Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« on: July 28, 2010, 07:53:09 PM » |
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A bit of pondering. (snip) God help me, I’m ENJOYING this. (endsnip) The rest here. |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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Grumpy
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« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2010, 08:00:53 PM » |
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As always great reading, you have a way with words.
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 Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get. |
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sugerbear
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« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2010, 08:03:27 PM » |
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the one thing i haven't been able to do YET.
a long solo ride.............someday
thanks a very good read
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BonS
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« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2010, 08:05:03 PM » |
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You brought me right back to my 15 hour, 855 mile ride home from Inzane X. The last two hours right down I-70 from Columbia to Kansas City in the late afternoon. Nothin' but heat, hot wind, sun in my eyes and fatigue. I personally thanked each small cloud that blocked the sun for a few brief moments. I loved it. I'll never forget it.
Thanks Daniel!
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RoadKill
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« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2010, 08:32:29 PM » |
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It is not about the pain....the pain is worth it for sure,but that isn't what it's about. Good read, as always! Thanx Dan!  |
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f-Stop
Member
Posts: 1810
'98 Standard named Hildr
Driftwood, Texas
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« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2010, 08:38:44 PM » |
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Nice post. Kinda sums up the last leg and a half of my ride home from Inzane. Started to really feel the heat in Kansas City and it didn't let up the rest of the way. I downed a full Gatorade and a water at each fuel stop and never had to "go" the whole day, but once I could "smell the barn" there was no stopping me. No lunch - too hot - and my back side was just numb. Made the last 550 miles in less than 10hrs. But, you know, I enjoyed every mile with a smile. Friends and neighbors think I'm crazy...but, you all know...we all know what Daniel's talkin' about...  |
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  Had my blinker on across three states! |
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2010, 08:27:08 AM » |
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the one thing i haven't been able to do YET.
a long solo ride.............someday
thanks a very good read
Long-distance solo is a completely different ride from any other. I highly recommend it. Warning--addictive. |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16783
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2010, 08:39:49 AM » |
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Great read... we are your editors...
They music is part of what keeps me going
-Mike
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2010, 08:44:28 AM » |
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Great read... we are your editors...
They music is part of what keeps me going
-Mike
Oops. Fixed. Durn typos...they creep in everywhere. I've even sprayed. |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer |
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Popeye
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« Reply #9 on: July 29, 2010, 09:24:56 AM » |
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Nice job Daniel. Once again you have captured the essence of motorcyle road trips.
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A man stands tallest when he stoops to help a child.
Heros wear dog tags, not capes
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valkmc
Member
Posts: 619
Idaho??
Ocala/Daytona Fl
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« Reply #10 on: July 29, 2010, 09:47:42 AM » |
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the one thing i haven't been able to do YET.
a long solo ride.............someday
thanks a very good read
Long-distance solo is a completely different ride from any other. I highly recommend it. Warning--addictive. Very addictive, not sure why I continue to do it except when I arrive at home completly worn out I have peace of mind that comes from the total experience. I once left New Orleans at 3pm and rode around the Gulf to Ocala in the moon light which produced feelings of complete solitude and freedom which are difficult to duplicate. It seems the more difficult the ride the more I enjoy it. |
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2013 Black and Red F6B (Gone)
2016 1800 Gold Wing (Gone)
1997 Valkyrie Tourer
2018 Gold Wing Non Tour
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #11 on: July 29, 2010, 01:11:32 PM » |
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When I got my Valk in 97, the 1st 40,000 miles were all solo. Damn rear tires were expensive. I was recuperating from heart surgery, my cardiologist knew I was a rider like he is, and he gave me the ok, when the wife was around but after she had gone home, I was still in horse pistol, he said he didn't want me to, but he wouldn't stop me if I did. You guessed it, I rode for 3 months.......   |
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44 Harley ServiCar   |
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« Reply #12 on: July 29, 2010, 01:51:10 PM » |
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My last run was St. Mary's W.VA on the Ohio River to Robbinsville, NC. 95% on 2 lane back roads. On the road at 7 a.m. and whoooshed through Deals Gap at about 7.30 p.m. Not that many total miles in the great scheme of things but as I said mainly twisty back roads all the way. Prior to that Gettysburg to Atlanta last year. ON the road at 6.30 a.am and 700 miles later at 6 p.m. I rolled into my local for a drowning of iced cold water and a token celebratory beer. It is about the pain brain and body or otherwise why would we do it. |
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« Last Edit: July 29, 2010, 06:50:35 PM by Britman »
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big turkey
Guest
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« Reply #13 on: July 29, 2010, 04:16:39 PM » |
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Good read and been there a few times, but the worst was the rain on the 2009 Bike Week
ride to Daytona.
Almost gave up many times and this is crazy in this kind of storm, but had a time line and had to
make it or lose my room money.
I laugh when things get bad and laugh harder as they get worse and that may seem crazy.
But it keeps me focused and never panic when I am feeling that way.
It was an adventure to remember and would not want to do it again on purpose.
but would not trade the memories for anything.
Next time, flying down and rent a bike, well that is my plan but you know i will ride it again
anyway.
Big Al
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shortleg
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« Reply #14 on: July 29, 2010, 06:19:53 PM » |
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I rode to and home from Inzane X solo about 900
miles each way. All you said is right. Also it,s right that
the ferther from home you get,the more noises your
bike makes. Found that I could do about 600 miles a day
then I have to stop or I don,t feel safe. Old age I guess.
Shortleg[Dave]
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PhredValk
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« Reply #15 on: July 29, 2010, 10:41:12 PM » |
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Great blurb, Mr. Meyer. Makes me kind of appreciate the times I got soaked on my way back from Ontario. 2000 miles each way. Long road, no choice but to continue no matter what it throws at you; I found out on my first solo long ride that its the road, and we travel it no matter what.
Fred.
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Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
VRCCDS0237
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #16 on: July 30, 2010, 06:11:25 AM » |
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...Long road, no choice but to continue no matter what it throws at you; I found out on my first solo long ride that its the road, and we travel it no matter what.
Fred.
Like life, yes? And that right there is where the titles of my books start. Life is a road... |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer |
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98 T
Member
Posts: 649
'98 Tourer
Brookfield, WI
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« Reply #17 on: July 30, 2010, 06:39:57 AM » |
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Great read Daniel - I've been there - I think to some extent, most of us have been there at times. Some people who don't ride and have asked me why I "punish" myself on long, hot, bumpy roads for long hours. If they have to ask that question, they would not understand anyway even if I could find the correct words to explain.... I just smile and say, "Because it's fun" --but we all know it's far deeper than that.
Like Steve B says, "It clears the cobwebs out"
I don't ice fish, but living here in Wisconsin, lots of people do. I can't understand why a guy would sit on a frozen lake for 15 hours looking at a hole in the ice either.... but I don't have any passion for fishing.... but I can understand why people look at what we do on our bikes and scratch their heads and ask the questions too. Some people honestly feel a big cruiser bike is only made for bar hopping or a ride to the local ice cream shop and can have very few other uses.
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It's not WHAT you ride....it's THAT you ride!
vrcc # 21815
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ChromeDome
Member
Posts: 2175
Aurora, IL.
60 miles West of Chicago!
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« Reply #18 on: July 30, 2010, 09:34:28 AM » |
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I think this is the line that, for me, says it all ... God help me, I'm ENJOYING this! |
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