Electrics at the Dragon - Day 2 - 3: Chelsea, MI to Genoa, OH

Day 2: Wet Weather Riding

Stats and Map:

Intended mileage

95

Actual mileage

95

Cumulative mileage

268

Number of charge stops

1

Charging cost

$2.24

Charging energy (kWh)

6.4 

Route

Today was shorter by design because of the weather.   As expected, it was pouring all day so I chose to only finish my original route from Muskegon to Genoa.  Sure enough, I got soaked despite my "rain gear".  I think I need another visit to Cycle Gear and get some actual waterproof gloves and maybe a rain overcoat.  The internal jacket liner sorta works but it still means my main riding jacket gets wet.  

Charging in Monroe, MI
Charging Stop

I probably could have made today's trip with a single charge, but to be honest I was cold and needed a coffee by the time I got to Monroe, MI.  The Red E Charge Rice and Shine location (PlugShare link) worked once I fiddled with a QR code and a credit card.  I was able to get the bike on the sidewalk and under the small awning (see picture).  However, I really wanted a coffee and a bagel, not Chinese food, so I braved the US-24 4-lane road crossing in the rain (twice).  



Final Leg to Genoa, OH

Wet weather riding... not fun, but part of touring
Since this is the first time I've been in Ohio with the motorcycle, I was hoping to stop and take a picture at the border of Michigan and Ohio, but somehow I totally missed it.  For what it's worth, US-24 was a bit of a nightmare with traffic in the driving rain, so it's probably just as well I didn't stop for safety's sake.  

Day 3: Plan for April 12

Another look at the weather and discussion with my current and future hosts made the decision to stay in Genoa one more day easy.  Once again, the specter of flexibility needs to infiltrate my desire to stick with the original plan.  Mike Tyson allegedly said “Everyone has a great plan until they get punched in the mouth.”  That's where I'm at.  

Stop Soldier Suicide Fundraiser

As part of this ride, I'm participating in a Facebook Stop Soldier Suicide fundraiser.  If this issue is important to you, please chip in a few dollars to a worthy cause.  I will post my mileage updates on that page as well as this page.


See you on the road!

In This Series


Comments

Post a Comment

Feedback including suggestions or constructive criticism is welcome. Please note that abusive or offensive comments may be removed.

Popular posts from this blog

Electrics at the Dragon - Day 6: Charleston to Marlinton WV

Image
Day 6: Charleston to Marlinton WV Stats and Map: Intended mileage 158 Actual mileage 154 Cumulative mileage 943 Number of charge stops 3 Charging cost $7.35 Charging energy (kWh) 20 Detailed Rever Map Video Route This route took me through the mountains of southern West Virginia from Charleston to Hawk's Nest State Park, New River Gorge, and ultimately through Monongahela Forest to Marlinton, WV.  I was unsure about charging because the PlugShare locations had few check-ins with limited information.  Also since the stations were not networked, I was unable to see status.   Before heading out, my old boss and friend Vinay invited a few of the Bayer Institute, WV site retirees for a breakfast and it was heartwarming to see some of my colleagues after all these yea...
Read more

Motorcycle Trip Planning - Electrics at the Dragon 2024

Image
Riding the Dragon Tail of the Dragon   Designated US 129, the Tail of the Dragon in Deals Gap, NC  boasts 318 curves in 11 miles and is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest with no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel. Motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts in eastern USA typically fall into two categories:  They've ridden or driven the Tail of the Dragon or they want to.   Checking out the bikes Electrics at the Dragon Austin Ammarell, owner of eMoto Powersports , has been organizing an event to gather electric motorcyclists for several years called Electrics at the Dragon.  Renting a set of AirBNB houses in Robbinsville, NC, Austin's event allows eMoto enthusiasts to rent a room at very reasonable rates.  The shared common spaces like a garage with plenty of parking and common kitchen and living spaces fosters a sense a camaraderie and telling of riding stories for the attendees. ...
Read more

Test Your 12V Battery with This Clever Bluetooth Monitor

Image
QUICKLYNKS 12V Bluetooth monitor (Amazon affiliate link) The recent  12V Battery Post and associated YouTube video elicited quite a bit of engagement, so thanks for the feedback!  The initial analysis indicated that the 12V battery on my Kia Niro EV was potentially marginal.  It turns out a single measurement with a multimeter isn't enough to get a true picture of the battery health. Fellow EV owner and builder Mike Walenga whom I met via the Kalamazoo EV Association recommended a 12V Bluetooth battery monitor which I thought might be helpful for readers of this blog as well.  See link below the picture on the left or in the text above. Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prefer a video version of this?  See this Zero E-Michigan YouTube Video . Our friend's Prius' 12V battery was draining due to  a dome light left on. Data Snapshots Obviously checking the voltage on your 12V battery with a multimeter only gives you a single sn...
Read more