| Author | Message | ||
     Nillaice |
Hey all recently i got a wild hair up my rear and I'm looking at riding my 07 Uly from VA across the southern states to CA and then up the coast to OR with a final return trip thru northern IL. I'll have about a week to get to OR, be spending a week there and then have another week to get back. i think that will allow me enough time to make a few stops along the way. I'd like to get some input (hopefully from those who are knowledgeable or have done long distance runs) on ... well, pretty much everything. i know piglet posted up here adventure thread on here a while back ... 1.Preparation and practices. how many miles i could expect to log in a days travel, should i darkside it or just buy a new tire wherever i happen to be when it wears bald? , and any practices to avoid. 2.gear,parts,gadgets and gizmos i'm looking beyond the basics (belt, bearings, and spare key) 3.routes. I plan on taking Hwy 5 up the CA coast and US-33 again on the way back thru WV/VA. other than that it's a blank canvas. 4.Pit stops. I have some family and friends a few destinations and some old stomping grounds in mind, but don't have my heart set on anything else. 5.anything else thanks in advance! | ||
| Zac4mac |
Matt If you find yourself near Denver towards the end of the day - I've got a spare room and bed... beer in the fridge. Might even take some time off for a ride in the twisties.  Z | ||
| Baybueller |
Nillaice, I5 in Ca. is not near the coast for the most part. I live near 5 60 miles east of San Fran. Have a place to stay if you are in the area. | ||
| Nillaice |
you're right. i meant hwy 1. and you guys are awesome!  but i just might take you up on those offers ... | ||
| Dr_greg |
Ditto if you come thru Albuquerque. --Doc | ||
| Tastroman |
To OR in one week, that's going to be some big mile days. Have fun!! | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I would mount a set of those multi compound street tires for a trip like this. (pr3's?) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE | ||
| Nillaice |
I'd take more time off work if I had the seniority/vacation. I know its gonna ge a squeeze to get there and back, but I figure ill just get to Oregon later and then leave early if I have to. Nothing is set in stone. This thread is the first tangible step I've taken for this adventure. I usually work 12 hours shifts, so I figure I can mentally manage 8-10 hours in the saddle and average 60 mph taking state routes and highways. im sure ill find myself stopping at a massage clinic or 6 along the way. And yes, i thought this would be a cool handle in 07. ... It's grown on me. | ||
| Ourdee |
I always plan on 50 miles an hour average for bike trips. I don't ride slow. Print out a copy of the BRAN. Your kinda stuck with the handle now. Start printing out mapquest style directions for each start to stop point for each day. Don't set it in stone, but it will give you an idea of what you have to do. | ||
| Teeps |
When are you going to do this ride? I would advise against traveling I-5, in the summer, through central CA. It's over 300 miles of nothing to see but fields and some cattle. And, it's hotter than hell!!! Highway 1 along the coast, though much slower, has some of the most beautiful scenery in CA. If you're in Torrance, while I can't offer a bed, I can offer a pit stop for the bike. Oil change, etc. | ||
| Red450 |
If you come through Indy, I can offer you a pit stop as well. | ||
| Yo_barry |
This has worked good for me... leave motel around 7:00am (after coffee.) Ride about 100 miles, stop for breakfast. Then ride steady between gas stops eating snacks at gas stations. Usually find a place to stay around 5:00 pm, do the shower, shave thing then get something good to eat. The late breakfast plus some snacks along the way keep you on the road without lunch. I think you could expect 400-500 miles per day. My favorite roads -- H12 in Utah, H12 across the panhandle of Idaho. I'm in Hollister, CA not far from Monterey. I've got a bed, tools, garage if you need a service at that point. Barry | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
I'm in Boise,Idaho. If you have issues,or need a place to stop,I'll do what I can to help. | ||
| Prior |
When I did my CA to Newfoundland trip, the goal every morning was to have a tank of gas gone in the M2 before I stopped for breakfast. Time the morning's first gas stop with your first break, rather than get up, sit and have breakfast and then ride. sort of killing two birds with one stone. My evening ritual was to pull in to the motel or campsite, unpack a little, go fuel up, grab a 6 pack and see where dinner was for the night. Then, you're ready to roll in the morning and can relax that evening without needing to go back out for anything. A cross country haul isn't all that bad, just need to be regimented in what you do and stick to a schedule and plan (somewhat- sometimes no plan is the best adventure) Prior | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I know that covering so many miles per day seems like the way to go since time is always the big constraint. Every time I've hauled through areas I've never been through before I always regret not stopping and enjoying what these places have to offer other than the very small view from whatever road I'm on. For instance, I really hate blowing by all those historical markers folks have taken the time and effort to erect along secondary roadways. The ones I have stopped to read have almost always been worth the time spent to read. The history of our country is well worth knowing and each area does have a history. Just sayin. Stop and smell the roses. The trip can be way, way more memorable if all points in between are savored along the way. So much to see along the way. | ||
| Uly_man |
Very true. This sort of thing is, for me, about the ride and not the destination. Its just me but this is what I found works good. Start early and finish early. Try and plan your sleep points because it is easy to get caught out. Eat well but light and often. Do not over do the beer at night as it can ruin the next day. Stop plenty and drink LOTS of water. A flask works great. Travel light if you can. Chain your bike overnight, to a post or other, and check it over before you start your days run. Carry a credit card but also cash and the right documents for the places you are going to. Learn and understand the road rules of those places and if you get pulled by the cops just "be easy" and smile lots. How you like to tour depends on the person. That you will find once you have done one. I have done a few but my next one will be with NO PLAN, a wade of cash and a point on the compass to head for and see what happens. Have fun. | ||
