Gold Bond...

... I might need to buy some.  See why below!

[NOTE: Added pictures and a little bit of text at the end]


From: Weston WV
To: Bardstown, KY
Mileage: About 570kms

Today was hot (I think it reached somewhere around 30C), and my behind had a rough time with the heat in the seat.  Also, I rode something like... 570kms?  or something?  I'll have to update later.  Right now I'm in the McDonald's in Bardstown KY.  I'm camping at My Old Kentucky Home State Park.  I have the tent pitched, the sleeping stuff unrolled, and some firewood  ready.  I think I'll just post a shorter post now.  I don't like sitting in McDonalds THAT much.  Also, the food here tends to disagree with my stomach, and I'm a sucker for the cheap American prices.  I already had a McChicken and a McDouble, and a coffee... Baaaaad combination.

This morning I checked out of the hotel, wiped off all the condensation and lubricated the chain on my bike.  I kitted up and noticed I was already quite hot and sweaty.  I shed the rain/wind liner from my riding pants.  I then shed the pants I had underneath.  I'm now extremely happy I got these mesh-ish overpants.  I was afraid I'd be cold, but in reality I should have been more concerned with being too hot.

My bags are all stuffed full.  So this morning, when I shed a pair of pants, my pants liner, and my thermal liner, and I traded my thermal bandana and thermal gloves for my hot weather stuff, I very quickly ran out of all my space.  My running shoes and my thermarest were promoted to passenger seat to make some room in the bags.  I think I'll head to walmart and see if I can find some compression sacks.

Anyway, I left the hotel and decided to cover some ground.  I rode from Weston WV straight through Charleston WV on I-79 S.  I stayed on I-64 West through Huntington WV, where I stopped after 250kms to gas up.  I took a short break and had a small sub.  Before you say "Subway again?", remember that I had very few options.  It was either Subway, or a veterinarian's office...  After my break, I jumped back on the interstate, and shortly thereafter I was entering Kentucky.  Sadly, the welcome sign was on a bridge, so I couldn't pull off for a photo.  I stopped at the welcome centre to get a map and a route, so here's the best I could do.

 I took these outside Subway before getting into Kentucky

I decided to take the Bluegrass (Blue Grass?) Parkway, and eventually the Western Kentucky Parkway southwest to Memphis. I stayed on the interstate until I reached Lexington KY, and then I jumped on the Blue Grass Parkway.  Nothing much happened turing that whole time.  I lost the cap from my water bladder tube while riding, and I dropped the tube and poured water on my lap and onto the interstate while riding.  That's about the best part.  The scenery in West Virginia was amazing.  Kentucky was similar on the way in.  Nice easy rolling hills and turns, bright colours (greens [grass/fields], pinks [trees], blues [sky]), etc.  Here's a couple quick shots.  I didn't see anything really worth shooting today except a castle.  But it was closed so I kept driving.

I stopped on the other side of Lexington KY to refuel and take a short rest.  I looked up campgrounds, and jumped back on the bike.  I followed the Blue Grass Parkway out to My Old Kentucky Home State Park.  On the way I started getting nice and sleepy, and caught myself getting drowsy.  I pulled off, rubbed my eyes, took off my helmet, scratched my head, stretched, and then got going again.  Just that little stop did wonders and woke me right up.  I grabbed a site, and set up camp.  I then came here.  I now feel the McDonald's kicking in.  I don't know why but I always tell myself it won't do anything this time, and then it always hurts my stomach.  I should have just cooked the oatmeal I pocketed from the continental breakfast this morning.


Once I got back to my campsite, I started a nice big fire and eventually went to bed.  I took a few night shots, but you can't really see the site in them.  Tomorrow's post will have daytime shots.

Bah fo now!

Batman, Indians, and Twisties

From: Meadville, PA
To: Weston, WV (via Pittsburgh)
Mileage: About 390km

I started around 10 or 11 after breakfast and gearing up.  I decided to ignore the GPS and drove in circles for 11kms.  When I reached the starting point again, I decided to obey.  Before leaving Meadville, I found this:

Meadville, PA

I think Allegheny College in the area took old street signs and art'D up the place.  Kind of cool, actually.

From there I took I-79 South toward Pittsburgh.  Kind of an uneventful ride, and at one point I pulled off and took Route 19 south - a smaller county highway.  I stopped at an Indian Motorcycles dealership/shop, and spoke to a couple who were both riding Buells, and an employee from the store.  They gave me some route suggestions.

