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Here's what's been going on since RT and I left Louisville, KY day before yesterday (Tues).... we rode,
as planned into Cincinnati for a stamp at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site. We didn't
get a photo since this is, well, an urban stamp with urban issues like bitter meter maids. We fought
road construction and detours abound in Cincinnati (doing this on bikes heavily loaded with camping gear
is not my idea of fun) but succeeded in bagging ouring 13th "state stamp" We departed Taft's place
and planned to run I-70 thru to ensure timely arrival in Uniontown, PA where a stamp is located. That
plan went, ah, right over the windscreen when we entered back onto I-70 and were met with an accident that
shut down the interstate. I had panned for the PA stamp to be a bonus stamp since we could get a PA
stamp the next day when we went thru Gettysburg so I wasn't stressed except for the fact it was hot (um,
ok, "WARM" by Arizona standards) and we were boxed in by detours and construction delays. In fact,
this sums up the part of the trip from Cincinnati to the WV line:
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This guy was very intrigued w/our bikes and that we were riding from AZ. I told him if he knew how hot
it was there he'd get as far away as possible too.
Nearing the WV line it was obvious we would not make the PA stamp before it closed so I asked RT if he was
ready to ditch the slab in favor of more scenic highways. As usual, he said "I'm just following you." I
checked the weather (radar maps) on my cell phone and saw there were several red cells in the area though we had
not seen rain and, in fact, it was sunny. Having run the Tourance tires only once in rain I decided against
the backroads and lected to stay on the slab (a rare decision I might add). The gut instinct (ok, the radar
map) turned out to be accurate as we went thru about 5 super intense rain segments; it would rain for less than
10min then the sun would be shining. It felt like I was going thru a 10min car wash or something. We
crossed from WV into MD and soonthereafter it just rained non-stop. I definitely now have a better idea of
what I need to change or alter with my gear or the bike's insofar as rain (more on that later) and I have a much
better sense of the Strom and the Tourances in rain. Good tires, I'll say that much.
As dusk fell along with the rain we surged on towards Martinsburg, WV where we'd be staying the night. We
were coming thru a windy stretch of the interstate, it was getting darker and raining harder and I recall thinking
"isn't it interesting how some people describe fun" when on the opposite side of the interstate we passed another
rider who waved energetically and gave a thumbs up sign. It brought a smile to my face.
We arrived the motel parking lot where a good day turn not so good. RT dropped his bike. Let me make it
VERY clear that he is fine. Sore but fine. It was a bad scenerio... heavy rain, slanted pavement, gear
(especially gloves) soaked, dark, wind, bike loaded with camping gear, end of day (meaning possible fatugue) and
end of route (meaning possible lower concentration). Could have been one or a combination of factors, I don't
know. For those of you who don't believe in ATGATT here's another one... either a zero-MPH or walking speed
drop, however he landed the side piece to his helmet snapped off and there is a scuff mark. He's not the only
one who's sore...my back is not too happy with yanking an RT off the ground (the bike off the person). Let me
stress again all is well, we both rode today all day.
We left WV and got several stamps on our way to Albany.... Harper's Ferry, WV, Antietam National Battlefield in MD,
and Gettysburg, PA. We alternated slab and 2 lane highways to get to NY. Here's a few pics of the day:
RT with some hoochie girls at Harper's Ferry (check out that smile!):
We'll be getting a stamp in Stillwater, NY this morning then heading into the rally. I have no idea what
internet connection will be like there so I may be off-line for a bit. I'm reeeeally looking forward to
meeting Stromtroopers at the rally, particularly "oldgoat" who is going to help with my "cush drive crisis." I
wonder what Stromtroopers stories I'll have to report from the rally?
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