Whew!

What a ride!  7:15 am to 9:00 pm in the saddle.  OK...we stopped a few times(alot) for fuel and a couple of times to eat.  Either way that is by a long shot the most time I have ever spent on the saddle of a motorcycle.

Breakfast was at IHOP about an hour north of Richardson, TX.  Then we were back in the saddle to eat up some miles.

My body went through a couple of phases during the ride.  In the morning I was doing great.  Cruising along for several hours no issues at all.  Then I started to feel what the wind does at 70mph.  It pushes against your knees relentlessly.  This means you are constantly having to pull your knees into the tank.  Lets just say my groin muscles are a little sore.  The second thing that happened is the seat turned from comfy saddle gel into granite.  Ever try riding cross country on a slab of granite?  :)  This pretty much describes my body condition through Texas and Oklahoma.  Next was Missouri.

Missouri brought another dimension into the game.  COLD!.  We stopped for dinner in Springfield.  It was starting to cool down so we figured it was time to add some layers. First was a sweatshirt for me and leather jackets for Ken and John.  Time to hit the road. This lasted for about 5 minutes.  Pulled over again to add cold weather gloves and face covers.

It was a little cold but bearable for awhile.  We blasted on to Lebanon where we turned north.  This was a little 2 lane road with lots of creeks = COLD.  Oh yeah...did I mention that it is now completely dark and we are running on 2 lane twisty turny roads in the middle of Missouri that we have never seen before?  And did I mention that it was COLD.  This is where by body went through another change.  Previously I was sore from the wind and that granite seat.  These pains quickly went away when my body went numb.  At this point we had about 2-1/2 hours ride left before our destination.  The muscles no longer hurt, the backside didn't hurt but I couldn't feel most of my body. 


We headed north on 5 and connected to 54.  This was the final road into Jefferson City.  Thankfully it was a 4 lane divided hwy.  Normally I would prefer to stay on  the 2 lane country roads.  But at night in an area that I don't know I was looking for lots of road space (I hear the deer are big in Missouri).  In our numb condition we rode into Jefferson City.  Made our last fuel stop for the ride in and waited for Justin to meet us and guide us to his place. 


Justin lives on a  farm outside Jefferson City that would have been a challenge to find.  He arrived on his Screamin Eagle Harley cloaked in black leather.  Another 10 minute ride and we were at his place.

And what a place!  42 or so acres with 4 acre pond.  We are staying in a log cabin that dates back to the 1800's.  So cool!

First thing this morning we are heading out to find grub.  I am starving!  Then off to Justin's dental office to fix a tooth I broke the other day.  After that we are picking up a Bike for my older brother Stephen to ride while
we are here.

It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day!