Chilling Events...

[DDT (12)]

That was some flashing light display the other night! Lightning all around, mostly brilliant bursts up in the clouds, though, as I did not actually see any cloud-to-ground strikes. Some thunder, too, naturally, lots of rain, a brief spate of mothball-sized hail, and some pretty stiff, gusty breezes... Sure glad I was already hunkered down and able to just observe! Back in the day, I'd been caught out in stuff like that a few times, but... lesson learned, and I do my upmost to avoid such things nowadays... even if it means staying put an extra day or three.

It was the forecast of just such weather that had us strategically located in Bridgeport, NE, in the first place. We'd been cruising around Wyoming, mostly, because foul weather here and there, hit and miss in the northwest (especially Montana) had made laying out a route to keep us mobile while consistently avoiding all of that nastiness nearly impossible! We'd had a good string of luck in Wyoming, but... well, even that lovely, rugged state has its own once-in-awhile turn in the barrel...

The plan was, assuming the forecast was accurate and the North Platte River a couple of hundred yards away didn't leave its banks and flood the roads, we'd only spend two nights there, then be free to return to Wyoming... The way should also be open to head to Oregon or even Washington before turning back towards Idaho and Montana... Dang, that's where it got dicey again... More rain was predicted to invade that favorite state of mine in another week or so... so... OK, I elected to resort to my fallback plan... that is, no plan, just react to conditions on a day-by-day basis, and let the chips fall where they may...

The wind out on the plains is always present, and sometimes it can be downright stout! Almost always near gale-force strength immediately following a serious thunderstorm line (front) passing... like what had just found us! By the time we'd ridden back roads to near the Wyoming state line, the wind had beaten this tender tenderfoot up pretty soundly, and then... We had to climb back up on the super-slab again... Out there, it is not uncommon for US highways, state roads, etc., to join with stretches of interstate, so one 'can't get there from here' without logging at least some time in amongst the big trucks, Winnebago units swaying, pitching, and yawing in the breeze causing their white-haired drivers to also have white knuckles, SUVs transporting families of tourists, and stealthy, vigilant LEOs... ummmm, and the occasional critter!

At some point that morning, I decided Laramie would do nicely for our next stop! Not a long day at all, but... It had been sunny and bright when ALI had hauled her road-ready partner through the small town of our most recent residency, but soon enough it had become overcast again... While I had taken the precaution of wearing my chaps and Gerbings jacket-liner, it didn't take long before I realized I just might need to plug-in and turn on, too! I didn't, of course, as I was convinced temps would rise soon enough... they never did!

The Wyoming Welcome Center was a most welcome sight, and a stop there was executed rather gracefully, considering I was shivering, tired, and more than a little distracted! Enough, already! Laramie will do nicely indeed!!! DANG! For most of my riding career I've carefully monitored and planned around rain and extreme heat... now it appears I'm going to have to start paying closer attention to the wind forecast, too! The wind-chill aspects can be managed. The blustery battering of wind above certain speeds is a nuisance; however, it can also become a serious safety factor, plus it definitely adds to the cumulative fatigue of a day in the saddle! And, another thing: The odds of wind coming at us from an unfavorable direction are about 75% to 25%... so...

The motel selected in Laramie had the fortuitous additional benefit of being located right next door to a pleasant-looking Mexican restaurant. Yep, I could definitely do with a beef burrito and a mess of frijoles... I just love it when a challenging day has a happy ending!

DDT

[Rams]

I just love it when a challenging day has a happy ending!

DDT

That doesn't happen by accident.   Such things are the result of experience, common sense and good judgement with maybe a touch of Irish Luck.    Regardless, glad it turned out a good ending for the day and looking forward to seeing you again.

Rams 

[Jess from VA]

Yep, I could definitely do with a beef burrito and a mess of frijoles... I just love it when a challenging day has a happy ending!

It's funny how as we age into older gentlemen, our definition of happy ending changes too.   

Some of my very best happy endings these days occur about an hour after the burrito and frijoles.  If I'm lucky. 

[Oss]

finding a room in the lee of the wind......

well that has benefits all around doesn't it

Wind is just a wave, you can lean into it if it will just stay to one direction for a minute or two but yes it does wear you down just in a different way that heat and cold

Glad you are still moseying about

Oss

not going near the happy ending part Jess   

[Farside]

  Nice write up Bruce. Over your years of ridding along with the miles you have logged, under all condictions you've experienced, IMHO  you've earned the distiction of the go to "Valkyrie Weatherman".  Instincts are very important so I'd follow you on any trip. Keep rolling. 

[msb]

That's one thing I need to do....start learning how to use radar apps better to track weather. My "plan" seems to have always been to get caught in some crappy weather and then adjust once I'm already in the middle of it...instead of looking ahead to avoid it. I guess it's usually because I've mostly been on a bit of a time schedule, rather than fellows like you with usually no real urgencies to get to, or return to anywhere...adds a whole new dimension to longer distance riding I'm sure

This coming week will be no different for me, as I head out to meet up with some of the WA and ID boys in central OR for a few days. Weather forecast is for a mixed bag of conditions....will just l take 'em as they come  and enjoy

Enjoying all your reports Bruce...gonna be quite a novel one day

[The emperor has no clothes]

That's one thing I need to do....start learning how to use radar apps better to track weather. My "plan" seems to have always been to get caught in some crappy weather and then adjust once I'm already in the middle of it...instead of looking ahead to avoid it. I guess it's usually because I've mostly been on a bit of a time schedule, rather than fellows like you with usually no real urgencies to get to, or return to anywhere...adds a whole new dimension to longer distance riding I'm sure

This coming week will be no different for me, as I head out to meet up with some of the WA and ID boys in central OR for a few days. Weather forecast is for a mixed bag of conditions....will just l take 'em as they come  and enjoy

Enjoying all your reports Bruce...gonna be quite a novel one day

I always found the weather apps a pain in the butt. But, Dennis from Blythe hooked me up to the My Radar app. So easy, even a caveman could use it. 

