Cincinnati Hand Off to Toledo
As has often been the case on this now two month long relay ride, weather was mucking up last minute plans. The planned handoff from Indiana riders to me here in Cincinnati was delayed only by a day due to prior rain "upstream." But on Monday, May 16, the Indiana crew, including cbJoe, Schmthuas, and Indy Four, found their way to my place carrying "the goods."
It was a chilly ride down from Indianapolis and points north of that for Schmthaus, as I don't think it got above 50 degrees that day, but it was the first rainless day in what seemed like a week at least. So up the driveway the crew came, unloaded some gear, off with the helmets, gloves and then came the introductions. I couldn't help but notice our friend and Mascot, Mr. G, mounted right up front on Schmthaus's handlebars. The little fella had a great view all the way down Rt. 52.
We all went inside so they could relax and warm up a bit. And what was the perfect beverage-- a cold beer of course. We spend the better part of an hour around the kitchen island getting better acquainted. It was a good time and has often been said on these ride posts, getting to know the people behind the avatars from the forum is certainly one of the real highlights of this entire event.
It had come up that IndyFour was experiencing some charging problems on the ride down so we headed out to look into it. We checked and found the battery reading quite low. We got the bike kick started and using the multimeter determined it was getting a charge but was not holding a charge. "Let's check the electrolyte level," and yup, very low. So after some gulps of distilled water we put the battery charger on for awhile and up came the voltage readings. Before heading back to Indy, the crew came back in the house for the official signing of the banner and ride log. Then it was time for the official "banner shot" and we also did a pic of the bikes just lines up. How often do you get to see so many all at once?
CBJoe, IndyFour and Schmthaus were not taking the scenic route back home, just wanted put the miles on so I escorted them on my bike, a '75 750k that I've had just about two years, up the the nearest interstate exit and waved them safe ride and goodbye.
I had a couple days with Mr. G before I was scheduled to start my leg of the ride. While there had been suggestions the critter would have liked to a
gentlemans" club (I always found that an odd name-- oh, well), I decided I'd give him an experience he hadn't yet had. And after all, it just so happened to be "Bring Your Pet To Work Day" at the publishing company where I spend my weekdays. Why not? Didn't exactly work out like I thought. Seems just as soon as our friend spied Megan's cat he was all over that feline and was just about ready to rip the poor things head off when I managed to grab his tail and pull him off. Whew! So after some harsh words from the HR gal and some promises of no more trouble, we agreed he could stay so long as he was on a leash.
I don't think 'zilla is cut out for office work. Since I work on a magazine, I thought I'd give him a shot at copy editing our upcoming cover.
I wan't all that surprised, I guess, to find out he doesn't know a subject from a verb and his spelling leaves a lot to be desired. At first, he just wanted to hang-out on the forum.
But later he discovered our woodshop and I think he was contented to work on a project for the rest of the day.
Thursday morning came and it was my turn to start putting my share of miles on the ride. I was a bit anxious as being somewhat new to riding-- just three years, and never done a trip long enough to require being away from home overnight. It was the first time for prepping and packing the bike. It was forecast to have a good shot at a clear day with only a threat of rain later up near Toledo. And I had bought a rain suit so I figured I'd hedged against wet weather.
I was meeting up with forum member Modzsquad and his buddy Jim and we were at our designated location about 9:30 Thursday morning near Kinds Island amusement park. Weather was decent with even a glimmer of sun from time to time. We were taking back road up to Findlay, OH using Rts. 42 to Xenia and 68 on to Findlay. We were rolling fine. North of Lebanon we saw a bi-plane making barrel rolls and loop the loop maneuvers near a small airfield. I thought then that biking looked like a pretty safe activity compared . . . .
Somewhat less than 100 miles from the start we got our first taste of rain. We pulled under the shelter at a gas station, topped off the tanks and I put on my rain gear. Oh boy, here I go. I have no experience riding in rain conditions. After a few miles I get more settled about the conditions, the showers range from almost none to pretty heavy. We keep going. After about an hour of riding, my bike just loses power in a couple cylinders. Nothing to do be continue on until we can find another gas station shelter, which we did a few miles up the road. Modzsquad, assures me his bike behaves this way in wet weather and after a few minutes will dry out and be fine. Clearly, No. 2 and 3 cylinders were not firing. The pipes weren't hot. A cup of coffee later we fire up and all is good. We headed out continuing north and in rain. About another 40 miles on, still on again off again rain, the bikes is running on two cylinders again. Damn. Once again, find a shelter and in just a few minutes she fires up all good and we get the rest of the way to Findlay, meet up MasterChief 750 and have some lunch. It's about 2 pm.
