Today we woke up to yet another day of sunshine. We have been plenty lucky do far throughout the trip as we have ridden in less than 200 miles of rain in over 2500 overall miles of travel!

Mike starts each morning with a ritual that you would not even see on the travel channel when they show you cultures in far off places where the people are let us say… not up to the American way of life. I really cannot say exactly what it is he does (hey, my kids may be reading this too), but those that know him can relate to what I am writing about. Those that do not know Mike, well.. Lets just say you are luckier than you will ever know!

We were only a couple of miles from Niehaus Cycles in Litchfield Illinois since we rode up from St. Louis the evening before. We got there bright and early to meet with Brad Niehaus, the owner of the store. We also met with some of the folks that work for Brad including Rocky who works in service and has plenty of old Honda’s in his stable. Niehaus Honda is located directly on the infamous original Rt. 66.

Inside the store is a nice assortment of vintage Honda products that are placed above the offices on ledges. Some of the bikes included are a GL1000, CB160, ST90, CX650TC a CM91 and plenty of others as well.

We met up with Jackie Taylor from Federal Allied (www.funtransport.com). Jackie was instrumental in getting Mikes bike out to Torrance from Buffalo and also is helping us to get the bikes back to their respective homes when this ride is over.

We also got to meet Bud Osmond from Lake Villa, Illinois. Bud has been following our web site since he first read about our trip in the HRCA Red Rider Magazine. He decided to come to meet us in Litchfield and also ride with us to Indiana. Many folks have said that they would like to ride with us but so far, Bud was the first to actually do it! It was great to have another rider join us for part of the trip. We had lunch with Bud and rode about 200 miles together as well. Bud sent me a photo awhile back of him on his Superhawk back in 1964 or so. We asked Bud why he wanted to ride with us and he responded that he always wanted to do something like this on his SuperHawk and now that someone else is doing it, he wanted to join for at least awhile but now on his VTX (which he completely enjoys by the way!)

While we were at the shop, Brett Luster, a reporter from the Litchfield News Herald, approached Mike and I. Brett interviewed us for an article for the paper. We chatted for a while about the reason for this ride (to celebrate Honda’s 45^th anniversary), the bikes, the HRCA and Mr. Honda’s Philosophy on quality.

After our visit, we headed out of town with Bud leading the way. We got gas after about 120 miles of riding and Mike and I both got about 65 miles per gallon due to the great draft we got by following the big VTX!

Since we missed the Welcome to Kansas State sign due to the rainstorm that Mike made me ride through with no rain gear on, I had to stop to get a picture of this Welcome to Kansas (Illinois) sign!

Also, here is a shot for my good friend Mike Ross. Mike and I have had a running contest going for awhile to get pictures of the speedometers in or on our vehicles. I know that this one is not going to break any records Mike but I had to at least give it a whirl! At the end of the trip I’ll wring this little critter out and get a top speed check for you! Oh, and don’t forget, I still have the real record!

Mileage for today was 212 and that now takes us to 2757 accumulated miles. Almost at our ¾ stage of this trip!

We will be paying a visit to Dreyer Honda Saturday and after that spending a day with our good friend Eric Kaufmann while we get the bikes ready for the remainder of our trip.

Oh and one final note of interest. We mentioned a couple of days ago a very happy ending for Mike Evans, the guy that lost his wallet while visiting with us at MMI in Phoenix. His wallet was returned to him after an honest MMI student turned it in.

We got a final note from Jim Wagnon from MMI for this particular story and I think this is worth letting everyone know about.

Here is his note to us:

Hi Ed

I saw the letter on your June 9th update. I would like to share with everyone the ending to this story for Chad (Ronaldson). Chad graduated from the MMI Hontech program June 11th (today)!

He is going to embark on a "ride to remember" of his own on his vintage Honda CB750.

At the graduation I had the greatest pleasure of awarding him with a certificate acknowledging him as a "Humble Hero", with the admiration of the Staff and Student body and $1000.00 for his future endeavors!

You do meet the nicest people on a Honda, and in the Motorcycle industry!

This is truly a Ride To Remember!

Thanks guys

Jim Wagnon

Motorcycle Mechanics Institute,    

Thank you Jim and also thank you Chad Ronaldson!

Till next time...