Got a wild hair Monday 7/20 to up and go to Mahtowa Minnesota (been thinking about it for at least a month). What spurred this on is I have a friend that I haven’t seen in 29yrs and I thought I’d surprise him. I also figured I’d travel up to Thunder Bay and do the northern coast of Superior.
So I:
changed the oil, aired up the tires and packed up.
The equipment:
07 Moto Guzzi Norge (red), side bags, Givi E62 top case, and Cortech tank bag.
Tires are mismatched, BT021 back, Conti Road Attack front.
Garmin 550 GPS
FujiFilm finepix z33wp with mirror mount
I plan on leaving about 5 am in the morning (07/21) from Manitou Springs, Co. and getting to St. Cloud or Worthington Minn. Tomorrow evening. I plan on camping most of the way.
The equipment:
REI HooDoo 3 tent, Kelty 25 deg. down bag, self inflating pad and a JetBoil for coffee.
Clothing:
Riding pants, Rocket mesh jacket (liner and rain cover), disposable (underwear, socks and t-shirts.), pair of jeans, zip-off pants, flip fops and hiking shoes.
Standard Toiletries.
This is my first ride report so I hope it goes well. Since I probably will not take my computer I will finish this report upon my return. Lots of pics I hope.
BTW if anyone is from around the Mahtowa, please shoot me a PM, you may know this guy as he owns a pub there.
Day one, Tuesday 7/21
So I am starting my trip report, first one so please be gentle. My pics should start getting better.
Got up and left at O dark thirty (5.30am Mountain) and proceeded to fuel up for trip to see my buddy. Colorado Springs weather looked like rain but as soon as I got past Simla, Co it cleared up.
Things were clearing up nicely.
Trudged through Eastern Co and Kansas, to Nebraska. Stopped for gas in Kearney and having done business with Kearney Yamaha I decided to stop in and see I I could get a front tire as I knew I would have to get one on the trip. They were swamped with weekend work but managed to get me in and change my tire in less than an hour for $125 bucks out the door. These guys are great and I’ll do business with them again.
New shoe up front:
Yes I am in handicapped parking, after-all I’m on a Moto Guzzi ☺
Weather was beautiful save for the wind (20-30mph quartering) killing my fuel milage. Lots of scenery like this:
Getting tired and stopped in Sioux City Iowa for the night. Comfort Inn (75 bucks) and treated myself to some Mongolian bbq
Day one stats and costs:
Mileage-640
Fuel-16.1 gal @ approx $2.50/gal=$40.25
Fuel economy-39.7 mph
Breakfast-$2.02 @ MacDonalds'
Lunch-$3.80 at gas stop
Dinner-$20.00 HuHot Mongolian Sioux City
Tire-Kearney Yamaha $125.55
Lodging-Comfort Inn Sioux City $75.58
Total today $267.20 (ouch)