Cross Country on a Sportster Trip: WI to TN

Milwaukee to Maryville

Coming out of Milwaukee and headed toward Maryville Tennessee I knew it was going to be challenging going through Chicago and Gary before linking up with Interstate 65 South to get to Lafayette Indiana for the night. Last time I was here I was not going cross country on a Sportster but I’ve driven through that area multiple times and knew the congestion, debris, and constant construction. All things I wasn’t looking forward to on a motorcycle.

I’m a fairly defensive rider and try to approach every situation with the mindset that nobody sees me but nothing could have prepared me for this ride. In the span of 49 miles between mid Chicago and Gary, a cinderblock fell off a truck in front of me, a truck tire blew out in front of me, and I hit enough large buckles in the road to toss me out of my saddle and the rear tire into the air more times than was comfortable.

Thankfully it was my mindset on defensively positioning myself and the bike in traffic throughout each situation that allowed me to stay safe while going cross country on a Sportster. Keeping a following distance that was longer than necessary while still keeping my eyes on my rear view allowed me to swerve the cinderblock and the blown truck tire. After we hit Interstate 65 and got out of the mess, I counted my blessings and throttled south.