No Man's Ride - Day 6

Day Six - Dodge City, KS to Joplin, MO

The crew packed up early ready to “Get the Hell out of Dodge” The real urgency was in getting on the road early enough to avoid of the legendary winds of Kansas. At the AM briefing we were promised a long straight shot to Joplin, MO. For the first time since the beginning of the journey we’d be leaving Hwy 50 and picking up Hwy 440. As it turned out, the map gods again provided us with impeccable weather. As promised the route was straight, flat, and light on scenery. The star of the day was the Burgman—the only thing more comfortable in Kansas is a living room. There are at least 14 sitting positions on the Burgman Executive resulting in a very comfortable ride. All that and an adjustable windscreen. We heart the Burgman.

Just outside of Joplin, MO we deviated from the planned route to ride on the fabled Route 66. Having just completed the Route 66 MAD Map for Harley-Davidson, it was fitting that the map goddesses ride in on the road they so recently mapped. Just riding on Route 66 feels different, as if you are one of the chosen few to ride on a piece of American history.

Waiting at the hotel was AeLeah’s sister; she lives a couple hours outside Joplin, MO and drove up to encourage AeLeah on her trek across America. The group went their separate ways in Joplin, eating, drinking, and unwinding.