From then on, Route 19 was awful.  It quickly because the main street of some town/city, and it was complete gridlock.  I think I moved maybe 10kms in an hour...?  Literally.

I got back on the interstate and headed for Pittsburgh. I started to see the city peeking over some hills, and pretty soon I was on a bridge overlooking downtown Pittsburgh.  I pulled off and went downtown to Market Square:

Market Square, Pittsburgh

I had lunch at a (very busy!) sandwich place and had a pastrami and cheese sandwich (as was suggested by the guy who took my order).  I had no idea how to handle this, but I managed...

I spoke to one guy who gave me directions to Market square from my place.  He told me that the new Batman movie will be shot (at least in part) in Pittsburgh, and I'm hoping some of the buildings I saw are featured.  After lunch, I chatted with a guy named Sean who took the table I was leaving.  He had a gold front tooth!  He saw my camera and started talking about cameras and photography.  I guess he's a self taught professional photographer.  He told me about a time when he snapped a shot of a bank robber being arrested at the Red Roof Inn, and later sold the shot to a major newspaper.  I think getting that picture published helped him break into the photojournalism business.  Anyway, after talking ot him, I grabbed a quick coffee from Starbucks where I chatted with another guy.  He has a CBR1000RR, and he was asking about my trip.  I then suited back up, and hit the highways, heading towards Charleston West Virginia.  At one point, I passed an entire tractor trailer truck that had gone off the interstate and had fallen about 20-25ft down the side, and landed upside down.  That was also kind of cool.  I don't think anyone was hurt, or if they were they had already been removed from the scene.

A little further I entered West Virginia!

Let me just say this... West Virginians know how to build roads.  And.... landscape.  It's beautiful here.  Shortly after taking that photo, I stopped in at the welcome centre and got some information.  I left the interstate and took Route 19 towards 119, which both go southwest.

Really though, I can't describe how nice that ride was.  I don't have the words to capture it properly, and even photos can't really show how good those roads are.  The roads themselves are the twistiest roads I've ever ridden (though coming from Waterloo Ontario, I haven't really ridden any real "twisties").  I was on these these tortuous roads, surrounded by picturesque hills, covered in a vivid green grass. I even got a bit of sunshine in the evening, which made for a nice sunset.

I did, however, notice an unusual number of cemeteries in West Virginia...  This was the smallest one I passed.

At one point, I rode past a family of deer grazing RIGHT beside the road.  I had to stop slowly because there was nowhere to pull off.  In turning around to take a picture, I spooked them, so my shots were only blurry telephoto pictures.

The area started getting a little foggy and damp, and the roads were getting way too slick for my liking.  I didn't have any problems riding, but I wanted to call it quits for the day.  I carried on until I reached Weston, WV, and asked some locals at 7 eleven where I could find the campground that was suggested while at the welcome centre.  They told me that it was supposed to rain tonight.  Also, there's a super dense fog outside (can't see 10 feet).  Soooo, they suggested I go to a motel, and told me that the Super 8 is best.  I'm here now, and it's not too bad.  I've been generally impressed with the motels I've visited.  I just don't like having to pay $60/night (including tax).  $40 for motel 6 was okay.  I find it weird though - I haven't paid the regular rate, or even the AAA/CAA rate once.  Everywhere I've stayed, I've been given a lower rate than the other guests.  Not sure why, but I like it!
Anyway, I had a Subway sub for dinner, and almost bought a $3.99 bottle of wine from the grocery store.  I didn't really want it, but it was just SO CHEAP!  I came back, and did some laundry while I wrote this, and now I'm tired enough that I don't really know if what I wrote makes sense.  I guess I'll find out if there are a million confused comments tomorrow.  Also, sorry the photos are just snapshots.  I tend to take them without getting off the bike, without taking off my helmet, and sometimes without taking off my gloves.  If I had more space, I would have brought my DSLR and taken some better photos.

Also, my clutch lever is giving me problems - it seems to get stuck half way before engaging, so I can't really let the clutch out to go.  I think I can fix it with a minor adjustment, and some oil.  I'll do that tomorrow.  Now, sleep.

Wait!  One last thing.  Doesn't this go without saying?

*CRASH!*  "You're doing it wrong!"

NY and PA

From: Buffalo/Williamsville
To: Meadville, PA
Mileage: About 220km

Checked into the Econolodge in Meadville PA.  I think I'm lucky - I only saw about three mist-sized drops of rain when all around me the roads are soaked, and people are complaining about the weather.

