Lamonster Ride to San Diego by way of Sturgis

[Lamonster]

I've been waiting to do a trip like this before I even had the Spyder. I remember some of the guys on one of my other boards saying that the Spyder would be no good for the long haul and a 150 mile day is about all one could do on the Spyder. From that day on I wanted to prove them him wrong. I pretty much did that when I picked it up seeing I did 800 miles the first two days.:doorag:

Ever since then I've been doing things to make the Spyder better for the long haul. I've added a GPS, XM radio, Cruise Control, Highway boards and my latest mods was some 4" risers. I got to say this was the best mod to date. I use to get a numb right hand and my right shoulder would start to really hurt after about 200 to 300 miles. That is all gone now thanks to the risers.

I LEFT Greeneville/Mosheim TN at 4 am on Sunday. I had a low battery issue the day before when I left my GPS on for about 3 hours. I charged my battery and got it back up to speed and was ready to roll.

I didn't get much sleep the night before as I never do before a big ride. :sour: That week was one of those weeks that everything went belly up just before my trip so the time I would have spent working on the Spyder was taken up by working on pool pumps and valves and heat pumps. :sour:

So I get all loaded the night before ans at 4 am I fire up the GPS and route to Sioux Falls Iowa. It was over 1200 miles from my place. Now my GPS is a iway 600 and it's only acted up one time and that was on my trip to Valcourt Canada. Well guess what it started to act up again just as I was leaving. I kept playing with it and it finally fixed it's self. That's okay because I brought a spare that I had on my 109 just in case of a problem like this. So far I haven't needed to use it.

When I took off it was real foggy and I had a hard time seeing the road but after a couple of hours it broke and all was well.

I was stopping for fuel every 120 to 140 miles or so and the one thing nice about leaving so early is you don't have to stop to talk with people too much. That was good for making time.

The trip was pretty much uneventful and that was fine with me. It was kind of hot and at times I was wishing I would hit some rain just so I could cool off a bit. About 3:30 my sleepless night caught up with me and I had to pull into a rest stop to get about a hour nap.

I didn't see a whole lot of bikes on the road so I pretty much had the road to myself. I was blowing through state lines like some folks ride through county's. The Spyder did great and never gave me a lick of trouble. I did fine that my butt gets a little sore around 600 to 700 miles but I'm hoping the new Corbin I'm installing today or tomorrow will fix that as I have plenty of miles left to add to this trip. I'm over 15K now.

I didn't make to to Sioux Falls but I did pull into Sioux City around 11 pm and that turned out to be a 1170 mile day in 19 hours. The only reason I didn't make it all the way is there was a really bad storm up the road nd I was dry all day and didn't see any point in getting wet now.

Packed and ready to roll
http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080729/f/1/9/f190dac3ecc728e4620d1a46ed1664300_large.jpg

Guess where :doorag:
http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080729/2/3/f/23ff58d3315b80e5c37440eb578ee46f0_large.jpg

My new friends.
http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080729/c/2/3/c232e255fceba8172cdb4d76d4be443f0_large.jpg

[daddydarko]

Sounds like a great ride. Wow, 15k. When did you get your Spyder?

What would you say is the biggest challenge to long rides on the :spyder:? For me, it's my back. I need to sit on your bike to figure out if I'm too short for the highway pegs.

[Lamonster]

Sounds like a great ride. Wow, 15k. When did you get your Spyder?

What would you say is the biggest challenge to long rides on the :spyder:? For me, it's my back. I need to sit on your bike to figure out if I'm too short for the highway pegs.

My shoulder use to be the first thing that bothered me but now it's my butt. The highway pegs are nice to be able to move your feet around but now that I have the risers I find I don't use my pegs as much asI use to.

[jeuchler]

...I got to say this was the best mod to date. I use to get a numb right hand and my right shoulder would start to really hurt after about 200 to 300 miles. That is all gone now thanks to the risers....

1170 miles is quite a good testament to the new risers! :thumbup:

Say hi to the Badlands for me, you're sure close, now.

[Lamonster]

1170 miles is quite a good testament to the new risers! :thumbup:

Say hi to the Badlands for me, you're sure close, now.

Yesterday was a short day, just 460 miles. Went by the Badlands but didn't go through them. I did stop a Wall Drug though. :doorag:

http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080729/e/6/f/e6f036108fab507e1df860b58fb918220_large.jpg

Then I hookup with the gang from No Magic.:2thumbs:

http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080729/0/b/8/0b881ef63b589be8c1e3f83cb087fa1a0_large.jpg
http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080729/7/5/7/757e9af12bbef2b95fdfc381622309470_large.jpg

[Magic Man]

http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080729/7/5/7/757e9af12bbef2b95fdfc381622309470_large.jpg


Who's that good looking guy on the Spyder? :2thumbs:

MM

[LaughingHeart]

:2thumbs: Wow I'm impressed!!! My butt gives out at about 70 miles. Have a great ride!

