I have taken 3 rides the longest being to Fayettville,NC and that was maybe 90-120 miles round trip? 2 toy runs (that was good for in town stop/go traffic and being in a motorcycle procession experience) and lots of back road low speed riding. This May I hope to be heading to Ashville,NC. While maybe only an 11 hour round trip its a step in the right direction. I also am hoping to rendezvous with btefft which looks like a 150 mile round trip if we meet half way.

I have to say im ashamed in myself. the longes trip for me so far with the hack was the ride home from Iowa to NW Wisconsin, about 200 miles. A Great way to get use to a hack for the first time...LOL.My daughter and i also did about a 150 mile day ride down and up part of the StCriox and Mississippi rivers, A Beautiful ride-wish it hadbeen longer. Anyways I planning A few longer trips this year. One weekend for the Fifth First Annual SKUNKs In Da Woods Rally, Typhoon Watch & Bear Scare-A-Thon in Cameron WI. You Can find info athttp://skunktails.com/ (http://skunktails.com/)also the USCA (United Sidecar Association)National Rally in Duluth Mn this year. Info for this is at http://www.sidecar.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=4924&posts=14Also A possible trip around Lake Superior between these rallys. So thing are looking up.

Lot longer ride than either of yours, but still short in the scheme of things.
Michelle and I rode 2200 miles from Missouri through the Gulf Coast last summer. Plan to hit the SC coast and then north before heading back home this summer. Should be well over 3K miles.

I have only had the sidecar less then 3 months at the time. I am taking it slow and working my way up. I have ordered 2 J&M helmets with the intercom systems installed. Looking forward to that. For me to ride long distance I have to enjoy it. For me to enjoy it I need to be riding with my wife and to be competent with everything about the bike and I am not. Getting there but not 100% comfortable. Ultra's have so much "stuff" on them. The electronic cruise is the ****! Never had a radio or tape deck those 2 additions are a welcomed feature. Its been great cruising down the road listening to hank or waylon blaring out the speakers.

I been riding since I been 15 or so. I have at least 150-175,000 miles maybe more I lost track. Been cross country a couple times and Florida but all on a 2 wheeled bike. The sidecar has turned into more of a challenge then I thought. There are "tricks" to it. I am commited though. I already rode over a 4x4 lying in the road at about 40-45mph. Had I knew how to raise the sidecar at a flick of the handlebars I could have avoided that. Scared crap out of wife and grandson. Dented the side car wheel fender trim to the point whewre I had to take it off and gently ping it back into shape.

This is the retirement ride for me and momma or I am not going no where. [:@]The compromise is we will stay in hotels instead of camping now. Thats okay except with camping you bike is right by the tent and at a hotel its not.

Longest trip, Phila PA to Sturgis SD and back 4200 miles. Great trip.

eglidetrike,

How many miles a day did you average? Were you with your spouse/sig other? Were you on your trike? I had been known to do 500-750 miles a day by myself. Thats pushing it to. The miles a day have declined over the years. Hoping the luxuries of a sidecar and an Ultra help compensate for age and wear and tear on my arse. I am figuring if I want my wife to enjoy the ride it'll be 300-400 miles a day, if that. Sleeping in, turning in early to enjoy the local sights. Irecently road from Western Shore, NS to Newport,NH non stop. Again I was by myself, on two wheelsand rolling hard. I left 8am and got to my destination at 1:45A.M.

Bad, I road my trike and was pulling a trailer behind it and I rode with a friend of mine he was on an Ultra. We road 500 or so miles a day we where in no hurry to get there so we took are time.

Our longest trip: From Ontario - by truck & trailer to LasVegas ... From Las Vegas (by bikes) to Ventura area (CA) - tooled around there for a week then back to Vegas...met up with friends and then headed back to California to Palm Springs area (spent a week tooling around there) then we were off to Mexico ... down the Baja to Cabos San Lucas, back up to Arizona then back to Nevada. 7 weeks total time away from home ... can't even remember how many miles.

Our longest trip with the side car was last summer, July-August. 4 weeks, 20 states 7,500 miles. That is the reason I bought the side car. I knew my wife wouldn't be able to last that long on the back seat. It was a great trip and we plan to do more like it.

