2,526 miles in five days.

[Wleuthold]

After owning my NC for just under one month, I decided to try to take the type of ride I bought it for and headed to from Jacksonville, Florida to Detroit to meet up with my son Sam for a ride to Chicago, his new home.

I left at 5:00 AM on Friday and rode the interstate highway system past Savannah, Columbia, SC., Charlotte, Charleston, WV,. to spend the first night in Columbus, Ohio. 830 days of enduring a very uncomfortable seat, but other than that the bike performed perfectly.

I left Columbus at 6:00 to meet Sam in Berkley, Michigan at 10:00 but found I-75 completely blocked heading into Detroit that caused me at least a 30 minute delay so I got there a little late. Then Sam, his friend Zack and I rode to Ann Arbor for lunch. Sam and I then completed the 250 mile ride into Chicago, hitting rain heading into the city.

Sunday was a day of rest as I visited with Sam and his girlfriend, having brunch, riding and driving around the city and dinner in the evening.

I headed out at 5:45 on Monday for the long trek home in 47 degree weather. Got through Chicago easily and hit northern Indiana where the temperature was 44 degrees with around a 25 mph cross wind. It was not pleasant. After Indianapolis it got better and continued to improve all the way past Louisville, Lexington and Knoxville to Newport, Tennessee.

Yesterday I headed home from there at around 7:00. It was cold, 47 degrees, foggy and damp upon leaving. The day warmed up though and although it rained on me a couple of times, the ride was easy. I passed Asheville, NC., Columbia, SC., and Savannah heading home.

My VStream windshield performed great, making for a comfortable ride except when the cross wind was so strong it just came around it. I averaged 64 mpg running at speeds between 55 and 85 mph depending on the posted speed limits and the traffic flow. The longest on any tank was 200 miles and I never put more than 2.95 gallons in the tank. I used just under 40 gallons for the entire ride. The seat became bearable after the first day but it sure could be better. I am now at 4150 miles after one month but I don't have any long rides planned for a while.

Overall, the NC was very good and made for a great ride.

 

[Old Can Ride]

All and all it sounds like you had a very good ride. I agree with you about the performance of the Vstream windshield. As it gets colder, electric clothing sure makes any ride a lot more comfortable. However, anything bets riding in the heat. I hope to ride the East coast myself this month, but family keeps setting my trip back. Fall is a great time to ride!

 

[dduelin]

Good ride. Thanks for sharing and see you again soon I hope - 2nd Annual FL RTE on 10/20/13!

 

[Wleuthold]

Good ride. Thanks for sharing and see you again soon I hope - 2nd Annual FL RTE on 10/20/13!

I am still planning to come along. We need to set up a place to meet for the ride down.

And OCR, I didn't plan for the cold but I did plan for rain so I had enough gear to stay reasonably comfortable in the cold.
I did it by wearing jeans with rain pants over for the bottoms. For the top I wore a tee shirt, turtle neck, two sweat shirts and a rain jacket.
My gloves weren't true cold weather gloves but worked as the windshield pushed the wind away from my hands enough to keep them reasonably comfortable.
I found the rain pants flapped around violently at the bottom in the wind. It was enough to cause a blister before I fixed it using rubber bands to stabilize the fabric.

 

[jtkirk]

Good report. My weather here in the Ozarks has turned cool - mid 40's in the AM. Last few weeks have been heavy fog in the mornings w/ temps in the 60's. Been cold enough to turn on my heated grips the first time this week. I will never own another bike w/out them.

 

[Fuzzy]

.... 830 days of enduring a very uncomfortable seat, but other than that the bike performed perfectly.

Must have been in a lot of pain if the ride seemed that long.

 

[Wleuthold]

Must have been in a lot of pain if the ride seemed that long.

My brain could use some help sometimes. Should be 830 miles, of course.
The seat was much better after day one, but it still will be replaced.

 

[kasi]

Looking very comfortable long road trip and I really impressed with your road trip because you have covered many distances within 5 days what about your bike?