[msb]

That's one thing I need to do....start learning how to use radar apps better to track weather. My "plan" seems to have always been to get caught in some crappy weather and then adjust once I'm already in the middle of it...instead of looking ahead to avoid it. I guess it's usually because I've mostly been on a bit of a time schedule, rather than fellows like you with usually no real urgencies to get to, or return to anywhere...adds a whole new dimension to longer distance riding I'm sure

This coming week will be no different for me, as I head out to meet up with some of the WA and ID boys in central OR for a few days. Weather forecast is for a mixed bag of conditions....will just l take 'em as they come  and enjoy

Enjoying all your reports Bruce...gonna be quite a novel one day

I always found the weather apps a pain in the butt. But, Dennis from Blythe hooked me up to the My Radar app. So easy, even a caveman could use it. 

I actually have the My Radar app on my phone...got it for my WV ride several years ago but never really got in the habit of using it. I guess I'm just the type of guy (pre-caveman I guess ) who is too stubborn to change things up and learn a new way. Heck, I just purchased my first ever non-half helmet (46 years) today for my "all weather" ride next week...a nice modular. We'll see if I wind up doing the whole ride in it...

[3fan4life]

That's one thing I need to do....start learning how to use radar apps better to track weather. My "plan" seems to have always been to get caught in some crappy weather and then adjust once I'm already in the middle of it...instead of looking ahead to avoid it. I guess it's usually because I've mostly been on a bit of a time schedule, rather than fellows like you with usually no real urgencies to get to, or return to anywhere...adds a whole new dimension to longer distance riding I'm sure

This coming week will be no different for me, as I head out to meet up with some of the WA and ID boys in central OR for a few days. Weather forecast is for a mixed bag of conditions....will just l take 'em as they come  and enjoy

Enjoying all your reports Bruce...gonna be quite a novel one day

I always found the weather apps a pain in the butt. But, Dennis from Blythe hooked me up to the My Radar app. So easy, even a caveman could use it. 

I actually have the My Radar app on my phone...got it for my WV ride several years ago but never really got in the habit of using it. I guess I'm just the type of guy (pre-caveman I guess ) who is too stubborn to change things up and learn a new way. Heck, I just purchased my first ever non-half helmet (46 years) today for my "all weather" ride next week...a nice modular. We'll see if I wind up doing the whole ride in it...

I've been using the My Radar App and another app called Raindar for awhile now.

They're not infallible but they have kept me dry on more than one occasion. 

[baldo]

That's one thing I need to do....start learning how to use radar apps better to track weather. My "plan" seems to have always been to get caught in some crappy weather and then adjust once I'm already in the middle of it...instead of looking ahead to avoid it. I guess it's usually because I've mostly been on a bit of a time schedule, rather than fellows like you with usually no real urgencies to get to, or return to anywhere...adds a whole new dimension to longer distance riding I'm sure

This coming week will be no different for me, as I head out to meet up with some of the WA and ID boys in central OR for a few days. Weather forecast is for a mixed bag of conditions....will just l take 'em as they come  and enjoy

Enjoying all your reports Bruce...gonna be quite a novel one day

I always found the weather apps a pain in the butt. But, Dennis from Blythe hooked me up to the My Radar app. So easy, even a caveman could use it. 

I actually have the My Radar app on my phone...got it for my WV ride several years ago but never really got in the habit of using it. I guess I'm just the type of guy (pre-caveman I guess ) who is too stubborn to change things up and learn a new way. Heck, I just purchased my first ever non-half helmet (46 years) today for my "all weather" ride next week...a nice modular. We'll see if I wind up doing the whole ride in it...

I've been using the My Radar App and another app called Raindar for awhile now.

They're not infallible but they have kept me dry on more than one occasion. 

I know I've asked before, but I can't remember any good results. I'd love to find a good app that combines GPS and radar. I've found a couple but can't find them on my phone...(crap)

Oh yeah, traffic would be nice too, but not essential....

[MarkT]

Been using My Radar for some years.  Problem is you need current cell connectivity.  Not at all assured with Sprint. Along the slab nearly always but that's not where I ride.  Besides, hard to read on this Android phone.  Of course, sunlight on the screen isn't a problem if I NEED the radar! For some years now I've also had XM weather (and traffic, and radio) hooked up on my Zumo 665.  That always works no matter where but the display and accuracy are nowhere near as good as My Radar.  You can zoom in, 5 levels IIRC and it highlights your planned route but I've had it report I'm in dry conditions while getting soaked.  And it's only North-up - not how I use the Zumo.  Now if I had My Radar via satellite, that would be Da Bomb!