Day One - 500 Miler!

Day 1 – Thursday May 21, 2009

Start: Malvern, PA

End: Novi, MI

Trip Miles Today: 555

Total Trip Miles: 645.8

The 5:00 wakeup came pretty early but no matter - I was already wide awake in anticipation. A quick shower, final packing details and suddenly it was time to take off! My wife, Lisa Barrow, and my good friend Don Verdiani were both on hand to ride out and serve as my escort. Lisa rode her BMW F650 GS (red-of course!) and Don joined on his BMW K75 (that I used to own) so it was an all Beemer departure. Lisa and Don hung on only long enough to see me to the PA turnpike entry then turned back as I headed out.

I was on the PA tpk about 7 and 10 hours later I was at a friend's home in Novi Michigan. It's really hard to put together an interesting adventure story around a 500+ mile ride on toll roads! Highlights included a lot of construction (and associated delays ) in the Western part of the state and really quick gas stops!

By 5:00 I was settled into the home of a friend who had generously offered a place to stay for 2 nights. By 7: I was at a very nice dinner at an outdoor cafe with 6 old friends (for clarification - they are friends that I have had for a very long time, not that they are "old".) Friday will be spent, similarly, visiting with folks in Michigan who have made donations to The Austin Hatcher Foundation. I'l head out of here next on Saturday, this time bound for Wisconsin.

So, in summary, what can I say about a "first day" that was a 500+ miler with no dramas whatsoever, in perfect riding weather? All my equipment and gear including the bike performed flawlessly. Looks like the F650GS is getting about 55 mpg at a steady 75 mph, even with those big bags hanging off the side - hardly an optimum aero package.

Anyway, that's it from here.

More soon. Thanks for your interest!

Jack