Day One to Rochester, NY

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Just a short post to let everyone know we're okay. It was a rough day from the start. For whatever reason I couldn't sleep and finally managed to get 3 1/2 hours before getting up at 7 am....to rain, lots of rain.

We ate, got the bikes loaded under the awning and geared up best as we could. We hit the road at 9:15 (CT) after stopping for gas. We had no idea that it was going downhill from there. Our route today was all back roads, twisty mountain roads with little room for error. We made two stops. The first was at a McDonald's around noon (ET). It was pouring, we were dripping and getting cold.

My jacket that I had carefully waterproofed twice, was soaked and that meant my two layers underneath were also soaked...at least the sleeves. I always carry a spare long-sleeved shirt in my saddlebags so I changed into that. My fleece and neck buff dried fairly well under the bathroom hand drier. Stu did the same with some of his gear.

Since my jacket wasn't keeping me dry, I layered my Harley rain jacket underneath, not wanting to trap in the wet from the outer jacket. I got a pair of disposable gloves that I layered underneath my not working so well rain gloves.

The rain lessened, we were warmer and we headed off again. We stopped around two at The Bread of Life Cafe in Liberty, KY. We were both chilled to the bone, Stu's boots had soaked through, I was shivering and couldn't feel my hands. We needed to dry out, warm up and eat...not necessarily in that order.

The waitress brought us a bath towel to dry off a bit and then I put it on the floor under my jacket to catch the water pooling there. The coffee was hot and plentiful, the food was good and the service excellent. Stu got two plastic shopping bags and put them over dry socks inside his wet boots. We both dug out dry gloves and I added my denim jacket under my other layers.

Let's see...camisole top, long sleeved tee, lightweight denim jacket, fleece windbreaker topped with my rain jacket. The original textile jacket was now rolled up and fastened with a cargo net to my luggage. Since the temperature was dropping and the jacket was soaked through, it was acting like a refrigeration layer. Brrrr.....

The rain was almost gone but the temperatures continued to drop. By the time we found a hotel in Nicholasville (Holiday Inn Express), it was down to 49 degrees and we were done for the night.

Gear is now spread all over the room, drying out. We're warmed up, full of hot coffee and resting. Aleve....take me away! Tomorrow is another day, less rain but cooler temperatures. We both dug our electric gear out of our saddlebags...hopefully we'll have a LOT less rain.

We had hoped to make 300 miles today and tomorrow, making Thursday an easy 150 miles. Didn't happen...made 135 miles today. Weather will determine if we can make it up tomorrow. Once we hit the interstate system we can make better time.

Oh, funny moment of the day....Stu and I standing in the foyer of the restaurant with him balancing on one leg, changing into dry socks and a guy stops to talk about the trike and how his wife wants one. Had to smile....

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu

20 comments:

  1. I'm not that hardy, I would have taken the truck.

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  2. Rain makes things go down hill on a bike in a fairly big hurry. Hope tomorrow will be dry for you!

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  3. Sure hope your weather improves a whole lot tomorrow. But glad you're safe and warm tonight.

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  4. Been there, done that and will at some time be there again! LOL! Ride safe and try and stay warm and dry. At least it wasn't snow!

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  5. Every days a great day to be on the bike :) good on ya guys ...

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  6. man, you are both crazy. You should have taken an umbrella. LOL.

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  7. Oh my Goodness, Donna. Hope the next two days are better!

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  8. Been there & done that but not for the long distances you guys are doing. Cold & wet on a bike is something I would go to any length to avoid now at this age & stage of the game. If it isn't warm & dry I'm not riding!! Stinging raindrops in the face, poor visibility, hypothermia & slippery pavement just aren't for me anymore. I will leave all that to you hardy souls out there. Guess I'm getting a little soft.......

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  9. Why is it that you guys chose to ride the bikes instead of the truck...a rental...or a bus?

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  10. Too bad that what could have been a great scenic ride has turned into "the ride from Hell" so far..Hope tomorrow is a better day..I do envy you for the freedom of riding on your Harleys though...Be safe.

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  11. I am feeling uncomfortable just reading this! I am such a whimp. You two must be from more hardy stock! Hoping you are now seeing sunny skies.

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  12. Sorry, Donna, but this tale seems to me to be one that should be titled "Dumb and Dumber". LOL I used to ride and I enjoyed it, but that distance, in that weather -- it ain't summer up where you're going -- forget it!

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  13. Riding in your leathers DOES make them form-fit, though! Gotta think of the positive, lol! Hang in there!!

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  14. Your trip brings back memories of two similar motorcycle trips we did. As a result, our wet weather gear is top notch and we don't get wet. With heated vests, heated grips, all weather gloves, and thermal riding pants, we no longer suffer the ills associated with heavy downpours that last all day. Then again, like you (I'm sure of that) we all try our best to avoid these trips in inclement weather but, when motorcycling, one has to expect the absolute worst....and we have.

    Wishing you sunny days, warm breezes and dry roads from here on. All the best.

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  15. You poor things. Hope the rest of the trip is dry and warm.

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  16. I hope Rochester treats you well. That was were I was born many many years ago.......

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  17. Glad to hear from you. Continued safe travels and hopefully less rain. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

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  18. and now I remember why we sold our Harley. The good days were great though. Glad you made it to Rochester despite the yucky weather. Hope it's better on your return trip. Lucky Sadie is nice and comfy though.

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