Ride Report - Just in from 7200 mile Cross Country!

Just got back in from my first Cross Country on the Valk. Prior to this the farthest I had been west was Louisiana once. Trip was done solo with the main goal of hitting National Parks. Side goal included food!! Was on a tight time table so much of the trip was super slab, but did hit some nice motorcycle roads / byways. Stayed in Motels / Hotels only 5 nights, camped rest of the time. 7200 miles...23 states...high temp of 110, low temp of 38!! Only two episodes of rain (Northern Arkansas with high winds (same storm that gave hail to folks leaving Sturgis)) and a quick 45 episode in Colorado w/ small hail!!!. Trip stops:

1.Start - Rural Hall, NC (Home)
2.Memphis, TN (Graceland / Beale St / Gibson Guitar Factory / Interstate BBQ)
3.Hot Springs, AR (National Park / Bath Houses / McClards BBQ)
4.Kansas City, MO (Arthur Bryants BBQ - Had to finish the BBQ rounds!)
5.Dodge City, KS (Dodge City)
6.Durango, CO (road oldest narrow gauge steam train on full day trip to Silverton and back)
7.Mese Verde National Park, CO (cliff dwellings)
8.Moab and Arches National Park

4 Corners

9.Monument Valley
10. Grand Canyon, AZ
11. Hoover Dam, NV
12. Las Vegas, NV
13. Death Valley National Park, CA
14. Yosemite National Park, CA
15. San Jose, CA (Winchester Mystery House)
16. San Francisco, CA (Golden Gate Bridge / Alcatraz)
17. Lake Tahoe, NV (Eastshore Drive)
18. Craters of the Moon National Park, ID
19. Tetons and Yellowstone National Park, WY
20. Devils Tower National Monument,
21. Mt Rushmore, SD
22. Crazy Horse, SD
23. Black Hills National Forest, SD
24. Badlands National Park, SD
25. Chicago, IL (Lou Manaltis Pizza)
26. Amish Country, IN
27. Cleveland, OH (Skyline Chilli / White Castle Burgers)
28. Back Home via WV / VA / NC

I saw some other great things on the route, Rio Grande National Forest, Buffalo Bill State Park, Cody, WY. Some great motorcyle roads encountered included: Idaho 31 (used to enter Yellowstone via the south entrace), California 120 I believe (not sure)..that went down the mountain when going from Yosemite to San Jose, and the scenic ride out of the east entrance of Yellowstone towards Cody, ran through the state park.

Only problems with the Valk where those that can be considered my fault. I do have to give a couple of shout outs to 2 Honda dealers and the AMA Roadside service. I had checked the rear end out before the trip and put new pads on the rear. Didnt look at the front. I also had a question on if my rear tire would last. Battery had not shown any problems (have a voltmeter installed to provide warning). early on outside of Kansas City I has started hearing my front brakes, also noticed my voltmeter dropping to 11 intermittently for varying periods of time. Knew I needed brakes and unsure about battery..it was the one installed when I bought her 4 years ago. Stopped by Freedom Cycles just south of Kansas City. They had the parts including a already charged battery. 45 mins later a walk in customer was out the door with new front brakes and battery. Later on..... I kept a look out on the rear tire..she started getting pretty bald about Yellowstone in the center. I estimated approximately 12000-15000 on her at this time. Well..she didnt last...but I got extremely lucky....While still in SD heading east on the super slab...I noticed sudden wobbling and difficult steering (leaning)...luckily an exit was approaching with a Cenex gas station (no town to speak of though)....got to the gas station...rear was seperated on both sides!!!!. Asked the folks inside if their was a motorcycle shop anywhere close...yep..a honda shop approx 16miles east in Chamberlin (I was in Reliance)...called the shop...they had a tire...but closed at 6p and had no way to get me (it was approx 430p on Friday)...said they opened at 8a the next day...Called AMA Roadside (never used them before, bought the membership w/ free service before the trip)...they took down my location and where I wanted it towed to...said tow service should be their within an hr...45mins later service arrived with a pick up and trailer...bike loaded....got to the honda shop at 610pm...closed...shop is attached to another Cenex Station owned by same guy...They opened the garage and let us park it inside....I walked across the street to the AmericInn for the night. Next morning I called at 0830..Valk was already being worked on...was back on the road at 10am....LUCKY I WAS...Honda shop in Chamberlin was called Curt's Cycle Shop I believe..

Kudos to:

Freedom Cycles - south of Kansas City, MO
Curts Cycle Shop - Chamberlin, SD
AMA Roadside Assistance - Quick / No out of pocket cost

Finally..things I learned...
1. Our country is a beautiful place, and I encountered friendly folks everywhere
2. The Valk brings attention wherever you go
3. I have lost nothing in most of Kansas, Eastern Colorado, or Nevada (no hard feelings if you call'em home)
4. Hwy 50 is the loneliest Road for sure
5. I appreciate my state (NC) more for the fact of having mountains (ok maybe Ill call'em hills now, flatlands and beaches all close together)
6. I want to do it all again at a slower pace, definitely want to revisit Arches, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and South Dakota.....Ohio was a lot prettier than I expected as well.

I have always wanted to travel...hadnt seen much of this country though. Have been on 5 cruises, and seen most of the Carribean. I decided that while I know my health is good...I should do it so I could at least say it was done. Dont know if I can ever get another 3 weeks off in a row before I retire (12 more years to go)...if not and my health stays good, it all be done again at that time. Hate I missed INZANE this year...but couldnt do both, and time frame available to be off didnt allow for me to coordinate it with INZANE...

Took a book with me to read...a lot of you have probably already read it ...but if not..."Ghost Rider - Travels on the Healing Road" by Neil Peart (drummer for Rush). He's an avid motorcycle rider and the book tells the story of the mutli-country ride he took solo after both his daughter and wife died...excellent for the travel stories and his struggles with what had occurred in his life.

Yeah...I know...I need to update my map!!