Just as we drove off the ramp on to Highway 76 the rain began. We all had brought rain gear but we were hoping we wouldn't need this early in the trip. The forecast was for a sunny day. We pulled off to the shoulder and took turns getting our gear from Amy's Jeep. I was hoping the unexpected rain was not some kind of omen. The un-forecast rain increased in magnum. Riding the pavement was like skating across ice. All of us had rode in rain many times but we didn't have that much experience on the highway during heavy rains. My bike was handling the situation well. The ST100 were designed for long-distance riding and a little thing like rain did little to impede its performance. What worried me was the speed I needed to go to stay with Bill and Bryan. The rain hadn't slowed them down much. We were averaging around ninety-mph. Not excessive but still a little past my comfort point when it's raining.

We had not discuss what order we would ride in, but just like chickens pecking orders it was quickly established. Bryan and Bill rode side to side for the first 50 miles. Bill then relinquished first rider position to Bryan. I was sure that this was the order that would be maintained until Oregon. Marty joining us would probably start the pissing contest all over again. Bringing up the rear to me was just fine. Besides I guess since Amy was behind me she was actually the farthest back but when you're riding bikes, cars don't seem to count.

Before we took off we agreed to try and ride 750 miles a day. Gas stops of course would come earlier then that. Another nice feature of these particular bikes is they all had huge gas tanks. The ST 1100 had the largest tank with 7.4 gallons but the BMW and Trophy each had a tank of over 6.5 gallons. Bryan had told us we could cruise 200 miles safely between gas breaks. We couldn't get, as far per tank as a car but for bikes these were great numbers.

When we took our first gas break only the Trophy was near empty. I had over a quarter tank left. The rain had ended but the temperature had drop considerably. When we started it was 78 degrees now with only two hundred miles into the trip it was down to 56. Just merely into Ohio on a June day and into the fifties, what the hell was Alaska going to bring. The wind was also becoming an issue. Winds of 25 miles an hour in a car ain't no shit but passing 16 wheelers on a motorcycle was a whole different experience. Big rigs had a way of sucking motorcycles into a deadly cross-flowing wind tunnel. I could feel the bike sway in a strange rhythmic motion with every truck passed. It wasn't just occasional we would pass trucks. Ever since Highway 76 had turned to Interstate 80, trucks had become more common then cars. When the rain ended Brain immediately decided the speed should be increase to above 100 miles an hour. I found crouching down in a race position was the best way to pass trucks. The wind flowed over your body and little resistance was felt. I'm sure that I looked like a damn fool but survival is more important then appearance. At least for me. I never saw Bill or Bryan follow my truck passing safety technique.

When you're going in excess of 100 all traffic is passed. When cars and trucks appears a quarter mile ahead its time to start planning your route to get around. In most cases it was easy for me I just had to follow Bryan and Bill. Sometimes though they would sneak around and the gap for me would close. Several miles would sometimes separate me from them as I try to negotiate my way around traffic. Cars were usually easy to pass. There was no wind resistance and once one bike passed most drivers slowed up so I could stay with them. Every now and then being passed with such ease would piss someone in a car. Bryan and Bill usually shot through as a team. Most of the cars didn't even realize they were there before they were well passed. Sometimes when they streaked by a car the driver would feel violated and immediately shot into the fast lane to catch them. Unfortunately, this was usually done before the driver realized I was there. I became quite an expert in watching the driver of the passed cars to see if they were going to attempt chase. Those times when cars did move to the fast lane to follow Bryan and Bill they just served to seriously slow me now. Drivers of Porsche, Corvettes and other sport cars I could count on to cut me of when Bryan and Bill had passed. The drivers just didn't understand how futile it was to give chase to a motorcycle doing 110 when they're passed at 70. Sure they could catch them but it required doing about 140 for a long stretch. Every now and then some "Dick" just had to do it.

