Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

Day 2
April 28th, 2009
Gadsden, Alabama

The Iphone went off at 6:15am and I rolled out of bed ready for the road.  Packing went easy because I didn't take much out of the MotoFizz last night.

By 6:30 I had my gear strapped down and the GPS booting up.  I pulled Pipestem State Park from the recently found file and tabbed "Go" and a few seconds later I had my route on display.  I pretty much knew the way, but the GPS is fun to look at when you get bored, and having all that feedback about how far left to go is nice to know.

After loading the bike, I went back to the kitchen and ate a banana while checking the weather radar from my Iphone.  No 3G  so I had to rely on a slow edge connection.  It took a while, but the radar finally came up displaying a large band of rain 150 miles to the west.  Then I went to Beckley, West Virginia in the weather app and got the forecast.  Rain tonight, and tomorrow, in fact rain for next few days.  "Well that sucks, but what can I do?  Maybe it won't be as bad as they say," all I could hope for.

The Iphone, in one single tour, made itself one of the most important tools of my Long Riding.  I now have instant, full access to the internet where I can find all kinds of valuable info,  I no longer have to bug my friends for radar reports.  My Iphone is loaded with 1,000 songs, and a few TV shows for entertainment.  It also has a Idiary app that works great as my trip journal, I can stay connected by phone, email, and SMS text.  My only fear I will lose it.

At this stage of my career I know how far a day's ride is from my house in most any direction.  It is a reliable constant.  I know going this way Pipestem State Park in West Virginia is as about as far as I want to go, so this will be my third visit to the park.  No need to reinvent the wheel. I know all the best camping and motels within a days ride of Prattville, if it worked that first time, might as well do it again.

The ride today will not be all that fun.  Almost all boring slab, but it had been a long winter and I was kind of in the mood to lay some miles down.

I still had half tank of gas so skipped topping off.  If a large front was coming my way you couldn't tell it on this morning.  The sky was partly cloudy and the morning cool.

I reset trip meter 1, and went out the long driveway of my sister's.  She was still asleep and I didn't wake her, I'll talk to her later via phone.  My brother in law was gone when I got up.  "I guess the hospital called him in late last night."

Gadsden Mall was dead quiet, when I swerved off Rainbow Drive for I-759 to connect with I-59.  A few minutes later I came around the bending ramp, did a head check to make sure no on had aim on me, and took off north.

I've said before I-59 is not a bad interstate as interstates go.  It is rural, scenic and not much traffic.  The only problem, it needs resurfacing badly.  The right lane bounces you up and down like a endless railroad crossing.  I hit the ESA button on the RT moving the shocks from the normal to comfort position, that helped.  At last I got smart and just rode the less bumpy left lane.  Everyone was.  I-59 this morning was like the UK, you cruised on the left, and passed on the right.

It felt cool in the shadows of the nearby hills.  I was watchful for deer but saw none. I had on the AGV all leather gloves, and a long sleeve t shirt under the Roadcrafter.  It was a great morning to be on a ride.

I set the cruise on the RT at indicated 80 mph, that the Zumo translated to 77, and from there I just watched the hills and valley's go by.  It was fun.

Sixty-nine miles later I was stopped at the Pilot Truck Stop at Rising Fawn, Georgia.  I almost always stop here when I pass through.  Its a good place to get a snack and make a few phone calls.  "I'm ok on gas, I'll get some other side of Chattanooga, I just want something to eat, and a Diet Dew."  They have a Subway with tables and a WiFi connection for web surfacing.

It was too early to call Debbie at work, so I had some time to kill.  I bought some fat free Fig Newtons, and a Diet Dew, and sat at a table.  With a fast WiFi connection I read the news off USA Today.

The " John Boy and Billy Big Show" radio program was on the store speakers.  For those of y'all that don't know, it's 2 good ole boys jabbering, telling jokes, and playing music.  Each morning they have a guy come on (forgot his name) and give commentary.  Today he was railing on a recent report that said fat people were causing global warming.  "You know fat people contribute a lot to this world, who do you think invented tv clickers, and garage door openers?  And the guy that invented computers was a fat guy too, he was on "Dancing with the Stars" his name is Steve something.  I mean it took a fat guy to invent something so you could look at naked girls without leaving the house."  I thought I was going to spit out my Diet Dew when I heard that.

