Our plan is to use the Interstate Highways or Trans Canada Highways sparingly on this ride, so we stopped at MAX BMW in Troy NY (near Albany) to ask their staff for suggestions through through their fine state. Did not want to take the time to look for an AAA location or tourist bureau!
As I approached the door I said hello and stuck up a conversation with Nick. He is from Sante Fe NM and was on a solo ride and had worn out his front tire (Metzsler Tourance) on the twisties in the Virginias on his 2005 BMW R1200GS He phad found the MAX dealership in Brookfield, CT not all that accommodating to through riding customers, so came up to Troy from Connecticut as he was heading home via a loop through Canada. Enjoyed exchanging route info and past riding experiences before saddling up after also chatting up the friendly counter staff inside.
Rode on to lunch at the Tally Ho Restauant in Richfield NY and enjoyed a relaxing ride through rolling farm lands to check in to the Inn on the Finger Lakes in Auburn, NY.
Getting back on the bike instead of finding a place to nap was a chore! Off the road today at the Comfort Inn by 3:30pm because of the 29C temperature.
The next day, Wednesday was a continuation of good riding weather and roads as we dipped down into the north western corner of Pennsylvania, wondering whether we would see some Amish farms and perhaps some horse and buggies on the roads. Beautiful country and farmland with only one buggy spotted (and he got off the road and down a driveway before I could stop to attempt a photo op!)
We rode on to Warren, PA the target stop for the day, but found the smell of the United Oil refinery rather over bearing in town, so headed north to check into the Best Western in Jamestown NY, just an hour north. Total distance of 489km on the ride today. Decided on a days lay over, so we were able to simply change rooms because of booking issues and relax all day. Not being familiar with the area and always having an eye on the weather means I'm finding it takes a lot of ride planning to stay off "the main drag" and try to miss the possiblity of poor weather.
The next day was a lot of stop and go along Hwy 20 and skirting Cleveland to wind up in Mansfield, OH at a Super 8 for the night. There were many estate like acreages in the areas south of Cleveland but no good place to pull over on the narrow back roads to take pictures. So you will have to take our word for it until you come this way yourself. We rode 416km today. It was muggy with a high of 28C.
June 25th saw us make it from Mansfield, OH to Huntington, IN a total of 307km in a timeline of 7 hours. The highlight of the day was the late lunch stop we made in Decatur, IN at Back 40 Junction Restauant. It is the home of the largest all you can eat buffet that either of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. From the appetizers to veggies and salads, breads and main course choices to the desserts it was real home cooking quality. Friendly efficient staff made our stop very rewarding.
Sunday June 26th saw us in the saddle by 8:30am and riding 364km to Peoria, IL and bunking down early.(with a time zone change somewhere along the way) The temperature was as high as 30C this afternoon. We checked into the Best Western Plus to have a swim, do laundry and answer some e-mails before doing the evening research for the next day. Aren't i-pads wonderful devices?
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