After an hour or so lunch break, getting to know my ride companions better, waiting out another hard downpour, it was time to get back on the road. Modzsquad and his buddy Jim were turning back to Cincinnati, about 150 miles south. MasterChief750 and I were heading north to Toledo. MC750 had a scenic route in mind, but given the rain and possible bike issues for me, we decided to head up I-75. Soon it was raining again, sometimes heavy, and now I'm doing this on an interstate. OK! here we go.
After about 30 minutes of rain we get a stretch of dry road and my bikes just purring along. I'm feeling a bit relieved as I was thinking the cut out problem was water related. I'd never ridden her in wet conditions, let along downpours. Maybe my trouble was over. The forecast for the next day was clearing.
Then bam, in south Toledo, after another 20 minutes of dry road, 2 & 3 cut out again. Putter into a gas station parking lot. OK, it's dry, let's take some time and check things out more thoroughly. MasterChief was really helpful. He had a multimeter with him. We check points, condensers, connections, pulled plugs. We were getting on odd reading-- little voltage on 2/3 circuit. Condenser maybe. We switched out condensers. Same reading on 2/3.
It's after 5 pm now and it's decision time. I don't really know what the problem is. We've checked the obvious things. Yes, the bike starts up fine now, but we've seen this now three times. Wet, dry, no matter. Am I continuing on, going further away from home or turning back here. Tough decision. I sooo wanted to get to Cleveland for the meeting the next day. But I'd be just that much further from home base. If I have problems I'll be slowing down other riders going to Cleveland.
I decide to end it here. Disappointment, but I'm convinced the right decision. I heard a lecture by Ed Visteurs, a famous mountain climber who has summitted every major peak on every continent. I was remembering, "The goal is not to get to the summit, the goal is to get back home." Hmmm.
So MasterChief750 and I do a handoff that lacked any ceremony. I signed the banner, handed over G and the other ride materials. I was feeling really low but didn't have time to feel sorry. I had gotten hold of my son who was getting off work. I had told him I might be giving him a call, but didn't really think I would need to. "Get my pickup and head up I-75. I'm heading south and will call you at 7 pm." We are 200 miles apart.
I say goodbye to MC750, thank him for his help, wish him luck and ask that he gives my regards to the Cleveland folks. I fire up the bike and head down I-75. How far will I get this time. About 45 minutes later it's raining again. I get on the rain gear, speak with my son who is on is way. So far so good. I press on in the rain, the bike keeps going, no issues. I had wondered if running all day with the headlight could have anything to do with the problem. I never use the headlight, or only rarely as I don't ride nights much. So from Toledo 100 miles south, no light on, no problem. I'm only a few miles from meeting up with my son and the pick-up. I decide to test the light theory. Flip the switch and keep going. No problems. So the cut out problem continues a mystery. Or who knows. Maybe we did something back there in Toledo that fixed it. A connection that's almost OK most of the time in now OK all the time. I need to check it out further.
Just before dark my son and I are loading to bike in the back of the pick up. It was good to see him. I was tempted to keep going on the bike with him following but decided against it. It was a 12-hour day by then. We pulled into the driveway at my place close to 11 pm. What a good kid to drop everything and come to my rescue.
I've given a lot of thought to my day on the road. Sure, I'm disappointed. I'd really been looking forward to this ride and have been following the whole thing on the forum since way before it started. But I've concluded it was, in the end a very good day. I learned a lot. I did more miles than ever before (300), I road backroads and the interstate in some pretty heavy downpours. I gained experience with my bike that I'd never had before. I met some really fine guys.
My ride was not of the mega-variety; no Jerry, no Scondon, nothing like the numerous forum members who did 1,000 or 2,000 or more miles. But it was a mega-experience for me. All in, I have no regrets and only good thoughts.
Next year!