It was after 8 now so I called Debbie at work and reported in, then sent my son a text.  I checked the weather again, the rain hadn't moved much.

I was sitting at the table minding my own business, when a long haired guy about 35 came up to me.  He looked like a lost hippie.  "Is that your BMW out front?"  

"yeah"

"nice bike but it ain't as good a Harley Road King"

"Look, I didn't say it was"

How do these people find me?

Then he said, "I do alot of riding yanno"

"really?"

"Oh yeah"

"Where to?"

"well one time I rode to Knoxville"

"from where?"

"Huntsville"  (about 200 miles)

I shot up and said, "Dayum that is a long ride, how'd it go?"

"Went great, but you gotta know what your're doing.  Especially when you go through those big cities"

"I bet"

"How bout you, do much riding?"

"Yeah I do a little"  I handed him my card.  "You can email me here, I appreciate any pointers you can give me"

"ok will do"

I'll say this about the guy, he was genuine.

I got back on the road with a smile on my face and got ready for the mess in Chattanooga.  Always lots of traffic and construction there.  I made it through the Georgia section without getting a ticket.  Didn't even see a trooper, unusual for that stretch of land.

While splitting off I-59 to 24 I felt the RT not handling properly.  I ride my bikes enough to know when something is not right.  It felt sluggish in the rear end.  "The rear tire is low, I'll check it soon as I get north of the city."  The rear also felt like it was sitting too low.

I went from I-24 to 75 and pushed my way through Chattanooga.  Traffic was crazy so I camped out in the #1 lane.  Signs pointed me through the construction barrels, and I managed to keep the pace up.  Up the long hill I went north of the city, and back down the other side to freedom.

At last I cleared the worst of the city and exited.  Now came the hard part; finding a air nozzle that will fit a motorcycle.  The first 4 places I stopped were no dice.  I went to a Jiffy Lube and pulled to one of the bays.  A helpful attendant came out.  He reeled out his air hose, that had a built in gauge.  We bent the valve enough to get the nozzle on.  The PSI was down to 25,  "Dang I gotta slow leak somewhere, I just aired this tire up yesterday."  "How much you want in here?"  "Bring it up to 45."

This tire was plugged 7k miles ago, and has not given me a problem.  From the looks of the tire I guessed at least 3k miles left.  Certainly enough to do this trip, but perhaps with the tire wearing down the plug is failing?  I didn't know that for sure, but I couldn't find a nail or other problem.  But that didn't mean wasn't one.

The 1200 felt and handled much better with the tire aired up.  I gassed up at nearby Chevron station.  "I'm gonna ride on to Knoxville, and  gather my thoughts there on what to do next.  My guess the nearest dealer is gonna be there anyway."

I got back on 75 and headed north.  While riding up the interstate I weighed my options.  "Well I can air this tire up every morning, and nurse it the entire trip, or I can spend the money and be done with it."  But finding air for a motorcycle every morning is much harder then it looks.  I made quick work of the 50 or so miles to Knoxville where I exited at exit 379 for a Shoney's lunch.

I checked the lunch buffet and went that route, picking out some chicken and fish.  "I'm gonna eat big now, and skip supper."  The meal was ok, and the middle aged waitress good.

When lunch was over I called Uncle Phil at work to get a heads up on the construction in downtown Knoxville, the signs said for thru traffic to take 640 around.  I called my old friend, who always has my back on trips.  I knew he had just come through Knoxville about 2 weeks prior on his own trip up north.  "look here, what's it look like getting through Knoxville?"  Do I have to take 640?"  "Not really but it won't hurt, 75 is all tore up, it is only a few miles longer and a lot less trouble."  Then I told him about my tire situation.  "Hold on lemme see where the nearest dealer is."  If he comes back and tells me Chattanooga I'm gonna be upset.

I told him my present location of exit 379.  "ok there is dealer close by, go back south  about 10 miles."  "ok let me have the address and I'll put it in the GPS."  He gave the phone number of Destination BMW, it was back south near Lenoir City.  I called them and they confirmed they had the tire I needed on the rack.  That would have never happen on the Honda.  Very few dealers stock the odd size tire the ST calls for.

