Saddlesore 1000: Mission Went South As I Traveled North

[specialist8]

DAY 1 Driving Stats

[url=https://postimg.cc/fVs0wyzG]

DAY 2

My plan the next morning was to see if my bike could get the brake repair it needed instead of living on a prayer for the next 600 miles. I knew this was incredibly unlikely asking for a turnaround like that but my options were to ride back home 500 miles with no rear brake, speedo or odometer, and a check engine light that I still didn't have proof was just the speed sensor inciting it. I even pondered the thought of a ferry from Muskegon to Milwaukee which would knock off 200 miles from the return trip. Or even more if I got a tow from Milwaukee back to Chicago, chopping off 84 more miles and making some tow truck driver's day haha

I called Traverse City Honda and they were unable to do any sort of motorcycle repair. Having already called the prior day most auto/powersport shops in the region I knew my options were now at a standstill. If i was to get any miracle repair, it would be on my way back home. I already knew that the shop that half helped/half hindered my situation yesterday would be unable to assist with a full brake repair, so I avoided driving back south since my sights were set on reaching the Mackinac bridge even if I needed the bike towed from there to get back home. At least I'd have something nice to look at while I waited. I told myself that if the bike responded well enough on that 15mile ride and my ability to drive wasn't hindered despite just the tachometer working, I would complete the circle tour as initially set out. It wasn't hard to convince myself that trudging again through the concrete jungles of Indiana/Chicagoland was less than ideal compared to the alternative.

Continuing the counterclockwise loop, I'd be eating up more miles of beautiful roads I've never been on but heard plenty about. I left the quaint hotel around 6:30a and it was drastically colder than most mornings in Chicago (59 degrees). Luckily I brought chaps, have the heated grips and doubled up on the thin gloves but that morning ride on the somber roads of Northern Michigan put me in a mood that could have inspired another SaddleSore attempt if I was devoid of all logic and reason.

Set out for the bridge and the circle tour thereafter, here are some pictures and a video that describe it better than I can write:
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Jump to the 4 min mark if looking for over the bridge footage.




Over The Bridge Achievement Footage (aka taking a load-off to ponder what was a smooth ride and now that I know my bike is adequate, I guess I have no excuse not to get home in one piece)
[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]

[url=https://postimages.org/]


To be further continued..