| Author | Message | ||
     B00stzx3 |
I watched Easy Rider the other night and was thinking, maybe I should take a long trip on the bike over a weekend. Clear my head, get out there by myself. Anyone done this? I was thinking of stopping by some cool biker bars/biker friendly places along the way as well. Maybe down to Richmond or North Carolina, maybe out to WVA or something. Just for a weekend. Camping or getting a cheapo room somewhere. Anyone got any experience, tips or routes? I dont mind its cold as hell outside either, got some warm gear. I was wondering how to pack stuff into my backpack since my Bolt doesnt have bags. I have to get my bars fixed and peg form the hit and run but I can go to Frederick to pick those up, they stock alotta Buell parts. (Message edited by b00stzx3 on December 19, 2008) | ||
| Rasmonis |
B00, I know someone here who should be able to comment here. Ray? Ray? I'd like to do the same one of these days... They key to packing more stuff is to roll your clothes. | ||
| Babired |
Ras I plan on going down to Georgia in the springtime alone 823 miles down to instructor training for TC on the ULY. There are some good books out about traveling on 2 wheels and camping. Check them out on Whitehorse press. I know a lady who did a solo trip across the US and back on her Suzuki 500. Dee Gagon wrote Detours then Neil Pert's book Ghost Rider they both give you a perspective of traveling many miles alone. My advice pack like you are going to ride in the rain, pack parts, tire repair kit, phone with charger to keep in contact with Kathy. If you want I will lend you my cortech bags so you can be more comfortable. K | ||
| Babired |
oops sorry I though Ras was asking sorry Bobby! Twin tour is Ray I haven't seen him on Badweb lately. K | ||
| Court |
Anyone done this? Yes, it's fabulous. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I haven't done a multiday trip on the bike, but I have ridden from here to FL to visit family. If you've hiked or camped in the past, pack like you're going on a hike. Light, packable clothing, only what you need. More undies than top layers. UnderArmor type stuff works great - sink-wash it at a hotel room and dry it overnight, and it's real packable. Bare essential tools for small roadside jobs. Cell phone. GPS would be a nice luxury to have; at the least, take a map and something that notes dealers in the vicinity of your trip in case you need something. If, like me, you leave early in the morning for the trip, leave enough room in your pack for the layer(s) you're going to strip off when it warms up. Not as big a deal now, but when I last rode to FL it was mid-July and I left at 4am. Slabbed it the whole way (I was on my FLHP) so no camping gear, but I had a weeks' worth of clothing for my stay once I got south. It was a looong ride - more focused on "destination" than "journey" for this one (mom's birthday). 13 hours is a looong time to be in the saddle. Bring tunes - it was way too long for me to be alone inside my own head, lol. If you're riding "for the ride", which is always better IMO, you won't have as many random thoughts rattling around up there, you'll be enjoying the scenery more and hopefully thinking about that instead. Lastly, this time of year, make sure you have a thermometer somewhere on the bike, just in case we're hovering around the freeze-point. Nice to have an "ice alert" of sorts. Also, I wouldn't camp. Much as you might not "mind" the cold, your core is going to cool off during a long ride. Let your body warm back up at night - get a cheap room and sleep indoors, for health's sake. What parts do you need? I have to stop in later today, I can check stock for you... | ||
| Blublak |
I have a really great two day run posted at the H-D ride planner called 'MOUNTAIN MADNESS' - It's NOT a ride for this time of year due to the fact that some of the roads are serious mountain twisties, but perhaps for mid spring you could start planning it out. I've got a few others that could easily run that long or be part of an 'overall' trip, especially if you're running South. Let me know if I can help ya.. | ||
| Babired |
Bobby, offer on the bags stands for you too You can bring your bike over to my house and we'll see if they work for you. K | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Awesome thanks for the advice yall. I will be printing this out. Rat, as far as I know, right peg and I might need a new bar end. I might have to stop by a shop so they can tell exactly what I need, the hit and run the lady knocked the bike over and just the right side where the brake is looks a little bit bent, and feels bent when I drove it home. K- thank you for the offer. I might be stopping by after Friday since thats when I get paid. Unfortunetly I will be moving back to my parents house after the new years for monetary reasons but will still be back and forth ton Baltimore. I know its Christmas time so your probably busy as hell. If anyone knows where I can get some good routes that would be awesome. I found a website with biker friendly bars to I might plan out. Earliest I wanna go is late Feb, march, late march maybe will be the warmest/earliest. Blublak, defintley. I wanna see some scenery, meet some good biker folks and clear my head out solo style, thanks! Thank yall | ||
| Hooper |
