The Long Way Around

Normally I would have written more at night about my thoughts and 'feelings' with respects to the days ride and what it showed me of America, bit truthbe told I got a little drunk and passed out.

The people of Fort Scott really helped us unwind a bit. We watches a bluegrass band, we hung out in a local bar, and we monkeyed around on our bikes.

Belts, variators, and tire changes were the order of the day. Everyone has squared off tires, and people are noticing that their bikes are performing worse due to flat rollers and worn belts. Many of these these things were replaced and now we should be in better shape.

Word on the street is that St. Louis Vespa is going to help us out tonight after we roll in. Our hotel tonight is apparently 3 or so blocks from the shop, though last time I was told a distance here I ended up walking a mile to a Walmart. Either way, we could use some fresh parts at this point.

I noticed somewhere in my ride that I had completely ignored or did not think about work for a few days. This rarely happens. Not just because I tend not to take vacations, but also because I have problems distancing myself when I do. While I have thought about my friends at work, I've not once considered what I should be doing, etc. I've been sufficiently obscured from reality on this trip and it's helping a bit.

It makes me sad though, as here on day 7 it makes me realize that I've but 4 more days of this, an them I go back to my otherwise very pedestrian life. I miss many aspects of it - my significant other, my child - but it would be great I somehow become some scooter traveling bon vivant ;)

The realist in me doubts we could all fit ok my Granturismo.

There are apparently twisties today. Overheard at the rider meeting: "twisties, in Missouri?"

Short day. 270 or so miles.

I dropped to 6th again, but it's not surprising. I gotta gas up. Also running low on funds I took with me. Hopefully St. Louis has an Atm. ;)

It'll be a late start today. Something got in my eye at the gas station and my hands were covered in gas and my spare contacts were in the support truck. It took like 5 minutes to get them and my eye freaked out.

Need to spend some time letting it cool off. Oh well.

How many states is it so far? I've kind of lost count. Not because I've gone through so many but because the world is one giant blur right now of trees, slow rolling hills, and bugs crusted to my wind screen.

Not sure. Signs would have led me to believe otherwise. Survived the short day.

42 is my new favorite highway ever. Seriously. It's amazing. Fast and fun. Now if only I was not caught behind a funeral percession for 5 miles at 10 mph.

A possum played dead in front of me (well it might have just been a rat) and then 'woke up', and jumped right in front of my front wheel. Not cool. It survived.

Just came in. Nice shop. Lots of floor space. Most dealerships in SF Bay have a quarter of the space.

This is your engine.

Joel discovered a bit of a problem - the exhaust stud got sheared off, and the threads are munged. Suck. We're trying to come up with a game plan to keep Joel in it.

Maroy's cheater bike is gettin' an oil change. ;)

A clutch spring went then fouled up his woodruf key. Patrick and Rocket are on it. We hope to see Roy doing his thing in the morning. In the mean time he did finish the leg.