Archive for the 'Scribblings' Category
It is the day before a long-planned ride. Highway maps have been drawn upon, and the state Delorme Atlas & Gazetteers are at the ready for the necessary detail if needed. And, the GPS unit is charging.
Secondly, I’m preparing the motorcycle for it’s first tour. The Suzuki V-Strom replaced my trusted Honda Shadow in March. I am expecting much from this new bike.
The idea for this ride started three years ago–May, 2005. I was touring in southeastern Indiana and came across a highway sign for the John Hunt Morgan Trail. My curiosity was raised considerably. At the Indiana Welcome Center in Clarksville, IN, the attendant handed me a brochure and started in on a litany of history. My curiosity was peaked. I said to myself, “Someday, I am going to learn more about this historical character and come back and ride the trail.”
The biggest break in my research came when I stumbled upon a book, The Longest Raid of the Civil War, by Lester Horwitz. As it would be my luck, Mr. Horwitz lives about 10 miles from my home, and I had the chance to talk with him about the book and the history. The book has become my guide to create this adventure. You can learn more about the book at his web site, Longest Raid.
Tomorrow, July 1, 2008, is the start of my journey. I will be riding to near the Kentucky-Tennessee state line and then riding up through Kentucky, across the Ohio River, through southeastern Indiana and into Ohio not far from home. Part 2 of the ride will begin in a couple of weeks to coincide with festivities in Portland, OH, and the Battle of Buffington Island.
What’s it all about? July 2, 1863, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan led 2,500 calvary men, several wagons and four pieces of artillery on a raid through the north to distract Union troops. Indiana’s only and Ohio’s major Civil War battle occurred during this raid. Morgan was finally captured in northeastern Ohio, July 26th with about 350 men. Exhausted, low on ammunition, and surrounded by Union troops and northern militia. He surrendered. Most of his original troops were captured through out the raid. Of course, many were killed and wounded. Some escaped across the Ohio River to make it back home. In 24 days, Morgan’s men traveled nearly 1,000 miles on horseback.
I’m going to do it in less time on an iron steed.
I’ll be making some posts here, but do not expect full ride reports. My intent is to create a single travel story complete with multi-media, and it will take some time to complete the project. In the meantime, enjoy the journey. I’ll keep you posted.
DBrent
I had to get out of the home office this afternoon. Call it writer’s block. Call it stir crazy. Call it whatever you want. I needed to get out of the home office to look for something to write about. I also took my camera.
I rode out along the Little Miami River–one of my favorite back roads. I stopped on one of the bridges over the river because it felt like there was a bug in my ear inside the helmet. We’ve all felt that before, right? While sitting there, wrestling with my helmet, I noticed a couple with a video camera filming the people in canoes and kayaks paddling and floating down the river. They turned the camera on me.
After putting my helmet back on, I rode up to them and chatted with them for a while. He talked about all that he was doing to video events–trying to start a video business. His mother was a photographer, and his sister has been photographing two years for stock agencies and making $2,000 per month with no training. Right. Nothing to write about here.
I wound my way along the river and up to Caesar Creek Lake. There is a large cut out south of the dam where I never stopped before today. The signs said the cutout is actually an emergency spillway that in the event of an undulation of water into the lake, the emergency spillway would allow water out to the Little Miami River without endangering a breach to the dam. The sign also pointed out that this cut in the hill, the emergency spillway, revealed an ancient seabed complete with fossils. The estimated age of the seabed was 250 million years ago. I spotted some of those fossils in the shale. Interesting, but nothing to write about here.
On the other side of the lake, I wondered up and down the park roads to see what was at the end of the road. Mostly people enjoying the park or fishing, and very few people were actually in the water at the beach. The temperature probably contributed to the lack of swimmers. At the end of one road, very near the lake with an inlet, I spied a Harley Davidson sitting in the parking area, but could not identify the rider in the few people there. There was also a park vehicle and a large tank-type truck with a big sign on the side, “Live Fish.” Several men were netting pretty good sized fish out of the truck and putting them in the inlet. It looked interesting, but … nothing to write about here.
I decided to ride home. It was pleasant, but uneventful. Nothing to write about.
DBrent
For my 34th birthday, way back in 1984, I bought myself a new bicycle. I splurged a little on the Trek 520 with custom wheels, but I was worth it. It is a great bike, and I’m still riding it. It’s just a sweet ride.
But, here we are 24 years later (and older) and I am not as comfortable leaning over on this bike as I used to be. Nor can I ride the distances I used to do. Call it lack of discipline, out of shape, whatever.
So, when my wife bought a new bike–a hybrid called a “comfort bike”–I took it for a spin. It was comfortable–very comfortable. It’s got a shock on the front fork and one in the seat post. It got me to thinking.
I need a new bicycle helmet. Mine is shot on the inside, and we discussed a new helmet for Father’s Day. Great idea.
When I went into the bike shop, that was my plan: a new helmet and maybe a new bike computer because my old one was also shot. One and a half hours later, I’m rolling my new Trek 7300 out of the store to the car. It’s just like Lin’s only a slightly larger frame. It has 24 speeds with click-shift shifters and components. The new bike computer can be used on two different bikes. That’s a plus. I only have to buy one computer and program it for the two different wheel sizes.
Oh yeah. The helmet was also under my arm.
“Honey, I’m home. I picked up a new bike helmet and computer for Father’s Day. And look. It came with a new bicycle! Aren’t you happy for me?”
“Thanks, Honey. I love you.”
DBrent
For many, many years, my brother has invited me to either Track Days, which are the days running up to, or the Indianapolis 500 itself. This year, I went.
I have never been to the Indianapolis Speedway, so this adventure was a first. Most people know about the Indianapolis 500. Most know that it runs on Memorial Day. Some know that the time trials occur before the race. Those in the Indianapolis viewing area know it is a huge event for the entire month of May! Time trials. Practice runs. Fine-tuning of engines, suspension and tires. It all adds up to putting the most effort forward to winning the big race.
We had tickets to the Indiana Motor Speedway (IMS) suite, where food and beverages were plentiful. The suite was directly above pit row, and just down from the start-finish line.
It was impressive. But, the most surprising thing was the noise. It was LOUD.
During Track Days, only five, six or seven cars run at a time. They are all trying to qualify, and get as close to the front of the pack as possible in the starting line up. So, they’re practicing, but they are pushing too. As they qualify, and push for a better position, the average lap speeds increase. The leaders were registering nearly 220 mph.
So, I tried to photograph such speed.
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I got better at tracking, as I practiced. Ear plugs were essential.
It was a good day at the track.–DBrent
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