Longest bike trip was 8,000 in 13 days - two1000 mile plus days and 2 800 mile plus days and a bunch near there. It was, however, not on a Harley. After I finished a year of chemo and radiation therapy I left and rode as hard and as long as I could until all that sh*t was out of my system. The longest on a Harley were several 600 mile days. I love to ride! Good for what ails you!

My longest trip, with my hack, was to Jekyll Island, Ga for the 2006 Ga HOG Rally. About 550 miles, round trip. It rained all the way over (should have had my head examined - what was I thnking?!). Coming back I had sunny skies - great ride.

My upcoming ride to Austin, Tx (Leaving on Mar 19) is gonna make Jekyll look like a short hop. I'm looking at about 890 mi - one way. I am really looking forward to it.

Way back in the late 70's, I took a week and a half off and rode my Honda 750 (I couldn't afford a Harley way back then) up the eastern seaboard to Halifax, Canada (about 1900 mi - one way) and back - now that was a trip! - saw the CSS Hunley in Charleston, the USS Consitution, the Liberty Bell. Independance Hall, the Bay of Fundy, ate blue berries at a camp ground. The next summer I took off to the Fla Keys (Key West, about 800 mi one way, a short run:D - wind and sun ate my a$$ up[:@]). So, I have had the pleasure / experience of those two long rides - but its been YEARS since I rode a LONG trip like I'm planning to Tx.

One of my highlights will be when I get to say "Hello" to grimm in person when I get to Tx (a little more the 910 from here to San Antonio).

Hack

roadtoad,

A man after my own heart. And how did your wife like the sidecar? Did you ride mostly on the interstate or state highways? Or a combination of the 2? And you must be retired to ride 4 weeks straight, good for you I cannot wait. How many miles a day could your wife tolerate?

ORIGINAL: badinfluence63

roadtoad,

A man after my own heart. And how did your wife like the sidecar? Did you ride mostly on the interstate or state highways? Or a combination of the 2? And you must be retired to ride 4 weeks straight, good for you I cannot wait. How many miles a day could your wife tolerate?


There's no accounting tastes. Me wife prefers to ride 2-up, with all out "stuff" in the sidecar. I thnk she thinks of my hack like its the trunk of her car:D - I don't mind, I like it when she rides, though it VERY rare. She'd probably like me to get an intecom system, but then I'd hear her.:D

Hack

The sumer of 06 we were register to hit Billings from NORVA. She got rear ended at Easter and it took 11 weeks to get a new body made. We did get one week of the month long vacation on the road. Got to Padukah Kentucky by way of Jackson TN, 1900 miles RT.

Last summer after the VA HOG we dropped into NC and went from Naggs Head to Cherokee and back up the VA Spine looking for a front mount on mine. 1,400 mile full circle. (not 14,000) my bad fingers)



local://upfiles/17522/F0AAEC37CABA4D80810A4C5544580E2C.jpg

Abernathy's in Union City (?) Tenn. On the way from Nashville, via, Jackson, to Padukah, KY. Nice road, US45 in Western TN.

The wife loved her side car. We tried to do mostly the back roads, but had to do interstates in some places. She could go more miles than me. The side car is like a car, you can be comfy and nap. I'm not retired yet, just have a lot of vacation time on the books. She likes to mix it up, when we were on a good straight road she would ride on the back of the bike, but mostli she was in the side car. It was also great that she could take pictures while we were going instead of having to stop all the time. I moved the intercom hook up to the right side so we could still talk, though she did nap a lot. When I felt ornery, I'd put her tire on the rumble strips and wake her up. :DOh, I'm sooooo mean sometimes. :D

Did one trip from Warner Robins, Ga. to Baltimore, Md. in 1 day. Another trip was 8 days 1700 + miles and covered the Cherohala Skyway , BRP ,Skyline Drive then back to northwest Ga.

I canrideup to about 100 miles a day.The only thing I have packed was my ball cap and crutches. Each month will get a little better.

local://upfiles/28484/E605EFADB1004D3C87DA992601D39383.jpg

Finished my longest ride on the rig to date. 2200 miles round trip from Columbus, Ga west to Austin, Tx and back. Was glad to get back home. It didn't kick my azz, well, not too bad at least.

Had the pleasure of meeting grimm. He'll soon be making a longer ride than mine.

