• Route 66 Day 6 THE END: Tulsa to Amarillo

    Yesterday in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    I left the hotel at 0400 in a terrible thunderstorm. The torrential downpour lasted until 0500, but by 0600 I was on dry roads, which lasted the rest of the day.

    Since I have done so much of the Oklahoma Route 66 and all of the Texas, I decided to grab some Tour of Honor, Ride to Eat, and dealership photos today. Success except I found another shutdown HD in Stillwater OK 😟.

    I also went to the midpoint of the entire Route 66, which is in Adrian, TX, about 45 miles west of Amarillo, so I could say I truly did half of the route 😁. Once I got that far, I decided to keep going to Tucumcari NM--60 miles further--for a ToH pic 🤣.

    Our final rally dinner was at Tripps HD, who always puts on a good meal with plenty of food. I had a great time with awesome people. I can't wait for the second half later this summer!!

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 89604
    Ending odometer: 90415
    Daily mileage: 811
    2026 miles total: 43738
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  • Route 66 Day 5: Springfield to Tulsa

    May 21 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 66 °F

    I was back on the Mother Road today with lots of stops. Galena KS was awesome, so put it on your map!

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 89372
    Ending odometer: 89604
    Daily mileage: 232
    2026 miles total: 42927
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  • Route 66 Day 4: St Louis to Springfield

    May 20 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    I left Springfield IL at 0400 this morning to get my 90,000-mile service at Rawhide HD in Kansas City.

    Saw my friend Riot's bike there.

    They didn't service my air cleaner, so when I got to Renegade HD for dinner, I called Rawhide and they covered the $90+ for Renegade to do it.

    I wonder if there's anything else the tech didn't do 🤔.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 88880
    Ending odometer: 889372
    Daily mileage: 492
    2026 miles total: 42695
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  • Route 66 Day 3: Springfield to St Louis

    May 19 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Left at 0800. Made lots of stops on the way down the Mother Road. Ate too much sugar: apple fritter🙂, ice cream😁, and 6 blocks of fudge😳 that I shared with the big group at dinner👍. Drummed up a couple of donations👏👏.

    More details later. Right now, I have to go to sleep because I have to leave at 0400 to get to Kansas City for my service tomorrow 😞. G'nite.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 88708
    Ending odometer: 88880
    Daily mileage: 172
    2026 miles total: 42203
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  • Route 66 Day 2: Joliet to Springfield

    May 18 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    I'll fill you in later, but it was a great day of riding despite the terrible weather.

    These are some links for some stuff we saw on the way.

    https://www.lexingtonil.gov/elephant-lexington-…

    https://destinationlogancountyil.com/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLE45-7jCUU&amp…

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 88512
    Ending odometer: 88708
    Daily mileage: 196
    2026 miles total: 42031
    Read more

  • Route 66 Day 1: Chicago to Joliet

    May 17 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    Four of us left Milwaukee this morning at 0500 😳. We stopped at a couple of HDs and one of my Tour of Honor locations on the way, and arrived in downtown Chicago at about 0730. We left early so we could eat at Lou Mitchell's. Even older than Route 66, this diner has been serving road travellers delicious meals since 1923 😱. It was fantastic!!!
    https://www.loumitchells.com/

    After breakfast, we grabbed pictures of the start and end signs, then went to the Navy Pier where Harley Motor Company arranged free parking for all of our bikes so we could take a group photo by the new sign they erected there.

    [To be finished later. Sorry.]

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 88322
    Ending odometer: 88512
    Daily mileage: 190
    2026 miles total: 41835
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  • Rally Check In

    May 16 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    I came up to House of Harley at 1000 this morning so I could set up my bike for signatures and see everyone as they arrived to check in for HOG's Route 66 East Touring Rally.

    This rally is destined to be epic! It's the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road, and the 250 of us are riding from Chicago to Amarillo over the next week. Later in the summer, there is another rally that will take us from Amarillo to the end at Santa Monica Pier. ♥️

    In a touring rally, we don't all ride together. Rather, we make our own way from city to city, and in the evenings we usually meet up at a Harley dealership for dinner and fellowship, like tonight here at House of Harley. But 259 motorcycles all taking the same route---Route 66--it may seem like we're all together 🤣.

