Today is 1 August 2023, one month until kickstand up on my next long distance motorcycle trip (long distance for my standard, some of you folks rack 6,000 miles in seemingly a weekend lol). USA Midwest 2023 Trip Overview Blog Post
I have been in the process of getting the final bits of preparation in order, having Dexter serviced (still a couple of odds and ends to tend to), going through and inspecting my gear, and acquiring new gear. I really should blog some of my preparation, especially concerning gear, yeah, I should really probably do that…..maybe I will, I am a bit lazy at this whole blogging thing :). My wife wants me to do a video or two discussing my gear….I guess I will have to try now if my wife commands it ….but not today. Today is just another blog post (sorry honey) :).
Originally scheduled to take place during the summer of 2022, my USA Midwest motorcycle trip begins on 1 September 2023. This will be the first long distance trip since I completed my USA South 2020 trip in October 2020. I did do two regional trips in 2021, one to Charlotte, NC in September and one to Myrtle Beach, SC in October. Dexter (my 2005 HD Ultra Classic) had a clutch cable issue on the Myrtle Beach trip that was not fixed until much later. The Charlotte trip was 685 miles roundtrip and the Myrtle Beach trip was 793 miles round trip for a combined total milage of 1,478 miles. For myself, even in non long distance trip years, that is very low mileage. 2021 was a planned off year for motorcycle trips to recover from the move from California to Georgia in the fall of 2020.
In 2022, I had ZERO miles on the motorcycle due to picking up a second part time job (Amazon warehouse) to help fund some projects that I was to impatient to wait to get done. After a year of working the 2nd part time gig, I had enough and quit (no time to do anything). So with my projects done (well mostly), The Midwest trip was greenlit for this year and I began securing the lodging, additional repairs for Dexter and other items for the trip in January 2023 (yes, I plan these trips out in advance (ask me where I am going in 2028 LOL)
USA Midwest 2023 – Trip Overview
Trip is planned to last 16 days starting on 1 September 2023 totaling about 4,800 miles round trip. Trip lodging will consist of both camping and motel stays (all pre-booked). States to be traveled through on this trip include Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Planned stops / destinations include Galesburg IL, Onawa IA, Sioux City IA, North Platte NE, Badlands SD, Black Hills SD, Powder River Basin WY, Devils Tower WY, Granite Falls MN, Renville MN, Wilmar MN, Twin Cities MN, and then back home near Atlanta GA. Many of the planned stops and destinations are railroad related which is another significant interest and hobby of mine (history and model railroading). Also, I will get to check off some states on my 50 states traveled by motorcycle bucket list. I have already rode in Georgia, Alabama, Minnesota, Iowa (however only along the Mississippi river), and Wisconsin. States receiving a check mark this trip will include Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming (after a failed attempt in 2019, but that is a story for another time).
More to come later…..probably, I am a very lazy and unreliable blogger 🙂
USA Midwest 2023 Planned Routes
USA Midwest 2023 – Part TwoUSA Midwest 2023 – Part Three
On Saturday June 10th, 2023 I went on a short but surprisingly long in time ride from my home outside of Douglasville, GA to Downtown & Midtown Atlanta. I left home in the mid afternoon and as is typical for the Atlanta metropolitan area, traffic became a monster along with the Atlanta Metro’s uber aggressive drivers (being passed in no passing zones, being passed on shoulder, etc). For myself and Dexter (my motorcycle) the ride was uneventful. I did discover while I was walking the capital grounds that I had left my wallet at home DOH!!
So, there was no stopping to get gasoline or any beverages. In downtown Atlanta it was actually pretty warm right around 90 degrees. I ended up using my emergency 1 gallon of fuel and poured it into my tank…..emergency fuel used in downtown Atlanta LOL.
A video of the ride will be posted soon on my YouTube channel. In the meantime, here are some pics of the Georgia Capitol building and grounds. 🙂
My Brother In-law, Eric Simley passed away yesterday 4/12/2023 after fighting for his life after a motorcycle accident on 4/02/2023.
Please pray for his young family and rest of the family. A Go Fund Me page has been created to help his young family during this tragic and challenging time.
Today I ride from Thompson Grove Campground near Dalhart, TX to Aspen Basin Campground in the mountains near Santa Fe, NM. The day started out with with wire holding my shifter together coming apart a few hundred yards after I started. Thanks to Chris who came to my rescue on Day 2, who gave me extra wire and better pliers than what I had and I was able to wire up the shifter quickly.
Today I ride from the North Spillway Campground near Jett, Oklahoma to the Thompson Grove Campground near Dalhart, Texas. Wow oh wow is western Oklahoma flat LOL.
It was a hot ride with very long straight roads in a sun baked environment. I also was pulled over by an Oklahoma State Trooper for speeding (easy to do on these long straight roads with very little traffic). He was nice gentleman and let me off with a warning after we chatted about his family vacation in Utah before the Pandemic.
Upon arrival at Thompson Grove Campground the weather was looking a bit threatening. I incurred a little bit of wind and light rain, fortunately, the brunt of the storm skirted by me. A more normal day of riding distance wise at a total of 287 Miles for the day. Very manageable even in 100 degree heat.
Wanderlust Lyfe 