First Overnight Run?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 156
From: boston
I guess I am the only one here that enjoys riding on the super slab. Don't get me wrong, I too enjoy riding on two lane roads for the scenery but If I am going to go out for a long ride for the day, weekend, or week, I want to put on some serious miles. There is a lot of this country that I have not seen, and I know I am not seeing all of it by taking the highway. I have destinations I choose and I ride the highway to get there. Maybe it is the speed I can travel or I think I might feel safer up there. I just really would rather take the highway. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
Bought my first bike on a Tuesday I think. I spent three nights riding in a parking lot and then did a 800 mile round trip that weekend. I was scared to death on the way there and riding halfway decent by the time I got back home. Took the interstate and I would recommend that for a newb. Jump in with a boring ride, because nothing is boring when you're new to riding. However, 200 miles of back roads will overstimulate a new rider. You'll be exhausted halfway through on back roads.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 900
From: Columbus, Ohio
I guess I am the only one here that enjoys riding on the super slab. Don't get me wrong, I too enjoy riding on two lane roads for the scenery but If I am going to go out for a long ride for the day, weekend, or week, I want to put on some serious miles. There is a lot of this country that I have not seen, and I know I am not seeing all of it by taking the highway. I have destinations I choose and I ride the highway to get there. Maybe it is the speed I can travel or I think I might feel safer up there. I just really would rather take the highway. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: NOVA
Some good advice, stories and chuckles in this thread. It's not just an overnight, but riding from Virginia to Indiana to take a week long class, then coming back. I got my basic packing list pretty much covered and not really worried about that, although I'm trying to economize the space since I have to carry a certain amount of stuff for the class (I may end up mailing a box to myself at the hotel).
I'm planning to take the highway across rather than going up through MD & PA on the interstate. One option is VA 7 W, WV-259 S, US-48 W/Corridor H W, US-50 W and OH-32 W to IN-46 W, another is to go through (around?) Cincy. If anyone knows those roads well, any insight appreciated. On the way back, I'm more flexible and might get 'lost' and find my way down through KY/SC/NC or up through PA.
I'm planning to take the highway across rather than going up through MD & PA on the interstate. One option is VA 7 W, WV-259 S, US-48 W/Corridor H W, US-50 W and OH-32 W to IN-46 W, another is to go through (around?) Cincy. If anyone knows those roads well, any insight appreciated. On the way back, I'm more flexible and might get 'lost' and find my way down through KY/SC/NC or up through PA.
Last edited by Mad Monk; Jun 11, 2015 at 12:25 AM. Reason: Typo
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
I've read several threads on various forums and articles on numerous sites regarding Touring - What to pack, how to plan, etc..., but I still have questions.
How much riding experience did you have before you took your first overnight trip on your bike? What was your longest ride before that? What did you wish you had known before you did it?
My first trip was almost immediately after bringing the bike home-friends that already had bikes were waiting for me to get home.
I'd borrow a friend's bike and we knocked off a couple hundred mile runs for giggles.
I wish I had brought more cash- (before ATMs and Pay Pumps)
I have a trip coming up in a couple weeks, I could drive on the interstate in about 10 hours. I can take my bike and use highways and it's about 11.5 hours car time (560 miles). I'm considering breaking it into two days to get there since I've never ridden more than 250 miles in a day. Then two or three days to get back (more circuitous route perhaps).
How much riding experience did you have before you took your first overnight trip on your bike? What was your longest ride before that? What did you wish you had known before you did it?
My first trip was almost immediately after bringing the bike home-friends that already had bikes were waiting for me to get home.
I'd borrow a friend's bike and we knocked off a couple hundred mile runs for giggles.
I wish I had brought more cash- (before ATMs and Pay Pumps)
I have a trip coming up in a couple weeks, I could drive on the interstate in about 10 hours. I can take my bike and use highways and it's about 11.5 hours car time (560 miles). I'm considering breaking it into two days to get there since I've never ridden more than 250 miles in a day. Then two or three days to get back (more circuitous route perhaps).
Bring a camera and document the whole journey.
