Sunday, August 22, 2010

Sunflowers and Wasp

Track me

  • You may track my whereabouts through the magic of the iPhone's Family Tracker application. Click here to see where I am now. Please don't panic if my dot doesn't move for several hours, it needs an internet connection and the AT&T network coverage is limited where I am headed.

Day 1 Highlights
  • Long day - almost 500 miles.  Made it to Dickinson ND arrived about 6:00 pm.
  • Best surprise was the huge sunflower fields.  Hundreds of acres in full bloom all facing the sun.
  • Most of I-94 in ND is in pristine condition. Click here for a time lapse video "Across ND in two minutes".
  • Although the afternoon temps were in the 90s, I felt cool in my vented jacket.  Skin feels the dew point at high speed.
  • Every inch of my skin is covered when riding except just under my chin and jaw.  A wasp blew around the windshield and stung me!  I was talking to my brother in Atlanta (Bluetooth headset in helmet) at the time.  Thanks for the concern, Greg.
  • Despite a very strong tailwind, I only averaged about 42 MPG gas mileage ... I usually get 46.  I guess that's the penalty for hauling 200 pounds of gear and the higher speed limit in ND (75 MPH).
  • At one fill-up I put 4.66 gallons into a tank that Harley-Davidson says only holds 4.5.  Riding on fumes, should have filled up in Bismarck ND, there is a lot of vacant prairie from there to Glen Ullin.
  • Evening - long soak in the tub, pasta dinner, a few beers. The hotel lounge has a "casino" with two blackjack tables and pulltabs. I won $55, enough to buy today's gasoline.
Day 2 Outlook
  •  The Sunday goal is Havre (does that rhyme with Favre?) Montana. The forecast looks great: sunny with a lot of grasshoppers.
  • Yesterday's ride was all interstate.  I will leave I-94 at Glendive MT and take the road less traveled.  (Note to self: fill the reserve tank!!)

No comments: