Maryland 2nd visit

Capital: Annapolis

Population: 5,600,000 (ranked 19th of 50 states)

Area: 32,000 km² (ranked 42nd of 50 states)

Projected Route

Below is my theoretical route. The map will be overlaid with my actual route once completed.

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Ride Report

Scroll down below the route map for this state's ride report and photos

Ride Report

I had an appointment in Washington DC which I had to keep. You are not late when you have a meeting with the President of the United States. On the other hand I badly needed a pee so chose an exit just before the Bay Bridge over Chesapeake Bay into DC. So this is the Maryland page and I am including Washington here although technically it's in its own little cocoon called District of Columbia. The photos tell you the results of my afternoon in Maryland.

The Bay Bridge was a beauty. There was gridlock coming the other way so I couldn't exit and ride it again.

The Bay Bridge up close.

I parked the bike outside this humble building just around the corner from the White House. It seemed all too easy just finding a park in the middle of Washington. When I returned to the bike 3 hours later the security guard, called Gus, who is in that little gut there, came out to say that no fewer than 4 police had pulled up to check the bike over. Apparently that building is the US Dept of Commerce and as such a big no-no to place an unauthorised vehicle next to. Those cars in front of the bike have all been vetted and approved. I believe it may have been my bag of washing which may have triggered the alert.

Riding through Washington was somewhat spectacular.

My first visit was to the Washington Monument.

Then a long hot trudge to the other end at the Lincoln Memorial.

A statue to the Vietnam vets

And this is the Vietnam remembrance wall. In the middle of the wall where it kinks is listed the first soldier to be killed in Vietnam. Thereafter names spread outwards.

This is the fountain of youth. See it works!

Looking to the Capitol past the Washington Monument.

Then turning the other way, looking to the Lincoln Memorial

But enough sightseeing, my appointment time was looming. I had to find the White House. The first sign of security surrounding my meeting was the presence of sinister black Secret Service cars. I took a secret photo of the secret number plate.

And this is the Ford Suburban which I understood was going to drive me in to the White House. However no-one was around so I walked on.

I was getting closer but feeling nervous and not a little sweaty.

This is the gate which all visitors to the White House go through. As it was shut I assumed I had to pop round to the front & someone would be expecting me.

I was honoured to note how much security was afforded my visit. But then again I have ridden almost 20,000kms to get here. Its not like I'm just a visiting low-level ambassador from Peru.

Lawns had been mown, gardens raked and the fountain switched on. I was really honoured.

I called over to the guy on the gate and told him I had a 3:00 meeting with the President. He asked me my name. "Throttle, Twisting" "He looked at a clipboard and laughed.

This was ridiculous. My name not on the clipboard, no way of getting in the secret back entrance, no-one in the Suburban. How do I get in? I tried to catch anyone's attention. The only attention I got was a lady on my right who asked would I lower my arm in the name of good hygiene.

So I stepped back onto Pennsylvania Ave & waved & shouted. Finally someone looked out the window upstairs & gave me the thumbs up. "Be right down Twis" they shouted

And sure enough I got my meeting. Here Mr Bush asks me about my trip and suggests next time I ride a 1200GS. He was a little taller than I expected. I couldn't stand around chatting all day as I had to get my tent pitched on the lawn (that was a nice gesture). Note my secret recording device hanging down from my helmet?

While out front there were the usual collection of nutters.

Get it? Usual collection of nut.... oh forget it.

Rode past the Potomac River on the way to...