My friends
Jolane and Chris were awesome and we stayed up late enjoying the company. I was really glad I decided to take her up on her offer to stay. She even let me do my laundry in her washing machine! So I washed all the clothes I had with me and threw them in the dryer. Those two are really wonderful people.
Need to make some miles
I needed to go through Delaware and New Jersey today, but I also needed to make enough miles to be able to reach the BMW shop in New Hampshire by 1300 the next day. Lucille’s low oil light was still coming on, though the level looked good to me. Plus it was time for her to get serviced again.
Something surprising, more rain
Though it wasn’t actually raining when I left Chris and Jolane, it started soon after I left them. I dreaded cruising the Bay Bridge. Jolane told me it was 5 miles long, but that if I just focused on the vehicle in front of me, I’d be okay. It was worth a shot. I took her advice, and it went okay! Though I was terrified, I made it with no problems.
The rain continued off and on through Maryland and into Delaware.
Made it to Delaware!
I don’t know what I expected from Delaware, but I was surprised how rural it was. Maybe because it’s so small and so many corporations are based there to take advantage of the liberal tax laws, I thought it would be a lot more urban. It was pretty.
Next up
Next came New Jersey. I debated going to the coast, but in the interest of time and miles, I chose the turnpike. I was surprised at the number of farms and vineyards! There was none of the crazy industry I expected. It turns out, the turnpike is a decent way to see Jersey!
Mark off another state!
New Jersey took me to New York over the George Washington Bridge.
Made it! Notice the posted speed of 50, and my actual speed of 7mph? It was like this all through New York and Connecticut.
I gotta say, the driver’s there are crazy, but if you don’t alter your speed, they won’t hit you! They will however, honk like mad if you put your foot down! If the bike isn’t moving, it’s going to fall over unless you put your feet down!
Traffic
The insane traffic continued through New York and into Connecticut. My left hand was certainly getting a workout from so much clutch use.
The last state for today.
It was really hot and we weren’t really moving. I asked the phone to find me a hotel nearby and we ended up in New Haven, CT. We made about 350 miles, and were in a good position to make it to the bike shop in time tomorrow. Dealing with the traffic exhausted me. I showered, did the laundry, made dinner and went to bed early.
Tomorrow I’ll figure out what is wrong with Lucille. Her low oil light was on almost the entire day, and of course it stresses me out. Tomorrow she’ll get her 12k service and be ready for the rest of the trip!
Those states are enough to make anyone crazy or crazy-tired. We drove our big ol’ Tergel over the GW Bridge, and I held my breath the entire way. I hope the oil light problem can be fixed tomorrow. Amazing how far you’ve gone already! You’ll probably be going near where my brother lives in Westwood MA. Safe travels on your way to NH. Have fun!
Man, I can’t imagine doing that drive in Tergel! I felt badly for all the big rug drivers. I did feel a bit unprotected though, I’m not going to lie. But I did it, so now I feel accomplished!
Hope your bike is ok. You are in my old stomping grounds. Raised in northern NJ and went to school at University of Delaware. Sounds like a great trip.
I hope so too. Ours under warranty still but it might take a while to fix, which would put a damper on things.
I didn’t realize you were from out here!
Finally catching up on your travels. So glad you survived The Bay Bridge. Not sure I will even try it.
I took your advice and focused on what was in front of me. It really helped. I had to do the George Washington in NY and the Leonard P. Zakim in Boston. Your advice worked every time! Thank you so much!