Coast to Coast
- Thread starter 09UltraSteve
- Start date
09UltraSteve
Member
Day 22 07/26/09
Left Billings on I-90 and took the I-94 split toward North Dakota. Speed limit was 75 and only one 5 mile spot of road constrution and it only slowed down to 65. Had a really strong cross wind coming out of the North that made it interesting but later in the day it deminished. Road 500 miles to Valley City. Really though it was going to be a down pour a little before Miles City, MT. You could tell it was raining hard up ahead and when the road got wet, pulled over and suited up and put the rain covers on all the bags. I think stopping let the rain move on out. Only road in light sprinkles and the spray from the trucks as you passed them. Stopped in Miles City to gas up and eat a bite, it was still sprinkling after lunch so left the suit on, only to stop 30 miles down the road to take it off. The sun went down before getting to Valley City and the bugs were out in full force. I have never riden through bugs like this before. You could watch on the windshield and just see them spatter in multiples. i will shoot some better pictures in the AM before I wash them off. I'm only 1500 miles from home.........
Leaving Billings
Rain clouds
Cleared up after lunch
North Dakota Line
Oh, I took the exit to the scales by accident (they were closed) they had a digital readout in the window so I rode across and stopped. I don't know how accurate they are at lower wieghts but it said I wieghed 1300 lbs. Didn't think about taking a picture.
A really big cow.
A cool mirroe sunset picture. I think it would have come out better if the mirror was clean.
Bugs....................................
Till next time.
Left Billings on I-90 and took the I-94 split toward North Dakota. Speed limit was 75 and only one 5 mile spot of road constrution and it only slowed down to 65. Had a really strong cross wind coming out of the North that made it interesting but later in the day it deminished. Road 500 miles to Valley City. Really though it was going to be a down pour a little before Miles City, MT. You could tell it was raining hard up ahead and when the road got wet, pulled over and suited up and put the rain covers on all the bags. I think stopping let the rain move on out. Only road in light sprinkles and the spray from the trucks as you passed them. Stopped in Miles City to gas up and eat a bite, it was still sprinkling after lunch so left the suit on, only to stop 30 miles down the road to take it off. The sun went down before getting to Valley City and the bugs were out in full force. I have never riden through bugs like this before. You could watch on the windshield and just see them spatter in multiples. i will shoot some better pictures in the AM before I wash them off. I'm only 1500 miles from home.........
Leaving Billings
Rain clouds
Cleared up after lunch
North Dakota Line
Oh, I took the exit to the scales by accident (they were closed) they had a digital readout in the window so I rode across and stopped. I don't know how accurate they are at lower wieghts but it said I wieghed 1300 lbs. Didn't think about taking a picture.
A really big cow.
A cool mirroe sunset picture. I think it would have come out better if the mirror was clean.
Bugs....................................
Till next time.
bikermoses
Banned
Sweet stuff man and yeap that scale is on brother and if you head into michigan through the UP and south and need a pad to crash at hit me up.
RetiredJake
Junior Member
I told you that you would enjoy Beartooth Pass. I haven't been there for a while, but you got the juices flowing for next year ideas.
Jake
Jake
09UltraSteve
Member
Day 23 07/27/09
Left the land of bugs (Valley City, ND) We did stop at a car wash to try and get most of the bugs off. Stopped into an auto part's store to get some prewash bug remover and the guys at the counter said the bugs were not as bad as usual. I don't know but I have never had or saw a bike with that many bugs on it.
Stayed on I-94 all day today. Made a quick stop at Fargo Harley then headed into Minnesota. Went thru the Minneapolis/St. Paul area right in rush hour traffic, but it wasn't too bad. Stopped for the night in Madison.
Daylight pictures of the bugs.
All Clean
Lakes/ponds that produce all the bugs.
Fargo Harley
Minnesota
Lots of farms
Wisconsin
More farms (Dairy)
Left the land of bugs (Valley City, ND) We did stop at a car wash to try and get most of the bugs off. Stopped into an auto part's store to get some prewash bug remover and the guys at the counter said the bugs were not as bad as usual. I don't know but I have never had or saw a bike with that many bugs on it.
Stayed on I-94 all day today. Made a quick stop at Fargo Harley then headed into Minnesota. Went thru the Minneapolis/St. Paul area right in rush hour traffic, but it wasn't too bad. Stopped for the night in Madison.
Daylight pictures of the bugs.
All Clean
Lakes/ponds that produce all the bugs.
Fargo Harley
Minnesota
Lots of farms
Wisconsin
More farms (Dairy)
09UltraSteve
Member
Day 24 07/28/09
Today was a short day only went from Madison, WI to Indianapolis, IN. About 380 miles. I took I-39 to I-74 into Indy. Went to dinner with friends and crashed at one of there houses. Had Some Guys Pizza which is really good.
I missed the Illinois and Indiana state signs.
I liked the pumkin head topper on this silo.
Today was a short day only went from Madison, WI to Indianapolis, IN. About 380 miles. I took I-39 to I-74 into Indy. Went to dinner with friends and crashed at one of there houses. Had Some Guys Pizza which is really good.
I missed the Illinois and Indiana state signs.
I liked the pumkin head topper on this silo.
09UltraSteve
Member
Day 25 07/29/09 Last Day
Left Indy in the rain and it looked like I would be in and out of the rain all day. I can not complain tho this will be the only day in the rain out of 25. I also never put on my heavy leather coat.
Left Indy on I-70 to Dayton, OH then turned South on 35 to Charleston, WV. The entire ride on 35 ended up being in a heavy rain that stopped as soon as I got on I-64. It was just patches of rain the rest of the way home. Turned off I-64 onto Route 60 to Powhatan, VA (home)
I could only take pictures when it wasn't raining and I really didn't want to stop. I made the 640 mile trip in just under 11 hours. I arrived home at 9:15 PM
Leaving Indy
Charleston, WV I was really glad it was dry thru here. This is a blast on a scooter.
Hello VA
Blue Ridge Parkway, only a little over an hour to go............
Closer but going to get wet again
I thought I was going to get in a downpour for sure. even had a Lightning bolt hit so close that there was hardly any delay in the crash sound, that was scary.
HOME
The total miles were 8,832 and my back tire still has meat on it with 14,759 total miles on the bike.
I will post more about the trip later
Steve
Left Indy in the rain and it looked like I would be in and out of the rain all day. I can not complain tho this will be the only day in the rain out of 25. I also never put on my heavy leather coat.
Left Indy on I-70 to Dayton, OH then turned South on 35 to Charleston, WV. The entire ride on 35 ended up being in a heavy rain that stopped as soon as I got on I-64. It was just patches of rain the rest of the way home. Turned off I-64 onto Route 60 to Powhatan, VA (home)
I could only take pictures when it wasn't raining and I really didn't want to stop. I made the 640 mile trip in just under 11 hours. I arrived home at 9:15 PM
Leaving Indy
Charleston, WV I was really glad it was dry thru here. This is a blast on a scooter.
Hello VA
Blue Ridge Parkway, only a little over an hour to go............
Closer but going to get wet again
I thought I was going to get in a downpour for sure. even had a Lightning bolt hit so close that there was hardly any delay in the crash sound, that was scary.
HOME
The total miles were 8,832 and my back tire still has meat on it with 14,759 total miles on the bike.
I will post more about the trip later
Steve
RetiredJake
Junior Member
Glad to see you made it back safe. Aren't all day wet rides a blast? Congrats on a great trip.