Moonshine SS1000 after action report.

[sleazy rider]

Looking back, that was one of the easiest rides I've ever had.  Planning the route from Detroit, I plotted it at I-94 to I-55 south from Chicago, then I-70 into St. Louis merging onto I-44 to Lebanon, MO.  Coming back was the same - I-44 to 70 to Casey for submission of receipts.

Departure was 12:20 pm Detroit time.  I grabbed a receipt at the westernmost edge on I-94 to start the clock.  Safe cruising range on my Daytona is 180 miles, so I plotted gas stops accordingly.  First stop was in St. Joseph, MI directly off the freeway with easy access back.  Here's where the plan bore fruit.  I ran I-94 thru Chicago at 3:30 and never dropped below the speed limit!   Southbound on a deserted I-55, I set the Throttlemeister and stretched my legs out well.  Next gas stop was in Rantoul, IL.  It was nearing 6pm and hunger forced a short stop at the local KFC for some starches.  Jumping back on the freeway, I ran into the first and only construction.  It was a 3 mile-down to one lane constriction the kept moving.  

Made the turn in Effingham towards St Louie with the fuel indicator flashing.  I grabbed a tankful at the prep landed stop in Collinsville, IL, taking 5+ gallons due to a strong headwind.  St Louis was just like Chicago.  Never even slowed down a whit.  I was feeling good, no stress, not tired and had plenty of daylight left.  My original intent was to stop just west of town for the night.  Way too early to call it a night yet.  

I ran the next tank down as I pulled into Lebanon, MO at 10pm.  Filled up the bike and back over to the other side of the freeway to the Best Worstern.  Checked in and fell down for a meager 4 hours of solid rest.  2 minutes before the alarm went off, my eyes popped open.  Quickly tossing everything back on the bike, I got the boogy going.  I made it thru St. louis quickly and stopped in Collinsville again.  Finished up the ride into the rising sun and stopped the clock in Casey at 8:45am.

All in all, probably the easiest 1000 miles covered I've ever done.  No glitches, mechanical issues or receipt errors.  Curt made it a breeze to get certified.  Major kudos to him and his team for setting this up for us.


So, where are we going next month?  

[sleazy rider]

[Justin]

I musta missed something  

How did you get a cert already? Did Curt issue them right at the Moonshine?

[sleazy rider]

Yup, had the whole lot sitting there along with the swag.  We even got a neat little Moonshine Ss1000 name tag on a chain.  It was the quickest return on certificates I've ever seen.  

[Justin]

Cool deal, and congrats on the ride/cert  

Looking back, that was one of the easiest rides I've ever had.

However, you should send it back for them to edit, as the cert said the ride was grueling, but you said it was easy  

[sleazy rider]

It's all relative.  Easy as in nearly no rain, minor cross winds, no construction and no traffic jams.  I've had harder to manage 200 mile days that infuriated my sensibilities.  The next step up will be much harder.  Doing it back to back.    Maybe October to Tucson to see my son.  2000 miles door to door.

And I know you know what I mean.  All I can say is I had fun and that's what it's all about.

[Justin]

It's all relative.  Easy as in nearly no rain, minor cross winds, no construction and no traffic jams.  I've had harder to manage 200 mile days that infuriated my sensibilities.  The next step up will be much harder.  Doing it back to back.    Maybe October to Tucson to see my son.  2000 miles door to door.

And I know you know what I mean.  All I can say is I had fun and that's what it's all about.

I know exactly what you mean - just busting your chops man  

Back to back SS's shouldn't be too bad. Typically, those can be done 16-17 hours on the slab. That leaves like 10 hours to sleep. Unless your gonna spend that time visiting with your son and not sleep. Then yeah, you'll be feeling that second leg of the journey.

[sleazy rider]

Oops, forgot the smiley.    When it happens, I'll be sporting the fuel cell.  180 miles is just too short of range.  I found a rack for the bike that can be adapted to fit my 4 gallon cell.