Our one way route took us through mid town Manhattan on our way to the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Geared up and ready to depart. From left to right: Ben and Angela, Aaron and Meghan, Don and Sarah.Total miles accumulated: 0
A 7 hour ride to New York City from Burlington. Only way to avoid penetrating boredom is liberal use of the camera by the passenger. Late afternoon sunshine left crisp shadows of rider and passenger on the pavement.Total miles accumulated: 40
Low hanging clouds in the Adirondacks of New York.Total miles accumulated: 90
South of Albany the clouds increased as the sun dipped towards the horizon. Dry roads and warming weather the further south we went.Total miles accumulated: 180
We dropped the girls off at their hotel on Lexington ave in NYC at 10pm. We had traveled over 300 miles in 7 hours and were on pace to complete the 1000 miles in a little over 23 hours. The three guys hammered South through New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, arriving in D.C. at 2:30 am.
Just enough time to climb off the bike, consume some snacks and Red Bulls, snap a picture of our parking spot near the Capitol Building and then turn around to head back.Halfway point:
Total miles accumulated: 558
Was pretty neat watching the dawn grow into an ultra clear sunrise from the west side of Manhattan, the sunrise blasting through the skyscrapers as we took the Lincoln Tunnel back into the city. We picked the girls up and headed North at 8 am.Total miles accumulated: 786
Leaving NYC via the George Washington Bridge. Very light traffic and the beginning of a gorgeous day.Total miles accumulated: 800
Aaron and Meg motoring near Albany.
Don and Sarah piloting their Road King through morning sun.
Normally I ride a motorcycle far more capable of handling the twisties, so attempting to get the Harley to perform like a sportbike was no easy feat. At least we were finally off the highway and headed back to Vermont.
Back in Vermont at last. Just crossed the Champlain Bridge with only 40 miles to go before climbing off the bike for good.In the end we traveled 1116 miles in just over 23 hours. That is an average speed of 48 miles an hour for a full day. We blew past the Ironbutt qualifying distance of 1000 miles and brought the bikes in an hour early. The rental lady at the Harley shop exclaimed that no group had ever ridden rental bikes that far in a single day. We capped the trip with some REAL food rather than snacks, energy drinks, and rest stop grease and then promptly went home and went to sleep for 14 hours. I am thinking cross country for next summer. Maybe on a long distance two wheel hauler of my own?