    Anyway, we roll tomorrow morning. I'm so excited!!

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 88307
    Ending odometer: 88322
    Daily mileage: 15
    2026 miles total: 41645
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  • Milwaukee Loop

    May 15 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Today, my friend "made" 😉 me ride with her to several dealerships and Harley Headquarters. She also "let" 😉 me stop to grab a photo for AULDR and RTE each. 🤣🤣 Just kidding! We had a good day when we weren't on the interstate 🤣.

    We had a terrific lunch at a wonderful place called Chuck's Place. If you're in the north Milwaukee area (near Suburban HD), make a point to stop in. Fantastic food and wonderful people!!
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/wtKYvcngAGjkP89G8?g_st=ac

    The rest of today is chilling in the room, doing laundry, and enjoying the jacuzzi. Aaahhhhh 😌.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 88120
    Ending odometer: 88307
    Daily mileage: 177
    2026 miles total: 41630
    Read more

  • Adulting Day

    May 11 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Oh how nice it was to sleep in. I ate some pizza, made it through one movie, and crashed before 2100. I didn't wake up completely until 0830 😱. I really needed the sleep and rest. Not just from riding, but also because of my tumble last month.

    I told myself--and you guys in one of these footprints--that if I was still hurting by the time I got to Milwaukee then I would go to the Veterans Administration emergency room to make sure my ribs were okay. So, this morning I did.

    My fall off the U-Haul ramp with the motorcycle happened on 20 April. The pain in my left armpit and ribs has not diminished in the slightest. I can't sleep on my back or left side, any movement with my left arm hurts like a sonuvabitch, and a sneeze makes me scream. So today it was time to make sure I'm not really damaged.

    The VA ER took chest x-rays and luckily none of my ribs are cracked or broken, but they are most likely bruised as far as the doctor could tell. He's a rider as well (Road King) and visibly cringed when I told him about coming off the ramp 🤣. After we talked about me, he asked about the bike 🤣. He also gave me a big thumbs up for having worn my helmet 👍. Nice.

    Anyway, 30 lidocaine patches and a prescription of acetaminophen--along with a big honking shot of acetaminophen--should help me cope with the next couple of weeks. Really happy that there's no significant damage.

    After that, as well as a haircut and pedicure, I'm now back at the hotel ready to work on my routes (and maybe take a nap after I get back in the jacuzzi 😉). No more riding for a few days, thankfully. Time to rest and heal 💪.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 88090
    Ending odometer: 88120
    Daily mileage: 30
    2026 miles total: 41453
    Read more

  • Time To Take A Break

    May 10 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    I putzed around this morning and didn't leave the hotel until almost 0800, but I still made it about 400 miles to Milwaukee around 1600.

    Absolutely nothing of significance today. I was able to pick up another 15 Rides for 2026 location though, which makes 8 so far 👍.

    I'm so glad to be able to rest for a few days. I've already been in the hotel jacuzzi (not hot enough but still good), cleaned up in the shower (yay hot!), and ordered Door Dash.

    Papa John and I will be watching Netflix for the remainder of the evening and I'm not setting my alarm for the morning 🤣. Ttyl!!

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 87696
    Ending odometer: 88090
    Daily mileage: 394
    2026 miles total: 41423
    Read more

  • Wind Sucks

    May 9 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 64 °F

    All day, windy like crazy. But first....

    I got rolling around 0430 without having any issues during the night.

    If I missed telling you, I got Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa Capitol buildings in 2 days 🤣. So today, I got Kansas in Topeka.

    I rolled so very early to miss all the work traffic. Success! When I got there at 0615, not a car in sight. Of course, that could have had something to do with it being Saturday 🤦🤣. Oh well.

    Today, Iowa beat Illinois for the Windiest State award 🤣. My weather app said winds at 10 mph, but the flags along the way looked like the one on the moon and the bike was sideways. Again, riding in that string of winds is really tiring, so I decided--since I only have about 300 miles left to get to Milwaukee--I'd stop for the night. It's practically impossible to free camp on the bike during daylight, so I hoteled it again.

