Illinios to Atlanta.....and beyond. Spring, 2010.

[Easy Rider]

After the Shadow riders meet near Carbondale, IL on 5/23/10, I'll be headed for Atlanta and points south.

I have used US 41 for the whole trip before and it is good......except for going through Nashville and Chatanooga, that is.

It appears just from looking at the map, that US 231/431 might be a good alternative......just for something different. I plan to stay in Murfreesboro, TN one night.

It looks like it might be more rural (gas stops??) and more twisty than I really want though. Anybody have any first hand knowledge ??

If anybody wants an "eyeball" and/or coffee along the way, drop me a PM with a phone number. No promises though, as my schedule might change daily......or hourly, if needed.

Southern most point in the trip probably will be Gainesville, FL for a few days. Returning thru Atlanta about 6/3.

[BillInGA]

PM sent.

[Easy Rider]

Here I am, just south of Chattanooga, Tn.
Been out for 3 days and it's OK.....but not real good.....especially the BUTT!!

Turned hotter than HELL and that limits my riding time to about 6 hours a day, even if I start early; well, then there is the bony butt, which always tells me when it's time to quit for the day.

Yesterday I made a bad navigation choice which ended up adding a day to the trip.
Today I noticed a little head shake; front tire is wearing unevenly so I'll be looking for a new tire in Atlanta.

No major problems just lots of little ones.

[burkbuilds]

Hey Easy, I don't have classes on Tuesday if you are up for lunch or dinner I'll buy I'm just North of Atlanta in Marietta. I'll send you a PM with my phone number and you can call me if it fits into your schedule and you'd like to meet up.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by burkbuilds

if it fits into your schedule and you'd like to meet up.

When life hands you lemons.........................
Thanks again for lunch.
The new tire rides real nice. :cool:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

No major problems just lots of little ones.

As it turns out, I didn't think this whole thing through very good.
It is HOTTER than it should be, I can't tollerate as much time in the seat as I thought, it's a holiday weekend when the people I wanted to see in Fla. won't be working...............AND if I wait until next week to go back, the "Worlds biggest yard sale" will be in progress along about 90 miles of US 41.

SO......I have decided to head back north this morning, Thursday. Should overnight somewhere around Chattanooga tonight and Evansville, IN tomorrow.

For those who I have contacted farther south, I'll try not to lose your numbers and will try again next trip.

[music man]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

As it turns out, I didn't think this whole thing through very good.
It is HOTTER than it should be, I can't tollerate as much time in the seat as I thought.

I was wondering about that, because I don't know where you are and how hot it is there, but yesterday here, it was 110 in the sun. I rode a hundred miles down open highway yesterday and was still cooking like an egg, it was miserable. Usually if I stay moving its not too bad, no such luck yesterday though.

And you are right, about it being hotter than it should be, at least here, it doesn't usually get that hot until about the end of June, NOT May.

[burkbuilds]

I'm sorry your trip got cut short. It was nice to get to meet you though, glad you made it at least to Atlanta. Hopefully you will not have any more tire and traffic problems heading back home.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by burkbuilds

Hopefully you will not have any more tire and traffic problems heading back home.

Tomorrow starts the holiday weekend; traffic wasn't bad today. I actually did about 60 miles on I-75 once I cleared Atlanta and it wasn't too bad. Amazingly enough, most everybody seemed pretty content at doing the speed limit. Maybe the new speeding law in
Georgia IS having some effect.

Since "time in the seat" really is my problem and not mileage as such, I think I'll do most of the rest of the trip on the Interstates once I clear Chattanooga tomorrow morning. I can always drop back to 41 if it gets too heavy.

[GZ250]

nice to read the updates. are you riding VT600?. good luck and be safe.

here i never dare to go for a long ride on GZ. no power in this bike for highways and i worry about a flat tire too and can't take the hassle of tire repair kit for a ride on GZ.