I felt the itch recently too - there really is no other feeling than being out in the world on your own on a bike for a couple days. No one really knowing where you are or what you're doing. The only voice you hear is your own, except for the few businesses you stop in at or people you run into. Back in August (too long ago), I rode to work in Reston, VA on Friday, then, at the end of the day, started my weekend by riding to Winchester, VA for the night at the Wyndham George Washington Hotel. Really nice hotel and not expensive (probably even cheaper these days), newly renovated with a great restaurant and bar. The next morning I mapped out a random route on small roads zig-zagging west into WV, then southwest through the mountains, then over to Buena Vista and got on the Blue Ridge Parkway north to Charlottesville for another night (and restaurant and bar). The BRP was awesome, but I got there kind of late in the day and it was getting dark and rife with deer (I'd already hit one ealier this year). Add to that the numerous cops on the road, and it made for a long ride to Charlottesville. The next day I took small routes through Culpeper, stopping at various Civil War sites along the way, and finally back the the DC area and home. I found a few road recommendations, but I pretty much just used Google Maps with the satellite view to see which roads looked the most rural and twisty. I didn't really come to any bars or lunch stops that had bikes parked out front, so it was really just me and the road. My next one will be out to Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You've got some great roads out in Poolesville! (Message edited by Hooper on December 30, 2008) | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Heck ya, that sounds like a good route. Thats goin south right, down towards southern VA? I'm kinda afraid to ride around Virginia too much, if its like they say, VA cops hate Marylanders and MD cops hate Virginians! Being on a Firebolt I'll probably get attention real quick! The roads in Poolesville/outside are pretty nice, WAY too many deer. All the river line, Bealsville and Dickerson offer some good roads, not too many police either, and no pedestrians either. I might be going solo to Thunder in The Valley in Johnstown, PA in June if I don't find anyone else going up there by then. I would really like to ride out through West Virginia and maybe even Ohio. I love small towns. | ||
| Babired |
Bobby, in Virginia just stick to the back roads. I remember going to the INside Pass, Buell track day, with Ras we had our bikes loaded in a large white econo van from a rental company. On the way there, going down 81 I think we saw at least 12 state Police spread out miles just siting and watching the traffic while we were on 81. They make you nervous even when you're not breaking any laws. My way down to Va is 340 and hop on 11. The area of the Natural Bridge is excellent. Winchester HD dealer has a sandwich shop 340 will intersect route 7 Winchester. K | ||
| Thetable |
I've done several in the past (pre Buell for me). One of my favorites was a nice seven day trip down to the Dragon and back. I went with only a time frame and enough underwear to last me. I didn't do any tent camping, but I did end up in some really interesting places and met some really interesting people. I left from my house and took back roads to the Skyline Drive, followed that from beginning to end, then continued on to follow the Blue Ridge Parkway to the end and into Cherokee. It ended up taking me three days from end to end, but I went with the vow that I wouldn't rush anything. I went with no map and no GPS, and that actually worked out far better than I could have ever imagined because it forced me to talk to people and get lost. I can't remember the exact line from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, but I know there is one talking about shallow people going solely for the destination as opposed to the journey. I met quite a few interesting and great people on the way. I had to ask for directions many times, but quite often conversations would ensue that I can still remember. I forced myself to interact with people whom I would probably never meet under any other circumstances. Everywhere I stayed was definitely unique. I stayed at one motel right off the parkway at the suggestion of someone manning a little convenience type store. It looked like it was a remnant of the late 50's, complete with neon lighting and rabbit ears on the TV. Hell, the TV was so old that it had knobs. I know I'm telling my age a little bit here, but seriously how long has it been since you've seen a a TV without a remote? The bed was real, not some metal box store fake wood frame, but a real bed that actually felt like it had been in service for more than 30 years. Man I gotta dig up pictures to even try to do the place justice, or maybe I shouldn't, maybe it was only so great in my mind. I could really go on for pages talking about my trip and the people I met, but I will save that for another time. Suffice to say, definitely one of my top experiences in life. Funny side bar, met a guy with a broken down car, stopped to try to help the guy, but he already had a tow truck on the way. Ah the funny thing, he was a rider who had gone down and couldn't ride anymore although he still had the passion, and he was running sweeper for a group of his fellow riders. Yeah, and now that I read the question again, ah weekend, I don't know what your range is or your thermal tolerance is, but I will map out a route that have taken a few times. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Barb, thanks for the info! I didn't know yall had Buell track days, I'm gonna look up some more about that. Table, that sounds awesome! Just what I was hoping for. I'm still waiting for a good time, its been getting icy latley though so I'm kinda scared. As far as thermal stuff, I was born and raised in maryland, in 22 years I've gotten used to our crazy cold winters and hot as hell summers. I rode my bike up until early december, and every once in a while for short trips around Baltimore and the neighborhood. I know things aren't as cool as Easy Rider days, I guess I can't camp anywhere I want and gotta watch myself but I'm pretty "street wise" i guess you would say. Hoping to find some nice down to earth folks when i go out though. Taking a solo journey is something everyones gotta do. | ||
