Day's 2 & 3: Hammer Down

Apologies for yesterday's failure to post; chalk it up to operator error. That said and update is in order. Bluntly put we be making miles; details as follows:

Friday Day 2
Cadiz, KY to Kansas City, MO (Platte City)
Distance: 515 mi (wow). Alan has a riding credo, start early - end early. Well, we got half the msg right and got out of Kentucky early - we just forgot to quit early.

The ride was exclusively an east to west affair. We didn't even make it past the Interstate on-ramp before we broke out the rain gear. Lots of rain all through KY and into Southern Illinois. Not much fun but it provided a much needed hydro test of our equipment. Alan found his saddlebag rain covers are not up to the task, plan B is under consideration. Sun came out in force just east of St Louis and it continued to be sunny and hot the rest of the day.

Pictures of the St Louis Arch, Gateway to the West, and the Mississippi River. Due to unfriendly and inaccessible scenic vantage points these photos were taken at speed from the motorcycle - not a recommended practice.

Got to KC late and very beat. Discovered a cool little town while hunting for a place to eat: Platte City, which looked just like a southern small-town, ie Ocilla, with a courthouse square; but no Johnny Reb statue out front. Found a happening little tavern full of friendly locals and an excellent KC Strip steak next door. After that it was lights out.

As a public service, and to add some educational value to this journal, I share the following for those who ride. As you are probably aware there is a severe condition that afficts long distance motorcycle riders after hours in the saddle. The condition results uncontrollably fidgety behavior, and is known by its medical name as: monkey-butt. Over the years savvy riders have discovered that baby powder, or talc, applied to one's southern end can help alleviate this condition. Safety warning: If implementing this remedy do not use medicated, or mentholated, powder. The author declines to reveal how this information was obtained.

Saturday, Day 3
Distance: 405 miles
Kansas City, MO to Mitchell, South Dakota
Again, up early, but hurting. Alan is suffering from a head cold. It appears to be getting better but it impacted his sleep last night. I just hurt all over from too much saddle and sun. Still were proud to be here and we we get after it with minimal complaining.

Just as yesterday was all east-to-west, today is all south-to-north. The scenery is really starting to change: things have gotten very flat and the distance between anything has increased dramatically. Most of today's ride parralled the Missouri River and the Lewis & Clark trail. Lush green farm land in all directions. Dakota makes rural Georgia look like Manhattan by comparison.

We passed through Vermillion, SD, the home of US Senator Tim Johnson. I don't know much about Sen. Johnson other then he rid us of ex-Sen Tom Daschel - so I gave a big cheer.

Alan had his first encounter of the animal kind: a young turkey or a large grouse - could have been a dog with wings - it was pretty darn big. The bird flushed from the right side road edge, Alan was looking left, and it came across the road at head height. I saw the whole thing from behind, and without any depth perception was certain that Alan would be hit. Alan estimates ~10 ft clearance. However, 10 ft at 70 mph is mighty tight.

Additionally, Alan's bike seems to be burning oil. We pulled off in Souix City, SD and just happened to find this very excellent and well stocked motorcycle shop. Alan, being the motorcycle connoisseur he is demands synthetic oil for his machines, so the normal road side stops weren't cutting it. This shop had just what we needed. However, in an interesting application of industry cluster theory we note that the motorcycle shop is co-located with the adult entertainment establishment next door. We guess this is convenient for the average client that frequents both - now at the same time.