    Now, I'm enjoying a locally brewed cream ale at a brew house down the street. Gonna be a good night 🍻!

    Oh yeah, other than the Capitol, the Iron Butt sign was so cool!!!

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 87081
    Ending odometer: 87696
    Daily mileage: 615
    2026 miles total: 41029

    P.S.: I've sent a support ticket to figure out how to get the photos to stop turning. It just began with the last update, so we'll see. Sorry. Also, my tracker isn't working. I've manually plotted the major points here and there, but it's really tedious. If you want to see my actual route, check this out:
    https://spotwalla.com/trip/d77b-426aea-f34f/view
    Read more

  • 40,000! 💪

    May 8 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Well, Indiana is still the Pothole Capital of the Lower 48 🤣🤣. Luckily I didn't spend much time there.

    Had a horrible lunch at one of the Ride To Eat stops, but got my next Capitol in Des Moines IA!!

    I finally have the temple and lack of storms to camp, so I'm bedded down way out back of a church. Despite being lit by parking lot overhead lights, unless a cop or security patrol comes by, I should be good. 🤞

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 86245
    Ending odometer: 87081
    Daily mileage: 836
    2026 miles total: 40414
    Read more

  • Storms At The End

    May 7 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 52 °F

    I had a great day of sunny skies for a while, then early afternoon I hit a storm front with really gusty winds that wore me out. You know the ones: you straight arm one grip and steer with the other 🤣. Anyway, by 1800 I was done. Another hotel night because of the blustery winds and significant chance of rain.

    [I just noticed that this app is turning my pics sideways. Sorry, but I can't figure out how to fix it.]

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 85741
    Ending odometer: 86245
    Daily mileage: 504
    2026 miles total: 39578
    Read more

  • Great Day...Sort Of 🤦

    May 6 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    No whining, I had to tell myself today. And no crying either 😭.

    The day started wonderfully. I woke up to Crystal clear blue skies and bright sunshine. I had a wonderful conversation with a lovely man at breakfast. And it only took me 30 seconds to ride the bike over to Chipp's Harley-Davidson for service.

    I got there early, but they were already open, and the bike was back in service right at 0900. I had set up my computer and downloaded my tracks off of my GPS, and I was getting ready to begin working on my route up to Maine, when my bike rolled back around. I skedaddled out there thinking something was wrong, but he was already done. An hour. He didn't need to adjust my belt or clutch, I didn't have him do the other two fluids just the engine oil, the brake pads are great, the tires are great.... The only thing he mentioned for my next service was the air filter. Awesome! Less than $200. This is what a 5k service should be everywhere.

    I was even more excited because I found a pair of my stubby finger gloves with the Harley logo in them! They haven't made those since 2021, so I don't even look for them anymore. I just happened to be walking by the rack of women's gloves and bang there they were. So of course I had to buy them. Paid for them, cut all the little tabs off, and started loading the bike. I rolled about 1030. What a wonderful morning!!

    200 miles later I stopped for gas. I looked down at my right arm to open the small zipper compartment where I keep my credit card. The zipper is open 🫣. The credit card is not there 😱.

    Before I panicked, I thought about it. Then I called Chipp's. I had been so excited about the gloves that I left my credit card lying on the counter 🤦. So, I asked them to destroy it, and I'm confident they will, and I called my bank to have a new one sent to the hotel I'll be staying at in Milwaukee. Next week 🤣. Oh well. Back to the debit card.

    The only significant thing with riding today was quite a long stretch of gravel road as part of the Iowa 50 Rides One Nation route. I was not happy, but I got through it with only a few rear wheel squiggles.

    I'm in Springfield IL where I just got my next state capitol building 😁💪. Again, the temperature will be under 40° tonight, so I'm hoteling it. I'm off to Indiana in the morning, which is practically right down the street 🤣, so I hope to collect that photo and get into Iowa by tomorrow night 🤞. The sooner I get to milwaukee, the sooner I get to my credit card. And the sooner I get to take a break, which I really need.

    4.5-star day.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 85265
    Ending odometer: 85741
    Daily mileage: 476
    2026 miles total: 39074
    Read more

  • No Rain = Winning!

