Storm's Summer Motorcycle Adventure

[storm 64]

I've been wanting to get back on the road since my last trip to Colorado two years ago. I was contemplating on where to go. Well, last October my cousin passed away he was only 50 years old. Well that made my decision on where to go easier. I need to go visit my other cousins, its been over 20 years since I've last seen them. They live in Arizona, what better place to go! So, the planning has started, saving money and vacation time I'm able to go on a three week road trip! The first part of my trip will be going to the GSR Rally in Bedford Indiana. After goofing around in Indiana for a couple of days, I'm off to the south to Memphis hopefully I get there in time for dinner. The next day I'll be heading to Lafayette Louisiana, I lived in Lafayette for a couple of years after graduating high school. I want to visit my old boss and eat some Cajun food. The next leg of the trip is going across Texas on interstate 10! Those are going to be long HOT days! I'll be stopping in the Austin Texas aria. Then make my way across Texas to Las Cruces New Mexico. That will set up for a easy day riding into Bisbee Arizona, my destination. The next few days will be heading north through Arizona, Utah Colorado. After taking in the views, I'll be working my way back home to Ohio. I'm not sure what route I'll take home, eather rt70 or 80....
The motorcycle I will be riding is a 2017 Harley Street Glide Tour King. NEVER! Haha. It will be my 1979 Suzuki GS1000E! I couldn't think of a better motorcycle to take(well maybe the GS 1150). If anyone has any advice or things I need to do or see please let me know. If anyone would like to meet up for lunch or dinner along my way that would be great too. I'm not in a big hurry to get anywhere, I plan on doing just 400 mile days, maybe more maybe less. I'll be using this post to keep updates on my adventure for anyone interested. ☺

 

[trlsrider]

looking forward to when you show up in Moab....
you NEED to ride the million dollar highway route and western Colorado roads besides Moab area stuff

 

[GSXR7ED]

Hey Norm,

I'll be checking your progress and updates. Ride safe!


Ed

 

[Steve]

Be sure to take a long-sleeve flannel shirt. :-k If you wet it down and wear it under your riding jacket, it's a GREAT air conditioner for your anticpated 100-degree days.

Bring the shirt to Brown County, I can fill in the details on how to use it properly. :encouragement:

We will be doing a similar trip next year (2018), but will be mostly staying north of your route. Our major destinations are Glacier National Park and Yosemite National Park. Will also stop by my sister's new house in Utah. Also a three week trip, might get in as many as 7000 miles in up to 34 states.

We can compare notes in Bedford.

.

 

[dorkburger]

Norm, sorry for the loss of your cousin.

If you dig blues music Memphis is the spot. We spent a night on Beale St sampling the local music.
Wonderful....
We drove an Elcamino with no A/C across RT 10.... yes hot. And that was in May. The bread on my
sandwich started to dry up within 10 minutes.

Two thumbs up for doing this on an old GS.

 

[gbw]

I'm in. See you in Bedford. Can't wait to see the new Harley

 

[Steve]

If you dig blues music Memphis is the spot. We spent a night on Beale St sampling the local music.
Wonderful....

As much as Memphis has a reputation for Blues, it's even better in Clarksdale, MS.

.

 

[Charlie G]

I'd consider taking a little road trip and meet you for lunch or dinner. I have a feeling I owe you a beer or two. I have a friend in St. George UT I'd like to visit as well. Keep us posted. Consider a "Camelback" backpack for having a constant water supply on demand.

 

[Vmass]

That sounds awesome, ride safe.

 

[storm 64]

I'd consider taking a little road trip and meet you for lunch or dinner. I have a feeling I owe you a beer or two. I have a friend in St. George UT I'd like to visit as well. Keep us posted. Consider a "Camelback" backpack for having a constant water supply on demand.

Hey Charlie, sure it would be great seeing you, but you don't owe me anything... I looked up where St.George is on the map. That's doable, if I can find a way around that big hole in the ground. (Grand Canyon)
Hey Dorkburger, that sandwich you had that dried out in 10 minutes. That's what you call "Texas Toast " haha
Steve, I like your hillbilly air-conditioning idea. (No offense to the hillbillies out there). Makes sense to me

 

[storm 64]

I had a great time at the Brown County Rally. After goofing around at the rally for a few days I'm off to extend my adventure. I made it to Grenada Mississippi, about 60 miles out of Memphis, a 535 mile day. The motorcycle ran great, well except it did give me a scare. I pulled in to get gas, I also had a ice cream cone. Well, pulling out of the gas station it DIED. I pushed it back to the station, pulled the sidecover off, a blown fuse! I replaced the fuse, no problems for the next 250 miles. Hopefully it won't be a future problem. It didn't really blow, it just got hot and melted the lead. After thinking about it, I think the motorcycle was just mad because I had a ice cream cone and it didn't... I did go through downtown Memphis, but I didn't stop. To many people and I had all my luggage strapped to the bike. I'll have a easy day tomorrow, only 325 miles to Lafayette Louisiana

 

[Steve]

Sounds good, Norm, looking forward to your "air conditioning" experiences. :encouragement:

.

 

[ddaniels]

Nice seeing you again Norm. Stay safe on your trip. Looking forward to the updates.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Bisbee is one of my favorite places in Arizona. A mile high, hidden in a cleft in a valley, huge mining and Old West history, a few fantastic restaurants and bars. Do the Copper Queen Mine tour, for sure, and grab a beer at The Stock Exchange. If you like pizza, get out to Screaming Banshee! They rock.

 

[storm 64]

After leaving Grenada Mississippi, I rode to Jackson Mississippi. I got off the highways for some two lane sightseeing. I rode the Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez Louisiana. A nice road with very little traffic and a bunch of historical landmarks along the way. Leaving Natchez I rode along the Mississippi River and it's related swamp lands. I got lost a couple of times, but it's fun asking the locals for directions. I also got blasted with a thunderstorm! It didn't last to long and got sunny and hot the rest of the way to Lafayette. It looks like rain here today. I'm debating on blowing out of here and start heading west... Oh, the motorcycle is running great, with no blown fuses.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

While you are in Bisbee, make sure to get out to Tombstone for a jaunt.

 

[Charlie G]

Any idea when you're going through Northern Arizona or Southern Utah?

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Depending on when you get to Bisbee, I might be able to meet you to see Tombstone.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Any pictures yet Norm?

 

[storm 64]

I planned on spending the whole day in Lafayette, but after chatting with my former boss, getting a plate lunch (BBQ pork steak, rice, something else I don't know what it was, oh and a Boudan link) I jumped on interstate 10 and motored west. Since I got a late start I wasn't going to make it to Austin. Houston, how about the Houston Space Center!! I had a wonderful time looking at all the space stuff. Particularly I liked looking at the engineering and machine work. When I'm at work I always say "it's good enough, it's not for NASA!" Well this stuff was! The motorcycle is running great. However I wish I had a spare clutch cable. The shop in Lafayette was not interested in matching one up. They immediately said nope don't got one... Tomorrow I'm off to Austin Texas for lunch and maybe a haircut then I'll stop somewhere in the middle of Texas. I'm feeling pretty good, no Advil or nothing like that. Tomorrow's ride will be easy I'll have air conditioning! ☺