| Dmcutter |
I rode from NC to Mt Rushmore and back in a week, about 3800 miles, back in July 07 (but it was on my ZX10R, not my 06 Uly, d'oh). Many days were 600 miles. Scenic Rte 2 across Nebraska was probably the best afternoon of riding in my life. I had my mp3 player on shuffle to help pass the time and wore a Camelbak-being able to drink any time I wanted was invaluable, especially on 90+ degree days and wearing all black riding gear. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Take rain gear for the ride from San Fran to southern Oregon if you take Hwy 1. If you're heading north on the left coast, ride Hwy 1 every chance you get. I took a 5k mile trip in '87 thru there. 5 weeks, $5k. CO-UT-AZ -CA-OR-WA-BC-WA-ID-MT-WY-CO. Best scenery was N. Cal to S. Oregon on Hwy 1 and the Grand Tetons. Z | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Dmcutter, I've ridden 2 both ways across NE many a time. Very few cars out in western NE and that is the way I like it. | ||
| Dmcutter |
We were riding east to west and the only traffic we saw was a couple of Goldwings heading east and a truck that passed us when we stopped so I could take a picture of some interesting clouds and pick up a Leatherman Micro lying by the side of the road. I can't remember the last time I felt so at peace as on that stretch of road. The next day we rode from Alliance (don't miss Carhenge!) up 385 to 87 (I think) and hit the Custer National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt Rushmore, Wall Drug, Badlands National Park, and finally ended up in Murdo. That was probably the most epic day of riding in my life. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Carhenge is pretty neat but Alliance is kinda an ugly looking town. Next time, take a road north off 2 and it really gets desolate. Pick one that has many sand hill lakes nearby and you'll really think you've gone back in time. | ||
| Dmcutter |
The roads we took north were pretty desolate...I opened it up on one stretch and hit 142. I was astonished by the land along 2. I had been expecting flat, straight roads and corn fields like Indiana and the sand hills and sinuous road really surprised me. Can't say that I was really impressed with Alliance but at least they had a motel. Ugliest town I saw on that trip was Cairo, Illinois. Reminded me of pictures of dustbowl towns in the Depression. I made sure I never even went the speed limit-that was the LAST place I wanted to run into a speed trap. | ||
| Ronaldo |
So many roads and so little time, right ? You'll get your mileage figured out - where to stay, etc.- Aim for a few "riding roads" to make the trip worth it. - If time permits - GTTS road in Glacier Park - Beartooth ( absolutely the best- Route 14 thru the Bighorn Mtns.- The Black Hills, The Badlands. You will be inspired - It is Big Sky country. Eventually you gotta get across the plains. Those are the high mileage days. Get pumped up - it's a great country | ||
| Luftkoph |
Sshhh! Quit talking about Nebraska remember its flat and just cornfields. | ||
| Kenm123t |
Rain makes Corn Corn makes Whiskey You can figure out the rest ! | ||
| Tootal |
Boy Uly_man, you scared me for a second! I thought you said, "Do not do the beer at night." I went back to reread it and sure enough, you said not to "over do" the beer. Whew! you had me upset for a second!!  I'm in agreement with those who said to leave early after coffee, "and it's effects!" Bikes at 7:00 is the evenings last words! Ride for an hour or so and find breakfast. Wait till around 2:00 for lunch since most places are empty at that point and there is no wait. Ride till around 5:00 and start looking for a room or campground. If you're making time motels are quick and dry. Wash off the road dirt and go find dinner and a beer. Toast a great days ride and relax. Bikes at 7:00! | ||
| 46champ |
Where are you staying in Oregon? When is this epic adventure going to happen? | ||
| Djohnk |
Take a extra rear muffler clamp. I have had that break on me on a trip, it was a hassle not having a spare. | ||
| Firstbuell |
Tuono Joice & I have a spare bed & an open garage slot awaiting your arrival in SF Bay Area | ||
| Nillaice |
i like the 'burn a tank of gas before breakfast' plan. it seems logical and i would expect great success with it but here's the thing; dinsey world is on the table too and it's looking like a 'one or the other' deal. more to come on that as the story progresses | ||
| Luftkoph |
I don't know nillaice, disney may be nice,but a trip around the continent will be unforgettable,I've done both,I left Mineral Va. in mid june of 78 on my gs550 suzuki and didn't get back to Va.till mid Sept. When I was a kid then came bronson was what I wanted to do so at the ripe ole age of 21 I did it,disney sort of a fuzzy forgotten image ymmv | ||
| Madduck |
To make really long distances, do not start the day by riding into the sun. Really fatiguing and can really drag down the mileage. When going east start a little later and or bear north or south a little first. When going west start earlier and pick mealtimes by sun position. When out west do not ride with the wildlife at dusk. Midwest also. | ||
| Nillaice |
NEW PLAN : ride to straight to Oregon and fly back. No detour up the CA coast. There will be time for that later. No definite time frame, but I should be leaving as soon as I get finished with my check list. I will be picking up my ball cap I left at gramma's house in IL last year, and ill have an open bed and a hot meal waiting for me when I get 'over that muddy river and thru the woods'. Other than that; I have no scheduled stops, but will be attempting to pace my self at 500 miles a day. I just might be calling in on those offers I've received and any more that i happen to receive. The folks on here are top-notch!!! |
