I just completed my third SS1000 / 1600 ride. After the first two I figured this one would be a 'charm'. I wanted to add the Lower Great lakes SS1000 to my Lake Huron ride a month ago. Started out well enough with route advice from other caring IBs' and after a while even the sun was shining with warmer than normal temps for the locale. The air was also aromatic with the scent of fresh asphalt for about 3-4 hours.
A minor problem with I-80/90 access near Toledo being closed, then my cheapo GPS [running on Windows CE] crashed out. My new phone didn't have data roaming enabled yet ..... no help there ! Found my way just the same though. traveling on a local highway until Fremont - nice day, no problem !
Everything went well on the I-90 until nearing Syracuse, New York, wheren the traffic flow was like being trapped in a concertina, 140 kph [85 mph] then 10 or less ! Who knew you could do a 'stoppie' with a 97 R1100RT with 240 pounds of old man on it ?
Fatigue gets every thing .... the mounting of the Temperature, Fuel, and Gear indicator gave up and it slipped down inside the dash.... went for the emergency tape that is still in the old tankbag ! POR [press on regardless] because I can count up AND down, I know my fuel range, and oil temp has not been a problem yet.
Finally get to the border crossing back into Canada only to pick the one lane with the most sociable agent .... guess what ? Oilheads get irritable when left at idle too long and a temperature indicator would let you know that.... if you could see it ! No harm done.
Finally get through that delay only to exit the bridge to an emergency road closure causing a liesurely detour along a scenic parkway ..... at night!
Finally get to last stretch and 2nd to last stop for a break and fuel ..... only to find that our holiday weekend and some special event has packed that service/rest stop. Press on to the next one which is much better ! 8 fuel pumps - no waiting except the one I pick won't work or let go of my card !- another 20 minutes to sort that out.
Exactly 21 Hours and 1848 Km or 1145 Miles later I returned to my driveway .... SUCCESS !
Lessons learned
1. Check ALL your gear .... TWICE
2. Check all your planned routes and have an alternate.
3. Never assume nothing else can go wrong !
4. Pay attention all the time, espescially when things are going well !
Would do it again in a heartbeat !
A minor problem with I-80/90 access near Toledo being closed, then my cheapo GPS [running on Windows CE] crashed out. My new phone didn't have data roaming enabled yet ..... no help there ! Found my way just the same though. traveling on a local highway until Fremont - nice day, no problem !
Everything went well on the I-90 until nearing Syracuse, New York, wheren the traffic flow was like being trapped in a concertina, 140 kph [85 mph] then 10 or less ! Who knew you could do a 'stoppie' with a 97 R1100RT with 240 pounds of old man on it ?
Fatigue gets every thing .... the mounting of the Temperature, Fuel, and Gear indicator gave up and it slipped down inside the dash.... went for the emergency tape that is still in the old tankbag ! POR [press on regardless] because I can count up AND down, I know my fuel range, and oil temp has not been a problem yet.
Finally get to the border crossing back into Canada only to pick the one lane with the most sociable agent .... guess what ? Oilheads get irritable when left at idle too long and a temperature indicator would let you know that.... if you could see it ! No harm done.
Finally get through that delay only to exit the bridge to an emergency road closure causing a liesurely detour along a scenic parkway ..... at night!
Finally get to last stretch and 2nd to last stop for a break and fuel ..... only to find that our holiday weekend and some special event has packed that service/rest stop. Press on to the next one which is much better ! 8 fuel pumps - no waiting except the one I pick won't work or let go of my card !- another 20 minutes to sort that out.
Exactly 21 Hours and 1848 Km or 1145 Miles later I returned to my driveway .... SUCCESS !
Lessons learned
1. Check ALL your gear .... TWICE
2. Check all your planned routes and have an alternate.
3. Never assume nothing else can go wrong !
4. Pay attention all the time, espescially when things are going well !
Would do it again in a heartbeat !