900 Miles - Last day of my Moto-rado summer ride. =(
The original plan was to do this in two days. Take it easy in New Mexico, do some twisties, etc. But I just felt like I should get home. So I decided to GO!
First thing. I was so glad I didn't do the original Santa Fe route the night before. When I woke up, that area was POURING. But the rain was moving south toward my path. So I had to be careful, too.
I got on I-40 from Albuquerque. The sun was right into my eyes. =(
The original plan was to do this in two days. Take it easy in New Mexico, do some twisties, etc. But I just felt like I should get home. So I decided to GO!
First thing. I was so glad I didn't do the original Santa Fe route the night before. When I woke up, that area was POURING. But the rain was moving south toward my path. So I had to be careful, too.
I got on I-40 from Albuquerque. The sun was right into my eyes. =(
As I proceeded, the sky started to look less promising.
Minutes later ....
From I-40, I tool US Hwy 84 down toward Lubbock. The part of New Mexico I rode has been pretty boring. But I came through an interesting town Clovis. There was an air force base before the town. Then in town a fighter jet welcomed me.
Beyond Clovis, I went through another interesting town Texico and finally into Texas. It's good to be home... Wait my home is still 650 miles (10 hrs) away. Oh, boy, Texas is a huge state.
Riding in Texas is not exciting at all - mostly straight roads. From the New Mexico border, I go through Lubbock and I arrive in Abilene. There I found a huge thunderstorm in front of me. The wind was getting strong and gusty. It scared me. Texas is well known for its tornados and other strong storms. So I rode around it. I didn't need my trip ended with a lightning strike.
Took Texas State Hwy 36 toward the southeast. I made a mistake trying to cut to HWY 6 via HWY 7. I was running out of gas and there was no gas station. At this point, I had to take I-35 down to temple to get gas. I-35 was under construction and that 15 miles was bumper to bumper stop and go, as my daily commute in Houston.
After a gas stop, I tool HWY 190 toward the east. Before arriving in Hearne, the sun went down. I was looking carefully for deer on the road. Once on HWY 6, I was on semi-auto mode. It's easy to get home from there. (I thought.) Navasota was the last gas stop of the trip. I was tired. I was 100 miles away - about 1.5 hrs. The bike was fueled and ready I was fueled with a can of Red Bull and a candy bar and ready.
So I hit the last leg. I come into 290......... DANG the road is closed for construction. I had planned to take the Beltway 8, but I couldn't even get on it. I Google alternate routes and I finally get back on 290. All this fiasco costs me about 30 extra minutes.
Luckily, from there everything went smoothly through downtown Houston to home. I put the bike in the garage, took shower and went straight to bed.
I completed 900 miles & 16 hours of riding in one day. Surprisingly, the stock seat of NC700X is very good. Not once I wish to have a better seat. I think this is THE first bike I am content with the stock seat. I might be ready for the SaddleSore 1,000.
Comments