Sounds like a cool trip, hopefully many more to come.

For you neck I suspect your handle bars are too far from you. They probably need to come up and/or back. You can try loosening the bolts and rotating them back a bit before spending money on new bars and/or risers

For you tailbone was the seat brand new? Give it some time to break in and if it doesn't get better you likely need a different seat. You may be able to get away with a cushion on it such as an Airhawk or gel pad.

I do a lot of long distance riding and most of us actually ride solo. The primary reason is it is rare to find someone that has the same interests, endurance, food, sleep, or bathroom schedule. The downside is you are alone if something breaks down and there is no one to share cool sights and adventures with. If you keep doing trips you will decide whether you want to find a riding buddy or not.

Lastly, there are options to allow family and friends to track you so you don't need to check in as often as they'd sometimes like. Spotwalla.com is a free to use website that will link with a number of phone apps or satellite tracking devices so family or friends can check a website once in a while to see if you are still moving. Something to consider if you keep doing trips

 

Good point, all my family use iPhones and I allow them to track me using it's "Find My Friends" app. It's also how I keep track of my elderly mother who tends to take off on long trips to see her sisters with out letting anyone know.

 

Did you get any pictures?

 

Great trip report, thanks for sharing. A back rest providing lower back support made the difference for me on long road trips. Use to have the same tail bone/lower back pain after 200 miles straight. Made for long days doing 500+ miles per day.

 

I'm not sure which end does the most adjusting, but I've found that after you use a seat for a while, it does tend to get more "comfortable".

Glad you had a great trip.

 

I know this is an old story but it was still a good read and as he was riding towards Florida and a cousin and I were headed for Newfoundland!

I was thinking back to my first bike (CA 175 Honda) that I only used in and around the city for tad over a year before buying my first real motorcycle (BSA 750-3cyl).
Even on the larger bike my "first" road trip during my second year of riding was with my uncle following me in my car for an 800 mile weekend ride.
After that, as I got more comfortable and I pretty much became a solo rider for several years until I started occasionally riding with some relatives.

These days, most of those relatives have either moved away or like my wife have totally stopped riding.
I now have one friend that I occasionally ride with but not very often and not on long trips do I'm pretty much back to once again being a solo rider.
For the new or less experienced riders I would suggest that you ride where, when and how you are comfortable.
When planning a trip, pace yourself at 300-400 miles per day until you can adapt to more miles in the saddle and on the road.
Even now I try to not ride after sunset or before sunrise and to avoid riding in heavy rain but it seems that I get caught in at least one storm (if not more) each riding season.
Having a riding partner (that you are compatible with) can be a good thing in case of a breakdown, accident or even to share lodging expenses.

For long tips make sure that your bike is "roadworthy" with good (or new) tires and battery. I replace my battery after two full years of use.
In 53+ years of riding I have replaced one stator (at 39,000 miles) and one voltage regulator (at 25,000 miles). You can't. or shouldn't replace these or other items as PM just be aware that everything wears out eventually so you need to be prepared when it does.
Take your bike out for a "tune-up" ride for an hour or so and if it makes that easily it will probably get you to and from your trip safely.

The things that you should never leave home without is:
Your riding gear (helmet, gloves, boots, leather and rain gear).
Your wallet with cash, credit card(s) and bike registration and insurance certificate.
Medical prescriptions/eyeglasses
Your cell phone and charger.
A small tool kit with a tire repair kit and mini-compressor, tie straps and a short piece of siphon hose. all of which can be easily stored in the bottom of a saddlebag