Midnight Ride / I-75

This trip kind of pushed the limits of my riding. First on the way to Houston, I rode in heavy rain for hours,over 300 miles.  On the way back to Florida, I rode several hours at night that ended in the wee hours of the morning again over 300miles in the dark.

Ride Home Day 2 / Worn out Tires

When I planned this trip I knew tire wear would be an issue as I already had around 2800 miles on the Metzeler M3's. I estimated I would  ride another 2600 miles and that the tires would last, but would need to be replaced as soon as I got back. I usually change them out at just under 5000 miles. All the riding in Houston and Galveston piled on lots of miles. The tire's round profile was flattened and on the day I left for home I thought that I had better keep an eye on them, and that if I would run into rain I'd stop as there was not much tread left.
I rode to the half way point of my return trip Crestview Florida, and spent the night at the Country Inn.
Just a side note, this Hotel was very clean and allowed me to park my bike in a space near the entry of the lobby.  which was flat and well lit. The next morning before lugging my bags out to the bike,
 I did my maintenance walk around, tire check, lube the chain, check the coolant and oil level's
As I started to lube the chain I noticed a discoloration in the middle of the back tire, and rolled the bike back a few more inches and noticed that the steel cord was showing no rubber left, I felt that if that tire had let go on the interstate it would of been big problems. I decided that riding to the nearest bike shop was are far as I would go. No problem, I got on Google and found one in Crestview and a couple of other bike shops 40 miles away in Ft Walton Beach.
I called the shop in Crestview, but no answer, but figuring it was Saturday and now around 8am maybe they would open at 9 or 10 at the latest.  I really didn't want to ride 40 miles knowing the back tire could explode any minute. So I rode north about six miles, just to find out the bike shop I needed to be open was closed. Now I had to find tires 46 miles away or stay in Crestview  until Monday.
 I decided to ride to Ft Walton Beach where I had been told that there were a couple of bigger shops that should be open. It's funny, I rode my bike the day before, and I did not feel or hear anything out of place. Today however,  knowing the tire was in bad shape, every bump or vibration seemed to be amplified. I rode just fast enough to keep from getting run over.

Galveston: We ride away from the city

With the help of a my new friend Greg, I'm given a tour of some country roads away from the city.

After being in Houston a couple for of weeks, I met my sister's friend Greg. He showed up on a spotless Harley and if you had to pick a guy that matched his ride, you would have no problem matching Greg to his bike. The plan was to ride to Galveston and have lunch.
 The ride started in Seabrook Texas and by the time we reached Galveston maybe 35 miles, it was as if  we had ridden together many times before. Like me, he seemed to be a free spirit while riding.
 The pace for me, was just about right as we moved through traffic, no crazy slicing and no putting around. Once in Galveston, Greg took me for a bite to eat.  I thought we would be going back  the way we came, but  I was wrong. After lunch, we road West, and 15 minutes out of the city, the traffic cleared and the road became one less traveled. Open stretches of beach to my left, and green low lands on my right, and a curvey two lane road in front of me. With a cool breeze on what started out as being a very warm Texas day, and nearly empty road,  I was in my zone, but couldn't help one small blast of speed  There are still signs of the hurricane that went through Galveston a few years ago.   After riding through the area, you really get the sense of how low the Galveston is.
 Im guessing, but I think we went about 25 miles before coming to a bridge that would lead us back to the main land and more country roads.
It sort of reminded me of the Sanibel Causeway before they put in the big and ugly new bridge that cost 6 dollars to cross.

The ride ended up being 165 miles.  I can't thank Greg enough for showing me some of the roads the Houston guys ride to get away from the grind of the big city
. My turn next Greg, were going to the Dragon,  get ready to grin.

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