midpoint check in

wow. halfway through. i don’t care who you are, that’s pretty cool.

i’ve had a good rest day in orlando, in which i’ve done no resting, but instead went to universal studios, where i saw the wizarding world of harry potter, and jurassic park (yeah!). it was much fun, but i can’t really say i got any rest. luckily, since the east coast states are so small, i’m going to have a fairly easy day tomorrow to get to savannah, so i can sleep in and take my time getting there.

i‘ve really fallen into a nice rhythm on the road, it seems. i’ve definitely learned a few things. i’m wearing my swimming trunks pretty much every day under the riding pants (quick drying), and soccer socks (left over from the hurling tournament), which means my skin isn’t in direct contact with my boots. i’m wearing my bandana pretty much all the time over my mouth, which has saved my face from sunburn and windburn (my lips were not pretty before i figured that one out. it may not be the snazziest of outfits, but it works on the road.

for my midpoint entry, i though i would share a few observations i’ve made along the way so far, that didn’t really fit into any one specific blog entry. first off, though, i just want to repeat how cool it is that i’m in orlando. it’s just awesome that i rode here on my bike in itself, but the arrival here means a few extra things as well. it’s the furthest away i’m going to get from home on this trip. it’s halfway through, both geographically and chronologically. and, in many ways, this trip started with the idea to merely ride to florida (originally on a scooter, for those that remember). the florida trip kind of evolved into the odyssey that i’m currently taking, but arriving here means a lot to me. ok, now for the observations:

other motorcycles:

i expected a lot more variety in the motorcycles i’ve seen on the road. instead, i really have to say it’s been about 90% harley davidsons. after that, probably 9% goldwings and 1% BMWs. keep in mind, these are the bikes i see traveling, but even in towns it’s mostly harleys, which a few sports bikes. this truly is a harley country, apparently. we’ll see if these numbers change at all in the northern half of the country, but i don’t know.

speed limits:

ok, here’s the thing. i’ve been traveling mostly on roads with a speed limit of 55-65 mph. what i’ve reconfirmed (i pretty much knew this already), is that people don’t pay any attention to them. i think on any road in the country that isn’t going through a town, people will drive between 65 and 70 mph if they can get away with it. and if the speed limit happens to be 70 (or even 75 in places), they just go faster.

US highways:

the US highway system is awesome. i’ve managed to stay off interstates for most of the trip, which i’m very grateful for. interstates are boring, with few turns and no scenery. the highway system, however, takes you through the actual country. you get far better scenery, much less traffic and, for the most part, very comparable speed limits (see above). i don’t think i've actually lost all that much time by sticking to highways, unless you count slowing down to go through towns. i still count this as a plus, however, since it occasionally gives me a bit of a break, and i don’t have to worry about finding gas off an exit ramp and finding my way back on the freeway. they’re just right there by the side of the road.

wildlife:

so far, this has been the big disappointment of the trip. i’ve seen almost no wildlife other than birds. the largest non-domestic mammal i’ve seen that wasn’t dead on the side of the road (sad but true) is a squirrel. birds are a different story. i’ve seen tons of raptors (i’m not savvy enough to identify them), and quite a few buzzards and vultures. i have also, unfortunately, racked up a bit of a casualty count of little critters along the way. the confirmed kills i have, besides the countless bugs, are one lizard in the mojave, and one bird that glanced off my helmet and shoulder in new mexico. it was a small bird, so i was fine, but i can’t imagine it survived hitting me at 70 mph. i also have the sneaking suspicion that two other birds didn’t make that cut beneath my tires as the swooped across the road. i’ve also had a few close calls with buzzards, where i’ve actually had to duck as they took their sweet time abandoning the carrion in the middle of the road. if i were to run into one of those things, it would hurt. again, i have to imagine that the wildlife sightings will pick up through the northern parts of the country, especially as i get into south dakota and wyoming.

i think that’s everything i was thinking of. so that about wraps up my midpoint wrap up. oh, and since i think it’s rather funny and ridiculous looking, here’s a picture of me in what i wear beneath my riding gear:

tomorrow i’m on the road again, heading a new direction: north.

rftc,

scott