I guess they felt we were fucking with them. In reality we would barely noticed them until they did their little Richard Petty imitations. Why the fuck they wanted to risk their lives just to catch motorcycles, I have no idea. It wasn't like any of us were trying to race anyone, we just happen to be cruising at 110. I started to nickname the types of vehicles we passed. Cars were obstacles and trucks were looming dinosaurs. There were different types of obstacles. The "Friendly's" that would see you approaching and move over for you. Unaware obstacles that were in the slow lane and didn't have a clue that several bikes were about to pass. The "Unaware" were the most dangerous because they could shift into your lane at any time. They potentially could end your life in a second and not even realized you were on the road until you lay there on the payment drawing your last breaths. "Compounded obstacles" were cars that saw you coming and decided that they didn't need to move to the slow lane. These people must have felt they were designate keepers of the speed. The drivers felt since they were driving the speed limit there was no need to give us the "right of way." Then there were "Deadly Obstacles." These were cars that went out of their way to cut you off and not let you pass. I have no idea what was going through these guys' heads. Why anyone found it amusing to intentionally risk someone's life instead of letting them pass was beyond me? Apparently, we represented something that these drivers despised. These were the kind of people that were dangerous to others even when not driving. Sometimes, I swear the "Deadly's" actually wanted to kill us.

Luckily on a bike you have a lot of mobility even at high speeds. Even the most twisted deadly could usually be passed before they became a real threat. On a motorcycle you only need twenty-five inches to get yourself out of trouble. If you use this space wisely any potential problems can be avoided before the fucking psycho even had a change to get a hard on.

Looming Dinosaurs were an entirely different breed. These guys spent their lives on the road and their driving abilities proved it. Trucks ride in the slow lane unless they are in the process of passing someone. Slower traffic staying to the right lane is an easy concept to understand, but for some reason only truckers seem to follow it. Even though the truck drivers are an improvement over obstacles, dinosaurs can have their own set of dangers. I remember seeing a sign on the back of one Semi that summed it up. It read "passing on the left side is the right side, passing on the right side is suicide." This isn't to say that passing on the left makes the Dinosaurs driver aware of your presence. I found the best method when passing a truck was to make sure you could see their rear view mirror, always pass on the left side, assume a race crouch position and realize they probably have no idea you're there. If a truck moved over on you while passing, as frequently occurred, twist your wrist on the throttle and move over to far left of the fast lane. Before the truck actually is in your lane you're well passed it. Trucks could seriously slow you up when they were passing other vehicles. Your best bet in these circumstances was to slow down and wait for them to successfully pass. Once passed they would move back to the slow lane.

Regardless if it was navigating around a "Obstacle" or a "Dinosaur", the key to highway driving is to be aware of what is occurring three hundred yards ahead. By the time you can recognize a danger at these speeds you better be reacting to it. Staying calm is key. You never went to lie into the breaks out of panic. Breaks can seldom get you out of an emergency at high speeds but they certainly can make it worse. If you need to avoid something, your best bet is to find a twenty five-inch opening and shot through. Using the breaks hard at 100 was just a good way to meet the payment up close and personal.

We decided to end the ride for the day in South Bend, Indiana. We began at about 11AM that day and it was now 9PM. None, of us were sure if we made the 750 miles hoped for, but we were all sure we were exhausted. We were about 40 miles east of Chicago and it was time to find a place to camp. We went off the main highway and set up camp in Potato Creek State Park. Bill and Bryan were regular campers and assisted Amy, Tina and me with our tents. The main lodge to the park was closed. Even though there was a night deposit box to place the ten dollars per tent camping fee, we decided to take our chances. We planned to leave early the next morning so we figured we would never meet the Ranger.

After the tents were set-up, we all worked on crating a fire. Amy seemed to be upset and I asked her what was wrong.
"In case you boys haven't noticed I'm not riding a motorcycle. It's damn near impossible to zigzag between traffic in a Jeep like you're doing on the bikes."
I was pleased to see that Bryan and Bill were listening in on our conversation. I knew Amy was right but it was up to Bryan to slow our little caravan down.
"Sorry Amy, Bryan said, I guess I kind of forget you're all back there."
"Hey no sweat Bryan, but since I'm carrying most of your supplies, you guys might want to keep us in mind."
"How about if we follow you and Tina from here out, but try and keep a good cruising speed."
"Cruising speed is that what you call it. I don't think we went below 100 for the last 500 miles. My Jeep will never make it at that pace. I'll be glad to take the lead but from now on we stay below 90."
"Well, that sucks, Bryan said, but I guess it's fair."
"It's been one hell of a ride, Tina said laughing, I going to miss wrap speed."
Bryan gave a sly smile as if he just remembered that Tina was a part of the group. I was afraid that I understood to well what was now crossing his mind. He took a flask out of his coat pocket and took a long swallow. What was even scarier was the way that Tina now looked at Bryan. I change to glance at Amy she was starring with utter contempt at Bryan. Why she was feeling such hostility toward Bryan was unclear.