[John/Bike Solutions LLC]

Butt relief will be coming in the very near future.

[Greg H.]

Very nice! You guys appear to be having a great time! :2thumbs:

[FANG]

:congrats:. Sounds like a great :spyder:ryde. Be safe and keep us posted. :clap::clap:

[ataDude]

Butt relief will be coming in the very near future.

[hijack on]

A free bump for John...

For those of you who don't know, John has quite a good reputation on some of the other bike forums I visit. He typically re-works stock seats to make them fit you. I have never heard of one bad thing from folks who used his services.

:2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

[/hijack off]

[jeuchler]

Yesterday was a short day, just 460 miles....

Yeah, well, it looks as though you have that gold pin in your sights! :thumbup:

http://spyderryder.brp.com/TrySpyder/Image.ashx?ImageID=fbda034b-a13a-411e-9608-0a45d7487e78&Format=Medium

[VIspyderman]

Hey Lamonster, I just did 3400 KMs on my first road trip. However, I do have 22350kms on the odometer already, that's 13887 miles. I guess you must be the only one out there with more miles than me. My best day was 800kms or 500 miles in one go, actually 8 hours. Keep it up. I race you to the gold pin. LOL

[Big Arm]

I didn't make to to Sioux Falls but I did pull into Sioux City around 11 pm and that turned out to be a 1170 mile day in 19 hours. The only reason I didn't make it all the way is there was a really bad storm up the road nd I was dry all day and didn't see any point in getting wet now.

:congrats:
Lamonster, The next time ya pass thru Sioux City, HONK !!! and we'll leave the light on for ya !!!! (even if it is 11pm. ) :yes: At least I could of bought you breakfast before you pulled out !!! Anyway.... hope you have a great trip !!! .... Keep up the postings !!! :2thumbs:

[trikester]

Congrats Lamontster, have a good ride! :congrats:

What about the Julian ride that was mentioned, after you get out San Diego way? :yes:

I would need to know by Thursday (7/31) evening so I can load up my Spyder and I can trailer it to my desert place with me, when I drive down there on Friday morning. I plan to be there all of next week so if I don't take it with me Friday, I won't have any opportunity to get it from home (153 miles away).

Frank

[Smylinacha]

That's a big trip and I hope the Corbin works for you too. I found my butt hurts after about 2 hours and I tend to stand up on the pegs when I am riding. HDX put my Airhawk on an it's much better now. I used that when I had my Harley - it was a lifesaver!

[Brandy]

What kind of trike was that parked beside you at the Wall Drug?

[jeuchler]

...HDX put my Airhawk on an it's much better now....

Smylinacha--

Which size Airhawk did your use on your Spyder?

http://www.derbycycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?cart_id=1572428.45008&page=AirhawkSizingChart.htm

[retread]

The one on the left looks like a Thoroughbred Stallion, got a Ford engine & auto trans, sells for 50K. Writeup in Rider mag a couple of months ago.

[Lamonster]

What kind of trike was that parked beside you at the Wall Drug?

That was a Valkyrie trike.

[Lamonster]

Hey Lamonster, I just did 3400 KMs on my first road trip. However, I do have 22350kms on the odometer already, that's 13887 miles. I guess you must be the only one out there with more miles than me. My best day was 800kms or 500 miles in one go, actually 8 hours. Keep it up. I race you to the gold pin. LOL
:congrats::spyder::doorag:

[Lamonster]

Congrats Lamontster, have a good ride! :congrats:

What about the Julian ride that was mentioned, after you get out San Diego way? :yes:

I would need to know by Thursday (7/31) evening so I can load up my Spyder and I can trailer it to my desert place with me, when I drive down there on Friday morning. I plan to be there all of next week so if I don't take it with me Friday, I won't have any opportunity to get it from home (153 miles away).

Frank

Right now I'm looking at pulling out of here on Sat. so next weekend would be a Sat. would be a go.:doorag:

[Mosa]

Nice writeup LeMont... Keep posting.. fun reading... and take more pics.... and above all, be safe bro!

Mosa

[trikester]

Right now I'm looking at pulling out of here on Sat. so next weekend would be a Sat. would be a go.:doorag:

I'll try for that (Sat 08/09). I'll go back to the "Julian Ride" thread and see if any of those are still interested.

Frank

[hotglue]

Sounds like a great trip!!!!!:thumbup:

[retread]

oops :dontknow:

[Smylinacha]

Smylinacha--

Which size Airhawk did your use on your Spyder?

http://www.derbycycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?cart_id=1572428.45008&page=AirhawkSizingChart.htm


I got the large one from jp cycles: http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=A43A52DD-CED3-4171-AB2B-9318B2D822A9&search=airhawk&store=All&page=1

Edit to add; I see it's alot cheaper at Derby cycles!

