2008 cross country trip

[cota95]

I'm planning a solo cross country trip next May and any suggestions/comments about the route I have chosen would be appreciated. I have attached a Garmin gbd file of the route for anyone that uses that software. The only thing that is in stone is that I need to go thru Chattanuga TN to attend a world trials competition. I will attempt to get some screenshots posted for other folks.

Thanks

https://putstuff.putfile.com/91609/8346613

 

[WVFJR]

I'm in the early stages of planning a cross country ride myself for next year. I'm going to have 9 days to go out in back. Still working the logistics. First time ever for that long of a trip. Longest so far was 1686 miles in 4 days on a 1990 VX800. :yahoo:

 

[cota95]

I'm in the early stages of planning a cross country ride myself for next year. I'm going to have 9 days to go out in back. Still working the logistics. First time ever for that long of a trip. Longest so far was 1686 miles in 4 days on a 1990 VX800. :yahoo:

Wow, 9 days is really short. I'm figuring on about 7600 miles and 3-4 weeks. I just did a 2600 mile trip to the Dragon last month (7days).

 

[WVFJR]

If I can talk the SO to give up the other 9 days of vacation I'll have 18 days. I've always wanted to do it so I'm going to do as much as I can. I'm figuring 700+ miles a day. If I get tired I'll just turn and burn for home.

 

[cota95]

My highest single day is 550 miles (don't laugh iron butt guys), which was enough for me. I'd also like to see more than semis on the trip so I hope to incorporate slab and back roads.

 

[WVFJR]

My plan is to site see on the trip out. 2 lane and things of interest. Then hammer home on the slab. It's still early in the planning now if things don't work out to do the whole trip I'll go as far as I can. A year to get there is going to hard to wait for.

 

[cota95]

A year to get there is going to hard to wait for.

I know what you mean. I'm ready to go now!!!!

 

[boogahboogah]

Last year did the ride to WFO at Reno, then over to the Kali coast above San Fran, back over to Colorado to see my dad, then home. Lots of riding. My riding buddy wasn't comfortable with night riding, which really put a crimp in the ride logistics. Myself, I would've rather really burned butt for a few days & got someplace, but we were limited by his night vision ( or lack thereof ). Still, a great ride, good scenery, lots of nice folks at WFO, wonderful Kali coast, and more corn that I have ever seen in my entire life...

Make sure your seat is good for the ride before you leave. Take ( & keep filled ) an extra bottle of water. An evaporative vest ( or a constantly wet tshirt ) is necessary in the hot desert flatlands. Tire repair goodies keep you from having tire problems. Have fun !

 

[cota95]

Here is some images of my cross country trip as I now have mapped it. Any and all suggestions would be looked at...

I will be riding from RI to Chattanuga to attend a world motorcycle trials event to be held on 4/28-2/29 and be leaving from there on a Monday morning...

 

[rogdeb]

I see a leg through sacramento, CA. on up to South Lake on Hwy 50. There's more than a few of us in this area who could lunch/ride/dinner with you. Just thought I'd throw that out for ya.

 

[cota95]

I see a leg through sacramento, CA. on up to South Lake on Hwy 50. There's more than a few of us in this area who could lunch/ride/dinner with you. Just thought I'd throw that out for ya.

Sounds great! Since I'm going alone a little company would be good. How is the route I picked from SF? I'm going strickly from looking at the mapping software and don't have any idea if it is crap (strip mall to strip mall). I figured that I would adjust while under way but local advice is way better.

 

[rogdeb]

Looks like you're coming in to the SF Bay Area on 580, checking out the Golden Gate Bridge, and heading out east on 80 ??

All heavy traffic freeways. You want some good local advice on entering and exiting San Fran, fire off a pm to James Burliegh (Hans), he rides and works that area daily.

Let us know when you're expecting to be in Sacramento -- I'll pm my phone #'s to you.

Roger

 

[Sully1300]

I'm planning a solo cross country trip next May and any suggestions/comments about the route I have chosen would be appreciated. I have attached a Garmin gbd file of the route for anyone that uses that software. The only thing that is in stone is that I need to go thru Chattanuga TN to attend a world trials competition. I will attempt to get some screenshots posted for other folks.

