June 30, 2007
June Full Moon Madness
Last night was the Full Moon -- so naturally I had to go out and howl in the desert. Got home from a grueling day at work, pulling and bagging wire and took a nap for a couple or three hours. Got up, remounted my windshield (off for the city, on for the superslabs), packed my bags, this time remembering the lighter for the stove, headed out about 9 pm. To the gas station as I was on reserve, not to mention starting with a full tank to check gas mileage. Didn't actually get onto the I-105 until 9:15.
Take the 105 to the 605 to California Route 60 through Riverside to pick up the I-10 at banning and on to Palm Springs, where there is a Pilot Travel Center. (I have a problem with riding for only the sake of riding -- I need a purpose beyond enjoyment -- this ride was to test arrangements for my planned September ride to OKC and the GEEIA Reunion. One purpose was to check out a truck stop for compatability with motorcycles.) 115 miles according to Yahoo Maps, all freeway, some congestion, mostly 70-75 mph, a few times faster due to traffic conditions. The National Cycle StreetShield, a hulking 18" wide and 19" tall, is mounted to bring the top to between chin and nose level. Works fabulously, no wind in face. (this was purpose two) Unfortunately this leaves a 2.75" gap between the headlight and the shield -- a need a 7" headlight mounted a tad higher and further forward to use this shield. Other than that, sitting between the shield and the suitcase (purpose three -- test suitcase mounting) I seemed to have streamlined myself a bit -- 61 MPG on the outward leg -- took less than 1.9 gallons to top off the tank, and given that the next leg was 140 miles you best believe that I tank was filled to the neck.
Next leg was a 40 minute run up the I-10 to Cottonwood Canyon and into the park. The 58 miles thru the park was at a lazy 35mph with several stops to take a picture, a picture, a picture (all taken without flash, just by the light of the moon and a bit of pushing in Photoshop) and to stop for a spot of freshly brewed tea -- I am of English Decent! Coming out of north west park entrance it was onto the Twentynine Palms Highway for a 34 mile run back down to the same Pilot Travel Center. Didn't go on reserve until Desert Hot Springs, only took on 2.2 gallons for 63+MPG!
As with last trip, there was a rather brisk wind from the west, maybe 20 mph? Last time I had to crouch down on the tank to get behind the Flyscreen. This time it was straight Crusier Style Easy Chair position, 'tho with considerable buffeting. With such a headwind gas mileage suffered considerably -- the 115 mile return took the same amount of gas as the 140 mile loop, yielding only 52.5 MPG. Still, the trip average was 59 MPG -- $18.85 for 370 miles.
And again, I had no problem with fatigue, even after a full day's work and only a 2-3 hour nap before and a 1-2 hour nap on arrival back in Gardena. I think that riding vs. driving makes the trip so much less boring that you do not get fatigued as when encased in a steel cocoon. Twice makes a pattern -- I feel better about planning the first day of my OKC trip to end in Holbrook AZ.
Posted by Paladin at June 30, 2007 12:21 PM