers from London and some New Yorkers that had just moved to town, but the city was very quiet compared to normal (according to who I talked to) due to the "cold" 60 degree weather.

Packed it all up this morning. Can't stay here any longer because it's too expensive and who knows what'll happen further down the road. Although just before leaving I met another cyclist who was wintering down here. He brought a Ducati Supermotard with him, but when he was touring last year he rode some 14000 miles on a Honda st1300 in 7 weeks while never leaving the US! He'd ridden some real nice roads, everything from the Dragon's Tail to the Grand Canyon and Utah. Again it was nice to find a fellow rider. This guy totally "gets it." I think one of the best parts of touring like this is the people you meet. I've already heard more interesting/inspiring stories in the past week then I'd hear in a month at home. Maybe it's because as a passerby one is more willing to talk about dreams and stories of adventure that might be kept secret from people you actually know.​

Over 350 miles is a big deal.. I just tried it, and it definitely was.. And thanks, I wasn't sure I would make it.

Thanks everyone for coming along! So far this ride is going great. Heading up north now, so hopefully those crazy storms will blow through before I get there! (I might take my time leaving this state...)

BTW. If any of you want to come out and ride when I'm in your area shoot me a message! Would love to meet some fellow riders for a ride, a beer, or just a chat along the way.

Looks like a great ride. Hope you are enjoying the warm weather. Stay safe.

Well well, the ride's going great! it's been a few days and I've got some pics to share!

So.. When I first arrived in Keywest, I walked around town looked at everything and generally got ignored. I even tried talking with a few people who were generally short and on there way as soon as possible? It suddenly dawned on me! The only people I saw in Keywest with beards were the alternative lifestyle people (the people living off the islands basket weaving, etc)! I shaved before coming back for the evening and instantly people were nicer? haha. (the beard is back on track though that now that I'm back in beard country again)

When I'd stopped to watch the sunrise on my way to Keywest another rider stopped by to say hello. We chatted for a few minutes and one thing he'd said was to make sure and try out "No Name Pub" before I left the Keys. I'd never heard of it, but apparently it's somewhat famous for their pizza. On the way out, I decided to stop by. It's way off the highway and you have to drive through like 4 miles of 25mph residential! I didn't really think I was going the right way until I came to the sign!

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xTgHRpim5EKS9esMbOxqHUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw5odxEoKI/AAAAAAAAAqs/r48QliC-Q4U/s400/100_0598.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lEgTE85PXYZCmgxRSgXWMUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw5oGvxJ2I/AAAAAAAAAqo/GEUfWyrUJAo/s400/100_0595.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
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Tradition: in dollars.
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The next few days were spent riding through the Everglades and making my way up the west coast of FL. I'd been here as a kid, so I didn't do the airboat thing, but when I stopped at a state park that had bicycle trails I had to give it a try. I'm sure glad I did, never would have seen all the wildlife.

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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zHBMszbTzyL0w0bsgZMd8kGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw5oh-33rI/AAAAAAAAAqw/VKVxi251VBM/s400/100_0602.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3EhHoBCQFYDYiT5vqil0MEGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw5pF497JI/AAAAAAAAAq0/9y2OeX55l1M/s400/100_0603.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Dide-6uE3nIaPLb3ssPsckGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw5pRZHqWI/AAAAAAAAAq4/7IzD-R5cyOs/s400/100_0604.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E55dGVyWV7ViZOdyN9m7BUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw6L2Mo5MI/AAAAAAAAArA/GcDpkN2-hF8/s400/100_0609.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9wuf6ywVKBvG1u9TabaCuUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw6MgbLBgI/AAAAAAAAArE/K252wRHPe0w/s400/100_0617.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s0Ply6gIfq9sDrPEShFo-0GqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw6NHKRFcI/AAAAAAAAArI/wJYUrDmmkpk/s400/100_0613.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vV61cntV_f15KTk_kSta1kGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw6NRgcz_I/AAAAAAAAArM/Hz8hZO8IMUY/s400/664_1099.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
<td>Oh look! Alligators! In truth, that's what I went
out there to see. I definitely wasn't disappointed </td>
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For all the time I've been down here, I'd never actually gone swimming in the ocean! Mostly it was because I was worried about someone messing with my stuff on the bike. It's all soft luggage, exposed and non-locking. When I got to Sarasota, FL I drove out to Crescent Beach and I didn't feel worried about it at all. The sand there is crazy! It's almost like powdered sugar it's so fine. I walked down and jumped right in to go swimming (no one else was swimming, but I figured it'd be fine). The water was 52. So after my initial plunge and a couple min in the water I was out of the water and in the sunshine for the rest of the day!

