I've got the itch

[DimitriT]

No not that itch..

The itch to do some long rides. A friend at work just came back from a ride out to San Diego. I was really jealous. Last year he finally got his kid to move out so now he is relatively a free man.

My kids are 14 and 16.

But I've got my 50th birthday coming up next year and I'm thinking about asking for a pass to ride down to Florida. I don't know when or how. Or on what. But I have a year to plan it.

My preference is to do it adventure-style. Camping in parks. Avoiding the highways. I've been up and down I95 a few times in the car so that's not appealing at all.

 

[kerrfunk]

I don't know where you are, but I'm a mile from Interstate 64 (exit 18) in WV and if you're passing through I'd buy you coffee or tacos or something.

 

[Wingsconsin]

Here is a little something to help you scratch the itch ...

I wrote about an Iron Butt ride I did (My first - a SS1000) --

Read "All the way to the Water" blog posts - Day 1 is the 1000 mile day.

http://neverlost-justexploring.blogspot.com/

 

[storm 64]

I also have the itch to get back on the road again. Two years ago I went on a 3,000 mile road trip to Colorado, I had a really fun time. This year I'm thinking about visiting my cousins in Arizona. I'd leave Sunday morning after the Brown County Rally and head south towards Lafayette Louisiana. From there ride across Texas to Tucson. I'm planning on taking two weeks maybe more depending on the weather. The Colorado trip I rode my 850G and what a fine touring motorcycle it is. This year I'm thinking about taking the 1000e. The extra horsepower I think will be beneficial getting across Texas

 

[Guest]

Doing a motorcycle trip solo is a unique experience, especially when you tent. I'd recommend it to anyone. I enjoy doing it with no detailed road plan either, just make it up as I go. I think the most important planning detail is making sure your bike is road tested for the trip.

 

[Sandy]

Doing a motorcycle trip solo is a unique experience, especially when you tent. I'd recommend it to anyone. I enjoy doing it with no detailed road plan either, just make it up as I go. I think the most important planning detail is making sure your bike is road tested for the trip.

What he said. Not only test your bike though, but your camping gear as well if you haven't camped in a while. Then just get out and do it.

 

[TxGSrider]

What he said. Not only test your bike though, but your camping gear as well if you haven't camped in a while. Then just get out and do it.

I'm not sure where id store a tent on my bike. I think I'd be staying in KOA's allot...in a cabin.

 

[DimitriT]

I'm thinking of putting side cases on the gw250 and using that.

I know it's crazy. A 250! But for the roads I am thinking about it should be ok.

I've been riding it for a year and I think it will do the job. I will be installing a waterproof USB charging outlet on it.

I have a 2 man dome tent which is pretty easy to setup and which I consider to be a 4 season tent. Very sturdy.

I have an inflatable pad which folds up to almost nothing and I will be looking for a medium sleeping bag.

I have rain gear but its too bulky. I'll be looking for something lighter weight. If its raining for an extended period I'll probably be in the tent.

I don't care how many miles per day I will do. If I do 300 miles per day but enjoy the ride that's fine.

I want to take the roads through Virginia/W. Virginia and the western parts of the Carolinas and Georgia. Looks like there's lots of parks to camp in and hike around.

I'm thinking a 2 week trip. Leave a little time for visiting friends and sightseeing.

I think I'd do it in the fall or early December, next year.

 

[Guest]

Tuesday I spent several hours on Rt 395 down through CT (going down to Westerly RI and the beaches) and another several hours on RT 95 back thru RI.

Pretty much the only super slabs I've done this season and I've done about 30K on the FZ1 this year.

I only bring it up because it reminded me how little I like being on them, no joy.

I've been cross country three times, shipping my bike to LA and riding it back. About 10K miles each time going west to east. Typically 3 week duration.

If you haven't seen the country I highly recommend it , however I've done enough of the flat lands to diminish my itch to do them again.

My dream trip would start in the Flag Staff area and would zig zag back and forth over the Rockies till I reached Jasper NP in Canada. Then back south on the coast and Rt. 1. Stay mostly in hotels and take as little gear and clothes as possible. Buy new clothes every several days and mail the dirty ones home.

My main reason for doing it would enjoying the roads and its difficult to do that when the bike is loaded like a mule.

Bottom line from my perspective is do as few Hwys as possible.