[bjt]

I got the large one from jp cycles: http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=A43A52DD-CED3-4171-AB2B-9318B2D822A9&search=airhawk&store=All&page=1

Edit to add; I see it's alot cheaper at Derby cycles!

http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Others/desperado-087.gif Hands up! We are hijacking this thread. :D

Still, they are a lot cheaper than a new saddle. I may be interested in trying one of them out.

[jeuchler]

http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Others/desperado-087.gif Hands up! We are hijacking this thread. :D

Still, they are a lot cheaper than a new saddle. I may be interested in trying one of them out.

We're not hijacking, we're just making some smalltalk 'til Lamont and Ev check in again! :chat:

[SpyderMark]

Guess where :doorag:
http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080729/2/3/f/23ff58d3315b80e5c37440eb578ee46f0_large.jpg


That's westbound on the Poplar Street bridge going over the Mississippi River on the IL/MO border! Give us a head's up next time you're on your way thru STL and b'fast/lunch/dinner (depending on the time) is on us!

Regards,

Mark

[Lamonster]

I type a long message yesterday and then I lost it so till I get a better internet connection I'll just post some pics and I'll fill in the blanks later.

http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080729/0/b/8/0b881ef63b589be8c1e3f83cb087fa1a0_large.jpg
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http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080730/6/0/e/60e3681b02479f8e3774b73762901ddc0_large.jpg

[Greg H.]

Very nice, Lamont!! We were just talking about the Crazy Horse monument! You must be having a BLAST!!!

Oh! And, when you're in California, be sure to visit...

http://www.in-n-out.com/images/top_store_1.jpg

Double Double - Animal Style!!!

[IdleUp]

Thanks for the report - if you can go that many miles on the stock seat, (more than I'll ever do) then I won't have any problems going on a 700 mile round trip in a few weeks.

Let us know how you like the Corbin seat - I have one on order and I'm hoping it comes in before I leave.

[bjt]

http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080730/5/5/6/5566d5337ffa235e91e8c131e87313b10_large.jpg

Hmm... Does this pic prove Magic Man's claim that you will be in his rearview mirror on all the rides? ;) :D :joke:

[Magic Man]

Hmm... Does this pic prove Magic Man's claim that you will be in his rearview mirror on all the rides? ;) :D :joke:


:agree::agree::agree:

No really Lamonster drives his Spyder like a man on a mission. He was taking it slow so everyone could keep up with him.

Although him and Jody took the Spyders and burned up the ride home a bit.

He was a great tour guide for us on our ride and knew all the good places to see.

MM

[sleepman]

The only thing I can say is that I'm super jealous and the pictures are making it worse. I hope to make this ride one of these days. Enjoy the trip and you guys ride safe.

[jeuchler]

I type a long message yesterday and then I lost it so till I get a better internet connection I'll just post some pics and I'll fill in the blanks later.

http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080730/6/c/2/6c2e12607e12a5ae3294bb8d1f51a76d0_large.jpg
http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080730/d/d/7/dd76afb143465e608a8923e2b685c8900_large.jpg


I'll fill in one of the blanks--

I remember from my days in SD that Lincoln's nose on Mount Rushmore is eleven feet long...

Have a great trip back!

[spyder3rdr]

Lamonster ... what an Epic Ryde you are having !!! You'll have to post your trip on SpyderRyder when you get home ... I'm sure you'll top the list !!! Good Luck and ryde safe my brother !!!

[spydsense]

You are a lucky man...wish I was there....keep the pictures coming... :2thumbs:

[WaltH]

Lamont:
You passed me on Monday morning the 28th near Mitchell, SD. I was on my way to Sturgis. I won't say anything about how fast you must have been going.

[MSGTDOC]

ENJOY THE TRIP AND RIDE SAFE BROTHER

[SSL4X4]

I was raised there but dont hold that against me Lamont. You are talented taking pictures while driving!! I live in beautiful Denver Colorado now. If you get through here on the way back from San Diego let me know. Buy you a beer at one of the many biker bars here. Took my employees out this evening and yellow Spydie was a hit. Imagine two of them there!! We could cause a riot and a traffic jam!!:2thumbs:

[Star Cruiser]

Not to hijack the thread, but I searched for posts about the Corbin Bags, without success. How do you like them and are they holding up well for you?

[Big Joe]

I have seen this same view before:2thumbs:
http://image1.frappr.com/pix1/i/20080730/6/c/2/6c2e12607e12a5ae3294bb8d1f51a76d0_large.jpg

[trikester]

Lamonster, are we still on for meeting in Santa Ysabel, CA - on the 9th - at about noon - for the Julian ride?

Smokester says he will be there. :yes:

[Napalmseth]

Oh! And, when you're in California, be sure to visit...

http://www.in-n-out.com/images/top_store_1.jpg

Double Double - Animal Style!!!

WHY... WHY do you torture me so...... I wont be back in Cali till October. I miss In N Out.

[WizardMaster]

I type a long message yesterday and then I lost it so till I get a better internet connection I'll just post some pics and I'll fill in the blanks later.



hey you never filled in the Blanks?