This will be my third and hopefully last attempt to write this since my other postings have failed.
I left Saturday at 5:00 pm. All gassed up, gear on, backrest in place, and off to the gas station to fuel up and get my eyewitness form signed.
On previous trips I have just used regular socks and always experience swelling in my lower legs. I thought to try some compression socks to see if it might alleviate my discomfort. Fast forward they worked awesome!
Fuel stop done, eyewitness form signed, and I'm off. It was a beautiful day for a long ride. Temps in upper 70's F, clear, and dry, with just a slight breeze. The ride was uneventful until about 150 miles in. I was on hwy 53 going south, just north of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and it appeared that someone had dropped a large piece of luggage on the road. I was within 1/4 mile and what I thought to be a large piece of luggage got up and moved! I stopped within 50' and it was a black bear. It mosied off into the woods on the right side of the road, stopped, turned, and looked at me. I really wanted to take a photo but thought it might just be better to speed off. Goodbye Yogi!
First fuel stop was Osseo, WI. It was almost dark now and approacking the station there was another bike parked. A yellow and silver GS 1200 fully loaded down. Turned out to be a woman from Vermont that travels around as a moto guide for bicycle races. We talked for a bit and decided to ride together for 50 miles or so till our ways would split. She going east to Chicago, and I'm headed west back toward Minnesota, Austin to be specific.
On to the 2nd fuel stop the night was absolutely clear. I did stop on I-90 west to rest a bit, streatch, and take a pic. Looking up I was able to see trillions of stars and probably the first time I was able to view the milkey way, levithian, in many many years. My next turn was quite a ways out yet.
I made it to Austin with 412 miles on the OD. Fueled up, got some coffee, and off I go again. On to Brandon, SD! I-90 at night was completely deserted. I could probably see 10 miles or more east to west. I did get off the bike a few times to do some laps and sprints down the hwy to get my blood flowing. I had not slept well the previous two days and the fatigue was setting in. I probably should not have ridden but I was already!
Made it to Brandon, South Dakota and now to turn north on I-29. Got some coffee, breakfast pizza and fuel. Also got my 76 anniversary Sturgis T-shirt.
More to follow tomorrow!