Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted September 09, 2004 05:06 AM
Riding in a hurricane, I suggest not doing it.
Well, in lieu of not being able to take next week off to go the DGVIII, my wife told me I should get out of town on the bike for a day or two. So for the last week I've been trying to do just that. So Tuesday morning I realize that I can actually not be at the office for a couple days. I check the weather on the internet Tuesday morning at 8am, look at Ohio and it says chance of rain late Wednesday. Cool. I finish some shit up in the office and leave work at 9am, get home, pack a couple thing and hit the road on the bike at 10am. I plan on taking backroads all through Ohio and then stay in Parkersbugh WV Tuesday night, then ride backroads back to Michigan Wednesday.
It's a beautiful day here in Michigan Tuesday so I leave with sunny skies and happy as a clam. By the time I get through Toledo work is off my mind and I am having a great time. It get coudy in Ohio but still a nice day. I ride backroads all through Ohio and get to Zanesville at 4pm. I've ridden some 300+ miles at this point and consider just staying in Zanesville for the night. But I pull out my map and see route 60 that heads south to Parkersburgh and it looks like a nice twisty road and it' only 60 miles. So I said screw it and left. 60 was a nice road that runs along the Muskegum River. I get to Parkersburg and stop to fill up the tank before finding a hotel room when this fella comes over and says "Hey buddy where you headed'? I said to a hotel to spend the night. He said "You ain't planning to be on that thing here tomorrow are ya?" I said well yes I am to go back home to Michigan. Then he proceeds to tell me about the 3" of rain they are expecting that night and then 3-6" of rain the next day. I couldn't believe it. Then another fella who is standing nearby says yeah it's true the hurricane is coming and it should be nasty. FUCK! So I pull my map back out and try to form a plan, I've already got 360 miles or so under me and am really ready to just have dinner and relax. But I decide to head back to Zanesville. So instead of going back 60 I hope on I-77 north. I can see now that the sky south of me does not look good, not good at all. So I do the Isle of Mann TT down I-77 all the way back to I-70 then head west to Zanesville. The sky is black here too. I get a room, eat some dinner and watch the weather. Ohh boy it doesn't look good. Sure enough around 8pm the rain starts and hard. Huge rain, thunder and lightning pummel Zanesville all night. I wake up at 8am and it's still going. I flip on the TV and see that the hurricane has rested itself nicely right over Ohio. At that moment Zanesville was under the Yellow part of the storm but coming within the next 1/2 hour was the RED part of the storm with major warnings. FUCK!
I jump out of bed get suited up (to add to my stupidity, I did NOT bring my rain gear) checked out of the hotel and pulled out from under the from awning, where the lady let me park the park, into a fucking downpour. I'm thinking maybe I should wait but remember the radar that told me that worse was coming and would be here all day. So I get on I-70 headed towards Columbus and it's just rediculous. I mean I don't mind in the rain but this was no ordinary rain. It was coming down in sheets and the wind was screaming and the e-way was full of semi trucks. The next 70 or so miles was intense. I went 80mph where I could but mostly just going 50- or 60 stuck behind trucks, I couldn't see shit, I had the rear break loose a couple times trying to manuever around vehicles, I was fucking soaked my hands were so cold they were barely functioning anymore and then I almost found death. I was in the left lane behind a truck, going about 60, with a truck to my right and another one a ways behind me, the spray off of these semis along with the driving rain made visibility about 50 feet when I notice the truck on my right coming into my lane!! He didn't/couldn't/refused to see me, he was over in my lane so fast I had no choice but to move over, the next thing I know I am on the 5' wide shoulder riding on the rumble strips freaking fucking out. I couldn't jam on the brakes cause I'd loose it so I rolled off the throttle and prayed. I dropped back to behind him and tucked in. Fuck that was close.
Once I got into Columbus it was a nightmare, it's still pouring and traffic was bad. I can't count how many times cars didn't see me and put me on the spot. I finally get around to 23 north and then stop for gas and a cup of coffee. My leathers are soaked and weigh a ton, my hands don't work right, I spilled half my coffee from involuntary hand shaking. I stay for about 1/2 hour and get back on the road, the next leg to Findlay at I-75 the weather should be getting better, I told myself, WRONG! Not only was it still pouring, but the wind picked up even more and the temperature dropped about 10 more degrees. By the time I got to Marion I was so fucking cold I was shivering. (All I had on was a t-shirt, stupid? yes) So in Marion I pull off and walk into the Meijers dripping all over the pplace and buy a polar tech. Put that on and ride down the street to Bob Evans and warm up and have some breakfast. The rain seems to be letting up a bit now so when I leave I am hoping the worst is over. It's better cause I'm a bit warmer from the polar tech but my hands are still frozen. The rain is mostly light but occasionally I hit major downpours for a 10 mile stretch or so. By the time I get to I-75 the rain is just misty so that's better but the fun was insisting to stay around, next I got the WIND!
Anyone who has ridden I-75 northweastern Ohio knows the wind can whip up through the open fields there, well let me tell you, it was fierce. I was experiences probably a 45mph sustained crosswind with frequent huge gusts that would seemingly come out of knowhere and blow me almost a whole lane over. It was brutal. The good news was the pavement was dry and there was no more rain so I started putting more power to the ground to get home quickly. Battling the wind all the way to Toledo was tiring when I got into Michigan the sky was clearing and wind started to die down a bit. I made it home in one piece. Freezing I took a long hot shower and relaxed for the rest of the day.