    May 5 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    When I woke up around 0500, I could hear the pitter patter of rain, so I went back to sleep for an hour. At 0600, no rain, so I got ready and rolled just before 0700. Everything was wet so I got a little road spray, but despite all day being cloudy and gray, I never got any sprinkles at all! Yay!!!

    Some of you may know that I keep a list of businesses to never use again because of some sort of problem I've had in the past. There are only a couple of Harley dealerships on there, but there are two more now. I had two dealerships refuse to help me as a traveler to get a basic 5K service done. I am very disappointed when I have to add dealerships to my list, but if they're not going to help travelers with service, then I'm not going to bother going there. Fortunately, Chipp's HD in Osceola very graciously agreed to slide me in very first thing in the morning. So, I am now at the Super 8 just down the street from them 👍.

    It never hit 60°F today, and the low tonight is supposed to be 39°, so I'll just have to settle for hotel room again tonight 😉. I'm getting spoiled 🤣.

    The ride went really well today with nothing in particular good or bad. I ran the Nebraska 50 Rides 1 Nation, but while it may be the most scenic route in Nebraska, it's still pretty dull 🤣.

    More pictures, more miles 💪.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 84504
    Ending odometer: 85265
    Daily mileage: 761
    2026 miles total: 38598
    Read more

  • Beat The Storm 💪

    May 4 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 48 °F

    I jumped up this morning before the 0530 alarm thinking it was raining. It wasn't, but I took it as a sign. After checking the forecast in a few towns along my route, it became more than a sign. Rain and temps below 45 pretty much my whole route across Wyoming. So, I cut out my diversion to Jackson and I dropped the Pacific North West Grand Tour all together.

    With only a few photos and gas stops today, I made great time and great distance, arriving in Nebraska about two hours ago. At that gas stop, I found a hotel, which is where I am tonight. I had planned to camp, but some of the weather followed me, and with wet temps under 45, hotel is the place to be.

    My last hour was the worst. Dusk, remote road, high speed. Nevermind dodging the pheasant, hawks, vultures, and prairie dogs. As I came over a rise, there was a herd of mule deer all over the road and both sides. I had plenty of time to slow down and used my extremely loud horn and flashing lights to push them back over the barbed wire fence. Luckily, they were the only big game I saw tonight 👍.

    Despite knowing a storm front was upon me, I made time to get three more pics in the last few miles before the hotel 🤣. Priorities, right? 🤣🤣

    Anyway, it was another great day that didn't end great but also didn't end terrible. I'll take that as a win 💪🤣.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 83636
    Ending odometer: 84504
    Daily mileage: 868
    2026 miles total: 37837
    Read more

  • Another Perfect Day!!

    May 3 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    For some reason last night I just could not go to sleep. I went through my bedtime meditation 4 or 5 or 6 times, I don't even remember. I just couldn't turn my brain off until around 0400 this morning. I had reset my alarm for 0700, but the lovely guest who stayed in the room before me said the room clock alarm to 0600 😔. So I was up.

    It didn't take long to load the bike, grab some breakfast, and hit the road again. I didn't need any of my cold weather gear this morning, but I did start with my heavy gloves because of the wind chill at 80 miles per hour in 45°F.

    It was another beautiful perfect day for riding! I took the Snake Canyon Valley Scenic byway, which was just fantastic. If you like IPA beers and are interested in where the hops come from, then you're going to want to take that route.

    When I got to the top of the byway, I dipped into Oregon to grab a couple of photos including a Tour of Honor stop in the very first little town right on the river.

    After my photo at the Idaho State Capitol building in Boise 😁, I tore down I-84 east until I got to Mountain Home where the Air Force Base is. Then I turned onto US-20 (GORGEOUS!) up into the mountains possibly foothills. Whatever you call them, the big ones were covered in snow, but the pass was open and the temperature was still in the high 60s at least. [BTW, it was 80°F in Boise😱!]

    Mountains have a way of creating their own weather, and these were no different. However a little bit of rain and clouds in 60° weather is quite different than that same small storm in 40° weather. So I wasn't worried if I got caught in a little bit of rain today.

