May 2009 Trip

May 2009 Trip

Mensa Outdoor Gathering,

Hannigan Motorsports,

Deal's Gap,

The Great Chicken Rally.

A short trip after spring break, and before summer vacation so that I don't have to share the road or sights with kids/tourists... <smile>

Started out with a run down to Versailles State Park in Indiana to visit with some old friends at the Mensa Outdoor Gathering (O.G.). Then after a quick overnight with friends in Dayton Ohio, cut back west across Kentucky to Murray, the home of Hannigan Motorsports; the makers of my stylin' sidecar. Got some screen window side curtains from them to keep the bugs out while sleeping in the sidecar, and a steering damper to knock out the low speed wobble that can sometimes show up under certain conditions. I also showed off to them the modifications that I have made to the sidecar so far; including lowering the seat by 2" to gain more headroom, going from a single center roof latch to twin latches in the corners to eliminate the head bumping issue, and some other minor items.

Had a bit of an allergy attack one afternoon, and had to stop due to the constant sneezing and runny nose. The antihistamines served to take the edge off, but I found a low-tech way to calm the ticklish nose and stop the running. At least the chin guard and visor blocked others from seeing it, which kept passing traffic from falling into laughing fits and running off of the road...

After visiting with the good folks at Hannigan, I cut back East across Tennessee to visit Deal's Gap (U.S. Hwy 129), to take a run on "The Dragon" with the new sidecar rig.

Had a blast power-sliding the rig through the tight curves and got several compliments from the sportbike riders about my speed/technique on the rig!

Memorial weekend was spent in Huntsville Alabama at the annual BMW Great Chicken Rally, then I made my way over to the Mississippi River to follow the Great River Road on North back to Wisconsin.

Spent the night at Columbus Kentucky at a great little state park where I met the nicest couple. They own a classic Airstream camper that they keep in very nice original condition, and the wife got a ride around the campground in the sidecar. They even shared their campsite with me for the evening!

After a brief stop in Iowa at Gina's BMW, I made my way back home. A brief downpour was enough to wash the cat ears right off of the top of my helmet, and tore the tail off but left the suction cup in place. It was intense!!!

Was away from home for 12 days, on the road for 8 of those, and covered 2,846 miles.

My fuel economy ranged from a low of 31.2mpg when making a brief run on a 70mph posted freeway, to a high of 40.4mpg while cruising lazily on the two-laners along the Mississippi.

Overall average fuel consumption for the trip was 36.7mpg. Not bad for a big wide sidecar rig loaded with camping gear!

See you on the road!