My DH decided we would not fly anywhere this year because going through security was such a PIA last summer. He decided we would ride to Maine for vacation. So I plotted a backroad route from Norwich, CT to Kennebunk, ME. I wanted to ride Silvano, (the little Honda 250 Reflex).

The day started out beautifully. Not long into the ride however, I noticed my DH hanging way back. At the speed he was riding, we would take 2 days to get to Maine!! I finally pulled over to see what was up. He said his back couldn't take the bumps in the road any longer. I was pretty ticked with him. I had specifically asked him if he would have a problem with back road riding and he said "No". Now he said we would have to ride the highway!!! I seldom ever take Silvano on the hwy. Together we are not heavy enough to withstand the wind wash from passing cars and trucks.

I was a nervous wreck riding I-495 through MA. Cars and trucks were flying by me at 75 to 80 mph. The wind wash was horrendous. The only good thing was the luggage helped to anchor the scoot to the road some. I-95, the Maine TNPK was even worse. Not only was there wind wash from the cars, but the road is so open, it was like riding in a wind tunnel with the wind going sideways. I was never so glad to get off the hwy in my life.

We spent a week riding around in Southern ME. Saw a lot of neat stuff. Then unfortunately had to ride the hwy home. I made my husband get on the road by 7:00 AM. We beat the traffic and the heat and got home safely. Put over 700 miles on the scoot and cycle during our week on vacation. If we ever take another riding vacation, I will be sure to ride the Mod Quad instead!!!!

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The JOY is in the journey.

Smart saying off 495 Last Friday (The 13th) we were in stop and go traffic in a mini van on 495 around Lowell, MA.
Sitting there minding our own business when BOOM. First car in a 5 car chain reaction accident.
I was taking to the girl who rear ended us and said where the hell was the ass in the Honda Pilot who caused it thought he was going! She said the was probably texting.

I know it's terrible, but I would have ditched my DH if he had pulled that with me. I'd let him go the highway and I'd have stuck to my original route. We could meet up at the end of the day somewhere. I think it was really unfair of him to do that to you; riding when you are terrified is not fun.

I hope you at least had a good time in my neighborhood (Southern Maine)!

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The thing about glitter is, if you get it on you, be prepared to have it on you forever. Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies.

Oh but you're so lucky to get to ride in Maine!!
I was up there for a week at the end of June, rented a motorcycle in NH and rode up. The roads are like glass compared to most of what I ride on. Even the construction zones, with all those warning signs for motorcycles. I was thinking "this is really going to bad!" Then I went on to the grated pavement and started to laugh, it was smoother than a "normal" LA freeway!
How I would have loved to have my own bike instead of a rental. Probably better I didn't or I might have just have stayed until it was time for snow.
I think we all have our riding demons. I had to ride a wet, uneven, rocky lawn each time I went in and out and just dreaded it! I know some of you do that regularly but I'm used to pavement or hard, dry, scrubby grass that you are hard pressed to slip on so it made me nervous.

Pavement is pavement. I am not buying his reasoning that riding the highway was easier on his back!

The stress you had to go through riding the interstate would certainly cause all my body parts to ache.

Glad you are home safely. Sorry you had to go through this.

You are a better "sport" than I would have been about it.

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2009 Monzo Honda Met "Squirt"
My scooter blogs:
http://www.49ccscooterlife.blogspot.com
http://www.ohioriverramblersscootin.blogspot.com

It really depends on what type of bike he was riding and perhaps his overall back health.

Trust me, I own a little demon of a scooter when it comes to long or even short rides. I would not want to ride my 50 Elite (with a 87 cc engine) on rough pavement for any length of time. It would be a disaster from the moment I set out. Not so much back pain but my spine would feel as though it was coming out the top of my head. Then there is that pleasant bucking sensation that makes you feel like you are flying off your seat.

Granted, DH could have realized that his bike wasn't backroad worthy before you set out but I can see his POV on it especially if he has a bad back. If he is riding a big bike then maybe it isn't the bike but him? He needs some serious suspension work done. Other than going on and revising your route and scaring the pee out of myself, I would have just said, wait, this isn't going to work on my Reflex, lets go back and I'll switch out scooters and ride something that can handle the interstate.