Thanks

This looks like an incredible adventure! Enjoy taking it all in.

It looks like you are going through Chattanooga, TN then heading north through Knoxville. Man, do yourself a favor and head east on 64 out of Chattanooga to 19 into Cherokee, NC (where the Blue Ridge Pkwy starts). It looks like your going through Roanoke, V, well, so does the BRP. You've go an opportunity to catch the entire BRP and even the Skyline Pkwy in Virginia when the BRP changes. If you haven't done the BRP, it is a must. I couldn't tell from your map and I apologize if I missed it in your thread but if you are heading south out of RI then reverse these directions. This will add significant time to your route because of the BRP 45 mph (55 really) speed limit, but, again, it's worth it.

Have fun.

 

[weekend rider]

Cota95: Let me run this buy you about your trip so you can get the most out of it in 9 days. Since you have traveled most of the area or familiar with the area you live in an neighboring areas,why not skip that part and start at a destanation else where.

Why not plan your trip from the west coast say from Sacramento and than chose a route back and with out having to put in 700 mile days. this way you will be able to enjoy the scenery and you can chose more specfic points to spend more time at.

I want to go to the east coast in a couple of years and ride back there. So this is what I have decided to do. I am going to make arrangements to have my bike shipped back there and start my ride from there and work my way back to Calif. This way I gain about three days . Just think of this as an option. If you need a destanation to ship your bike and to be picked up at the air port I will make the offer to you if you want to consider. The air port is only 15 miles from my house. Also others riders out may want to visit with you also ,it will give you a chance to socialize with the west coast year round riders.

Pm me if you want to discuss this further. I hope you see what the goal is to max your time.

weekend rider

 

[cota95]

Sully,

I've done the Blue Ridge a couple of times, last there in May. I see from your avitar that you've been to Shady Valley which I hit in May and at EOM last year. I am heading south from RI and attending a world trials event outside Chattanooga in late April so I figured that I'd slab it down to there since I have ridden aound there a couple of times. Keep the suggestions coming...

 

[cota95]

Cota95: Let me run this buy you about your trip so you can get the most out of it in 9 days. Since you have traveled most of the area or familiar with the area you live in an neighboring areas,why not skip that part and start at a destanation else where.
Why not plan your trip from the west coast say from Sacramento and than chose a route back and with out having to put in 700 mile days. this way you will be able to enjoy the scenery and you can chose more specfic points to spend more time at.

I want to go to the east coast in a couple of years and ride back there. So this is what I have decided to do. I am going to make arrangements to have my bike shipped back there and start my ride from there and work my way back to Calif. This way I gain about three days . Just think of this as an option. If you need a destanation to ship your bike and to be picked up at the air port I will make the offer to you if you want to consider. The air port is only 15 miles from my house. Also others riders out may want to visit with you also ,it will give you a chance to socialize with the west coast year round riders.

Pm me if you want to discuss this further. I hope you see what the goal is to max your time.

weekend rider

I am open ended on trip time. I figured 21-28 days, so I will have time to smell the roses along the way! I plan on slabbing thru the area that I have ridden before, which is to Chattanooga, where I will have about 4 days with friends watching a world trials event and then the adventure will begin. Total mileage as now configured is 7396 miles. Keep me in mind if you need a receiver for your machine in the future. RI is good place to start from!

 

[weekend rider]

Thanks for the offer cota, when I getnear the that time will give you plenty of notice. Enjoy the trials they are awwesome to see. They had tthem here in Ca down the road a couple years back

 

[Kevin Daly]

If I can talk the SO to give up the other 9 days of vacation I'll have 18 days. I've always wanted to do it so I'm going to do as much as I can. I'm figuring 700+ miles a day. If I get tired I'll just turn and burn for home.

Maybe she doesnt have to give anything up. Maybe she could fly out with the kids to meet you. Find an airport somewhere along the way that is cheap to get to from Pitt or columbus OH

Alternatively she could drive to meet you...

 

[boogahboogah]

That part of the ride up in Ontario will be nice. Rode up there a few years ago & would like to go back sometime. Some hills, lakes, good scenery, nice people, and a passing lane every 3-5 miles...