I’m back in GR. I got in yesterday afternoon. The return trip was more or less uneventful.

I wasn’t able to get my rear tire changed in Vegas like I wanted but made it to the East Bay. I wanted to make it home on the tire so as not to pay retail for a new tire and then trash it on the slab. Don (A friend from a Motorcycle Forum) gave me a plugged take-off which I strapped on “just in case.”

In Battle Mountain, Ut cords started showing… Crud! I asked if there was a Bike Shop in town, there was. He should still be open according to his (ex?) Mother in Law at the gas station. I found the shop. The owner was just leaving with his young daughter and couldn’t help me. He didn’t really want to change the tire in the morning and recommended I take it easy and head 70 miles east to Elko.

I grabbed a burger in town and waited for the sun to set and the roads to cool. I took my time getting to Elko. I spent the night found 5′th Gear Motor sports at 8:15. I started pulling the tire so when they opened at 9:00 they could change it real quick. As I was pulling the tire I noticed some guys working in the back. They offered to pull the tire for me, but since it is pretty easy I said I would do it myself. They changed the time without giving me any grief and I was out of there by 9:15. I brought them a dozen doughnuts for taking care of my before they opened.

I left Elko at about 9:30am Pacific and drove through the night, arriving in Indy at 6:30pm Eastern. 1800 miles in 30 hours. A new record for me! I think I was at 1400 ish at the 24 hour mark because I “slept” for an hour or two at a rest area.

My dad bought a truck in Indy and I need a truck to get my stuff from Grand Rapids to his place to store. So I loaded the bike in the back using the lift gate and got creative in making attachment points for the straps. I slept in the truck just north of Indy and got home early yesterday afternoon.

All in the all the trip was great. The first week was exceptional and almost perfect. The last half was stressful and that cut into the enjoyment level a bit. I am really glad that I had and took the opportunity to make the trip. I got to see a lot of great countryside, good roads, and great people.

I’ve uploaded the rest of my route and pictures to: http://picasaweb.google.com/elenbaum

States Visited On Trip

States Visited On Bike at Some Point