Loaded and Ready to Go
I am finally on the road. I have already learned a couple of good lessons. The first is set your GPS on shortest route rather than fastest route. Emily (my GPS) didn’t like me taking the back roads down the Niagara Peninsula and kept wanting to take me to the QEW. It is no fun having a nag along with you on a solo ride so I switched her to shortest route and had peace and quiet.
Lesson two – Listen to Alden (the motorcycle rider) and not Pat (the I won’t go on a bike wife) when it comes to advice about taking a sheepskin to make the ride more comfortable. Pat (and many others) thinks the sheepskin doesn’t fit the biker look. I forgot the sheepskin and boy my butt got sore. Hmm – I wonder if there is anything in my first aid kit for butt-blisters. Frequent stops helped to relieve the numb-bum.
The ride to Erie was good – took about 5 hours with 2 gas stops and a Tim’s break for lunch. I hit rain at the border and rode for about an hour in pouring rain. Buffalo is not very nice at the best of times but try it in the pouring rain. I was not alone though – I must have seen 100 bikes today. Fifty then went by all at once.
I stopped on I90 to get out of my rain pants because it was very hot, and a state trooper pulled up to see if I was ok. So my first smokey encounter was pleasant. We actually just communicated with hand signs and didn’t actually speak.
I found a B&B that is very modest but it is comfortable enough for the night. I am doing this blog entry on the owner’s computer so I can’t upload the pic that Pat took of me as I was about to leave home. I will do that when I can.
Tomorrow I head to Charleston WV and plan to take a loop that was recommended on the internet. I will see how it goes and report tomorrow if I can get access. The weather for the next 2 days is supposed to be dry but hot. I see a lot riding in PA with no helmets – don’t worry Pat I am a dedicated helmet wearer.
Well have to think about getting dinner and will likely hit the hay early since there is not much to do here. Maybe I will take the owner’s yellow lab for a walk.
Bye for now.
Sorry Dad! I believe I was one of the sheepskin naysayers! You look cool no matter what you are sitting on!
Glad to hear that you didn’t get washed off the road. The weather didn’t look too promising. Butt blisters on day 1 doesn’t sound good. Maybe you can find a bike shop with some good sheep skin. After all 60 year butts aren’t as tough as youngin’s. I’m envious and will watch daily.
I don’t believe I got to weigh in on the sheep skin question…not sure what side I would have come down on. I believe I will do my own research and go and sit on a sheep or two. I will let you know what I come up with. Sorry about your ass. Maybe Aly can send you some “ass-u-puncture” tips for your ass. I believe that is her next unit of study. Glad to hear things are going well. Happy Father’s Day tomorrow!
Okay – I’m really sorry about your butt. So I guess, comfort trumps looking cool. Glad to hear that you are wearing your helmet – at least it looks cool!
Taking a yellow lab for a walk – fun!