Kawasaki Concours Forum

Riding => Rides and Stories => Topic started by: jim_de_hunter on July 11, 2011, 05:56:30 PM

Title: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: jim_de_hunter on July 11, 2011, 05:56:30 PM
Okay, I'm gonna do it.  2 days out, 2 days to rest, 2 days back.  I don't know if either me or the Blue Monster is ready for this but I'm going to leave Monday the 18th and plan to return on the 23rd.  Here goes nothin'!
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: George R. Young on July 11, 2011, 06:29:03 PM
My daughter, who had never heard the word Albuquerque spoken aloud, pointed out that, by all the rules of English, it could legitimately be pronounced Al Buck Er Cue.
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: CRocker on July 11, 2011, 08:40:18 PM
Have you picked out a route yet?
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: JetJock on July 12, 2011, 06:17:17 AM
Going from hot to hotter! Take along a Camelback for the ride.
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: jim_de_hunter on July 12, 2011, 07:57:59 AM
Quote from: CRocker on July 11, 2011, 08:40:18 PM
Have you picked out a route yet?

All interstates.  Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque.
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: Strawboss on July 12, 2011, 11:33:19 AM
Thats a bit of a ride in 2 days. Then do it again 2 days later? Good luck, like they said, hydrate.
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: DavidV on July 12, 2011, 11:44:26 AM
Very Hot!!! We have been running from 101 to 110 in Okc for the last three weeks with no change in sight. I don't know how you could hydrate enough for those kind of temps.
God bless
David V
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: jim_de_hunter on July 12, 2011, 07:42:53 PM
Quote from: Strawboss on July 12, 2011, 11:33:19 AM
Thats a bit of a ride in 2 days. Then do it again 2 days later? Good luck, like they said, hydrate.

Yeah, and it's been worrying me.  I worried about the the SS1000 until I did it.  This is 300 less miles per day and I'm in no real hurry.  I just hope to make good decisions during the ride.  110o in Oklahoma city.  More things to think about.
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: CRocker on July 12, 2011, 08:19:58 PM
Quote from: jim_de_hunter on July 12, 2011, 07:42:53 PM
Yeah, and it's been worrying me.  I worried about the the SS1000 until I did it.  This is 300 less miles per day and I'm in no real hurry.  I just hope to make good decisions during the ride.  110o in Oklahoma city.  More things to think about.

Mid 90's in Denver...but...that would mean Kansas...
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: Pfloydgad on July 15, 2011, 09:17:19 PM
Way to go Jim, pic the projected hotest week of the yr.  :yikes:

Be careful, if you don't have a Camelback drink holder, rig up a bladder for your tank bag and get a flexible clear tube at the hardware store and make your own.
 I have used an insulated nylon lunch box that is flexible and foldable. I then took a 1 gallon Zip-Lock bag and rigged up a hose, sealed it and fixed it so I could open the back edge and add fluids when needed without pulling out the hose. Dump the water and add more ice into the side of the box and your good to go.
Keep us posted, and be safe.
Greg
Title: Re: Cincinnati to Albuquerque
Post by: jim_de_hunter on July 24, 2011, 07:59:10 AM
I made it! Two days out, two days rest, two days back.  Lots of stops to let my shirt dry and drink lemonade in the A/C!  The Blue Monster performed absolutely flawlessly.  Man, I love this bike.  I didn't even check the air in the tries.  Just started it and went.  80+ mph in +100o for hours.  Temp was higher on the gauge but only reached halfway during stop-and-go traffic. Turned 48k on the trip so I'm going to do a major maintenance on it.  Heat coming off of the engine did give me a small second degree burn on my shin the first day but a cut up a pair of socks to sleeve my upper shin where the burn is.  No problems after that.