First no pictures, remembered camera at first stop, it is on the counter at home.
Got up at 5:00 AM yesterday and got ready to head out to Bushtec in Tennessee with a few buddies to pick up a used trailer, also get to try out my new Corbin seat. By the way this is the first long ride of the year. Put on my long john outfit, jeans, chaps and heavy duty riding coat, thermal socks the whole bit. Left at 6:00 to meet up with the guys at a Jacks fast food for coffee, about 45 miles from home. Temperature 27 degrees.
One lane of the highway was closed so rode very slowly due to construction, glad there was damn its cold at 27 degrees going even 60 mph. Get to Jacks one guy is there the other running behind due to a dead battery, fine with me I just want coffee and to warm up. Other buddy shows up, of course he is hungry so 15 more minutes go by and were on our way for our 230 mile trip. First stop, across from Jacks for gas, wow that didn't take long and I never got a chill.
Off we go up on to the highway finally, holy crap were going 75 MPH it is very cool, should have put on my tall windshield too late, hell I'm tough at least I am on a Harley, both buddies on Wings. That 6 foot windshield sure looks like it keeps the wind off them, hey but I have heated grips and seat and I'm tough. Next stop North of Chattanooga TN, well at least we laid down around 140 miles, time for gas. Gas them up take a smoke break, compare milage numbers wow CVO is getting better milage than the wings. Buy lottery tickets and off we go, have to be there by 1:00 so we can see the factory. Onward to Bushtec, weather getting warmer it must be a least 40 degrees by now, still cold at highway speeds.
Get off I75 at the big Green Plastic Dinasour and we are on the final leg of the destination. We pull into the industrial park were Bushtec is located and every building we see other than theirs is for sale and business is shut down. ( this area appears to be hit hard by the recession of the last few years) We pull into Bushtec and the weather is approaching the 50's and they left early but by previous agreement left the trailer outside between the buildings for us in case we ran late. Too bad, really wanted to see their operation.
The trailer is a used Road Wagon my buddy bought from them really cheap ($650.00). Upon examination, the thing has new wheels tires, including a spare and is flawless. He wires it to his plug and on our we go to head back to Alabama. By now it is approaching 55 degrees we head out and my first priority is to lead us to lunch, got to have a Steak and Shake whenever they are available. Stop for lunch takes about 45 minutes and were off to the highway again, stop for gas in Cleveland TN and onward to Chattanooga and I24. Last stop together is the Alabama/Georgia line at the rest stop, smoke break and look over the super buy my buddy got and hit the highway, still 65 miles from home starting to get dark and cool but the good thing is going south were the temps were warmer in the day. Head on down the highway and we split off about 30 miles south, one goes east, the other west and I continue south into the one lane of highway again. The southbound side is so screwed up as the highway was poured in patio size chunks and each one at a slightly different elevation with water seeping out between them. I feel like I am on a bucking bronco, finally get back to the normal highway hit my exit and head to the house. Time 6:00 PM total milage 496.9. Time 12 hours total I would say minus the stops we did the ride itself in 8.5 hours, not bad for the first ride of the season over 50 miles and a new saddle. By the way love the Corbin, no pain other than were my long johns ate my A$$. Great way to start the riding season, next time will be a long ride.
A few things to know, if you are going North or South through Chattanooga or Knoxville, sharpen up on your peripheral vision since cages will be coming at you from all directions like a video game,they do not care if they clear you by and inch or a foot if they want in front or behind you they will get there. Had to find this somewhat amusing as I have ridden all over but the one buddy has not traveled allot on the highway, he claims if the lived in either city he would be 12 hours late for work each day since he would be scared to get out in the traffic.
Enough rambling, I hope you all had an opportunity to ride this weekend as well.
Ride Safe, Chains
PS averaged ovr 43 MPG on the highway
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Topic: Bushtec Trip (Read 3928 times)