Hack

btefft,

Thats awsome. Did you mostly stay on the interstate or state roads? How many miles did you average a day? Were you solo or did sig other go too? Camp or hotels? Did you keep tabs on your MPG?

Oh retirement I cannot wait.

I have many 2 wheeled trips under my belt over the years but I am taking it slow and baby steps with my recent sidecar purchase. It truly is a whole nother ride/drive then 2 wheels. Nite and day difference. Notexagerating here either. The more miles I get under my belt the better, more confident I feel.

ORIGINAL: badinfluence63

btefft,

Thats awsome. Did you mostly stay on the interstate or state roads? How many miles did you average a day? Were you solo or did sig other go too? Camp or hotels? Did you keep tabs on your MPG?

Oh retirement I cannot wait.

I have many 2 wheeled trips under my belt over the years but I am taking it slow and baby steps with my recent sidecar purchase. It truly is a whole nother ride/drive then 2 wheels. Nite and day difference. Notexagerating here either. The more miles I get under my belt the better, more confident I feel.



Mostly stayed on iinterstate. MIles per day, don't really know. Didn't really keep up with my mileage, I go about 140-150 miles on a tank, while on the Interstate. Now, my son on his Soft Tail goes 200 miles before gasing up - he's fortunate. When we rode together, I was the one stopping for gas, he's just kinda top his off.

Trip details:
Wed, Day 1: Rode Columbus, Ga to Mobile Ala, motel.
Thur, Day 2: After visiting the USS Alabama and New Orleans, stopped in Lake Charles, LA (just about to Tx), motel
Frid, Day 3: Linked up with grimm, and then later that night arrived in Austin, Tx.
Sat and Sun, Days 4 / 5, visited with son, rode with him (him on his bike) to San Antionio, Tx
Mon, Day 6: Left Austin, Tx rode to Vicksburg, Ms, motel.
Tues, Day 7: After visiting Vicksburg Civil War Battlefield, arrived back in Columbus, Ga - Late in the PM.

All my gear was in the sidecar. Had absolutley no close calls with other motorists, if fact, I think the appearance of a sidecar gets their attention. Many motorists, when passing (or me passng them) gave me smiles and I got several "thumbs up".

As for how fast I ran, I simply went about 5 over the speed limit. Higher speeds WERE NOT fuel efficient. Had no cop issues either.

Yep, bad-63, retirement is sweet - everyday is saturday.

Hack

btefft,

Thanks for the input. Getting closer to my ride to Ashville and I was looking for some fresh just got back from a loooooong ride on my sidecar bike intel. Thanks for sharing. Gear on sidecar, wife on the back? You got great gas milage then. Thats what I'll be doing. Gear for me will be two mini suitcases. Recently purchased 2 KBC helmets with speakers and mike installed from J&M Corp. Hope that works out. Also purchased a handheld portable CB from cobra for the truck passengers following us for bike to truck com withdaughter/sig other and grandson.

Did ya get to the Alamo? San Antonio rocks. I was stationed at Ft Sam Houston for awhile. I always wanted to tour rural Misssissippi and Alabama. And hope to some day.

Man I wish I was retired.

Again, thanks btefft for the input.

I put 300 miles this last weekend on the bike with the voyager kit on two lane roads following 10 other two wheel bikes. It was fun but I sure do miss the ability to corner with them. I am getting better at pulling the corners but still hard on the shoulders. Not bad for only having the Voyager on for a week.

I have a Aspen Ambassador camper that I tow with my Ultra. The longest I have gone was from New Hampshire to Sturgis Bike Week and camped every night out, there and back. Stayed at the KOA Mt Rushmore (nice place). Took the north roads out west. One of the less than hi-light of the westward trec was hitting Chicago at rush hour in the pouring rain with thunder and lightening hitting all around. Went by Wriggley Field and all the lights were on and not a soul there.When I left Sturgis I rode south a bit into CO. and rode to Pikes Peak and got turned around because of another storm, they don't do anything small in those Rockies, what a strom. The thunder and lightening was so close it would raise the hair on my body with every crack.Then I headed south east and finally I headednorth east to PA and stayed in Gettysburg (1300 Monuments)for a few days before heading on home to New Hampshire. I used to know the milage but can't seem to recall, but I do know that it was over 5000 miles.

