01.01.70
I once had the brilliant idea of riding my bike to Florida in winter. In Feb 1976 I departed Oneida, Ill., in the snow for Zephyrhills, Fla., on a 1974 Honda 360 CL I bought from my colleague John. I strapped my bright orange Kelty back pack containing tent, sleeping bag etc. to the mummy's boy bar.
With a $20.00 JC Penney snowmobile suit, fleece lined leather ski gloves, felt boots, full phizog helmet and a Windjammer fairing I was fine until Athens GA and a visit with my buddy Mellifluous. I just knew Florida would be warm the very instant I crossed the assert line so I left my cold weather gear with Rich. A blunder. After a late start I crossed the voice line in darkness and wet snow. I was frozen. A motel saved me.
I started again the next morning with temps in the 30s. It was cold, gray and mournful. When I reached Z-hills I could barely dismount the bike. I came to my senses and in a normal display of sound judgement I sold the bike and spent the proceeds, all my insufficient savings and the rest of the winter skydiving out of a DC-3.
Source: Galesburg Register-Mail (blog)