Dan's Travel Adventures

The “knowing” is everywhere…how do I pack for the greatest efficiency with so little room on the bike and so many conditions to pack for. How do we navigate simple things like room temperature for three different people in two rooms, how far is the hotel from where we can get a meal that works for everyone and is healthy, how do we decide when to get on the highway and make time, versus slow down to see the world, and find the backroads twisties we all crave. Perhaps the greatest test of knowing is knowing ourselves well enough to be the best partner to the other two.

Meanwhile, Chatham, NY to Clarion, PA the first day was wonderful – a nice blend of entertaining roads and covering ground. Weather cooperated mostly – when it rained, it did so with gusto but only briefly, and the sun kept up its end of the bargain by drying the really great roads before we rolled over them.

Day 2 would have looked funny seeing it in time lapse from 5,000 feet. Starts and stops while we chased a gremlin in Mitch’s bike (TPMS sensor losing comms with the ECU for you gear heads). I got to play amateur mechanic and plug my diagnostic reader and laptop into the bike, only for it to tell us “yep, it’s not working”. A small issue that won’t be of concern. After too much time navigating small town traffic and soaring heat, we beat a path for state highways and made time.

As the day wound down, I was fortunate to gain some wisdom from Tony; his years and experiences adding clarity to my thoughts. A gift from a friend, to be valued!

Today we are looking at straight roads as we point toward Davenport or Iowa City, basically staging for South Dakota. Rain in the forecast, so my waterproofing will get tested.

Rain or not, I am doing something I love, with two great friends along side. Lucky boy.