    And I did at my last Tour of Honor stop, but not for very long and just a few drops. I had turned North on US-75, which took me through several small towns that were connected to make one huge long town with 25 to 45 mph speed limits 😔. It took almost an hour to go 20 miles, so I didn't get to my photo location until after 1700. That's when I hit the little bit of rain and decided to just grab a hotel somewhere down the string of towns.

    Unfortunately, I don't think most of the resorts are open yet, or they've closed because there's not enough snow for skiing but yet it's still too cold and too early in the season for the summertime crowds. Either way, there weren't very many accommodations to choose from that had rooms available, so I I'm staying at the Fairfield 💲. But oh well. I'm indoors with a couple of adult beverages and a nice comfy fluffy bed with lots of pillows to make up for the sleep I did not get last night.

    I only have just over 900 miles to get to Nebraska and the weather is still holding 🤞. I won't make it all the way tomorrow because I'm planning to go into Jackson for a special photo, then through Casper, which is where I may wind up staying.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 83106
    Ending odometer: 83636
    Daily mileage: 530
    2026 miles total: 36969
    Read more

  • Beautiful Ride!

    May 2 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    Despite leaving Laramie WY in 32°F, I had a beautiful ride all day today! Crystal clear skies and sunshine galore!!

    I made great time with the 80 mph speed limit on I-84, and I hit American Falls ID around 1300. The temperature had risen to a whopping 75°F and I was sweating my butt off 🤣. I stopped for lunch at a Ride to Eat location, where I met a lovely former Navy man Gunner who donated and signed the bike ❤️.

    It was a great ride, but nothing extraordinary happened...except I got pulled over by two Deputy Sheriff s. 75 in a 65. Oops. I usually keep it under 10 over when I'm around towns. They flipped a u-ey to come up behind me, but after I explained my ride...or more likely after they ran my license and discovered no warrants...they let me go with just a verbal warning. Maybe it helped that his name was also Webb 🤣.

    Anyway, I rode the next 30 miles to a Tour of Honor stop, then realized how tired I was, especially since I was going pretty much the speed limit 🤣. So, I headed back to the interstate and grabbed a room...with air conditioning 🤣.

    Now I'm working on my routes back to the Midwest. The weather still looks fantastic for me, and I expect to be in Wyoming or nearly in it by tomorrow night 🤞.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 82431
    Ending odometer: 83106
    Daily mileage: 675
    2026 miles total: 36439
    Read more

  • In the Rockies (or close enough anyways)

    May 1 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 46 °F

    When I got up this morning and checked my weather apps, I discover the storm I was "waiting out" dumped snow and ice all over Colorado. So, I spent a couple of hours rerouting to avoid the state completely.

    Instead of risking the CO roads, I decided to head due north to jump on I-80 in Nebraska. I didn't leave the hotel until after 0830 😱, but I still made it into Laramie, Wyoming, well before dark, and by 1900, I was settled into another hotel room.

    I'm at about 9,000 feet and there's still some snow on the ground. Tonight's low will be around 35°F, and even with my heated hoodie and socks, my gear and I just don't do well under 40°F 🥶. So, hotel it is.

    I have 977 miles to go to reach Boise, Idaho, where I'll take my photo at the state capitol then immediately turn back East for warmer climes. I figure 3.5 days to get at least back to Laramie. Fingers crossed the weather stays as nice as it was today, sunshine and blue skies 🤞🤞🤞.

    Lastly, if you ride, please consider joining my fundraiser challenge to collect as many 55 Mile Marker signs in 55 days beginning 5/5 (May 5th) for 55 days!!
    Details here: https://facebook.com/groups/55milemarker/
    And here:
    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 81826
    Ending odometer: 82431
    Daily mileage: 605
    2026 miles total: 35764
    Read more

  • Another Storm

    April 30 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    I had a great rest last night in the tent even though it was only 40° when I woke up and my batteries had run out on my hoodie and socks again. But after I got out of the tent, I dashed into the America's Best to use the toilet without trying to explain myself to anyone! I rolled at 0430 with a clean face and without having to pee in a bush. Winning!!

    My very first picture of the day was of an old tractor. Unfortunately, I forgot to put down my kickstand before I tried to get off the bike 🤦. I was just starting to get the jack going when a very kind young man stopped and the two of us picked it up.

