Deals Gap run

[Rickster]

Clint, a 40 mph average would be a very "brisk" pace on the Dragon, and at that speed you will get lots of lean. My buddy from work that stayed in Robbinsville last year said he had more fun on the road from the motel to the Dragon, than he did on the Dragon itself. Something about a lot of 50+ mph sweepers.

I wouldn't waste much time into worrying about the cops, they put some of those stories on the net themselves just to keep some of the traffic & speed down. I did see a few leo's when I was there last year, but they weren't bothering anyone that didn't deserve it.

Hey Shon, glad to hear your on board, I don't have a problem with an extra stop or two on Sat, so long as we make it more than half way there on Fri, probably the best thing to do, would be for you to give us a number where we could reach you, that way we could let you know Fri nite, or Sat morning what our progress was, and we could figure it out than.

Vinnie made the reservations, so I'll let him fill you in on the room info.

[Clint]

Sounds niiiice.

Are you "committed" yet?

[Rickster]

Yes, I'm committed and excited, and don't count out STP & Rainman yet, they still might stick their heads in and say they are meeting us there, which would be cool, because they know the area so well.

[frostbitevinnie]

Hey Shon, I'm Vinnie. Glad to have you aboard!! Don't worry about an extra stop we will make it just fine.

Clint, let me know if you need any material for the bead breaker. I have access to a huge varity of steel.

One more thing Clint. Is there a way for us to post our cell and email in one place so all of us concerned can have access to it instead of sending multiple pm's?

[Thundurburd]

I have to change my status to "probably not," and therefore am giving up my slot in the cabin.

The problem is that I broke my arm last night. Just a minor crack but it will be two weeks in a cast, two more weeks in a small cast, and maybe a brace after that. That will leave me with almost no time on the bike before we go.

This really sucks.

[tricker]

pardon the turdsday reference but thats crappy.. well at least it isn't major?

[Clint]

Dang, Mike!

Thanks for the offer, Vin, but I'm pretty worthless with metal. I'll go with lumber for now.

If you guys want to send me your contact information via PM (both local and mobile), I'll create a document that you can print for the trip. I'll keep it confidential within the group.

Full name:
Home number:
Mobile number:
Emergency contact:

[Rickster]

Sorry to hear that Mike, what the heck happened?

[frostbitevinnie]

Just tell me what you need and I can fabricate it for you.

[Clint]

Seriously though, it's just a lever with a block attached. After I've used it I'll know whether it needs to be refined or not. Thanks for the offer, though.

[Clint]

Ok, I'm going to start putting together a final route/meetup plan. I need Rick and Adam to come to a decision on your meetup point.

Shon, we'll be passing through Lexington if we stick to the interstate. Shifting to the north to skirt Cincinatti would only add a dozen miles to our route, so maybe you'd prefer that? Edit: forgot we were trying to avoid Indianapolis. Suggestions?

Edit again: Here's my current route idea. Trying to make Shon's solo ride shorter (Canton to Lexington is 315 miles) and avoid some metro areas that you guys mentioned might be bad. Feel free to drag it around and repost it, but be aware of the time and distance variation.

[Rickster]

My plan is to leave St Paul a short time before I expect Clint & Vinnie to be passing through so that I will be just ahead of them, that way if I feel the need for a short rest stop, or a stop to readjustment equipment, I can just sit at the top of an overpass and watch for them to pass by, than just catch them from behind and ride the rest of the way to our meeting place with Adam, with them.

From my house to Tomah/Oakdale is within my range to make without a gas stop.

I really don't care where we meet up with Adam, I just thought Oakdale would be simpler because it's smaller.

Adam, if you know the area, and know of a good spot, just name it.

[Rickster]

from: 38.806273,-90.836678 to: N Main St @35.326800, -83.807640 - Google Maps

Second half from St Louis to Robbinsivlle

I had to do the map in 2 half's, or it wouldn't let me not go through some larger cities.

The only large city we go through on this route is St Louis, maybe not important to some, but worth a look.

[Rickster]

from: 45.498045,-94.240379 to: MO-W @38.816793, -90.953486 - Google Maps

First half St Cloud to St Louis.

Total miles both half's 1174, total time 19 hours.

Might be slower, but more scenic roads

[tricker]

The only problem i see with rick's travel plan is meeting up with Shon

[Clint]

Yup. I'd like to hear his thoughts, too. PM sent.

[Rickster]

from:I-94 E @45.497870, -94.240210 to:US-14 E/US-52 S @44.018140, -92.488130 to:43.930663,-92.470379 to:Bryan Rd @38.798237, -90.735864 - Google Maps

I used the zoom to look at this route close up, and it looks like 95% of the small towns we go through have overpasses, so there shouldn't be much in the way of slowdowns for us, and if we wern't having a problem with time when we get to Hannibal, we could jump on 79 to take us to St Louis instead of 63. Take a close look at 79 between Hannibal & St Louis, it looks like it was made for motorcycles.

Also if we go south out of the Twin Cities on 52 instead of 35, we go right through Trickerville, ah, er, I mean Rochester, so that should make hooking up with Adam simpler.

What are your thoughts?

[frostbitevinnie]

I have been that route through Iowa many times, more than I care to remember. It is OK but there will be a few small towns with stops along the way. Honestly I think the WI/ILL route will be faster, due to very good roads and no stops except the toll at the border. I also think it is more scenic. I still am not too hip on going through Indianapolis but I will go with the group majority.

[tricker]

As much as i like Rick's idea going through Roch I don't want to be greedy with where we need to meet up with me. If we overall think that Clint's idea (heaven forbid i agree with the man, I have a rep to keep up) I know where we can meet up easily. I mean its only about 100 or so miles that i ride solo which is nothing for me. I'll be early anyways cause I always am.

Rick's idea allows us to avoid the major cities for the most part which i'm a complete fan of. I haven't ridden in a bigger city before but i'm sure i'd do fine. Just a lot of po-dunk little towns probably. Need to look at the map a little closer.

Clints idea has fast roads for the most part but might have the beginnings of the traffic i so dear fear (ok little sarcasm there).

[Clint]

I only drew the route I did because I thought you guys preferred the superslab on the first day. I'm fine with taking highways, but I don't know if we'll get 800 miles in. Those 45- and 35-mph slowdowns near towns really take a toll.