I got home today from my trip to Florida. We rode 5,776 miles and I now have over 31,000 miles on my 2014 RTS since 02/21/14. Here are some observations from my trip.
Watch for falling rocks…..
I always see those signs but hadn’t ever seen falling rocks until yesterday. We were riding through the mountains of Arizona just after it had rained and came across several areas of fallen rocks. Maybe the signs should say watch for fallen rocks after a rain storm.
Aggressive drivers…
I10 in Mississippi and Louisiana had the most aggressive drivers that we encountered. I felt like a Nascar driver during the Daytona 500, I wanted to hang in the back to avoid the “Big One”.
Most courteous drivers…
Texans on country roads, they move to the shoulder to let you pass.
Best cracklins…
Someplace in Scott, LA next to the Harley Davidson dealer. At least that is what everyone told us, however, we didn’t partake of the pork treats. We did enjoy the Texas Trio at DQ though. Three tacos, a drink and a sundae!
Seen and unseen…
Stopped for our first night in Albuquerque and didn’t realize that Balloon Fest was going on. Good thing it was Sunday night so we didn’t have any problems finding a hotel room. On Monday morning we hit the freeway and it was at a standstill due to an accident. This gave us a great view of 100’s of hot air balloons taking flight. No pictures though.
We didn’t have any luck though seeing the lunar eclipse. We had high hopes but it was foggy in Vicksburg, MS. A good side effect of the fog was that we didn’t have to stare into the sun in the morning.
Eco mode
I’ve actually been using it and, surprise, I’ve gotten better mileage.
Spyder Riders….
Are some of the best people out there. We had lunch with a lady in Florida that we only know from GOS and we had another old friend ride 1,000 miles to meet us and ride back home the next day. Today we were eating lunch and in walked a GOS friend who was on her way to her winter home. She told her husband to be on the lookout for a white and a red Spyder as she knew our paths would cross today.
Yesterday we were eating lunch in Quemodo, NM (middle of nowhere) and a man walked up to our table and asked if we had ridden through NM earlier this year. He said that there were more of us then. It turned out that he had met us on our Ladies Only Ride at the Spyder dealer in Las Cruces, NM. I guess we made an impression!
Reliable…
Both of our Spyders ran great. I do have a headlight out, don’t know for sure when that happened. For any of you who are afraid to take a long trip, don’t be. If 2 old ladies can ride cross country anybody can.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
Sounds like a great trip! Who are you riding with?
I rode with my friend Robin. She had a nephew getting married in Jacksonville and needed a partner in crime for a big adventure.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
The trailer didn't go on the trip with me. I used a box thing that mounted to the trailer hitch. It held our extra gear (wedding clothes). Don't recommend that set-up for anything fragile, I had some granola bars in there and they are now just granola. The trailer is stilling under repair from the bearing issue.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
Sounds like a wonderful trip. I agree with you about Mississippi drivers. I've been there a few times (son lives there) and they are almost as bad as New York and New Jersey.
Sounds like a wonderful trip. I agree with you about Mississippi drivers. I've been there a few times (son lives there) and they are almost as bad as New York and New Jersey.
hey, i resemble that!!
Rewaco RF-1 GT
Inline 4 cylinder Ford Zetec with multi-port fuel inject, 140 HP 0-60mph: 5.8 seconds 5 speed sync manual with reverse, mechanical dry clutch. Front suspension: Trapezoidal fork with center spring Rear suspension: Independent with Bilstein gas shock absorbers Brake System: Grimeca calipers, linked ventilated discs, with booster 10.57 gallons
Sounds like you had lots of fun and the best thing is was a safe ryde. I just turned over 10k miles on my RT and next to you in milage i'm still a rookie.
Sounds like a wonderful trip. I agree with you about Mississippi drivers. I've been there a few times (son lives there) and they are almost as bad as New York and New Jersey.
"you mean the New York/New Jersey the further north of Trenton the worse the traffic and drivers get, it's not like that in the southern part of the state(most of the time anyway) "
It looks like you all had a fantastic ryde and its great to see you get home safe. You certainly motivate the rest of Spyder Ryders with your feats. I love your positive attitude and lack of fear.
220,000 Mile Spyder Ryder, IBA Premier member #59352, Saddlesore 1000 (11), Bun Burner 1500 (3), Saddlesore 2000 (2), Bun Burner Gold, MILEEATER SILVER
Now that's what im talking about. That's what the spyders were made for to ride and enjoy riding. You are a great example of that. I don't ride near as much but i enjoy riding and not being afraid to go.
Glad to hear you had a great ride. on the 31K miles. You have me beat this year by 200%. I will be putting mine to bed with around 10K miles. They have been wonderful miles, and as you said, the new 2014 is performing almost flawless for me.
RE: Rocks--be very careful when you come to Alaska. Those watch out for falling rocks signs mean just what they say. You will be driving through several areas like that.
I have dodged watermelon sized rocks that were not there on the outbound trip, and an hour later, disaster awaiting.
Always be ready to dodge or slow down quickly.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
As her pit crew, this thing runs like a Swiss watch! We call it her GTO - (Gas, Tires and Oil!) I will do her brake pads shortly, and go over it to see how it went. Has a TRIC LED fender light loose, and about a bazillion dead bugs. Otherwise, looks OK. As you can imagine, I am terribly proud of her, and her adventures. She is....THE AMAZING
SPYDERANN!
Welcome home!
As her pit crew, this thing runs like a Swiss watch! We call it her GTO - (Gas, Tires and Oil!) I will do her brake pads shortly, and go over it to see how it went. Has a TRIC LED fender light loose, and about a bazillion dead bugs. Otherwise, looks OK. As you can imagine, I am terribly proud of her, and her adventures. She is....THE AMAZING
SPYDERANN!
Welcome home!
Harvey's (SpyderPops) associate debugged my grills at the BBQ a couple weeks ago. Even the KOTTs grills don't help with those.
Wish I had known you were coming this way. Would have liked to have shown you around Natchez. We had a great balloon race here last weekend. We are the 3rd weekend in October, right after Albuquerque! Glad you had a safe trip.
Replaced my Lamonster Certified RT Limited #1874 With a 2018 RTL.
16 Days, 5,776 miles
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Originally Posted by PrairieSpyder
Only seen three young ladies.
Having fought the "Battle of Route 206" for 4 years; 
yeah