Anyway, after checking out this morning, I went back to BestBuy to get phones set up.  When that was finished, I  set off on I90.  I stayed on there for a little while, until I got sick of riding on interstates.  I exited and sort of made my own way around.  After getting nowhere, the GPS lead me back onto I90.  I pulled off again later and took Route 20 West through NY and into Erie PA. At some point I stopped and ate that burger... Anyone who knows me knows that one burger does nothing but make me hungry.  Shortly after eating it, I rode past a cookie factory.  I almost fell off the bike smelling the air.  (Not really - don't worry mom...!)

On Route 20 West (I think?)  Notice the Canadian Flag in the background.  Can you imagine... VenicebyTANK!!!

Safe AND stylish.  And ready to rave.

Uhh.. No thanks :)

Westfield NY, I think. So wacky [link]

Westfield, Main Street.

I turned south on some road and found that Tims.  My cup instructed me to play again...
I took I-79 South and pulled off in Meadville and here I am at the Econolodge.  These past two days were kind of dull for riding, and for reading posts.  Sorry!  Hopefully tomorrow (and thereafter) will be better, as I'll get an early start, and I'll try and do some research on my route/attractions. 

Don't stop checking back! I'll have better pictures and stories soon, I hope.  Also, I'm excited for some warmer weather so I can break out the tent!  Why pay good money for a motel when you can camp?!

Argh!

I just accidentally discarded a post that took about 20 mins to type out on this phone!  Here's the gist:
-Interesting meal choice. Wanted tims before they start disappearing.
-I'm in Erie PA now.
-I'm bone dry and the roard are wet... go figure.
-I left the interstate and took smaller routes for the first time.  Much nicer.
I only left around 2 or 3pm after spending time in best buy getting this phone.  I wanted to get to Akron OH tonight. I'll re-evaluate in a min - this muffin is burning a hole in my mind.

Lunch

Finally got some food. Had the Texas burger. No sides or anything... I was expecting a restsaurant, but its an indoor chip wagon.

Posting from my new phone, so forgive me if it doesn't work.

Omen

That's the situation.  It's moving east.  Anyway, they're calling for thunderstorms throughout eastern America this weekend.  Hopefully it ..... BLOWS OVER!

Day 1 - Raiders Territory!

From: Waterloo
To: Buffalo/Williamsville NY
Mileage: About 250km

First: breakfast.  Ginny and I ate at Coras in Waterloo.  I had some weird cinnamon bun turned french toast, covered with bacon and eggs?  I dont know, I ate it in separate pieces.  After breakfast, I got a haircut, then went home to load up, and suit up.

Home for the next few weeks

Yours truly

Fully loaded

Poor bike...  So much weight...

From there I rode straight to Oakville.  I just took the 401 to Bronte Road (highway 25? I forget).  I grabbed a few things from the storage room and stopped at my parents office.  There I handled a few grad school related things (accepting NSERC) and said bye to the parentals.  I FINALLY got on the road after much ado, and eventually I was reaching the border.

I had a nice chat with a friendly border guard who wasn't expecting me.  I think he was expecting some spikey haired punk biker because he came out a little stern looking.  After asking me where I was going, his face was priceless when I told him "California".  He then asked what I do for a living, or how I support myself.  Before I could answer, he quickly followed that up with "So you're looking for work?"  I said no, and told him I'd graduated, and grad school in September, etc.  He stopped with the serious questions and then started asking me about the trip, the bike, my gear, plans, etc, and smiling, rather than frowning.

I tried to take a well framed, artistic picture of my bike in front of the border with Canada in the background, and two US flags waving above the bike.  I had it framed and autofocused, but I didn't get to snap the shot!  I was scolded by a border guard who then pointed me in the direction of the washrooms.  No photos allowed I guess.

From there I went to the Walden Galleria to buy a cell phone.  Took forever in best buy and I still don't have a phone.  Maybe tomorrow morning...
I went to the Buffalo airport area and stopped at four hotels before finally settling into the motel 6.  Nice and cheap :)

In case you're wondering - I didn't stop for food, so my cinnamon bun egg thing was all I ate (aside from four granola bars)

I'll be updating as frequently as possible, with photos whenever I can.  For detailed things like this, I need wifi, but I'll do my best.  Starbucks has wifi, and I have a $25 gift card... Thanks Ginny!

Tired now...

Politics

My seat was held up at customs for two weeks, which delayed my trip.  It was suggested by the Canada Border Services Agency that I contact my MP. When has that ever helped anyone?  I called anyway, and about two hours later, the package was cleared by customs and processed at the postal facility.  Now I just need to wait for it to be delivered. 
Amazing.