"Well I might as well bite the bullet and buy the tire, just so I don't have to think about it."  With that decision made I ate some fruit and then loaded back up for the short ride back south to Destination BMW.

I put the address in the Zumo and it took me right to the front door.

Destination is a Ducati, BMW, Triumph dealer, that must be feeling the squeeze of the recession.  The only BMW's on the showroom were a used LT, RS, a Gold Wing, and a bike I can't remember.  Not a single new bike to be found.  I went up to the service desk and explained I had called earlier.

"Oh yeah, been looking or ya," the man said.

"yeah I bet you have, look, don't hurt me too bad, I'm on a fixed budget with a leaking rear tire"

"Tire and mounting will run 230 dollars and we'll put it on like right NOW."  About what I pay back home.  What could I do?  I had to have the tire, but the tipping point was I'd be back on the road in less then a hour.  "Ok, tell them boys to get started."

The service manager wheeled my beloved RT to the back and I found a seat in the showroom and made a few phone calls to past the time.  I spent most of the time on the phone with my brother.  I also played chess on my Iphone with the computer I've never beat.

Thirty minutes later the manager brought the RT back out ready to go.  I thanked them for their prompt service and support.  Good folks at Destination.  The episode from hanging up the phone at Shoney's to back on the road was about 1 hour, and a minor inconvenience at worst.

Nothing feels as good as new tires.  Now the RT had new rubber front and back, and she was so happy!  Like Debbie and new shoes!  I was cautious the first 30 miles or so while I scrubbed the new tire in.

Back north on 75 I went.  Just south of the city I over took a silver ST 1300, I don't why he was moving so slow.  I wheeled around on 640 and a few miles later plugged into I-40 west.  I saw a local cop shooting laser on the by pass, but he must have missed me.  The BMW felt firm and planted with the new Metzller on the rear.

I-40 was crowded with traffic but I found a safe spot, and pushed on.  I moved the screen high to quiet down the wind.  The interstate runs north out of Knoxville, but when it meets I-81 it makes a hard turn east toward North Carolina.  This is where 81 starts its north bound trek to Pennsylvania.   The zumo guided me through the lanes, and I soon found myself on the road to Virginia.

The stretch of 81 through Tennessee seems like it takes a long time, and today was no exception.  I sang a few songs, and watched the scenery roll by.  The highway cuts a long path through rural lands of pastures and fields.  I saw another state trooper far in the distance and had time to slow down.

By 4 in the afternoon I had made it Bristol.  I scrubbed a few miles off the mph and set the cruise on 74 on the 65 mph speed limits of Virginia.  "I hope that is good enough to keep me out of trouble."  There was still no sign of rain on the way.

In Marion, I took a well deserved butt break at a McDonalds.  I had to come off 81 into town.  I went past the motel we stayed at while on the 2006 PPP ride.  Didn't look like much had changed around here since that day.  That was a great ride.

My habits are always evolving.  This tour I took a liking to McDonald's for butt breaks.  They have something to drink, apple pies, cookies, mostly clean restrooms, nice place to sit, and most have a WiFi connection.  Beats most con stores.

The store had a smoking section.  It was kind of odd seeing somebody smoke in a public building.  But this is Virginia, and tobacco is a big crop.

I took my apple pie and diet coke to a booth and called Debbie.  I told her I wasn't sure I'd have a signal at the park so this might be my last call.  After that conversation I checked my checking account via online to see how much damage my new tire did to it.  I hung around almost 30 minutes talking and web surfing.  "I better get going, day is slipping by."

On the way out I pulled in a Chevron down the street and topped off the gas tank.  My reserve light wasn't on yet but I knew it would fire off any minute, so I consolidated stops.  "Might as well get some now, so I don't have to stop again."  The Zumo put my time of arrival about 6:30pm.

A mercantile store called "Jerry's typewriter Service," caught my eye on the way out only because I didn't think anyone made typewriters anymore.  "I wonder who still uses them things?"

The RT is well equipped to handle all day interstate rides.  It has a excellent seat, riding position and a precise, reliable cruise control, married to a slick wind controlled cockpit.

I-81 had a lot of Dogwoods blooming, but the trees were still a few weeks from greening up.

