The trip started on 30 Dec 2008. The objective was retrieval of the recently purchased sidecar rig from
Donahue Harley-Davidson
Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.
The poster tells the plan. The rest of the pictures will reveal that the execution was a little different.
If you haven't got time to read and just want a very brief pictorial summary, go here:
For those with time on their hands or snow on the ground, read on. The pics are included later too.
THE MISSION:
sidecar rig to share. We had been searching for about a year and then considered building our own. Then I came upon an affordable and eye catching FLSTSCI, Harley-Davidson Softail Springer Classic Fuel Injected 88B 1450cc engine, with a Motorvation "Spyder" sidecar. The deal was sealed, money exchanged and the final action was simply to take delivery. Steve’s job caused him to be away for this entire affair. Don, another rider friend, was privy to our search and assisted in formulating the travel arrangements and the final delivery efforts.
I live in Fredericksburg, Virginia; the rig was at a Harley-Davidson dealership in a little town outside of St. Cloud, Minnesota. Some of you may have heard of it -- Donahue Harley-Davidson/Buell, Sauk Rapids, MN. Some of you may have also heard that it’s pretty cold in that part of the country during the winter and I’m here to tell you it is absolutely true.
My plan seemed simple enough. Get north, sign papers, ride south. Don filled in the blanks. Train to Chicago; rental car to St. Cloud, hotel accommodations, etc, etc. Don would also fill the sidecar and he didn’t even complain about being called "ballast."
At this point I should mention that well before the trip even started the fine folks at the dealership offered to store the rig until more favorable weather conditions prevailed. "Ed, we'll keep it here for you until April or May. No problem." Apparently blind to reality, I refused the offer and simply looked forward to the ride. I had heated gear and three wheels under me. What could go wrong and why were friends and complete strangers calling me, um, uh, well, uncomplimentary names and making disparaging remarks about my heritage and intelligence?
QUICK PICS:
THE RIDE:
Journal entry -- These are my journal notes on the progress of the trip.
Details -- Added after the fact.
1 Jan 09 --
Start: Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
End: Country Inn & Suites, Northwood, IA
Temperature: 21º F.
Point to point miles -- 180
Cumulative riding miles -- 189 (airport road photo ops and a couple of stops chasing gas off the interstate)
Journal entry -- The weather was clear but snow showers were in the forecast. Allen and I met as planned, did the paperwork, the photo ops, and then departed southward. Time was about 1130 and the temperature was a balmy 23 degrees F. I didn't have my windchill chart available at the moment but my sidecar rider, Don, told me it really didn't matter because it was just plain cold.
Details -- Understand that the shop would NOT normally be open on New Year's Day. Bravo Zulu to Allen and his team for having all the paperwork racked and stacked and ready to go thereby facilitating an "off day" delivery during my vacation time. Very smooth operation and greatly appreciated.
Oh, yeah, and I got to see the #3 placed 2007 IBR bike complete with genuine IBR dirt still on it. (Sorry to have missed you, Brett.)
2 Jan 09 --
Start: Country Inn & Suites, Northwood, IA
Waypoint: Mason City Harley-Davidson, 706 S Federal Ave, Mason City, IA 50401.
Journal entry -- Acquired "passenger support" vehicle. I continued on the rig. Given the temperature, this was a real Gerbing gear data point. The windchill at 65mph for 05 degrees Fahrenheit is -27. I was NOT cold. However, even a FogCity visor liner is challenged at that temp but it was manageable.
Temperature: 06º F.
Point to point miles -- 47
Cumulative riding miles -- 236
End: Country Inn & Suites off of I-74 East, Champaign, IL 61822
Temperature: 21º F.
Point to point miles -- 312
Cumulative riding miles -- 548
3 Jan 09
Journal entry -- Acquired "mission support" vehicle. End of sidecar miles. Stopped for the night somewhere east of Columbus, Ohio.
Details -- The evening prior, I became extremely stressed over the welfare of my passenger and my time constraints. Without heated clothing, Don would not be able to do the required miles while stopping to keep his body core temp up if he had continued with me in the sidecar. Don was not able to keep the "regional" rental car beyond Champaign, IL and would need to find alternate transportation in order to continue the trip safely. Unwilling to turn my friend into an enemy by abandoning him at a bus station, I made the command decision to abort the ride and just get the delivery accomplished.
In support of that activity, I sought out a local Harley dealership for some assistance. Andrea's Harley-Davidson in Champaign, IL provided the local info I needed to rent a truck in order to complete the mission. The unplanned expense was painful but an unplanned cold injury would have been more so.
The rig was rolled into a large box truck and professionally secured by the friendly and experienced mechanics at the dealership. A cup of coffee and several stories later, we ferried the rig the rest of the way to Fredericksburg, VA. I owe these guys one huge thank you and at least a six pack of their favorite adult beverage. Their assistance cost a mere smile and a handshake. (Now other than my local Harley shop, whose names will roll off my lips when the conversation turns to "terrific Harley-Davidson dealerships I have known?" How about Donahue's in MN and Andrea's in IL.)
4 Jan 09
Journal entry -- Departed hotel during a driving rain storm in the comfort of our oversized box truck with one salty messy sidecar rig safely and securely tied down within. Twelve hours later I was enjoying dinner at my house in Fredericksburg, VA.
DELIVERY ACCOMPLISHED:
While I'm disappointed that I couldn't complete the entire trip on the rig, I'll be happy for the 548 miles or so of "knees in the breeze" adventure, the experience of seeing the mid west big sky vistas, the evening sun on the snowy plains, a passenger train crossing the fields and being awash with color from the fire-red-orange glow of the setting sun, and sharing the wonder of it all with passersby who marveled (or scoffed) at the strange travelers. < Later, Don revealed that the train we saw was Train #3, the Southwest Chief, bound for Kansas City, MO.>
Truth be known, Don may have been cold but I was feeling the strain of the three wheeled contraption too. Even on a straight road the handling characteristics of the sidecar rig require a different effort. (New year's resolution -- do more push-ups !!!)
And some observations regarding this particular sidecar rig. It seemed to be set up perfectly. It was stable at 70 mph and I was never worried about the handling characteristics. One hand stability was not a problem. (I know. Not advised but sometimes it's unavoidable.)
Certainly I'll need to refine my cornering technique but that will come in the spring I think. And finally, I believe this particular configuration of motorcycle and sidecar is better suited to "around the county" rather than "around the country" type of riding. But who knows? Maybe the push-ups will help. Nah, my Road Glide gets better gas mileage anyway. ;-)
Special Thanks To All The Kind Helpers:
Donahue Harley-Davidson
Andrea's Harley-Davidson
Don Liller -- Travel Counselor, Researcher, and Ballast Expert
Photo Credits:
Allen Wilson -- Dealership interior and exterior road shots.
Ed Kenlon -- Dealership night shot, PowerPoint slide, garage.
Google -- Map.
