Back Home to CO

On Wednesday morning I started my three day trek back home to Colorado. I was crossing the mighty Mississippi once again but this time in St. Louis. 

It had been a pretty hard mornings ride and HOT so mid-morning I reached out for an impromptu lunch with my friends and John Garrett, Steve Richards and Dan Klenke were able to join me around 12:45. I had only one beer that hit the spot and a great lunch and time to catch with old friends again. Back on the road by 2’ish I made a push for Sedalia, MO for a 420 mile day. 

I had wanted a 6am departure from Sedalia to get more riding done before the heat of the day but I woke to a large thunderstorm that delayed me until 8am.  By 2pm I was ready for a little time off of the bike and some A/C which I found just off of my route at the Motorcycle Museum of Kansas in Marquette.  

The had some really nice old motorcycles back to the early 1900’s and over 600 racing trophy’s all won by the sponsor of the museum  including 16 state and 5 national trophies.  Stan “The Man” Engdahl was his name and he  left quite a legacy when he passed in 2007. 

http://www.ksmotorcyclemuseum.org/stan.html

With only 35 miles to get to my destination for the night, Colby, KS, I found myself riding into trouble.  After checking the radar I turned back in time to find a carwash in Hoxie, KS to hide out from the very high winds and heavy rain. 

About an hour later I was able finish my 520 mile day into the setting sun. It’s amazing how the weather can change in just an hour in Kansas. 

I spent my last riding days home limping in on a rear tire that went from okay to bad due to the high heat (and perhaps my slightly elevated traveling speed).  I tried calling shops within 90 miles of Colby for a new tire but as my bike is a “classic” and they haven’t made motorcycle wheels that small since 2000 there was nothing in stock. Therefore my last days on the bike were spent going 5 to 10 mph under rather than over the speed limit. 

On Friday to beat the heat for both me and my tire I started riding at 5am for my last 280 miles to home. I had the pleasure of riding into the setting full moon over the plains as the sun rose behind me. It was a grand morning on US36 that I largely had to myself. 

Me and my tire made it safely and only slightly worse for wear back to Colorado and home by 10:30. It was a great trip seeing family and friends and having the sense of freedom and adventure during these trying times. I feel great. Hopefully Angela won’t quarantine me for 14 days!!

😷