For East Coasters, its no big deal. I know, I was one of them. For West Coasters, seeing and smelling the Atlantic is a big deal. The contrast from our rugged Pacific Northwest coast is amazing…here was the view yesterday upon arrival in Myrtle Beach, SC:
The blue skies and wispy clouds do not show the true experience of the ride in South Carolina. After leaving Danville, VA we had a pleasant tour through the countryside. I was riding with Vince on a 1923 Henderson which can keep up with Lydian. The two Chicago four cylinders sounded great when side by side…resonating harmoniously. The humidity began to build in the late morning and the sun started to really heat things up. I added my evaporative vest under the jacket which brings the core temperature down quite nicely.
The other “cooling option” came from the skies. As we proceeded East, the dark clouds built and it was clear we were going straight into the rain ahead. Pull over, get gas, add rain suit over riding gear, head back out. Rain came hard but not for too long. The cooling was marvelous but short lived. By the time we approached the outskirts of Myrtle Beach, it was HOT and the traffic was BAD. Pull over, get gas, store rain gear, head back out. I have not lived in a place with bad traffic for the past few years so this was an unpleasant experience for me and for the other riders, especially those on single-speed bikes. They have to slip the clutch constantly in the stop-and-go.
Normal maintenance on Lydian, pizza and beer, bed. Early start and off to Spartanburg, SC for 260 miles or so with a 50-70% chance or rain.