Had Hopes of a Tall Day
August 10th, 2012 | 
Author: [findmespotmap v=3 start=”2012-08-10 07:00:00″ end=”2012-08-11 06:59:00″ id=”0-2100758″ type=t sv=yes wx=station]
We got rolling fairly early, (7:30ish), weather was cool and traffic was the crowded but moving. Our plan was to get to Boise, ID were we reserved a nonrefundable room with Hamptons Inn. We are in the fast lane traveling 75-80 mph. 30 minutes from our start I notice my bike wiggling just a bit, kind of like strong winds or the grooves from the pavement. That is what I first thought it was, the pavement grooves. I look in my mirror to see if Steve is having any trouble. I notice it but it isn't bad, I still think it is the grooves. But it keeps up and seems to be a larger wobble now. I move to the center lane. Still wobbling and getting worse. I pull off to the right hand lane so I can exit on the next exit. It gets bad enough that i decided to pull off on the shoulder before the exit. I tell Steve my bike is tracking weird and he looks down and said my tire is flat!
Sure enough, picked up a nail and lost air. I only have 400 miles on this tire. Luckily we have a patch kit to plug it and we get-r-done (or Steve does). We head into the next town of Livermore to see if we can get a patch applied to it. After four denials (we can replace the tire, but due to legal reasons, can not patch it) we decided to run till the next stop and make calls.
In Reno, no luck, same answers. We have been in heat all day, traffic all day and it is going to get hotter as we head into the desert areas and it is about 2:30 pm and 350 miles to go? In the heat? We lost about an hour and a half with the tire fiasco….
We take off from Reno and drop further down. We stop about every 100 miles for a cool down and water. We get to Winnemucca, NV at 5:00 pm. We have 260 miles to go in the heat and wind. I ask Steve to call the Hamptons Inn to tell them our situation and can we cancel without getting dinged. they must have liked his charm because we got off the hook. Thank God, let's look for a hotel here and call it quits for the day- we have about 450 anyway.
Don't know yet about how I will handle my tire. Plugs can make it. I could just purchase a new tire. Don't know yet what I'll do, except go get a beer and some food for the night.
Posted with Blogsy
Posted in 2012-08-08 Canadian Rockies
OH MAN!!! So sorry for your tire troubles!!! I saw you stopped near Reno and looked around for a Starbucks or bar, but it was pretty desolate – thought you were enjoying the scenery. I just had a nail pulled out of my tire, but I’m not traveling cross country on a bike! Here’s hopes for a better day today…sending sisterly mojo your way.
Looks likeyou got an early start today, too. Beat the heat! Thanks for the pics!!!
Owwwwwwwww! You decided to ride inland. Western US weather indicates HOT-HOT-HOT!!
Flat tire – bummer. Hopefully you’re getting the road trip bad karma done early. :))
I’m flying to Denver next Wed to produce the AV staging for the 2012 Iron Butt Association InterNational Meeting. You guys should be in cool Canada by then.
Try and have fun at the rally Dean – sounds like you are working it though.
In my experience if the tire is not leaking now then the plug will last the life of the tire.
Jimmy what’s the extra helmet for? IN case you meet someone?
Thanks Tom, that’s good to know Tom, cause that is the game plan at this point.
Bummer on the tire situation, good thing you have Steve with you (the expert), haha! It looks like you guys are making good time, take lots of pics when you get to Canada, eh!
You betcha!
Just checking in before I hit the hay. You guys just stopped 10 minutes ago, so I guess I’ll have to wait til morning for my fix. I’m too tired to sleuth you out even.
I’m sure you saw some FABULOUS scenery today (I keep the SPOT map on Hybrid). Post lots of pics! Carry on!
Oooooh! No sleuthing?
Sorry I haven’t checked in until now. College roomie is here with her husband for the weekend. Didn’t get a chance to check things out until they went to bed. Sorry about the tire woes. Great Job Big Steve for getting out of the hotel problem. Sisterly mojo. I like it. Definitely sending lots your way. Didn’t you bring your misters for the heat?
Have misters, but its hot all over and my water tank is only so big, lol
Flat tire not good but it sure could be worst Steve and his charm come to the the rescue ha!!! scenery is looking good!
Bro sorry about the trouble you had with that officer. Glad your back on the road. Sorry to here about Jimmy’s tire. Long ride and don’t really need the extra hassels. Keep saft you guys.
will keep watching you.