About 100 miles after entering Virginia the Zumo directed me to take I-77 North into West Virginia.  I leaned the RT over the sweeping curves as the highway went up, and through the mountains using 2 tunnels.   I shot past slow moving trucks and RVs as they tried to get up the long uphills.  I've always enjoyed doing that.

I took the SR 20 exit and started the last few miles to the campground.  Apparently, the zumo knew a few local roads not on the map, and directed me off on some kind of short cut.  "Ok I'm game, lets see what happens."   I was riding along and prompted to make a left turn at the top of a sharp hill.  I met a car coming at me also turning left.  I needed to stop and let the lady turn, but I didn't want to do that at the top of a hill and risk somebody rear ending me, so I went down to a driveway and turned around and came back.

The final few miles to the park were nice.  No traffic, with some nice curves.  I pulled to the entrance but no rangers were on duty.  I filled out the paperwork and put my 10 dollars in the night drop.  The park was deserted, only a few RVs in the camper area all I could see.

I made my way up to the back of the park, where I knew it would dark and quiet.  "well I guess I'll see how well I stored my camping gear last fall."  I recalled I did that carefully, so I was confident all my gear was just as I left it after returning from the Blue Ridge last Fall.  I needn't have worried, everythng was right where it was suppose to be, and my tent and bed went up without a hitch.

The Achilles heel of the Iphone is battery life.  If you're on the internet couple of hours, a full charge only good for about a day.  Mine was down to 20%.  "I'll charge it up while I'm in the shower."

I finished the day with 475 miles.  I didn't take a single picture all day, but I was on the slab most of the most of the time so y'all didn't miss anything.

Pipestem is a big, sprawling park, and from my site I could look out over the meadows.  I camped here in 2002 and 2005, both trips I was on my way to Canada.  "It does not seem like 4 years ago since I was last here, where does the time go?"  Surprisingly, I had a good 2 bars so called home, and spent about 30 minutes with Debbie, while I sat on my picnic table.

Again, I had a slow edge connection, but it was good enough to show me the rain was now about 50 miles away.  "It will surely roll in sometime tonight."  I squared all my stuff away to make sure nothing would be exposed to the wet stuff.

I took a long walk to move some blood.  I didn't pack my running gear this tour.  Just as well, I'm terribly out of shape from where I was 4 years ago on my last visit here when I ran 4 miles.  Just been lazy and not eating well the last 2 years.  Have to do better and I will, just don't know when, have to bottom out first.

By now it was time to hit the showers so I went across the meadows to the bathhouse.  Once there I found 3 bath heads in the stall.  "I guess they want 3 guys to share the shower stall?"  I'm the modest type, I'm not standing naked in the shower with ANY kind of man, stranger or no.  Nowayjose.  "If anyone else comes, just gonna hafta to wait till I'm done."

I had just dressed and was gathering my stuff when a man showed up to take a shower.  I said to him, "Look here, I'm on the way out, I'm not taking a Brokeback shower, like they have set up.  I at least have to have a curtain.  Good luck."  The man looked in and saw the 3 nozzles in one stall.  "I see what ya mean, this thing is barely big enough for 1 but 3?"

I collected my now fully charged phone and made the long walk back to my tent.  It was dark now, and the campground was quiet and still.  Temps were going in the 50's, the cool temps and quiet should make for a nice sleep.

Looking for a snack, I visited the vending machine but it wouldn't take my money.  I was still full from lunch and the apple pies.  "Good thing I'm not hungry."

With nothing left to do, I went back to the tent and went to bed, it was about 9:30pm.  I fell asleep quickly but then woke up and couldn't go back to sleep.  I tossed and turned over and over.  For some reason I felt lonely and isolated in this huge campground with no one but me around.  I rose up thinking all kinds of crazy things.  "What if I have a asthma attack, and no one here to help me?"  I've never had asthma in my life, why I thought I would now I have no idea.  All kinds of crazy scenarios went through my head.  Despite all my years of doing this, I was a little scared.  It made no sense.

The anxiety made getting to sleep worse, all I wanted was morning to come.  Why I had this feeling I can't say, but I finally calmed down and went to sleep.  Maybe it was the fact I was waiting to hear the sound of rain pattering my tent, but it was long night.

Next- tough ride in the WVA hills.