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J8wi6kBkyaA9E2_WkFCp7kGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw7PtH48yI/AAAAAAAAAr8/zDGdx1RMqQg/s400/wheresian.png" height="302" width="400" /></a>
​

It turns out that my grandfather moved to Lakeland the day I was going to leave Florida! Also several friends were going on a cruise porting near Orlando. So I spent another day saying hello before I left for Georgia. I visited some friends in GA that showed me around a peanut shelling plant. Talk about cool. They had machines that shelled filtered and then even sorted the peanuts by color before putting them into 1 ton boxes of peanuts!

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vEVSIzd3571eYhYg1aRf8UGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTxT4Y3z0EI/AAAAAAAAAsI/z2N-FEXCJnY/s400/665_1101.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a>
Aaron stacking 1 ton boxes of seed peanuts.
​

After a couple days in GA it was time to hit the road again. My next stop is OKC. I checked the weather and headed south (to get out of the cold). I still don't have new sprockets (more on that later). The forcast looked alright, 20-30% rain coverage around New Orleans. I have something to say on forcasts: If the weather says 20-30% and you're at home, chances are pretty good that you'll get missed, but if you drive through the entire system, chances are good that you're going to get wet! Sure enough I got about 140 miles worth of riding in light to moderate rain. Lucky for me the temp was warm until I started heading north towards Alexandria, LA. The temps dropped to the mid 30s around 10pm and there were still puddles and soggy ground all over. No camping tonight! I stayed in a motel! Man a heater never felt so good. The next day I hoped to make it to Oklahoma City. It's still a bit over 500 miles, but it's supposed to be in the 40s for the high (yeah. That really doesn't sound that warm actually).

Welcome to Oklahoma!
The land of bumpy roads and intermittent snow and ice.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WObdRuMMPnZZ3nzUhSN530GqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw6sJXrOOI/AAAAAAAAArg/LJ3MvAb_sH8/s640/665_1109.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a>
​

The next morning it was 31 in Alexandria when I was getting packed. All my gear was dry (enough), but I still decided it'd be best to wait until it got above freezing (no electric for me!). 9AM I hit the road, 33 degrees. The next 120 miles might be the hardest I've ever ridden. I was so cold! As I got to the next stop I wasn't sure going north was for me. But then I looked at the temp. It had dropped back down to 30! I'd beat the sun going north and waited another 45 minutes to get above freezing again. Sure enough once it warmed I was in good shape to ride again.

I've not really used cash this trip. Too easy to lose, but when I rolled into OK I found myself on a toll road. I thought I'd used a card for toll in the past, but when I got to the first both, no cards could be used! I dug through my pockets and found .90 cents. Not enough by far. The toll man let me off to goto an ATM (which I hadn't brought a debit card for..). So I went to the fuel station to try to figure out how to get some cash. I asked another person who was buying stuff if I could put it on my card in exchange for the cash he was going to use. He just handed me a buck and said not to worry about it. I got back on the road thinking that was the only toll I'd have to pay. It wasn't. The next booth I stopped at had a friendly person at the booth. Turns out you can use a check to pay! Wish that first guy had told me that! We chatted for a minute about the ride and I asked her if I could use a check at the next booth (thinking, if not, I'd just have to exit and find another route even though it would take an extra hour). "Of course you can!" she said cheerily. I got to the next booth and asked for a pen. This guy went nuts! He was so angry that I was using a check to pay. I apologized, and explained that I had no way to get any cash and the lady at the last booth had said I'd be ok to use a check or I would never have continued on the toll road. He proceeded to call me a liar and stated that he knew who was down there and was certain she told me that I COULD NOT use a check to pay my toll more then once. After he went on for a couple minutes about it, I informed him that I was sorry, but there was only one way I could pay and that was by check. I could not get him cash from an ATM, and he couldn't accept cards. After he shouted a few more parting words he took the check and I was back on my way. BRING CASH or face the wrath!

