The worst thing about touring
Salamanca, New York, United States
After eight days in the saddle riding some of the finest roads in the Eastern parts of North America, you think I’d be a happy bunny, right?
Wrong.
Today, I am back home and once again using my motorcycle to commute to work. It’s about 6km, and yet it takes me almost forty minutes. Four days ago, I spent the same amount of time, going both up and down the Tail of the Dragon and still time for a couple of photos at Deals Gap afterwards.
There, I am avoiding deer and other woodland critters. They seemed far better at looking both ways before crossing the road than all of the University of Toronto pedestrians do.
Today, I spent five minutes watching two old people making illegal u-turns in opposite directions. Every time they moved, they blocked each other more and more. After watching this octogenarian automotive pas de deux for five minutes I gave up and decided to terrorize an elderly lady by riding up the sidewalk. I had no choice. It was either that or camp out for the night.
Even if you can get moving (which is very rare), it’s truly the season of construction in Canada. Literally every second meter of my journey is dug up, patched, rutted, gutted and generally in worse shape than the Somme in 1918. It makes the back-road detour we took in West Virginia look like child's play.
A memento of happier times
Last week, it was 500km+ days every day. Each ended with a beer and lots of Bonhomie with some truly wonderful people (including my wife who is rapidly getting as fast as I think I am). Today has ended with me listening to every minute rattle of my Tiger 1200 Explorer and wondering if it’s about to catch fire as it feels that hot.
Next time I go touring, I’m not sure I’m coming back. You shouldn’t either.
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83 months ago
@Sikvic8ball - Is the QEW ever not packed... I think I once drove there are 4am and it was slower than it should have been
83 months ago
Yes even in Niagara which is typically not anywhere near as congested as the GTA I find the same thing. Every weekend the QEW is packed stop and go and cities are a crawl. I often just cruise the country roads to avoid it all even if I wanted to go somewhere else. Not worth the headache. Golden horseshoe is horrible for riding! Having a bike that's not a long distance tourer makes it all the more obvious and painful.
86 months ago
@rangioran - Sounds like you're not too far from where I used to live in South Manchester. Wales was always good for riding out to, but then so were the lakes, and the moors.
The Scottish highlands? Glorious place to ride (and be). Don't forget to pack the midge spray... Never did the Orkneys, but it's a reason to go back. Sounds like a blast.
And yes, we're looking at lean angle.
86 months ago
Sounds horrendous! Spring is really setting in here in north east Wales borders and the RT is running like a dream. Plenty of day rides out using ESR (wonderful, truly wonderful app!) but building up to a trip to The Orkney Isles and North Western Scottish Highlands end of May, that'll be a test for me, the bike AND ESR! One request, when playing back a saved ride it would be nice if the lean angle figure reflected the actual angle at that point in the ride.
Stay safe👍
Eric
90 months ago
exactly how I felt after being on the road for 32 days all around the US this summer
92 months ago
I have only been riding a year now and I am starting to feel that yearning you are talking about. I have not taken a rode trip yet, my commute is my adventure ride. Great writing!
92 months ago
@anovax1 - We appreciate the feedback. You made our developers smile!
92 months ago
I will. Starting use the ride function more. This is a great app.
92 months ago
@nick303 - Most of them don't know how to use one lane...
92 months ago
Great times indeed. Definitely impressed with the pace of @marina !
So true, @alex, the "least safe" I felt on any road the whole trip was the final leg home on the QEW -- 3 (or more at times) lanes full of people who haven't the slightest clue how to properly use those 3 lanes.
92 months ago
Yeah, you guys are too slow for me 🙂 @alex @nick @teramuto
92 months ago
It was truly a blast to travel with you guys. I had a lot of fun.
92 months ago
@anovax1 - maybe you want to share some of your fave NC rides? Already looking forward to this one - https://eatsleepride.com/c/155394/hickory_nc_to_laurel_springs_nc_via_russells_gap
92 months ago
@anovax1 - Totally agree - the Dragon is not the best road, just the best known
And if you commute in NC, I am so envious.
92 months ago
Many roads here better than dragon.!
92 months ago
Bummer, my commute is western NC. Riding heaven.
92 months ago
@Teramuto, @nick303, @marina - thanks for a great week!