Once the fire was breathing its own life and no longer required our nourishing, we all seem to relax and begin to enjoy the night that surrounded us. Nature was singing a sweet melody that many artists have attempted to duplicate but have yet to achieve. Simultaneous sounds of a babbling brook, hooting owl, barking dog, chirping cricket and rustling leaves could be heard. A bright orange moon seemed to swim in the star lit sky.

"So, what's the story on guys, Amy asked, why do you feel the need to drive at dangerous speeds for enjoyment?"
I thought this was already a closed subject and wondered what was her possible intent in pursuing the subject.
"I mean does the motorcycle represent an extension of your penis or what?
"No, I don't think so? Bryan replied obviously trying to restrain his laughter, but riding fast does do wonders in extending my own penis
"Seriously, Amy said, why do you feel the need to pass everything on the road?"
"I don't, I would much prefer there wasn't anyone to pass. They just slow down the ride."
"Cute, can't you be serious for a minute," Amy said with more then a trace of hostility in her voice.
I could tell Bryan was becoming a bit annoyed by the questions. He had already agreed to let Amy and Tina ride in front the next day. Bryan hated to be insulted and it started sounding as if this was Amy's purpose.
"Hey Amy you want know why guys like to ride fast? Well, like everything else it's to impress girls. You can bet the first guy who sped on a highway because some girl was whispering in his ear, "The faster you go the hornier, I become. It was Bill who injected his usual cynical slice on life to the conversation. "From the dawn of civilization women have been pitting guys into every form of competition they could conceive. In the beginning females would manipulate males into deadly competition instinctively as a means of selecting the best breeder. This was good for the gene pool and thus good for the betterment of the human race. Now, girls mainly do it because they enjoy making fools of men and like watching them risk their lives. It still serves another purpose the guy who will risk it all for the girl is also the one who most likely will make the most financial gains in life. The competitions are kind of marriage interview for females.

"What the fuck are you talking about, Bill. Women are interested in sensitive caring guys not necessarily the ones who will make the most money. In case you haven't recognized it through your sexist cloud of reality women can take care of themselves just fine financially."
"Yeah, that's true, Bill replied, we created enough creature comforts for females that we've rendered ourselves almost obsolete to females. Like I said girls mainly manipulate us now out of sheer enjoyment."
I knew Bill, was just pursuing his usual technique in arguing. He was purposefully trying to provoke Amy for his own amusement. Amy was visually becoming angry not knowing Bill's strange sense of humor.
"Yeah we had it best, I said when girls thought they needed us for protection. Nothing like the prospect of being mauled by Indians or wild animals to keep your women in line."
I think Amy clued in that we were just having fun at her expense. This only seem to make her more angry. Bill and Bryan were practically rolling on the ground in hysterics as we passed a bottle of Vodka between us. It wasn't just us guys who had enjoyed the exchange between Amy and Bill. Tina was giggling uncontrollably as she tried to speak.
"I for one still enjoy watching you boys in your meaningless competition for our affections, Tina managed to say in between her eruption of laughter. Even Amy was smiling a little now.
"Well, Bill you do have one thing right whatever purpose men had is no longer needed into days world, Amy said, but don't blame us for your little macho competitions. Men have always been throw back to savages. Guys aren't happy unless they can prove themselves superior to someone else. Men are violent, aggressive animals. Your flowing supplies of testosterone make you prone to impulsive dangerous acts that have placed this world in great peril. Guys are basically a different species from females. At one time your physical strength and savage ways were a necessity but that time is passed. Since females can now conceive through artificial means, your last remaining purpose is also gone.
Amy was smiling as she said this but I got the feeling she really believed it. To me there were some general differences between males and females. But other then physical ones the differences were not that extreme. Most, people actions were purely out of self-interest regardless of gender. People behaved in ways they perceived to be to their own advantage. Cruelty or benevolence was simply tactics used in different situations to achieve these goals. To say that a person was inherently good or bad to me was missing the point.

