California to Virginia

[squidbilly]

Next week I will leave on my first long-distance ride to the right coast. From Temecula, CA to Dahlgren VA. I commute about 140 miles a day and have been for the last year or so but I've never done a trip longer than about 4 hours.

Since this trip is about business more than pleasure I have to be there by Saturday June 13 and was planning on leaving on the 8th, giving me 5 days to make the trip. The total distance is 2600 miles and I'm wondering if 500-600 miles a day is a good plan or if I should give myself more time for my novice ass. The way out will be about just getting there but I will be able to take my time coming back.

I know some of you guys are hardcore Iron Butt riders but since this is a first for me, I'm not looking to get a CC50 out of this or anything. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[jwhite518]

At an Iron Butt pace, 500 miles takes 8 hours. At a flower sniffing pace, 350 miles takes all day. You can pace yourself accordingly. I would plot a route thru Utah & Colorado that has some fun roads. You can make up time in the Plains, where there's not much to see and you can burn up the slab.

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

Squidbilly,

As one who has also tried a first time long distance run,

and absolutly had to be someplace (then 1500 miles) in

3 days, the riding for me started to suck, it was no fun,

Maybe fun times for the Ironbutt crowd, not my cup of

tea, so, if you have time, take it easy, pick a day to

take off riding and rest, this will make a sore butt better.

Hey! my co-workers call me a Sh*tbilly, are we related?

FWFE

 

[FJRBluesman]

What a cool adventure! Post up often so we can keep up with your travels.

Ride safe.

 

[cardingtr]

For the first long distance ride of 2700 miles, I'll leave a day earlier on the 7th June. You have to take into consideration that the weather might slow you down or who knows what else. Some days you might slab it (500+ miles) or other days you might get tired early (300+). Just sayin'.

 

[jwhite518]

Hey Squidly, have you got a route in mind? I bet you can get lots of "helpful" input if you post up specifics.

 

[BwanaDik]

If you have a chance before you go, you might want to try a 600+ mile day on for size. Pick a point 300 or so miles away, leave early in the morning, get there and turn right round, and ride home. I just rode about 400 miles yesterday and I'm suprised today how tired/sore I am. Out of shape but not that badly. You might end up hating the ride after the second or third day if you don't know what you're getting into.

 

[jekirby]

At an Iron Butt pace, 500 miles takes 8 hours. At a flower sniffing pace, 350 miles takes all day. You can pace yourself accordingly. I would plot a route thru Utah & Colorado that has some fun roads. You can make up time in the Plains, where there's not much to see and you can burn up the slab.

At some point (plains) there is nothing to do but ride and put the miles behind you. At that point, I found that gas stops really were refreshing enough to keep me going on those long days. I do the VA to SD thing every fall and find that 500 mile days are really not that much once you are underway and comitted to the destination. Stay hydrated, yada, yada and have fun.

 

[twistedcricket]

I rode to the DFW, TX area on Tuesday and will return to Omahell, NE on Sunday. It's a nice haul, all 4-lane. 670~ miles. I did it in about 12hrs or so. I initially only stopped for fuel (200miles and around 4hrs) at first, but as the day/ride wore on me I stopped for "stretch/snack" breaks every 2hrs.

As others have said, stay hydrated. I drink water or some sort of flavored-non-carbonated-no-sugar drink. No sodas.

If you're going through either KS or NE, I feel sorry for you already There's nothing but grass and pavement. Plenty of stopping places in NE if you need to. Be sure to review the FJR Assistance list (See FAQ section) and maybe take a copy with you.

Good luck!

 

[SPORT]

Sounds like a once in a life time chance.

Plan well, and it will be an adventure to never forget!

Best wishes

 

[squidbilly]

Wow! I was looking for some feedback but the response is more than I had hoped.

My planned route will basically consist of I40. Check it out:

https://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Temecula&a...lgren&2s=VA

Bad plan? Boring? Should I go further to the North? I expect this trip to be challenging, but I don't want it to turn into something I just survive through...

 

[jwhite518]

Bad plan? Boring? Should I go further to the North? I expect this trip to be challenging, but I don't want it to turn into something I just survive through...

Not bad, but definitely boring. You won't see much interesting on the interstate. But you'll get there.