One of the most memorable road trips that I have taken.
It was going to be 3 of us going, each pulling his own camper, butmy buddy was hit from behind by a drunk biker that was passing the group and misculculated and cut back into the lane and hit Boneman. Boneman and Wendy were brought to two different hospitals, each thinking the other was dead. The drunk's passenger was a stranger to the drunck, she only wanted a ride I'm told, well it was the ride of her life, she was DOA. Ripped asounder at the torso. It was her that was Bonemans last sight, he thoughtshe was Wendy. The drunk rider lost his leg and was facing charges, but I don't know how it all torned out except his hospitalroom was just down the hall from Bonman's room.

Bonman said me and HD Ken had to still do the ride without him or he's be pissed. HD Ken made a 8X10 photo copy of Boneman and sealed and taped it on the back of his camper for the duration of the trip.

Anyway, that's the longest road trip with my camper trailer
photo: my Aspen in the forefront and HD Ken's TimeOut in back somewhere along the way
chappy
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f67/limozn/Trailers/d292.jpg

Chappy thanks for sharing that unfortunate set of circumstances. Every riders nightmare.

What is the name of your camper?

Nice looking camper Chappy. Chappy, I don't want to steal this thread but how can we find out about boneman and Wendy's condition? Thanks.

Good morning Bad .

local://upfiles/28484/DC371F72D668441B89866F5075CA107E.jpg

The camper is made in De Plaines, IL. by Trailmaster, Inc.
The model is Aspen Ambassador.
Thefour things that sold me was the off ground camping, apop up hard-top, two separate beds and (6:50 X 13") tires upgrade. Many other things I enjoy but that's what did it for me.
Check it out and other models www.Trailmasterinc.com (http://www.Trailmasterinc.com)
my buddy has a TimeOut camper.
chappy

ORIGINAL: badinfluence63

Chappy thanks for sharing that unfortunate set of circumstances. Every riders nightmare.

What is the name of your camper?

I am sorry if I was misleading, this trip was not resent.
Boneman and Wendy are both healed up and back to riding. They both now live in Florida.
They both recieved compound fractures of arms and legs, both needed and recieved emergency surgery and had pleanty of tubes going in and out fora couple of weeks.Boneman had his back and neck broken in several places among multiple lacerations and more road rash than anyone should suffer. They both spent many weeks in the hospital, each in a differant hospital some 20 miles apart. Both had wheelchairs for a while than crutches and finally a cane and now they both walk fine, at least it appears to be fine.They were both thankful to have survived and for their reunion and home coming after being apart for so long.

Bonemans White Electra Glide Classic was totaled and he replaced it with a Red Road Glide.

The poor young lady that died that day, was only looking to have a ride on a Harley. To bad she picked a drunk to ask for a ride. She was a young mother of two. From what I understand, the drunk riderwith one leg missing has no remorse, some people never learn.

It was a sad day all around, and Boneman was leading the group so all that was with him saw the whole thing happen.

chappy

ORIGINAL: bdn56

Nice looking camper Chappy. Chappy, I don't want to steal this thread but how can we find out about boneman and Wendy's condition? Thanks.

Good morning Bad .

local://upfiles/28484/DC371F72D668441B89866F5075CA107E.jpg

bad, we rode about 150 miles on a fund raiser a couple Saturdays ago. The wife is a little scarred in the corners. She was riding with me when we took the tumble back in February. I am starting to relax a little and enjoy the ride. I am getting more confident as I ride.

Good for you for getting back on the horse always an unnerving proposition but ya gotta do it if you're going to keep riding. Been there a couple times. I imagine the next one that happens will be the last.

ORIGINAL: badinfluence63

Good for you for getting back on the horse always an unnerving proposition but ya gotta do it if you're going to keep riding. Been there a couple times. I imagine the next one that happens will be the last.


that's how i feel, too. i was terrified to get back on, but it was something i felt i had to do. it helped my emotional healing tremendously when i took that first ride. i know that if i go down again, i'm not likely to get back up, but at least i'm living my life my way.

I agree, getting back on is the next first step to some of the best steps in life!

I'm glad you guys are still around to enjoy riding.
I hope for the best year of riding ever for you and yours.
As always, have many safe and memorable rides as well.

chappy

Longest on two wheels was from KY to San Deigo CA to see my sister....on the trike to NY from KY.....

Lots of 1000 to 2500 mile trips......