Day Seven: Merrillville, IN to Cleveland, OH
I really enjoyed riding today. The weather was a little bit chilly and there was some fog to contend with, but once the sun rose, it was pretty nice. We are staying just in front of a cold front right now, so the weather has the potential to go bad on us, but I am thinking lots of happy thoughts.
One of the obsure things I observed today, as I was alone with my thoughts (I started using earplugs a couple of days ago).....people in Indiana and Ohio use riding lawnmowers. I only saw a handful of people using push lawnmowers. Everyone else was out on their riding lawnmower. I know, it's a weird observation, but it is the one thing that stuck in my head today.
I also got pulled over by the police as I was entering Cleveland today. Apparently, he had nothing better to do with his time than to pull me over. I had changed lanes twice without signaling, turned twice without signaling and to potentially make matters worse, I don't have my motorcycle endorsement. Oh, and I didn't have my registration with me either. Forgot it in Portland and can't remember where it is. Luckily, I had my license and insurance card. Anyhow, he asked me why I wasn't using my turn signals and I told him "I don't know". I explained that I was trying to get to Pride of Cleveland Scooters before they closed. Then he asked me if I really had ridden the scooter all the way from Oregon and did I know that he is supposed to impound the scooter since I don't have my endorsement. Long story short, I didn't get cited, the officer guided me through town, and all is well in the world.
I also had the opportunity to go to a block party not too far from where I am staying tonight. I got on www.couchsurfing.com and found a person in Cleveland willing to host me for the night and save me the trouble of staying in a hotel. Her name is Megan and she lives just a few blocks from Pride of Cleveland Scooters. She invited me to the party and I had a blast. After I was at the party for a while, I decided to go back to POC and do a few things to my scooter. I changed the spark plug and put a new spare tire on. Tomorrow morning, I need to change the gear oil and look at a few other minor things.
I made really good time today. My butt is sore, but I am having the time of my life!!!
One of the obsure things I observed today, as I was alone with my thoughts (I started using earplugs a couple of days ago).....people in Indiana and Ohio use riding lawnmowers. I only saw a handful of people using push lawnmowers. Everyone else was out on their riding lawnmower. I know, it's a weird observation, but it is the one thing that stuck in my head today.
I also got pulled over by the police as I was entering Cleveland today. Apparently, he had nothing better to do with his time than to pull me over. I had changed lanes twice without signaling, turned twice without signaling and to potentially make matters worse, I don't have my motorcycle endorsement. Oh, and I didn't have my registration with me either. Forgot it in Portland and can't remember where it is. Luckily, I had my license and insurance card. Anyhow, he asked me why I wasn't using my turn signals and I told him "I don't know". I explained that I was trying to get to Pride of Cleveland Scooters before they closed. Then he asked me if I really had ridden the scooter all the way from Oregon and did I know that he is supposed to impound the scooter since I don't have my endorsement. Long story short, I didn't get cited, the officer guided me through town, and all is well in the world.
I also had the opportunity to go to a block party not too far from where I am staying tonight. I got on www.couchsurfing.com and found a person in Cleveland willing to host me for the night and save me the trouble of staying in a hotel. Her name is Megan and she lives just a few blocks from Pride of Cleveland Scooters. She invited me to the party and I had a blast. After I was at the party for a while, I decided to go back to POC and do a few things to my scooter. I changed the spark plug and put a new spare tire on. Tomorrow morning, I need to change the gear oil and look at a few other minor things.
I made really good time today. My butt is sore, but I am having the time of my life!!!