The Iron Butt

Bigshovel · #1 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 11:09 PM

I guess it would be safe to say that I probably took this ride a little for granted. I spent couple weeks getting my bike ready since it's an Evo with 50k already on the clock. All the fluids changed, new tires and brakes. I wanted to avoid something simple biting me in my ass.

Time to pack, you want to be ready and I'm the king of overkill. I spent considerable time planning my list as my friend Bagger and I would be traveling through some desolate countryside in the middle of the night. All the basic wrenches, screwdrivers, torx, and allens were packed along with 3 different gauge wires, ringlets and connectors. A small multi-meter was included to aid in any electrical diagnostics. Don't forget the tape and strippers.

A good flashlight with spare batteries as well as three flares just in case we had to stop in a dangerous place. If it got really bad I had my phone, AAA, tie downs, and worse case scenario..... a tow rope. We would at least be able to get off the superslab and to an exit if need be. What if we had a flat? The large can of fix a flat should come in handy. Spare bulbs and spark plugs topped off the list.

Along with the personal clothing, sunscreen was added to the list to keep from burning up on the side of the road. One of the most overlooked items was the bug spray, imagine being on the side of the road at night in swamp country gettin' your ass ate up. A jug of water was also included that could be used in the southern heat and could double as a fuel can if we ran out of gas.

We left Houston around 10:00 in the evening with clear skies and a gentile eastern headwind. About 50 miles into the ride the first band from a tropical storm swept down on us but it was a short visit because we were both headed in different directions. We pulled over to a well lit SAFE area an donned our rain gear. While we we putting it on, the rain stopped and we both elected to only wear the bottoms for the pooled water on the freeway and the mist from the cages. I always wax my windshield on both sides along with my clear glasses to shed the rain.....it works like Rain-x without destroying the Lexan.

We were pretty lucky through Louisiana and the trip was pretty much uneventful aside from dodging the grooves and holes in the freeway. When we got on the East side Of New Orleans we hit rain again right in the middle of a long construction zone. The only bad thing about long distance riding at night is you can't see the the clouds and how they are behaving. You are hammering along at 75 or 80 and all the sudden you get doused. The benefit is a lot less traffic except truckers and they seem to be most respectful and courteous as a general rule. Your bike runs a lot better with the cooler dense air and not near as hot, not to mention the blaring sun not beating down on you.

Our stops were only for gas and a smoke and they grew longer each time. Bagger had already been up all night and I had got hammered the night before (shocker, I know). I put in ear plugs between every other gas stop to break the monotony of the howling wind in my ears. When you do that all you can hear is the music of the Harley motor thumping between your legs....and it is good. Dawn broke before our eyes around the Alabama boarder as we approached Mobile Bay. I have traveled all over the world and much of it on my Harley, I have to tell you it brought a tear to my eye seeing how beautiful the coastal plains with gently rolling hills are at daybreak crossing a wide open bay on the causeway.

I stood with Bagger at a gas stop overlooking Mobile Bay having a cigarette and thought to myself.....it don't get any better than this. I love my country, there is no place like it. There is nothing like seeing America on American iron.

The next entry will be the ride from Mobile to South Carolina, later :mrgreen:

CoolMaker · #2 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 12:03 AM

Okey Dokey, we want the rest of the story...... :roll:

Mominatrix · #3 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 12:15 AM

Great Job!!! Can't wait to read about the rest of the ride.

bagger · #4 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 12:23 AM

"What" I cant hear ya, all I hear is your V & H :lol: Great Write Jon!!
Cant wait to read the rest..

Kate · #5 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 12:47 AM

* tapping foot impatiently* lol

wrecker · #6 (**permalink**) 08-22-2007, 12:53 AM

great write up so fair , want to hear about the trip back ! aether way both of you did a kick ass job of getting that iron butt in , there has only been a few times that i have done it myself , and as my butt quits hurting i remember each one with a smile , great partying with you