 

[Guest]

There is a book written by Simon Gandolfi entitled " Old man on a bike" His ride is a 125cc Honda. He has never ridden a bike before and it chronicles his journey from New York to Tierra del Fuego through 13 countries. Interesting read.

 

[DaveR]

Doing a motorcycle trip solo is a unique experience, especially when you tent. I'd recommend it to anyone. I enjoy doing it with no detailed road plan either, just make it up as I go. I think the most important planning detail is making sure your bike is road tested for the trip.

Good advice Azr. Solo is an intensely personal experience. Travelling alone gives maximum freedom in making decisions on where and when to stop or go. It also forces one to interact with people along the way, unlike traveling with a group which usually means the social bubble group is carried along. Travelling alone, for this older guy, is less intimidating to people along the way as opposed to travelling with a gang, and I found that at nearly every stop someone would come over and start a conversation. It often started with "I used to have a bike like that.."

I've taken the 6000 km. round trip to southern Ontario from Sk. three of the last 4 summers to visit elderly ailing family, camping in provincial parks every night, except for that rainy one in Dryden. There are peak experiences on each I'll never forget. Do it Dimitri.

 

[Sandy]

Good advice Azr. Solo is an intensely personal experience. Travelling alone gives maximum freedom in making decisions on where and when to stop or go. It also forces one to interact with people along the way, unlike traveling with a group which usually means the social bubble group is carried along. Travelling alone, for this older guy, is less intimidating to people along the way as opposed to travelling with a gang, and I found that at nearly every stop someone would come over and start a conversation. It often started with "I used to have a bike like that.."

I've taken the 6000 km. round trip to southern Ontario from Sk. three of the last 4 summers to visit elderly ailing family, camping in provincial parks every night, except for that rainy one in Dryden. There are peak experiences on each I'll never forget. Do it Dmitri.

AZR and you couldn't have said it better. Most of my trips are solo for those exact reasons. Set your own pace be it a long mile day or just a sight-seeing day. The rallies are a hoot and enjoy them thoroughly but for longer trips traveling solo seems to work best. I've got a core group of a couple people of ridden with for decades I'll do trips with that are of the same mind set and travel with them occasionally but you sure have pick your traveling companion wisely. It can really make or break a trip.

 

[dorkburger]

Add me to the list of those who hope to eventually do a multi week ride.
I would have mixed feelings on solo vs not. Great matched riding partner could be good also. As noted, the benefits of solo and the total freedom it offers are great. Plus I'm, at times, my own best company often not feeling the need for a lot of fellow human interaction.

BUT... some of my best trips in my young adulthood were solo, usually involving a long weekend in an old car or on an old bike. Looking back 20 plus years later, I have absolutely no one to reminisce with about those great times.
Contrast that to the trip I took with my friend- around the country in a 66 ElCamino over 3 weeks. we rarely see each other, but memories of the trip are usually brought up. it allows me to relive it in a different and shared way.

Dimitri, I hope you get to take your trip. Good luck.

 

[storm 64]

I travel solo, I wouldn't mind traveling with someone else. I just don't have anyone to travel with. I'm a hotel person, I don't do the camping thing. I've tried camping it just never was that great. The one time I camped, I found a nice spot to set up the tent. I set my helmet on the ground, unpacked the motorcycle, set up the tent... I decided to go into town for dinner. I put my helmet on and it was full of ANTS! If I think about it even today I can still feel them wondering around my head. After getting a lousy night sleep I woke up sweating to about 90 degrees inside my tent. So, when I'm on the road give me a nice hotel room with a nice bed and air conditioning. After getting settled in my hotel room, I go out looking for local restaurants for dinner. Have a good meal a few beers and then a good night sleep and I'm ready for another day of riding

 

[indybob]

I did a solo ride last summer from Indianapolis thru Illinois, northeast Iowa and up into Wisconsin. Took it easy, stayed in motels along the way but meandered along when and where I wanted. Was gone for 7 days. Met interesting people along the way. Tried to eat at Mom and Pop local restaurants and have whatever local beers might be available at the end of the day. Terrific time and hope to do at least one solo and more long distant trips each year. Highly recommended! Changed my job where I will have most of the summer free.

