As I mentioned, MN did not happen. The weather was horrible, and the logistics just did not work. The logistics failing mostly because I refused to stop & spend the night in Kansas and add two days to the trip. 
Regardless, I have learned a few things in this ordeal. I am taking the Moto-Minnesota trip off of the table until when/if I ever own a gold wing. I went to Galveston, and in the heat, pushing for distance and not stopping much; I can cover 350 miles in 5.5 hours. And, my butt hurts. The sheepskin pad was helpful, but a $600.00 Sargent seat may be in the future. Again, I need to focus on the 300-400 mile per day rides over the 1000 mile per day rides.
I will look to the future to restrict moto-camping to spring, fall & winter. I have asked my wife to hit me with something heavy should I mention riding the ST to MN in the future.
To avoid the rain, I decided to go to Galveston Island. It was a hot ride. And it rained. I spent some time with friends and turned around to head back after two days of watching it rain on and off. The ride home through Houston was epic in the sense that at 5:30-6:00AM in rush hour traffic I was caught in the most violent thunderstorm I have ever ridden in. On I-45 I was trapped in the center lane at times riding in a foot of water, showered by arches of water from the surrounding vehicles unable to go faster than 20MPH with 100 foot visibility and unable to get off of the road. I assumed that my ticket was punched.
I rode out of the storm by the time I made the Woodlands, all the time just a step ahead of the developing weather. I made Huntsville and Sam Houston State park by 7:30AM. I used my parks pass to take a “natural” break, change clothes, drain the water out of my water proof boots and collect myself.
Traveling alone raised a few questions. One being, who watches your bike while you take extended “natural” breaks?
Regardless, I made it home again and spent the remainder of the break at the lake away from two wheels.
Regardless, I have learned a few things in this ordeal. I am taking the Moto-Minnesota trip off of the table until when/if I ever own a gold wing. I went to Galveston, and in the heat, pushing for distance and not stopping much; I can cover 350 miles in 5.5 hours. And, my butt hurts. The sheepskin pad was helpful, but a $600.00 Sargent seat may be in the future. Again, I need to focus on the 300-400 mile per day rides over the 1000 mile per day rides.
I will look to the future to restrict moto-camping to spring, fall & winter. I have asked my wife to hit me with something heavy should I mention riding the ST to MN in the future.
To avoid the rain, I decided to go to Galveston Island. It was a hot ride. And it rained. I spent some time with friends and turned around to head back after two days of watching it rain on and off. The ride home through Houston was epic in the sense that at 5:30-6:00AM in rush hour traffic I was caught in the most violent thunderstorm I have ever ridden in. On I-45 I was trapped in the center lane at times riding in a foot of water, showered by arches of water from the surrounding vehicles unable to go faster than 20MPH with 100 foot visibility and unable to get off of the road. I assumed that my ticket was punched.
I rode out of the storm by the time I made the Woodlands, all the time just a step ahead of the developing weather. I made Huntsville and Sam Houston State park by 7:30AM. I used my parks pass to take a “natural” break, change clothes, drain the water out of my water proof boots and collect myself.
Traveling alone raised a few questions. One being, who watches your bike while you take extended “natural” breaks?
Regardless, I made it home again and spent the remainder of the break at the lake away from two wheels.
