My ride this year covered both days, running from Wildwood FL to Alexandria LA, spanning 809 miles.
Waited for the rain to subside before leaving Wildwood FL (I-75 Exit 329) this morning.. 1st Pit Stop now at Exit 390 in Gainesville. Raining again now. 80.5 miles since filing up in Leesburg yesterday.
Ran out of the rain at I-10 in Lake City. Still over cast, but bright skies now. Trip reading 163.6 at Madison FL (I-10 Exit 258).. i used to know my splits with "Dollie", but her 150 - 180 miles a tank are further than I'd dare try to push "Rosie" with her 2 gallon tank! She doing well though, only taking 1.3 or 1.5 galllons in 80 miles running at 70 - 75 mph!
Still running in & out of rain. At Chattahoochie FL, I-10 Exit 166 .... Trip miles 255. 8 ... I'm starting to feel it in my arms. Not sure if next stop will be for dinner, or if I'm going to push on until dark.
I crossed into the Central Time Zone about 6 miles after my last stop, gaining an hour! The sun finally came out around Panama City, though there are significantly fewer bikes on the road than I would have expected with the Thunder on the Beach Rally going on there this weekend!
Evidence of Wednesday's flooding is still visible from the interstate, with road closures due to the fact some of the secondaries are still under water, and parts of Hwy 90 are just GONE! Even I-10 was closed several hours Wednesday!
351.8 miles on the trip. If nothing else, interstate riding is good for making time, though Hwy 90 is a much pleasanter ride when it is open!
Sweet Home Alabama! Well, not quite, but coming across I-10 it's only a hop, skip & jump to the LA border! After the many miles of Florida that feels like almost home! 443.2 miles
I shed my rain gear in the sunshine at DeFuniak Springs FL, but it didn't take long for the wind to pick up and cover the sky with clouds again, dropping it several degrees. Grandfather Sun didn't show His face again until the Alabama state line! Now I'm hoping to make Gulfport MS by full dark.
"Mississippi Queen ... if you know what I mean!"
I crossed into Mississippi right about full dark, with only 75 miles to go to reach Louisiana! I had told myself I'd stop for dinner when it got dark ... kept going until it was time for gas again in Gulfport.
I was ready to stop. My arms are so tired I'm getting sloppy with Rosie, not a sleepy tired, just muscle fatigue. Getting rid of the rain suit helped with my mobility and comfort. I might have been able to get farther if I didn't have it on most of the day! 520.3 miles
Getting started. Just finished my morning checks ... Lights, horn, tire pressures, oil. Ready to get on the road. Three hours to the crawfish party in Lafayette!
"Ain't no party like a Louisiana Party!" ... Chris Thomas King — at Louisianna Welcome Center.
Hammond LA Exit 44
Trip miles 616.6
This was laying by the gas pumps. Have no idea what kind of snake it is!
West of the Mississippi! Forgot how LONG the bridge across the Atchafalaya is! I was beginning to be concerned that I hadn't stopped for gas in Port Allen before continuing. Even the Atchafalaya Visitor Center was closed, as was the eastbound lane due to an accident. Less than 15 miles from Lafayette.
704.5 miles on the trip meter.
Stopping in Bunkie LA to top off Rosie's tank and put on my red riding hoodie, I was approached by a woman asking permission to take photos of Rosie. She was thrilled when she saw me pull in, exclaiming that "someday she would be brave enough" to ride! I told her of International Female Ride Day. At first she thought I was making it up, until I elaborated and referrenced the Motoress website for her! 765.3 miles