That my friends is what riding through a hurricane is like. While I had a great ride Tuesday and an intense ride on Wednesday and I have convinced myself with my behavior on this trip that I am an idiot.
  
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted September 09, 2004 06:58 AM
We got any members in the MidWest? Maybe someone can try a tornado next! 
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted September 09, 2004 09:25 AM
Fuckin' dopehead I tell ya..............LOL
Roger that Swft,...I'll try and organize a group ride though so Chris won't feel like such a dumbass being the lone "Severe Weather Extreme Rider".
Chris,...two words bro, Weather Channel. 
You goofy bastard, WHY??????????????? Once again WHY??????
I'm suprised you didn't look up Norm's homely ass while you were in Ohio. 
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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ddpete3
Pro
Posts: 1189
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posted September 09, 2004 09:27 AM
someone hit him with a 2X4 and knock some sense into him.
you WERE at a perfectly warm and dry hotel with cable.
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted September 09, 2004 10:33 AM
quote:
someone hit him with a 2X4 and knock some sense into him.
you WERE at a perfectly warm and dry hotel with cable.
Yes, I was but I had three meeting this morning with bankers I had to get back for, there was no oprion but to ride.
Fuck you Rick, you fucking redneck buttpumper!
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted September 09, 2004 10:33 AM
Kinda along the lines of what I was thinkin'.
But I'd have used a 4x4" just for good measure. 
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted September 09, 2004 10:40 AM
quote:
Fuck you Rick, you fucking redneck buttpumper!
Damn, the harshness of it all. I'm still laughing at your silly ass, and will continue to. LOL!!!
It's a fucking great story though, and you tell it with such passion. I think you need to mount a winch on your 12R, use the Yamaha 2wd setup, mount up some knobbies, and start storm chasin' on the side. HE HE HEHEHEHEHEHE
You fuckin' kook, you make me laugh.
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted September 09, 2004 11:01 AM
 Edited By: Otis on 9 Sep 2004 12:02
Storm chasing? Fuck DUDE IS WAS IN THE GODDAMN STORM!!! As a matter of fact I think I saw toto fucking fly by me. LOL
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted September 09, 2004 11:05 AM
Hmmmm...
Toto eh???? That explains a lot. The spirit world strikes again!!!!
Captain Hoobie, Storm Chaser at your service!!! What day is it?
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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harryzx-12
Needs a job
Posts: 3643
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posted September 09, 2004 12:21 PM
Damn chris you must have a little redelk in you. Good story. Too bad you stupid fuckers won't be riding with us in tennesse next week!
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
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BA
Pro
Posts: 1592
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posted September 09, 2004 07:23 PM
crazy story dude!! the semi pulling into your lane brought chills down my spine!
I have a similarly bone-head story I am going to have to try to find and post......
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quickwilly
Expert Class
Posts: 256
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posted September 10, 2004 03:01 AM
Great story....
I will have to tell you guys about this one time in BH.... Those of you going to DG might hear it
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Hells Dark Lord
Needs a life
living life, and loving it.
Posts: 7981
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posted September 10, 2004 03:17 AM
dam Chris, that sucks, next time you do a little excursion, head down towords Louisville, I will call Roger adn Brett and we will get some riding in, some decent roads around here......and we dont get hurricanes......lol
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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harryzx-12
Needs a job
Posts: 3643
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posted September 10, 2004 04:15 AM
HDL ..... 
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
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ynot
Expert Class
Naaaaarf
Posts: 232
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posted September 10, 2004 05:28 AM
Chris you Damn retard next time call and we can trailor that Red Fukker back home... I think I like you a lil bit more alive.
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DaveInDaytona
Pro
Posts: 1696
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posted September 10, 2004 05:46 AM
quote:
.......... I have convinced myself with my behavior on this trip that I am an idiot.
Should of asked one of us and saved yourself a trip.
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DaytonaSportbikes Forum
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted September 10, 2004 06:51 AM
quote:
quote:
.......... I have convinced myself with my behavior on this trip that I am an idiot.
Should of asked one of us and saved yourself a trip.
Damn Dave! That was harsh. LMAO
Tony, I ain't callin' for a trailer cause of storms. But I do appreciate the offer brother.
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted September 10, 2004 06:56 AM
Ya gotta agree with this one....
quote:
quote:
.......... I have convinced myself with my behavior on this trip that I am an idiot.
Should of asked one of us and saved yourself a trip.
I'll second that.............
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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VincentHill
Needs a life
Posts: 6520
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posted September 10, 2004 08:48 AM
Otis, You know that I am originally from Toledo and know every route you mentioned. Nice roads and Beautiful when dry. The last time I went that way, the weather could always know when I had my rain gear on or off and even how much of it! If I had it all off it rained as har as you talked about. If I had it all on, it was like the weather you described when you left Detroit. I finally got so tired of it that I stopped under a over pass and took everything off to my shorts and put everything away except the rain top and pants and that is how I rode. In the 70's when I was on my H-1-500, I went that way to go back to DC and got tired. That is when I realized that I could not pull over and rest so I had to go back up to the Penna Turnpike so I could use one of those hot air hand dryers to fill my rain suite to keep warm in the mountains. I also found that rainex it the real deal for being on the highway with the trucks and being able to see! Never leave home without rain gear because even without rain, it will keep you warm in the cold!
Great read!!
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Made History @ Daytona and still one fast old man!!
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