First long ride - solo

[rtucker5612]

I've had my XJ1100 for a little over 2 months (hadn't ridden in about 20 years). Weekend of Oct. 4-6, rode from Memphis, TN to Fayetteville, AR to visit my son, who is a freshman at U of Arkansas. What a great ride! I took the "north" route going over, through the southern part of the Ozarks. Plenty of twisty roads, 35 mph curves, etc. Bike handled like a dream. Took those 35mph curves at 50-55 mph. Glad I read up on and practiced countersteering! Took about 6.5 hours. I was in more of a hurry on the return trip, so I took the freeway - 80mph most of the way - 5 hours - a couple of stops for gas - about 350 miles.

I didn't think I'd be taking a road trip until 2003 - this just kind of fell into place. A great ride - I'm ready for another!

[Mike Hart]

Good deal, Roger!

Practice braking too (he said, reminding himself to take his own advice).

Ride Safe!!

[pmurphy]

Hey, Roger! I can remember my first long solo ride really well. Not as long as yours, but memorable. I had been having kind of a rough day, had enough of hanging around teenage daughters, etc., remembered that the PNW crew were meeting at Skinny Bikers up in Courtenay, and said "What the Heck! I'm outa here!" About an hour and a half later, I pulled into Dennis' place, cracked a beer with the boys, and set up my tent. 'Twas medicine for the soul! I had a great evening shooting the breeze, drank a few brewskis, stayed up way too late, enjoyed the starry night, and crawled into my too-small but snuggly tent. Slept like a log, and the next day headed home ready for "bear"!

Phil Murphy
XS11SG