Nicole

There are people here from Kansas...

RKD in OKC

I'm sorry, but I keep envisioning that bike rider in the gumball or cannonball movie.

Fabio421

Uh, not so much.

smudaaar

might want to take your time....You're going to meet up with a hurricane if you keep your current pace!

Jfrahm

Oh hey I'm in Colorado... we could get together but that would eat up some of the quality AM riding time. If you are up North I can meet you at the famous Johnson's Corner truck stop at Exit 254.

http://www.johnsonscorner.com/

As for the hurricane I'm no expert but I would thing running at it or perhaps a bit to the East of it would be best, when the storm reaches you, hunker down for a day or two. Of course the other storm is to the East but maybe less of a big deal. It'll probably be wet!

-Joel.

bigs

Ross -

Just a bit of counsel for your consideration:

You generally seem to wake up late, get started riding late, then ride well into the night. It may be somewhat cooler to ride at night, but I'd suggest it's not the best plan for the following reasons:

1. You miss much of the scenery.

2. Your vision is reduced at night.

3. Deer and other animals are more active at night.

4. It's harder to see and evade objects in the road at night.

5. Drunk drivers are out more at night.

6. You can't spot speed traps ahead of you at night.

7. It's harder to see approaching storms in the distance and take appropriate avoidance measures at night.

8. If you break down or have a flat tire and need help, it's less available at night.

9. Fewer gas stations are open at night.

10. If you're hoping for listers to provide lodging, it's not right to expect them to wait up late into the night for you to arrive.

Just some thoughts to hopefully make your trip safer.

Ispeed

The guy you are thinking of from that movie was Doug Domokos, he wheelied a KZ1300 for miles at a time. Gone now from an ultralight glider crash, he did some awesome wheelie stuff back in the day. I saw him wheelie a lap of the Unadilla MX track in the mud.

Ron_H

I could not agree more with Bigs. When the sun goes down I am off the road and hopefully preparing for bed. After a deer and I tried to occupy the same space at the same time one night on the California coast (Hwy1) and all the bugs and critters that come out at night, I stopped that insane practice. I prefer to see them before hitting them. And the bears love to pounce on you at night from the median. No thank you. Start in the early morning after the critters and the bears are in bed, and the roads are cool.

As for cost, has anyone suggested a better way: truck stops? You can park in the truck parking area and NO ONE will mess with you. (Just don't mess with them). You can have a shower for $5 or less. You can find all kinds of parts you might need, including universal chargers, CB radios, safety stuff, clothes, food (if you can call it that).
I can't recall how many times I have stopped for a few hours to shower and cook my dinner on a butane stove in the parking lot and then crash in the car. All for low bucks. What's a motel? Fleas, lice, roaches, hookers, crummy time wasting TV, tax on top of the price. Bah! If you want to make time and save money, and live it up, go to a KOA and pitch a tent there. Make friends with all the people. Or do it on the cheap at truck stops. If its OK for Bubba, its OK for me.

Bill Ball

whitefox

Hey everyone, update time, I just checked into a super 8, I paid a little extra to get some inet access for the night. I am in Colby, Kansas at the moment, I plan to wake up a early enough to get some free breakfast and take off, I am going to kill off Kansas and Missouri tomorrow, Take I-70 into St. Louis, I-64 from st. louis down into I-75 and then charge home.

On another note, Today was the craziest day of riding yet, Nothing but rain all through Colorado, I had the bike sideways more times than I can count going through the canyons and having a car brake check me, didn't matter how far away I was someone always pulled a fast one, tire side down all the way home though ! I have met so many different riders through out this trip, all very friendly and full of advice. Everyone gets a huge kick out of this mission I'm on.

Stay tuned for another update. Laptop life has not much time.

whitefox

Fogey1

Ross,
There's a meal, bed and shower here in Zanesville if you stay on I-70 through Ohio. ETA wouldn't matter, middle of the night might be better. We're maybe 100 miles east of I-75, 50 miles east of Columbus, 25 miles west of I-77.

The weather's supposed to be good all week and the country east and south of here is gorgeous. +1 to the notion you might want to stay north this week to avoid Gustav.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...Field2=-82.012

That's a very handy weather site, btw. Enter city and state in the box and bingo ...

Keep on truckin', remember my suggestion about a pillow.

Will

Angel84-928

Ross,
I want to be you!!!
Check your paypal and please, please, please be safe. Speed is your enemy. Enjoy the experience. So many people go thru life without a "Story". You are writing yours now, make it a cool one.

928autobahndreamer

It looks like you will be driving straight through Columbia MO on your way to St Louis. My offer still stands if you need a place to crash overnight. If you come through around meal time let me know'I can buy you some eats.

mcholdfast

You're going to see some beautiful scenery on the east side of Kansas. I recall some sort of National Park or Preserve on I-70 that was breathtaking. I drove through at sunset which made it more stunning. Enjoy!
I'm in Atlanta and you have my cell #. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything.