It was a really HOT ride!

[VTProf]

No, I'm not talking about my VTX. :D I'm talking about my ride last weekend to Kansas. You know it's hot when you put your foot down at a traffic light and your foot sticks to the pavement. 110 degrees in St Louis on Monday.

Anyway, now over halfway through my IBA National Parks tour. Did 3K over 5 days starting last Thursday. Stayed in Cincinnati until Saturday morning on business. Then headed southwest through KY, TN, and AL to spend the first night in Tupelo, MS (Natchez Trace Parkway NHS). Sunday I saw Memphis, Little Rock, and Fort Smith before stopping for the night in Fort Scott, KS. Left Fort Scott just before 8 Monday morning riding 2 lanes through much of Missouri (including a nice ride on vintage Route 66), grabbed I-44 into St Louis, jumped on I-55 to Springfield, and then took IL backroads down to Vincennes, IN. Tuesday was a nice ride home to the mountains of VA on I-64.

Saw a lot of cool things, met some nice people, and enjoyed my "quiet" time with the VTX.

Now I'm planning a trip through New England. Anyone want to join me?

Jim

[doc_cj]

Hey VTProf ... I hear you when you say hot. I drove to Las Vegas on that same weekend and it hit 104!! I used to live in Kansas, so I know the humidity is worse there ... but 104 is still pretty dang hot.

I was in 4 Corners two weeks before that, and coming across southeastern Utah was pretty hot as well. The ride from Hansksville, UT south on 95 to the 191 junction was the longest and hottest day I've ever road. Temperature was just over 101 most of the way, and it's 162 miles with absolutely NOTHING in between. At one time there was a little store/cafe about half-way, but it's now closed down so there's nowhere to stop.

I normally run 75 to 100 miles before I stop (waiting on my Ultimate seat, which should make it better), but this time I had to make it the whole way without a stop. I got to that little convenience store at 191 and bought two big Gatorades to quench my thirst. Lost 4 pounds of water just on that day.