Here's the way I would do that ride. It's got the kind of roads that the FJR is made for. We're talking 12 and 24 in Utah, and 141 in Colorado. These are must-ride roads. There's no way on earth that you'll only be "surviving" the ride to Denver. After that, depending on how much time you have left....

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Next week I will leave on my first long-distance ride to the right coast. From Temecula, CA to Dahlgren VA. Since this trip is about business more than pleasure I have to be there by Saturday June 13 and was planning on leaving on the 8th, giving me 5 days to make the trip. ...should give myself more time ... The way out will be about just getting there but I will be able to take my time coming back.Any advice would be appreciated.

Okay, here's my advice: If more time is available? -- by all means take it....

When I do a cross-country trip without all the time I want/need I try to divide long relatively empty stretches (Interstate) with fun interesting breaks (one author once called them: "shun-pikes"). This way you can cover the necessary ground in a relatively efficient manner and still enjoy the trip. Start early and once or twice a day ride roads 'for you'.

Get yourself on some mapping software (or atlas/gazetteer) and pay special attention to "the lay of the land" -- mountains, rivers, valleys, metropolitan areas, etc. You have a great opportunity (here/now) to route yourself through some beautiful and interesting country -- don't waste it on 'just any interstate'.

You'll also gather some valuable info for an, even better, return trip.

Good luck, enjoy.

 

[luvtoride]

I know some of you guys are hardcore Iron Butt riders but since this is a first for me, I'm not looking to get a CC50 out of this or anything. Any advice would be appreciated.

I'm not an iron butt rider... but I do ride a lot of distance pretty often. I can tell you, too many days in a row of large amounts of mileage are going to be extremely taxing on you unless you're a kid with endless energy. If you insist on doing such large amounts of mileage so many days in a row, you might consider giving yourself a day's break every couple/few days.

Above all, try to have lots of fun... & be careful, Heidi

 

[Philip V]

If you have limited time getting there you may want to try a Southern route. although the roads are straighter, you'll be able to burn up the miles. I ride with a crazy man who like to put in 12 hour days in the saddle, so your plans sound great to me. If you decide pass through Las Cruces, NM on your journey and want give me a hollar and I'll buy you a meal. I agree that if time is not pressing ie. return trip, you would probably want to go through Co. or Northern NM at least. Good luck on your trip, sounds like fun.

 

[cardingtr]

And oh..ride it as far north as possible. It's hot in here down in the south. The temperature alone will bog you down and force you to stop for replenishment.

I agree with the other epinions here. Leave in wee hours of the day on your first day and cover as far miles as possible just like you stole somebody's girlfriend then post here with pictures so we can reevaluate with you on a daily basis your progress. One more..don't forget the waitress kissing pics. I like that!

 

[jwhite518]

I just read your OP more closely. It looks like you have more time on the return trip. So my revised advice is to slab it all the way east. That way you'll learn what long distance riding is like for you. The interstate gives you lots of options for fuel, food, and rest. Then for your return trip you can head further north and more twisty if you so desire.

 

[squidbilly]

I just read your OP more closely. It looks like you have more time on the return trip. So my revised advice is to slab it all the way east. That way you'll learn what long distance riding is like for you. The interstate gives you lots of options for fuel, food, and rest. Then for your return trip you can head further north and more twisty if you so desire.

I don't know J. You got me thinking that Utah and Colorado might be worth doing both ways. I really appreciate you taking the time to map out a route for me. But then again, you hit me with another pearl of wisdom about getting used to the distances on a straight shot out. Decisions, decisions...

All of you have given me a lot to think about and you can be sure I will keep you all posted throughout the trip regardless of the route I choose.

PhilipV. - A free meal is not to be easily passed up. Should I end up in your neck of the woods I'll be sure to look you up.

 

[FatNakedGuy]

All I can offer up is that if you are comfortable it'll be much easier for you to do the miles. I've been on the road the past couple of weeks and racked up 4000 miles or so. Couldn't have done that before I had the stuff below..

XMRadio

https://ldcomfort.com/ tights and shirt

comfy seat on the bike (I have a Russell All-Day)

an easy way to stay hydrated as you ride

good luck!