<table border="0">
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<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nHBrGBhAlBgHDuTD2jS4OUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw6r0EUBfI/AAAAAAAAArc/UxBaCQtvGmY/s400/665_1104.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/C2PJQa7MIPEY7GSQ5UMJdEGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw6sdJ-hmI/AAAAAAAAArk/yZVMhQ3yIts/s400/100_0671.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4yY1R4qV6omyp5WgzjHiP0GqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTxmziTjoDI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/CHyvw9zRMjM/s400/665_1111.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QwxzbvGN5CHFKFUnWU0kdkGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw68tdphdI/AAAAAAAAArw/r_5gfjbYTes/s400/665_1114.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
</tr>
</table>
I'm just glad I made my way up here after the storm! They were still cleaning up the semi trucks!
​

I'm successfully in OKC. Made it in by 7. Just in time for supper!

Dude, ride safe! Glad you missed the worst of the storm. Big miles you are doing! I ride a DR also, and it amazes me how capable a bike it is, can cruise all day at 70, smooth, and carry a lot of gear. I DO use an electric vest tho....At my age, I cant suffer as much as I used to. Great pics and thanks for taking us along!

Now a quick tale of chains and sprockets. As I mentioned at the beginning, when I arrived in Orlando at the beginning of the trip I saw I needed to replace the chain/sprockets. I've been going from town to town looking for the parts. I'd finally found a chain that was the right size in Miami, but after several more days of looking ordered the sprockets ahead of me at a shop Tallahassee. I headed up to Georgia planning on stopping in to get the sprockets in FL when I started heading west. The day I left GA (when the sprockets were supposed to come in), I called and it turns out that the distributor had never shipped them! So I still didn't have my parts and my chain was in very bad shape. I decided to try to make it to OKC because I knew people there and would be able to stay for a couple days if I needed to. When I left Louisianna I made my final adjustment (all the way out...)

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2pGhFq-fyuRVvs1ixKXdsUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TTw6825PekI/AAAAAAAAAr0/m5HZJA5chzA/s640/100_0672.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a>
!! Pic of chain when I arrived in OKC.
​

Sure enough, no one in town had them, so I ordered them! I was going to do the work myself because that's the easy way, but when I went over everything I needed to do I realized I was lacking a tool to rivet the chain and didn't have/couldn't find a clip type master link. I was so tired of trying to get this thing fixed that I took it to the shop to have them work on it.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L3KQqGsP1o0xV_v_9uR0YUGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TUBD-GN_t-I/AAAAAAAAAs4/fU-IbSjJvus/s400/100_0676.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>
After not having the right tools to get the chain back on I finally took it to a shop to make the repairs. New chain, New sprockets, New rear bearings (turned out the bearings had exploded. I'm so glad I went to the shop for this or I would have had to haul it in a truck or wait on more ordered parts after I'd taken the rear wheel off). It's ready to ride!
​

My stay in OKC has been great. I got to take a look at an Airforce base, and look around Bricktown with my friends, but I'm leaving for Phoenix today
<table border="0">
<tr>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ArigB2hmJcvrWwhBmu4e40GqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TT_FDNtr-pI/AAAAAAAAAsk/lBihv6Lahyc/s400/665_1120.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bqgJpNr0JHNc-uvWd4nZQkGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TT_FDZ2jxJI/AAAAAAAAAso/hB4mKJDknOs/s400/665_1119.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LBo4cjMoaq0qcya8MOCYjkGqRswI2EYJ75wdSsl_daY?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gYzh23QEW8c/TT_FDglApPI/AAAAAAAAAsw/s3d5uHJLBQk/s400/665_1115.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td>
<td>1)the Tower training simulator
(they have screens all around and all the equipment of the real tower to interact with!)
2) Walking up (or down) the stairs to the Control Tower.
3) Looking across the runways at some of the
airplanes parked in the engine testing area</td>
</tr>
</table>

Edit:
Well. I had a bit too much free time waiting on my bike, so I messed around and discovered I could put together stuff on youtube (my pc isn't fast enough to do it). Here's some random stuff that went on while I was in OKC. I'll try to get some moto stuff moving forward now that I know I can do something with it!

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IMtZAvPb6WQ" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>
​

Had I known you were coming through Tallahassee and needing parts I could surely have helped out and had things ready when you got here. PM me if you plan to get this way again.