| Thetable |
This is a route I will do in some form or another a couple times during the summer. I do tend to modify it a little bit depending on daylight available and progress, but figuring you are coming from a little further out, and it's winter, would make for a decent weekend ride. Most of the roads are fairly well maintained, but go ahead and figure on salt and gravel being at the most inconvenient spots. | ||
| Smiley1eye |
I did a haul last summer. Left Maryland early in the morning. Went up to Homecoming, then wandered down to Missouri and spent 4th of July shooting firecrackers with the kids. Cruised on down to the Ozarks and then made my way to the Dragon. Up through Virgina and home. About 2,500 miles. 14 states. Did it all solo on a bike. (Had Ratbuell roll with me in his truck up to Homecoming) Turned out to be one of the best things I've every done, and it won't be the last. I've already turned my eyes to further and more far-reaching trips.  | ||
| Smiley1eye |
 A pic of the rig I rode. This is Ratbuells front yard. But the setup worked out so well, there was little to no repacking on the way. Ventura rack with 51L bag, compression sack with sleeping bag, tent and foam pad in the roll, spare fuel (which only got used once). Tank bag that held most of the stuff I wanted to keep handy. Took 4 days worth of clothes and washed em when I got a chance. Waterproofed it all with garbage bags (I'm high class. But it's not dumb if it works!) Put some new rubber on it right before I left. Took some basic tools that I thought I'd need. (Had to do an emergency repair to a primary cover along the way.) Other than that, it was me and the road. | ||
| Smiley1eye |
Ahh summer. Once again I find myself with a pocket full of money and nary a thought in my brain. Which is how I came up with my next solo feat: I'm riding to Long Beach, CA for lunch. Not a big deal? Well, I live in MD, and I have to make it back here by August 1st. Now, I do have a few other stops planned, but for the most part, I just want to ride. THE PLAN: 1. Get on bike. 2. Head west. 3. Go until I run into the Pacific. 4. Have lunch. 5. Turn around. 6. Arrive at home. 7. Get off bike. She's all packed up and just waiting for me. Shhhh! Did you hear that? It's the open road, it's calling me. I go!  | ||
| Hooper |
Lucky b*astard. I'm having trouble taking long solo trips now that I'm newly married - I've got tons of vacation and my wife has none, so she gets upset at the thought of me out having fun by myself in interesting places. I have a Nova Scotia week all planned out and just waiting on the shelf for the time when I finally just say, "See ya' honey...I'll ride safe and be back in a week!" | ||
| Thunderstruck |
Hooper, the key words are "newly married". You have to set a precedent early in the marriage that there are times when you have to do what you love to do in order to be happy and feel that Man Freedom. I have friends that have bent over backwards for 20 years. Expectations have been set and now it's just "how high would you like me to jump honey". By the way, I'm not married so you may not want to take my advice  | ||
| Hooper |
Believe me, she knows these trips are coming - I'm just trying to be respectful while we merge two homes into one, unpack, and get through the obligatory summer family visits. We're headed to Maine next month to visit my family for a week, but she can only stay a few days. I think I'm going to tack on a 3-day trip from there to Quebec after she heads back home. I better get home and keep unpacking! | ||
| Smiley1eye |
Ok,here we go! The rig the day I left MD: <img> | ||
| Smiley1eye |
I have the worst time with posting pics! Help here would be apreciated! Andin return, you'll all get to share mymisfortunes! Yay you! | ||
| Hooper |
Basically, you have shrink the photos. I open the photo in MS Office Picture Manager, click Edit Pictures, click Compress Pictures, click Web Pages, click OK, then click File Save As another file name to make sure I don't alter the original file. I then upload that new photo. Other folks have a better idea of how to increase the resolution, but this works for me now. Bring the adventure! | ||
| Smiley1eye |
OK here goes: As I write this I'm already past my halfway point. And I'm on the crappiest little laptop in the world. The keys are really small & the spacebar only works sometimes. So if my descriptions are short, its a pain to type. First off this is just a "there & back" trip. Theres alot Iwould do different if I had more time. But I'll sharewhat I have. | ||
| Smiley1eye |
<img> | ||
| Smiley1eye |
OK,due to my inability to work this forum properly, Im going to have to refer you HERE: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49 0510 | ||
| Babired |
Nice Eric! | ||
| Bike_pilot |
I've done a bunch of solo trips, I like them a lot and have done everything from day trips to 2-month trips so far. Would go longer, but work, fiances, etc. I've only done a write-up for two of the trips so far, both on adv. I'll be riding my new-to-me Uly home from Boston this Saturday. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?s=7f2c19 40207899ca397fde7abdf1509c&t=507038 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36 7703 I've also done the odd jaunt to/from Boston/DC and DC/Toronto/Oshkosh, mostly on the TLS. |