    The rest of the day was just getting photos, but I did enjoy being back at the geographic center of the lower 48. It's not a great ride to get there because it's pretty flat-straight-farmland-boring, but once you get there it's pretty cool to be at such a precise location.

    Just as I was getting into Great Bend, my radar showed a storm that was dumping snow near Pueblo CO, sort of where I'm headed to, and it was tracking all along my route for the rest of the day. So, I decided to get another hotel room with some hotel loyalty points and work on my routes and a few adulting things I need to do.

    Of note: I rolled 35,000 miles on the trip today 💪.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 81259
    Ending odometer: 81826
    Daily mileage: 567
    2026 miles total: 35159
    Read more

  • My Favorite Intersection in Missouri

    April 29 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 48 °F

    I did not get good sleep last night, but it was not because of the memory foam bed or the air conditioning or the patter of rain on my windows all night. I couldn't shut my brain off until almost 0100. Once I did get to sleep, my ribs kept waking me up.

    This is the last time I'm going to talk about my ribs because this is stupid. My fall off the ramp with the bike happened over a week ago and the pain has not subsided at all. It hurts to breathe, it hurts to do anything that engages my core, like sit, stand, rollover, lift the bike off the kickstand, get off the bike, get on the bike.... I think you get the picture. Anyway, I'll give it until I show up for the Route 66 HOG touring rally. If the pain hasn't gone away or subsided significantly, then I'll go to urgent care.

    At 0630 I gave up, I got up, and I rolled out by 0700. When I went down to the bike, I discovered that a very friendly Kitty who might be pregnant spent the night on my wild ass seat cushion 🤣. She was dry and my cushion was covered in fur 🤣. Not a problem though, because it still holds air, so she's either declawed or there was no bread kneading 🤣.

    It was slow going because of all the wet roads covered with gravel and tree debris Plus there were a lot of deer on the twisty roads. I finally got away from the river, got the photos I needed, and have made camp at Outlaw Harley-Davidson underneath an awning. There is literally an America's best hotel right there, but after last night's hotel bill, I need to tent it tonight. And it should be clear, no storms, so easy 🤞.

    Oh yeah, the highlight of the day was finding my new favorite intersection: where F meets U! 🤣🤣🤣

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 80512
    Ending odometer: 81259
    Daily mileage: 747
    2026 miles total: 34592
    Read more

  • Later

    April 28 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 66 °F

    I found out the dog's name is Chewy as in Chewbacca as in Star Wars because the proprietor of the hotel came out. She told me the rooms were $200 a night, so I graciously declined but asked if I could wait out the storm on the porch, to which she very kindly agreed.

    After another 30 minutes and checking my weather apps, I realized it was going to rain all night, so I knocked on the door and said I'll take the room. Check out the video because it was an amazing room. This is definitely a place where you go for very special occasions.

    I plan on getting some great sleep tonight.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 80062
    Ending odometer: 80512
    Daily mileage: 450
    2026 miles total: 33845
    Read more

  • Still Exhausted

    April 28 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    Well, I was correct in that I was camped where I was practically invisible...except to the Sheriff. Turns out, my little forestry pull-off was where they setup their speed trap, so they drove through several times a night 🤦.

    After going through my meditation/relaxation technique three times, I finally fell asleep around 2130. At only 2200, lights hit me ☹️. The deputy asked the standard questions, I gave him my license, he voiced concern over me being a female alone and with a storm coming, he said he'd have the next shift look in me overnight, and he left.

    I was just on the cusp of getting back to sleep when lights hit me again 😡. His boss. She said I was on private property and a storm was coming. I was almost in tears now. I just wanted to sleep. She said she would tell me neither that I had to go nor that I had to leave, but if the property owner called, I'd have to leave. Fine. Whatever. Just let me sleep. They both left.

    I was just on the cusp of getting back to sleep, when lights hit me a third time 🤬. The first deputy said they were worried that the storm was going to cause trees to fall on me, so they arranged a room for me at the local motel. So, at 2330, I packed up and followed him 7 miles back to Lynchburg and the motel. Now I really was almost in tears. The clerk checked me in, I shook both deputies' hands, and went to my room.

