Monday, June 18, 2012

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis

Everyday for 7 Weeks Banner The last day of the trip. This day has been creeping steadily closer. I haven’t wanted it to come, but it must.
I woke up early hoping to avoid the pounding rain and thunderstorms from last night as I escaped Omaha and rode north. I was warned that I could run into traffic unless I left after 9am. Traffic? In Omaha?! Hah! I left around 8am, and there were a few cars on the road, but nothing I would call traffic especially after the mess I had been in while in California. I did find some traffic later in the day however.
I took I-80 and then I-35. The storms from last night were hanging around to the north, and I didn’t want to get caught in that 60mph+ wind! No visit to Sioux Falls on this adventure it seems.
Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis
Moments after I finished loading the bike, the rain started again. I slowly pulled out the rain gear and put it on while trying not to be annoyed. Ten minutes out of town it seemed to clear up. It wasn’t raining anymore, but the roads were still wet. Not a good sign.
Further up the road my stomach gave me the signal that the muffin I partially munched on needed to be ejected and fast. I had bought the muffin a day earlier in Lincoln, but I’m guessing the day in Omaha in the hot sun made it go south. The first bite tasted a little funny, and it wasn’t until bite four that I threw it away.
Note to self, don’t store perishable muffins in black top case in a 95+ day.
A rest stop appeared at the critical moment and I made my way inside to take care of business. I have some sympathy now for the women riders out there. Taking off a one-piece rain suit and the rest of my moto-gear took entirely too long, but everything worked out.
Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis
It was quite the spectacle. A storm followed me into the rest area and unleashed while I was inside. The thunder shook the building and the lightning made the lights flicker. The rain sounded like machine gun bullets pounding on the roof. It was loud. Quite a crowd had gathered inside as well. It was standing room only in the hallway.
By the time I got my gear back on and made it outside the storm had slowed considerably. A strong one like that can’t last for long. I finished putting my gear back on and hopped on the bike. I was glad that no one at the rest stop tried to make a stupid comment like “nice day to be on the bike” or some other stupid, but entirely way to common comment when a motorcyclist is in less than perfect conditions.
Who is the space man on the right?
Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis
Oh that’s me in the totally stylin rain gear
Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis
The rest of the ride north on I-35 was quiet. The temps rose and the sky cleared up. The traffic also got thicker and more silly the further north I went.
It was nice to see MN license plates again. I hadn’t seen one the entire trip on a car until yesterday. I enjoyed seeing the “Minnesota Welcomes You” sign. I always do.
Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis
We need more HOV lanes in MN! The traffic was nasty.
Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis
I arrived back in town to experience the start of Friday afternoon rush hour, but it also meant I was home in time for dinner as requested by my wife.
Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis
It was good trip. I’m glad I went, and I would do it again in a second. My SV650 needs a bit of attention before I can take it anywhere though. The rear tire is showing cords again, the rear sprocket is VERY thin and hooked, changing the oil would be good, and the chain sounds like rice krispies. Fortunately, I have all of those things ready and waiting. I just need some time.
The SV reunited with the rest of the gang. They look a tad jealous, and the cobwebs on the Ural are a bit sad.
Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 49 - Omaha to Minneapolis

20 comments:

  1. Welcome back to MN! I've been following your trip the whole way. Thanks for sharing all the photos and stories.

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    1. thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the posts. I enjoyed writing them.

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  2. Glad you're home safe and sound. I've enjoyed reading the posts from the road and checking out all the pics. Yours and a few other blogs have me hankering for a trip state-side one day...

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    1. good to be home. thanks for the support. I'm glad you enjoyed the posts and pics! If you swing near MN, give me a shout.

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  3. Welcome home. I bet it feels good to be back. That was quite a ride you had. Are you going to post an after ride update of miles and such?

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    1. Thanks! Yes, I just posted the week 7 round up that has some of that. I intend to post something longer and more reflective in the future as well.

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  4. Hooray you made it home. A little worse for wear, but think of all the memories good and bad. And by bad I mean bad muffins. Glad that didn't turn out worse.

    I can imagine you were very happy to sleep in your own bed and your wife was happy to have you home too. Is your cat confused now that you are home after 7 weeks?

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    1. the bike a bit worse for wear, but not me :) yes, the muffin incident could have been more exciting. I should have trusted my tongue and stopped sooner than bite six. It tasted off.

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  5. sorry about the muffin fiasco, but great trip!
    oh how i long for your traffic... ;)

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    1. lol. our traffic doesn't last as long, but is more painful than yours. only two roads have HOV and no splitting. just miles of cars idling engines. bleh.

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  6. This series of posts are a great trip report. Now to start planning for the next trip.

    10,000+ miles and only a worn chain and sprocket. Pretty good reliability.

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    1. yup, SV650 is a great bike! the next trip... where will I go. hmm..

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  7. Welcome home. I bet the wife is happy to have you back, the SV needs TLC, and the neglected other bikes in the stable some serious attention. (Also, there might be some honey-do things lingering...).
    Thanks Chris, for taking us along on this epic road trip. I enjoyed every bit of it.

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    1. thanks! we are happy to be back together. SV has almost been fixed up. I still need to replace the rear brake pads. the other bikes can wait. (we don't do honey-do lists).

      glad you could follow along. I enjoyed your company and comments.

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  8. Dude, so what are you saying? Your bowels knew enough to get out of the rain? :)

    Glad you're home safe....

    dom


    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

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    1. a coincidence of timing between eating tainted food and a thunder storm. or maybe that weather station I ate it finally paying off.

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  9. Chris:

    I can relate to your bad muffin. I have to watch what I eat for exactly this reason. Glad you are home safe and sound. It was a great adventure and I don't think I could have done it. Thank you for all your photos

    It's always good to come home

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    1. glad you enjoyed the adventure bob. It was fun for me as well.

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  10. There, I have just read about your entire trip in one sitting!

    The last few posts seemed to flash by, no doubt a reflection of you riding some serious miles each day in your journey northbound towards home. I’d like to know your favourite areas on your trip. From reading, I would say you enjoyed the PCH, Arizona and Colorado the best.

    It seemed that the wet weather you experienced at the beginning of the trip hadn’t moved much and was still there to greet you on your return!

    I thoroughly enjoyable read – thanks for showing us many new places and some familiar ones too.....

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    1. the entire trip? all 49 daily posts and 7 weekly posts? wow.

      interesting you felt the PCH, Arizona, and Colorado were my faves, but not Alaska and IFP? hmm.

      My actual faves? I'll talk more about in a future post, but Seward, IFP, PCH between Monterrey and San Simeon come to mind quickly.

      glad you enjoyed my adventure Gary! thanks for all the comments.

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