Thursday, August 11, 2011:
Today we officially started our road trip. I picked Angela up from her apartment and we loaded the bike with everything. It feels like a real pig with two people and all the gear, but she handles the extra weight like a champ! We were a few minutes late to the Amtrak AutoTrain, but thankfully they loaded us up anyways. The temperature was about 97F in the afternoon, so we were baking while getting the bike sorted.
We boarded the train drenched in sweat and looking like a real pair of vagabonds who just rode 35 minutes in 98F heat with full gear.
The train was great, food was alright, and although we didn't get much sleep the chairs were spacious, and comfortable. We departed at around 4:00pm and arrived at 10:00am in Lorton, Virginia.
Friday, August 12, 2011:
950 miles down and another 450 to go. We got a late start, around 12:00pm, after unloading the train and get the bike packed. The weather was great, not a cloud in the sky and a cool 84F.
Although we didn't get many pictures of the ride because we were rushed, the views were spectacular! Somewhere in Maryland we encountered a traffic jam where were rolled along for about an hour. Thankfully we started the traffic at the top of the "mountain" so I just put the bike in neutral, turned it off, and we rolled for about 2 miles downhill, efficiency at its best!
After the traffic and various miles(200 or so) of superslab we finally reached the point of our trip where the backroads started. Here is Angela showing her excitement that we were off the highway.
And my excitement!
So we cruised along....
And shortly after Ridgeway, PA, I get pulled over doing 65mph in a 45mph. The officer talks to us for a bit...
Officer: Do you know why I stopped you?
Me: No sir, I do not.
Officer: You were doing 65 in a 45.
Me: Really?! I'm so sorry! When did it change from 55 to 45?
Officer: You remember the underpass, wayyy back there about 6 miles?
Me: Yes sir! Kinda.
Officer: That's where.
Me: Oh, I'm so sorry officer, I didn't realize.
*Topic changes....
Officer: You guys rode all the way from Florida?
Me: No Sir, we took the train to Lorton, VA, but we are riding all the way back.
Officer: Am I the first officer to pull you over?
Me: Yes, sir.
Officer: Well, I don't want to be "that" guy. So you guys just be safe, and be careful on US219 because the deer come out around this time.
Me & Ang: Thank you officer!!!
Whoo! Close call! So from now on I stick to the speed limit, even if my bike is 8% off.
Anyhow, we pass through more of the PA countryside, and then into NY, where we cross at the Peace River Bridge.
Another 20 minutes on the highway and we make it to Niagara Falls... Late! But safely!
Ang and I are absolutely knackered, so we get our clothes washed, I get everything off the bike and we call it a night...Snoring by 10:30pm.
-Alex
Also I will be posting our ride report in this thread when eventually the trip begins. 
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