    I didn't get to sleep until well after 0100, with my alarm set for 0400. When it went off, the storm was tearing up the world, so I reset it for 0630. It was only sprinkling by the time I rolled at 0700, and the rest of the day so far has been clear.

    I really appreciate them taking care of me, and I doubt my tent would've made it through that storm without getting me and everything else soaked. But, damn, I'm even more exhausted than I was after stopping for 11 hours last night 😭.

    I've stopped for lunch because I need a mental break from the semis trying to kill me and some caffeine.

    Next stop Evansville HD, then I turn West towards Boise, ID, my next state Capitol.

    I'll do another post later.
    Read more

  • Whistle Stop Cafe

    April 27 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    I had lunch at the whistle stop Cafe, The Cafe they used in the movie fried green tomatoes with Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy. I did not have the barbecue 🤣🤣🤣😉.

    I met an absolutely wonderful couple Rae and Craig, who were also there on a motorcycle but locals. We talked before the place opened and I explained my ride and my charity. Since we were at the top of the list, I went in to sit at the bar while they grabbed the table. They invited me to sit with them and then bought my lunch. They were just so nice. They signed the bike afterwards and then took me just across the railroad tracks to the dam where the movie show the character walking across it. What a cool stop.

    When I'm not in Georgia I forget how much I hate driving in Georgia. But then I get there and everybody tries to kill me and I remember why I hate driving in Georgia. So I basically spent all day trying not to die.

    I only got into Tennessee around 1900, and now at 2000, I'm already in my tent ready to sleep. Yes, I did time change from Eastern to Central, but that's only 1 hour difference. I feel utterly exhausted and I don't know why. The only thing I can think of is the pain in my ribs that I thought was getting better but really isn't. I know they kept me awake last night, so maybe that's why I'm so tired today. But still, I shouldn't be this sluggish and drowsy all day long.

    So I decided to stop before complete darkness. I found a little paved road at a Forestry Division fire tower. When it was light, you could just get a tiny glimpse of the bike from the road if you were looking for it. Now that it's dark and it's covered with no reflectors, nobody can see me. Which is perfect.

    Now just wish me luck that there isn't a massive rainstorm tonight. I don't know if this tent can withstand a heavy rain.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 79345
    Ending odometer: 80062
    Daily mileage: 717
    2026 miles total: 33395
    Read more

  • Rolling Again

    April 26 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    I'm just now leaving Rockstar HD because they didn't work on the bike yesterday at all. They did the whole engine oil and filter change and clutch and brake fluid flushes while I waited this morning. So I'm 3 hours late 😡. Oh well. At least it's done. Laz tried to make it right, even loaning me his personal vehicle to get my stuff out of the hotel. Best he could do.

    I rode until 2130 despite being really tired all freaking day. Even with caffeine and sugar, I couldn't stifle the constant yawns 🥱🥱🥱. I suspect my ribs are keeping me from sleeping well. They're still really painful, but when I woke up this morning, they felt just a touch better. 🤞🤞🤞 that they're healing.

    I'm crashed at Tallahassee HD listening to a cacophony of millions of frogs, which is almost drowning out the highway noise 🥰. Not a great start to the day, but it turned out okay.

    Hope to see you on the road! Remember, NO WHINING! ✌️

    https://popl.co/profile/catchtheldrbug

    https://dunloptires.com/
    https://www.aerostich.com/
    https://powderkeghd.com/
    https://allamericanharley.com/
    https://www.wild-ass.com/

    2026 starting odometer: 46667
    Starting odometer: 78850
    Ending odometer: 79345
    Daily mileage: 495
    2026 miles total: 32678
    Read more

  • 200,000 Miles in 1 Year?!?!

    April 25 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    After dropping off the bike at Rockstar HD for his 80k service, I ubered over to Black Pearl Indian and Triumph dealership. Pat Cornell completed 200,000 miles in one year!! Simply incredible.

    I had a great time catching up with lots of Hoka Hey riders that came into town to celebrate Pat's amazing accomplishment. It was over too soon, and I ubered back to the hotel to watch a couple of movies before crashing.

    Great day!!!! ✌️
    Read more

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