Cross Country --- I'm HOME!

[JasonD]

bump....leaving tomorrow morning. I can't decide between going from Salt Lake City-Cheyenne-Kansas City or Salt Lake City-Grand Junction-Denver-Kansas City. It's a toss up between mtn scenery and time. I've driven through Wyoming and I'm familiar with it but I've never gone through Colorado on 70(except when I was too young to remember). Also....Can anyone suggest a good cheap hotel around Cheyenne/Denver/Columbia, Mo?

[Kerry]

Can't help you on the lodging but it's too bad I'm flying to Sacramento in a few hours.

Otherwise I'd be tempted to ride most of the way from Salt Lake to Moab with you ... if you decided to go south, that is.  (My sister lives in Moab, and I haven't visited for many months now.)

[JasonD]

Oh, that reminds me, since I'll be posting as I make progress, anyone is free to come out and keep me company.....

[JasonD]

I left caldwell at 9:30 Friday morning, got to Cheyenne, WY roughly 12 hours later....spent the night at the TA Truck Stop....continued on this morning around 7AM...now I'm just outside of Kansas City headed toward St Louis....Dont know how long I'm gonna keep going tonight, but if it stays warm I'm just gonna keep truckin....

P.S. - The rain sucks Wind sucks more

[Phaedrus]

P.S. - The rain sucks Wind sucks more

Yep, thats very true. I'd take riding in the rain (with the exception of a severa thunderstorm, or so heavy you can't see..) over wind anyday.

Are you taking is leisurely or just travelling as fast as possible?

[Gisser]

This is an epic ride so try to enjoy!

I dream about riding around the United States but will never have that block of free time 'til I'm old & gray--or jobless--in which case I won't have the means. 

A family member was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year and spent the next 8 months in & out of hospitals fighting against the inevitable.    That won't happen to me.  I'll be out on my bike going for a long, long ride.     

[JasonD]

Hey folks...sorry I didn't post more. I am home in South Carolina after 2500 miles of rain, wind, mountains, plains, cities, towns, bad drivers, and passing too many semi trucks to count. The bike was flawless the entire way....I was getting around 50 MPG the entire way, and I only spent 120 in gas for 2500 miles. It rained from St Louis, MO to Paducah, KY....and I decided after all that rain that I should sleep and let it pass. When I woke up the next morning it was still raining, and I rode through that storm all the way to Nashville, where it finally let up. The most beautiful part of the ride was going from Tenneesee to North Carolina with no clouds, perfect temperature, and the great smoky mountains. It was an awesome ride, and I'm no worse for wear.

Just to reiterate...the bike was freaking awesome.....I only stopped when I needed gas, and the only time it sputtered is when the main tank went dry.  I only spent 20 dollars on food the whole way. Twice for taco bell and about 20 granola bars. I drank a crapload of bottled water and noticed that riding got alot more uncomfortable when I forgot to drink some water during a stop.

I only had a couple of near death experiences. Once on the interstate leaving Nashville, a dodge pickup pulled into my lane as I was passing him on the left, because he didn't see me. I put out my right hand on his window(out of reflex) and scared the shaZam! out of him as I tried to keep from running into the concrete wall on my left. Flipped him off and rode away....

Second was 3 miles before I got home....a deer jumped in front of me on the highway right after the sun went down. I ended up in the grass from swerving to avoid it...2500 miles and I almost lost it 3 miles from home....

Thanks to the people that let me follow them for endless stretches.....and did their best to entertain me as I looked into their back window. . . . and especially to one couple of ladies(you know who you are)

Thanks to the truckers who taught me that no truck is the same, and the wind gust you get as you pass them will be different everytime...

Thanks to the cops who ignored me the whole way....even as I was tearing through the North Carolina Mtns...I passed several who stared as I went pass and didn't seem to care that I was doing 80 in a 55....

anyways....ttyl....

[Jake D]

bump....leaving tomorrow morning. I can't decide between going from Salt Lake City-Cheyenne-Kansas City or Salt Lake City-Grand Junction-Denver-Kansas City. It's a toss up between mtn scenery and time. I've driven through Wyoming and I'm familiar with it but I've never gone through Colorado on 70(except when I was too young to remember). Also....Can anyone suggest a good cheap hotel around Cheyenne/Denver/Columbia, Mo?

I live in KC now  but I lived in Columbia for like 5 years. 

There is a Hampton Inn off of I-70 and Old 63 Highway, just south of the interstate.  Also, there is a Holiday Inn Executive Center off of I-70 and Stadium but it will cost a bit more.  There is a couple cheap hotels off of the Providence exit.  Very near there there is a Harley dealer that actually will RENT you a Harley.  I know. Wild.  If you get a chance, jump off at Business Loop 50 and go to this strip clup called Club Vogue.  If you want to see home hot college chicks take a cab to Willy's, Tonic, Quentin's, the Field House, or Harpo's.  Nothing makes you feel better than tying one on. 

[scratch]

Glad you made it!  

[pnaberhaus]

You've had a bike adventure, the memories of which will last a lifetime. Glad you made it OK, SC is a pretty state, and I hope things turn out well for you in your new home.

[Caffeine]

Hey folks...sorry I didn't post more. I am home in South Carolina after 2500 miles of rain, wind, mountains, plains, cities, towns, bad drivers, and passing too many semi trucks to count.

[st8racin]

Glad to hear you made it! 

[pnaberhaus]

Jason,
I-40 east of Knoxville into NC to Ashville is one of my favorite pieces of Interstate. I hope that was a stretch of road that you had a chance to enjoy. Where in SC are you calling home? Charleston ranks up there as one nice, genteel city. We head down there almost every year. Great town!

[JasonD]

That stretch of I-40 was my favorite stretch of road the whole trip. And I'm staying in florence...

[yamahonkawazuki]

That stretch of I-40 was my favorite stretch of road the whole trip. And I'm staying in florence...

heh ill be damned i prolly saw you on 40 around knoxville,, (bout 30 mins from my home) least youre close to the almighty dragon now (hint hint wink wink smack smack ) 

[JasonD]

I have no idea what you're talking about  Almighty Dragon 

[Alphamazing]

I have no idea what you're talking about  Almighty Dragon 

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/