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157 Posts
So, this happened.
I purchased a second scrambler (Urban Enduro) so that I could finally build it up the way I want. The problem, and solution, is that the bike was about 1,500 miles away. I flew down to Richardson, Texas, USA, and at 9:05 pm local time I began riding the bike home. It would have been earlier but my airline bumped my flight and I was forced to come down about four hours later.
Luckily the gentleman who was selling was amazing and made it easy. On the way home I passed 7 states and one territory (District of Columbia), was exposed to 100+ degree heat and humidity, then when I hit the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was hit with torrential rains that broke trees and branches around me. Thank you rain gear!
I went through Texas, Arkansas, took the bridge across the Mississippi river into Memphis Tennessee, then rode across the whole state, experienced a time change, went into Virginia, saw signs for the Blue Ridge, and went on that as well. Then I finally made it into DC, got into Maryland, rode through Delaware, and ended up in my home state of Pennsylvania.
The cities of note that were stopped in were Richardson, Texas, Little Rock Arkansas, Memphis Tennessee, Nashville Tennessee (where I had the first service done), Knoxville Tennessee, and then I proceeded to get lost somewhere around the Tennessee/Virginia border. Followed signs for a mythical steakhouse and ended up riding around local roads in pitch black for about 20 miles. Then went into Virginia and hit Roanoke, rode though DC, rode through Wilmington, and came home.
All in all, it was 58 hours, 12 minutes, and I rode 1,579 miles to get this baby home.
Some thoughts:
1. I am so damn glad the standard suspension is so soft. The seat is a hard bench, so having soft suspension permitted me to somehow make the ride.
2. Bike kept eating my USB cords. I went through about 4 until I purchased some heavy duty ones.
3. The bike is champ as far as keeping me out of trouble. Somewhere in Tennessee on the highway they were refinishing roads, with no signs. In darkness I changed lanes and my tires got semi-stuck in the grooves. Any other bike I probably would have dropped, but managed to straighten it out and continue riding.
4. Do not follow phantom signs for steakhouses in Tennessee.
5. Raingear is a must. I was bitching for 2/3 of the ride for the additional weight on my backpack and then the skies opened.
6. Bring extra pairs of socks, shirts, layers, and electronic batteries.
7. Notify your bank you are traveling. My card was declined in middle of nowhere while out buying gas after hours. Luckily I packed money and extra methods of payment, but it was still annoying.
8. Water is given but so are fruits. Most food on the road is terrible and greasy--I made it a rule to stop every 120 miles or so for water and typically for an orange or a banana. Kept the energy up for the duration.
9. Emergency supplies are key. About 200 miles from home I essentially got so tired I couldn't move. Then I remembered I packed 2 chocolate protein bars. Ate one, waited 30 minutes, felt better, and did another 100 miles before stopping.
10. Stop, stop, stop, stop when body tells you to. After getting lost in Tennessee and barely finding my way on the highway I couldn't keep the bike up. Got off the moment I saw hotel signs and got a room. Overslept but woke up almost 100%. Worth it.
11. Bring a GoPro. My regret is that I did not. Wherever you ride it is beautiful.
12. People are beautiful for the most part. That made the trip amazing as well.
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I started at 443 miles, and you see where I ended up. Amazing experience
I purchased a second scrambler (Urban Enduro) so that I could finally build it up the way I want. The problem, and solution, is that the bike was about 1,500 miles away. I flew down to Richardson, Texas, USA, and at 9:05 pm local time I began riding the bike home. It would have been earlier but my airline bumped my flight and I was forced to come down about four hours later.
Luckily the gentleman who was selling was amazing and made it easy. On the way home I passed 7 states and one territory (District of Columbia), was exposed to 100+ degree heat and humidity, then when I hit the Blue Ridge Parkway, I was hit with torrential rains that broke trees and branches around me. Thank you rain gear!
I went through Texas, Arkansas, took the bridge across the Mississippi river into Memphis Tennessee, then rode across the whole state, experienced a time change, went into Virginia, saw signs for the Blue Ridge, and went on that as well. Then I finally made it into DC, got into Maryland, rode through Delaware, and ended up in my home state of Pennsylvania.
The cities of note that were stopped in were Richardson, Texas, Little Rock Arkansas, Memphis Tennessee, Nashville Tennessee (where I had the first service done), Knoxville Tennessee, and then I proceeded to get lost somewhere around the Tennessee/Virginia border. Followed signs for a mythical steakhouse and ended up riding around local roads in pitch black for about 20 miles. Then went into Virginia and hit Roanoke, rode though DC, rode through Wilmington, and came home.
All in all, it was 58 hours, 12 minutes, and I rode 1,579 miles to get this baby home.
Some thoughts:
1. I am so damn glad the standard suspension is so soft. The seat is a hard bench, so having soft suspension permitted me to somehow make the ride.
2. Bike kept eating my USB cords. I went through about 4 until I purchased some heavy duty ones.
3. The bike is champ as far as keeping me out of trouble. Somewhere in Tennessee on the highway they were refinishing roads, with no signs. In darkness I changed lanes and my tires got semi-stuck in the grooves. Any other bike I probably would have dropped, but managed to straighten it out and continue riding.
4. Do not follow phantom signs for steakhouses in Tennessee.
5. Raingear is a must. I was bitching for 2/3 of the ride for the additional weight on my backpack and then the skies opened.
6. Bring extra pairs of socks, shirts, layers, and electronic batteries.
7. Notify your bank you are traveling. My card was declined in middle of nowhere while out buying gas after hours. Luckily I packed money and extra methods of payment, but it was still annoying.
8. Water is given but so are fruits. Most food on the road is terrible and greasy--I made it a rule to stop every 120 miles or so for water and typically for an orange or a banana. Kept the energy up for the duration.
9. Emergency supplies are key. About 200 miles from home I essentially got so tired I couldn't move. Then I remembered I packed 2 chocolate protein bars. Ate one, waited 30 minutes, felt better, and did another 100 miles before stopping.
10. Stop, stop, stop, stop when body tells you to. After getting lost in Tennessee and barely finding my way on the highway I couldn't keep the bike up. Got off the moment I saw hotel signs and got a room. Overslept but woke up almost 100%. Worth it.
11. Bring a GoPro. My regret is that I did not. Wherever you ride it is beautiful.
12. People are beautiful for the most part. That made the trip amazing as well.
-----------
I started at 443 miles, and you see where I ended up. Amazing experience