"As fascinating as your views are, I need to get some rest so my testosterone filled, aggressive self can wreck havoc on the world again tomorrow," Bill said, smiling at Amy.
We were all very tired and by the time Bill said this substance and dreams had already begun to merge inside my head.

I awoke the next day to the sounds of birds chirping. Leaving my tent I saw one of the most beautiful sunrises I had ever witness. Bryan was checking the air pressure in the tires of the motorcycles. He was already taking slugs of whiskey from his silver flask.
"I thought I was the only early riser of this group," Bryan said to me
. "How long have you been up," I asked him.
"Couple hours maybe. I wanted to check the bikes out before we rolled. The Trophy was already almost a quart low on oil. I didn't see any leak but that's heavy oil consumption for the distance we've traveled. There is some coffee by the fire if you're interested."
"Definitely, I couldn't get far without it. How many days you figure before we reach Oregon."
"Two...three at the most. We did alright for the first day run. I figure if we keep this pace up, we can hit, Omaha Nebraska by the end of today's run."
Amy and Tina both emerged from their tents looking as if they were still partially asleep.
"Didn't expect to see you two this early," I said.
"Kind of hard to sleep with you boys jabbing away," Amy replied, in a joking fashion.
"Who's preparing the gourmet breakfast," Tina asked.
"There's coffee," Bryan said to Tina with a flirtatious grin.
"If you got some eggs and cheese I'll whip you...I mean everyone up some omelets."
A definite bond was beginning to form between Bryan and Tina. Amy looked very displeased by this development. I wasn't too sure I liked it either. By the time Tina finished making breakfast it was about 7AM. Bill still hadn't awoken and Bryan took it upon himself to change that. He instructed Tina and Amy to scream when he gave them the single.
Then in loud mock terror voice Bryan said, "No, please don't hurt us you already got our money." He singled Tina and Amy. As they began to scream he grabed a small caliber pistol from his coat pocket and began firing shots in the air.
Bill exited his tent screaming "Stop" while grasping a container of Pepper Gas in his right hand.
He didn't get more then 10 feet before he tripped on a log and fell head over heels to the ground. Before Bill had a change to get to his feet we were already roaring in laughter. His face went from terror, shock, and puzzlement to embarrassment in a matter of seconds. When Bill finally comprehended what had conspired, he screamed a barrage of obscenities at us. By the time he was through I could tell by his expression that he was restraining his own laughter.

"Bill little tip, I said, if there ever is real robbers with guns and all you have is pepper gas run in a direction to get help and not toward the gunmen."
I was in fact amazed by his brave, even if foolish, response to the situation. I wasn't sure I would have been concerned with the others given the same circumstances

. We ate our omelets in a lighthearted mood. The joke played on Bill had helped us all to become more at ease with each other. I told everyone my names for cars and trucks on the highway. They found the descriptive names appropriate and began to use them when discussing the traffic we'd encountered. We finished breakfast around 8Am and began packing up for the road. The one thing that was never mentioned but I found troubling, was what the hell Bryan was doing with a pistol. I mean I could understand precautions, hell I even brought a knife, but a pistol was just asking for trouble. Concealing a pistol while riding a motorcycle across the country was crazy. It was the kind of shit you could get locked up for. I figured it was his business though. Besides cops can't just pull you over and begin searching without a reason.

I noticed Tina's eyes were glued on Bryan as we climb on the bikes. Whatever chemistry caused females to become interested in a particular male was in full effect here. I didn't mind the idea of Bryan and Tina together. What worried me was what happens if they get together and then it doesn't work out. We were going to be sharing close quarters for the next three weeks and this paring could be lethal to the success of the trip. 1