Maybe his back is so bad he shouldn't even be riding.

As for taking your Reflex out on the interstate, you have my sympathy. A scooter isn't a motorcycle no matter how much you want to think of it as being one. The design and aerodynamics of a scooter vs a motorcycle are as different as night and day and I could write a book on it here but won't. My 250cc Honda VTR motorcycle can handle the interstate like a champ. It's why folks have touring scooters and strike out on them and leave their commuter scooter parked in the driveway. Anything other than a touring scoot is made for city use, back roads, etc.

BUT look at it this way, you survived the ordeal and had a good time when you weren't hanging on to your hat and praying that you didn't get ran over by an 18 wheelers. As for the speed, we seldom travel over 55 in our autos or trucks when we are driving even on the interstate. Yes we will go faster on our two up motorcycle but that is with survival in mind. You learned some great riding skills that only experience can teach you and you made it home in one piece. And yes, very well done choosing the time of day to ride in. It makes a big difference on the interstate. We have to ride our bicycles about a half mile on a state route in order to get home and to the office. In the morning it isn't too bad but when we have to ride home, especially on Friday night, we feel that we are taking our lives in our own hands. Often we opt out for a different route that has a big hill we have to climb, but we aren't getting buzzed by TGIF drivers who aren't paying attention to where they are going other than going home.

You married your husband, not your scooter. Try to look at the situation from his POV, give him a big hug and kiss and ask him if his back is feeling better. Things happen when you travel that you have no control over. You need to just deal with them (which you did) find a compromise (which you did) and get on with life (which you did)!

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There are two types of people in this world, people who ride scooters and
people who wish they could ride scooters.

bexx....Well said!

Had I been in that situation, however, and my DH had announced that we were taking the interstate, without missing a beat I would have said, "Feel better hon and I'll see you in Maine!!"

Hey Ellen,

So sorry to hear your car got rear ended on 495. I hope you folks weren't injured in any way.

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The JOY is in the journey.

Thanks to all of you for your encouraging words. I never thought of leaving him on his own, never crossed my mind. He would most likely have gotten so lost, I would have either had to go look for him or call the state police to hunt him down. He isn't much of a traveler, I always make the arrangements or plan travel routes.

He has a rotten back from years of lifting stuff he shouldn't have. Generally, he likes to ride 6 miles to work and another 6 home again. I'm the one who loves long distance riding, which was why I was surprised last year when he said we would ride to ME for vacation this year. I'll just have to make sure I ride the Mod Quad if I travel with him.

Next year when I ride to the Women On Wheels Ride In in Billings, MT, I will ride alone on the Mod Quad. After the Ride In, I hope to continue the rest of the way across country to the west coast. Have never ridden any further than MI. Really looking forward to my trip. Trying to put away all the necessary money ahead of time. Lots of nights in hotels, (takes me too long in the morning to pack up to camp out on the trip.) I really enjoyed my trip to MI, (trip back was really hot, but I learned to stay on the hwy if you don't know the area). Will do a lot of hwy riding on that trip.

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The JOY is in the journey.

piccolagita...What is a Mod Quad?

Amen to that, sister!

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2009 Monzo Honda Met "Squirt"
My scooter blogs:
http://www.49ccscooterlife.blogspot.com
http://www.ohioriverramblersscootin.blogspot.com

skutaMama,

The Mod Quad is an '08 Honda Silver Wing with a Tow Pac Trike Kit. The original rear drive wheel remains on the scoot, so it has 4 wheels instead of three, so I call it the Mod Quad. I usually refer to the extra wheels as "training wheels". My legs are just way too short to ride anything bigger than my little Silvano, (the Reflex). My foot would never touch the ground with the Wing before the entire scoot landed on the ground. At 550 lbs. dry, the scoot would never be uprighted under my power.

It is a great hwy machine, fast and stable. I really enjoyed riding it out to MI last summer. I am trying not to put many miles on it this year so it will still be low mileage when I take it cross country. That is why I planned a back road ride to ME for our vacation this summer instead of taking the Mod Quad and going up the hwy.

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The JOY is in the journey.