I got to go on a cruise with my friends! Leaving from Port Canveral, where the space shuttle launches happen, I figured it would be a great time to finally take the Trashwing on it’s first properly long ride (in my time of owning it).
The ride down was very nice! I took my time and stopped overnight in Savannah, GA and split the riding up into 2 4-5 hour days.
Stopped for some lunch in a nice little town, not even sure I remember where it actually was!
And once I made it down to Florida and got on the cruise it was incredible. Some phenomenal stops and so much fun stuff to do on those boats.
On the way to board the boat, we went past a large group of bikers, including this one, with a trailer-riding dog! I love this so much it’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.
Onboard there was even an Elvis impersonator telling everyone to wash their hands before going to the buffet, and let’s be honest, we all need that in our lives.
The ride back wound up being a lot more hectic though, I decided to just make the ride back in a single day. By far the longest day of actual riding I’ve ever done, I left at 7:30am and finally made it home around 7:30pm.
Part of the slowdown was that the valve stem on the rear tire started to tear and rip apart, this is actually the second time it happened, the first being on the front right before I left. I had added some small wireless tire pressure monitors, and I believe the sending units were just enough weight to cause the valve stem to tear.
Stopped in a tiny town of Yulee, FL and just happened across an old school crusty biker shop. Unfortunately they had no right-angle valve stems like these Gl1500s use, but he did point me out to a Tractor Supply Co around the corner. Bought a bottle of superglue and said a prayer!
Thankfully it held the rest of the way home and I had no other problems getting back. I even arrived to finally find my custom TRSHWNG plate had gotten here!
In total, between the down and back trips and riding around with my family, I did 1300 miles! It was a blast, but I do not have much motivation in riding down in Florida lol, the most absolutely flat and boring roads I’ve been on.
But this is finally the motivation I needed to buy a tire changer! New valve stems are on their way, I’m going to attempt to change them out myself, and while the wheels are off the bike I am also going to finally replace the wheel bearings and brake rotors.