Last edited by Sling Blade 14; Jun 11, 2015 at 01:57 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: Tempe, Arizona
first overnight run
I was lucky I remembered to bring a sleeping bag...throw it down next to bike so my legs were under the bike,(thinking it was a great anti-theft idea) did not account for the oil leaking from the bike onto my bag 
This was around 1980 or so...I have "gown" wiser through the years (I like to hope)
This was around 1980 or so...I have "gown" wiser through the years (I like to hope)
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,646
Likes: 40
From: Midtown Tulsa
If you have tubeless spokes, buy yourself a Slime tire pump kit and tire plugs....if'n they have tubes...well, hope for no flats.
Always carry this on your bike. It'll save you a long bad day...if'n they are Harley's tubeless spokes...
Other than that, enjoy the scenery, eat from hole in the wall cafes...smile.
Always carry this on your bike. It'll save you a long bad day...if'n they are Harley's tubeless spokes...
Other than that, enjoy the scenery, eat from hole in the wall cafes...smile.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 443
From: West Tennessee
Bought my first bike on a Tuesday I think. I spent three nights riding in a parking lot and then did a 800 mile round trip that weekend. I was scared to death on the way there and riding halfway decent by the time I got back home. Took the interstate and I would recommend that for a newb. Jump in with a boring ride, because nothing is boring when you're new to riding. However, 200 miles of back roads will overstimulate a new rider. You'll be exhausted halfway through on back roads.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
Some good advice, stories and chuckles in this thread. It's not just an overnight, but riding from Virginia to Indiana to take a week long class, then coming back. I got my basic packing list pretty much covered and not really worried about that, although I'm trying to economize the space since I have to carry a certain amount of stuff for the class (I may end up mailing a box to myself at the hotel).
I'm planning to take the highway across rather than going up through MD & PA on the interstate. One option is VA 7 W, WV-259 S, US-48 W/Corridor H W, US-50 W and OH-32 W to IN-46 W, another is to go through (around?) Cincy. If anyone knows those roads well, any insight appreciated. On the way back, I'm more flexible and might get 'lost' and find my way down through KY/SC/NC or up through PA.
I'm planning to take the highway across rather than going up through MD & PA on the interstate. One option is VA 7 W, WV-259 S, US-48 W/Corridor H W, US-50 W and OH-32 W to IN-46 W, another is to go through (around?) Cincy. If anyone knows those roads well, any insight appreciated. On the way back, I'm more flexible and might get 'lost' and find my way down through KY/SC/NC or up through PA.
LOL - wrong model, genius. But then again you only have 3 weeks experience. As if that matters. What, exactly, do you think you need to take differently on an overnight trip on your bike you wouldn't need on a normal trip? But to help you out buddy here's what I take on a single overnight trip on my motorcycle:
1) An espresso machine
2) A large cooler
3) a 4-burner Coleman stove
4) A 20-lb propane tank for the above
5) A hair dryer
6) An 8-person tent
7) A 1500w diesel generator
8) Two 5-gallon jugs of gasoline for the generator
9) A picnic table
10) Two months supply of food
11) Four months supply of water
12) A king-size foam mattress
13) Enough clothes for 2 weeks
14) Various maps
15) 4 Rolls of toilet paper
16) My 4-drawer filing cabinet with important work papers
17) 3 months supply of hair products
I think that about covers it for me on an overnight trip. I mean, why would I just bring a pair of jeans, a tee shirt, and maybe a sweatshirt? I need to be comfortable.
1) An espresso machine
2) A large cooler
3) a 4-burner Coleman stove
4) A 20-lb propane tank for the above
5) A hair dryer
6) An 8-person tent
7) A 1500w diesel generator
8) Two 5-gallon jugs of gasoline for the generator
9) A picnic table
10) Two months supply of food
11) Four months supply of water
12) A king-size foam mattress
13) Enough clothes for 2 weeks
14) Various maps
15) 4 Rolls of toilet paper
16) My 4-drawer filing cabinet with important work papers
17) 3 months supply of hair products
I think that about covers it for me on an overnight trip. I mean, why would I just bring a pair of jeans, a tee shirt, and maybe a sweatshirt? I need to be comfortable.
Actually a roll of toilet paper or two is a REALLY good idea