Ride Report - Spearfish to New York and return - The End & a few Pix from along the way.

[bigjohnsd]

Day one: Slabbed it across South Dakota. Mid 90's most of the day. Holed up in Motel now with severe thunderstorms headed this way and flash flood warning out. Bike is in the lee of a minivan.

I have to meet a guy in the early morning before I can press on towards Chicago. Not looking forward to riding into the back of tonight's storms.

Happy with the Darkside BFG today.

I think it cuts into fuel mileage, though it could be 80mph for 5 hours and a headwind.

 

[Pterodactyl]

Mid 90s does not sound fun. After two weeks of 90s and 100s here, today's high was 65. Hope the cooler weather catches you tonight.

 

[Hornet Pilot]

John, if you need any repairs or just some rest I am near milwaukee just north of Chicago. Open invite!

 

[Tyler]

Safe travels, John... have been hearing about rainstorms of epic proportions out that way... be careful! B)

 

[stevec677]

Hey John, Where are you headed to in New York? We could meet up if you want. - Steve

 

[Pterodactyl]

Hey..... I thought the terms of Festar's admission to the country included you serving as his third party custodian. This requires you to keep him within an arms length at all times. Next thing I know you are on your way to slaughter Tweety Bird in NY and I'm sitting in a coffee shop with Festar in Montana. At least he bought.

 

[Tyler]

Hey..... I thought the terms of Festar's admission to the country included you serving as his third party custodian. This requires you to keep him within an arms length at all times. Next thing I know you are on your way to slaughter Tweety Bird in NY and I'm sitting in a coffee shop with Festar in Montana. At least he bought.

I think custodial duties just got passed on to you... :lol:

 

[bigjohnsd]

So glad me Mate has a Warden! He is not cheap, but can be difficult

 

[bigjohnsd]

Yesterday, Monday, which saw me, along with 40 other poor, tired and sleepy Motel guests huddled in an interior "take shelter" space in a Sioux Falls SD Motel did not get a lot better once on the road. Though no tornado appeared there apparently was one not more than two miles north and a little west for a short time.

I intentionally slept in till 0630 then fooled around to let the previous nights storms get clear to the East.

I left Sioux falls in the rain about 0800, light rain but still rain, and ran in said rain as far as LaCrosse WI. At least it was cool, temps in the low 70s were quite comfortable even wearing full rain regalia.

I'm glad to report that the new Darkside special on the rear of the Gray Ghost worked just fine.

After lunch in LaCrosse I continued slabbing towards Lake Zurich IL, heading East on US 12 just North of the IL border. Arrived here at 1830. Not a long or hard day, but a wet one in the morning. Here today and tomorrow then across Michigan and up to London Ontario.

 

[Top_Speed1]

You're coming here, I'm going there. Criss-cross? hehe. And your mileage is down mainly b/c of the 80+ mph speeds. Who cares tho, enjoy and I hope the heat lifts a bit for you John.

-KJ

 

[yamafitter]

....Here today and tomorrow then across Michigan and up to London Ontario.

Are you crossing at Buffalo? If not and you are going to run the north shore of Lake Ontario PM me and I'll buy you a coffee at Timmy's in Bowmanville.

I should warn you however, that would mean dealing with Toronto traffic. Everybody told me Chicago traffic was horrendous. They are a bunch of pussies compared to Toronto.

 

[Iver]

Big John rolled in around 3pm. We had some chill time time on the deck and then some serious trip planning for my attack on the west following the Indy GP. As always it is great to have the big man in town.

 

[bigjohnsd]

....Here today and tomorrow then across Michigan and up to London Ontario.

Are you crossing at Buffalo? If not and you are going to run the north shore of Lake Ontario PM me and I'll buy you a coffee at Timmy's in Bowmanville.

I should warn you however, that would mean dealing with Toronto traffic. Everybody told me Chicago traffic was horrendous. They are a bunch of pussies compared to Toronto.

I'm crossing at Niagra, I've done Toronto traffic once and that was enough. Would love to take you up on the Timmy Coffee, but..... You could always come west to Niagara.

 

[bigjohnsd]

In London Ontario for the night. FJR Forum member, but infrequent contributor, "Iver", is hosting me for the evening. I know him from my other Forum life on the Upland Journal.

He and his lovely wife Sharon have watered and fed me really well,food porn photo to follow..

Left Chicago (Lake Zurich) on the North West side about 0530. Hopped on 290 and set the cruise at 70mph, didn't take the cruise off until I was in Indiana and needed coffee and Breakfast. Traffic was moving well.

Uneventful 75mph journey across Indiana and Michigan and then across the border at Sarnia and East to London arriving to cold beer and a fine dinner.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Tomorrow I'll head towards Niagra Falls in the morning, then rendezvous with an old Roadstar Warrior, now also FJR owner, in Buffalo.

 

[VMaxChuck]

How about a pic of that new rear tire John???

 

[Pterodactyl]

See the "Going to the Darkside" thread, post 4009.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/141913-going-to-the-dark-side/

 

[bigjohnsd]

Double post, sorry

 

[bigjohnsd]

After a big rain overnight in London Ontario, i awoke to Grey skies and a steady drizzle. All was not lost as my friend Alan and I toured the local Motorcycle dealers. it is expensive in kanuckistan by the way.

I left my friends in just as soon as the sun shone through, about 1400.

An uneventful but grey ride to Niagara, a no wait crossing back into Estados Unidos, did have to remove my helmet for the friendly border agent.

A quick and ride to my friends in Buffalo. We took pictures of our bikes, cleaned up and headed to Gigi's, a fabulous Italian place for supper Al fresco! Bike pix and Food porn follows

Excellent Squash Blossoms filled with Mozzarella do Buffalo, lightly battered and Deep fried to perfection!

A most excellent Lamb Ragout

The remnants of a Grilled Sicilian Seafood Plate which included Oysters, Shrimp, A piece of Salmon, sauteed Chard and Potatoes.

Frank purchased a 2009 FJR with only 4500 miles on it in late May. He has 9000 on it now