BigGuy66
Member
... it took three days to get home. Normally a 9 hour ride from northern Indiana... we left on Wednesday morning April 26 headed for Spyderfest on our byke and got to Collinsville, IL when we ran into the front of the storm that took over Springfield and most of the Mississippi valley. Since we had rain and lightning, we stopped for the night and left late on Thursday morning to arrive at Pitbulls that afternoon. Already missed any rides for that day.
Rode around a bit and headed for the hotel... some rain starting. On Friday morning we headed to vendor village for Spyderpops to install a swat bar and lighted bump skid. We ran into Harvey and Terri at Steak and Shake Thursday night and she told us to get there early - first come, first served... Well we weren't early enough and ended up being there until about 3:00 before they got to us. Missed all the rides on Friday. But we did get to the Friday night food truck-music bash for a while.
Saturday kept us in at the hotel - the storm was pretty bad. They closed Branson about 6:00 because of flooding. We just stayed in - I guess we are wimps when it comes to being out in the weather when it is raining so we missed the banquet. We reserved our room for Monday night in case we couldn't get out of Springfield on Sunday.
Sunday was more promising - no rain and some sun - so we checked out to ride almost 600 miles home. When got to a point on I-44 where all traffic was diverted off the interstate into the country side. We know where Sleeper, MO is... it took us 8 hours to get to Warrenton, MO still west of St. Louis. We are both nearing 70 and we were tired so we stayed overnight in Warrenton.
Monday was not raining but it was W-I-N-D-Y and cold. My motorcycle windchill chart said that it was the equivalent of 25 degrees. We don't have heated suits, helmets, or underwear. We left and headed east. We got C-O-L-D. By the time we got to Terre Haute we had been beat about the head and body by the wind and our core temperatures felt like about 41 degrees. We called it quits - we are almost 70 remember and not wearing heated clothing - and stayed in Terre Haute.
We left Tuesday morning from Terre Haute and hoped it was our final leg home. The worst part of the ride was riding north for 45 miles through the Indiana farm land. The wind was blowing H-A-R-D from the west. We were buffeted all the way to Peru, IN. When we got home I checked the recorded wind speeds (NOAA) and they were sustained 30 mph with a few gusts at 40 mph. We were on the road in that and felt the gusts. I was very glad for three wheels and a new swaybar.
When we got home Tuesday afternoon, I turned on the electric blanket which is still on the bed because it feels like it is still winter here - I took a hot shower and went to bed and finally warmed up.
About our first Spyderfest - We met some fine people at Spyderfest and talked with some great vendors and Dominic at the BRP section. We also used their couches off and on Friday. Thanks to Joanie and the Mogang for putting the Spyderfest together. Next year it isn't going to rain.
Rode around a bit and headed for the hotel... some rain starting. On Friday morning we headed to vendor village for Spyderpops to install a swat bar and lighted bump skid. We ran into Harvey and Terri at Steak and Shake Thursday night and she told us to get there early - first come, first served... Well we weren't early enough and ended up being there until about 3:00 before they got to us. Missed all the rides on Friday. But we did get to the Friday night food truck-music bash for a while.
Saturday kept us in at the hotel - the storm was pretty bad. They closed Branson about 6:00 because of flooding. We just stayed in - I guess we are wimps when it comes to being out in the weather when it is raining so we missed the banquet. We reserved our room for Monday night in case we couldn't get out of Springfield on Sunday.
Sunday was more promising - no rain and some sun - so we checked out to ride almost 600 miles home. When got to a point on I-44 where all traffic was diverted off the interstate into the country side. We know where Sleeper, MO is... it took us 8 hours to get to Warrenton, MO still west of St. Louis. We are both nearing 70 and we were tired so we stayed overnight in Warrenton.
Monday was not raining but it was W-I-N-D-Y and cold. My motorcycle windchill chart said that it was the equivalent of 25 degrees. We don't have heated suits, helmets, or underwear. We left and headed east. We got C-O-L-D. By the time we got to Terre Haute we had been beat about the head and body by the wind and our core temperatures felt like about 41 degrees. We called it quits - we are almost 70 remember and not wearing heated clothing - and stayed in Terre Haute.
We left Tuesday morning from Terre Haute and hoped it was our final leg home. The worst part of the ride was riding north for 45 miles through the Indiana farm land. The wind was blowing H-A-R-D from the west. We were buffeted all the way to Peru, IN. When we got home I checked the recorded wind speeds (NOAA) and they were sustained 30 mph with a few gusts at 40 mph. We were on the road in that and felt the gusts. I was very glad for three wheels and a new swaybar.
When we got home Tuesday afternoon, I turned on the electric blanket which is still on the bed because it feels like it is still winter here - I took a hot shower and went to bed and finally warmed up.
About our first Spyderfest - We met some fine people at Spyderfest and talked with some great vendors and Dominic at the BRP section. We also used their couches off and on Friday. Thanks to Joanie and the Mogang for putting the Spyderfest together. Next year it isn't going to rain.
🌧🌩
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