Bob

 

[limeex2]

Ive done trips with and with out friends. Camped and hoteled it. Its all good as long as you have wind in your face. This year I made my second trip to Colorado and then added in the 4 corners area of the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce and countless others. This time I rode with a high school friend(I'm 58) who had 40k on his Concourse and it had never been out of Mn/Wi. Took back roads from Mn and didnt hit a stop light until southern Co. That area is absolutely stunning with amazing roads. Riding alone forces you to meet people and interact with total strangers. Everyone has always been friendly, think that I must be superman for attempting my Journey. When I ride my Triumph, the first comment is "I had a Triumph in high school" and the conversations go from there.

Fall riding is my favorite time of the year. Less heat, bugs, tourists and beautiful fall colors and much easier to see deer. But when the weather turns it can turn really hard and for me if its going to turn into a adventure I would rather be warm and dry.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Tuesday I spent several hours on Rt 395 down through CT (going down to Westerly RI and the beaches) and another several hours on RT 95 back thru RI.

Pretty much the only super slabs I've done this season and I've done about 30K on the FZ1 this year.

I only bring it up because it reminded me how little I like being on them, no joy.

I've been cross country three times, shipping my bike to LA and riding it back. About 10K miles each time going west to east. Typically 3 week duration.

If you haven't seen the country I highly recommend it , however I've done enough of the flat lands to diminish my itch to do them again.

My dream trip would start in the Flag Staff area and would zig zag back and forth over the Rockies till I reached Jasper NP in Canada. Then back south on the coast and Rt. 1. Stay mostly in hotels and take as little gear and clothes as possible. Buy new clothes every several days and mail the dirty ones home.

My main reason for doing it would enjoying the roads and its difficult to do that when the bike is loaded like a mule.

Bottom line from my perspective is do as few Hwys as possible.

It's pretty easy to pack light enough to use only one dry bag.

 

[Guest]

It's pretty easy to pack light enough to use only one dry bag.

My thinking is your going to buy souvenir T-shirts along the way so just send the old stuff home (dirty).

Laundry matts, cooking, and doing dishes is not part of my ideal Moto vacation.

I like camping and have world class ultra light, light, and medium weight camping gear but unless you're just doing a hammock and sleeping bag you're still going to end up with 25 lbs of sleeping stuff and another 25 lbs of clothes and other essentials. Throw in a significant other and you've got a full boat.

If I was going the camping route I would be more inclined to do a Sprinter Type van with the bike inside or on a trailer, then my wife could do her share of driving along the boring roads.

 

[Sandy]

This is my long haul touring configuration. Looks cumbersome but with all bags full they weigh a total of about 60- 65 lbs. In this config I can basically travel and camp indefinitely with laundry about once a week. Between a lot of backpacking and canoe touring over the years I've accumulated some pretty good, compact and light gear and can camp quite comfortably up to slightly sub freezing temps. Some might find it weird but I would take camping over motel travel any day. I really do hate motels, constantly eating in restaurants and the time wasted in doing it. The daily routine actually starts the night before by filling with gas and grabbing something like a muffin, fruit or maybe some juice for the morning before I head for camp. In the morning make some coffee and eat while breaking camp and hit the road with a full tank of gas. I usually stop at a mom and pop type restaurant for lunch and a coffee around midday and that would usually be the big meal for the day. Supper I'd usually grab a couple of beer and something takeout along with the breakfast stuff and head for camp and enjoy a leisurely evening at camp, maybe go for short hike, walk, swim, maybe even a ride, whatever. Works for me. Longest trip was way back in 1981, 6 weeks, 16,000 kms across Canada all 10 provinces. I did cheat and stay with friends or relatives along the way every few days though. However, the GS1000 does make a much better mule and is way more comfy. Life's supposed to be an adventure. Motel or camp which ever you prefer but go do it. I've done lot's of cool stuff but my biggest regret is still looking back on stuff I could have done and should have done but didn't.

 

[DimitriT]

Sandy, that's a great post. Six weeks! Wow.

I broached the subject with the wife and it did not get summarily executed. Mentioned that it would make a great 50th birthday present for me.

She did look a little taken back when I said that I would be going solo. Made me reconsider. The problem is she is not the adventurous type at all. Never camped out. Her idea of camping is not having AC.

I'll have to think it over a bit.

Sandy, when you were on the road did you plan out your campsite stops ahead of time or just looked on a map? I wonder if there are any moto-friendly campsites along the Appalachians. Something I need to research.

Originally I thought this would be a fall/winter trip. Honestly I just hate bugs. But now I think it would be great to have the extra daylight so I could ride most of the day, setup camp around 4:00 PM, and then still have some time to explore.