Road trip question
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From:
Road trip question
I am in the very early stages of planning a cross country trip from NYC to California. Let me get right to the question. Has anyone ever tried using the members here to help with the routing, places to stay and see, advice, and even seeing if they could offer lodging along the way?
I figured it can't hurt to ask.
Bobby A
I figured it can't hurt to ask.
Bobby A
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
RE: Road trip question
If you start by telling 1. how much time you have for your ride.
2. approx. distance you like to do in a day.
3. where in general you would like to go. ie. state or states, famous roads and sights.
4. hiway or scenic route.
you will get a lot of ideas on this site. As to where to stay along the way it depends on when you want to shut down for the day and start looking for a motel. Planning ahead for motels is near impossible.
The wife and i do long trips every year for a month and i find that a lot of web sites will help you plan for the best roads and places to see.
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/resources.html
http://www.ridemotorcycle.com/RoadsR...tml/Roads.html
http://www.openroadjourney.com/
http://micapeak.com/checklists/mclist.html(this is a check list you can mod for your own use)
as well as most states have their own websites.
I have found that the best way to plan is get maps for each individual state and use these sites to mark the best roads. The areas and roads that are must see do in a different color. You will find that you will modify your route as you go because of weather. If you relay the information(1-4) above to the members of this site you will get lots of suggestions.
Life is Great....We all Ride!!!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/48412/A7F75374E35C485D9DED8836DFDFFB2F.jpg[/IMG]
2. approx. distance you like to do in a day.
3. where in general you would like to go. ie. state or states, famous roads and sights.
4. hiway or scenic route.
you will get a lot of ideas on this site. As to where to stay along the way it depends on when you want to shut down for the day and start looking for a motel. Planning ahead for motels is near impossible.
The wife and i do long trips every year for a month and i find that a lot of web sites will help you plan for the best roads and places to see.
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/resources.html
http://www.ridemotorcycle.com/RoadsR...tml/Roads.html
http://www.openroadjourney.com/
http://micapeak.com/checklists/mclist.html(this is a check list you can mod for your own use)
as well as most states have their own websites.
I have found that the best way to plan is get maps for each individual state and use these sites to mark the best roads. The areas and roads that are must see do in a different color. You will find that you will modify your route as you go because of weather. If you relay the information(1-4) above to the members of this site you will get lots of suggestions.
Life is Great....We all Ride!!!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/48412/A7F75374E35C485D9DED8836DFDFFB2F.jpg[/IMG]
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Rockaway NJ
RE: Road trip question
Jeffbarb 17 has good questions. I did a trip like yours last year (solo, june - july). Yes, members did offer routes and places to see. I also met up with a member who lives in from Albu. NM for dinner, we had a gooddinner andit was greatto meet him. He also told me of a good route to take up to Taos and Sant Fe. Local members know their area quite well and can direct you to some great roads.If you pm me, I will offer any info. I have that will help you out.
Also, if any members plan on passing throughnorthern NJ, interstate80, contact me.
Also, if any members plan on passing throughnorthern NJ, interstate80, contact me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Road trip question
When I travel cross country, I like to avoid the superslabs. Sort of. They are boring, I don't like riding at a steady 80mph in a straight line for hours at a time, and you don't see much. That stretch of I-70 from mid OH to mid CO is about as boring as it gets. OTOH, you can make good time. On the back roads I start to get impatient after a couple of hundred miles in 3rd gear
I try to plan my trips to intersperse superslab and back roads. A couple hours here, and a couple hours there. When I get tired of one, I switch to the other.
I also buy a extra large US road atles. You know, the one that's something like 11x14. I look at any little town or any back road within 200'ish miles of my route and see what's there. You'de be surprised what you'll find that's interesting along your way. Like the Dalton Gang's hide-out. Or the largest collection of Russion space equipment outside ofRussia.Ever been to Dodge City?
Yeah, it takes me an extra day or two that way. But it's much more interesting.
Fordirect information fromsitre members, go to that specific forum - like " Mountain-Prarie"- and ask about specifics.
I try to plan my trips to intersperse superslab and back roads. A couple hours here, and a couple hours there. When I get tired of one, I switch to the other.
I also buy a extra large US road atles. You know, the one that's something like 11x14. I look at any little town or any back road within 200'ish miles of my route and see what's there. You'de be surprised what you'll find that's interesting along your way. Like the Dalton Gang's hide-out. Or the largest collection of Russion space equipment outside ofRussia.Ever been to Dodge City?
Yeah, it takes me an extra day or two that way. But it's much more interesting.
Fordirect information fromsitre members, go to that specific forum - like " Mountain-Prarie"- and ask about specifics.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
RE: Road trip question
I'll be making a cross country road trip from Ontario to California and back. I plan to ride the first two weeks of May.
Ontario, MI, TN, GA, LA, TX, NM, AZ, NV, CA back through UT, CO KS, MO, IL, MI Home to Ontario. I have some couches lined up but would always be open to meeting some members for a local ride and meal.
I have no place lined up in Los Angeles as yet so....
Ontario, MI, TN, GA, LA, TX, NM, AZ, NV, CA back through UT, CO KS, MO, IL, MI Home to Ontario. I have some couches lined up but would always be open to meeting some members for a local ride and meal.
I have no place lined up in Los Angeles as yet so....
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: ontario canada
RE: Road trip question
Hey dotcom,
i rode my softail from london ontario area out to vegas and back thru many of the same states you've listed. I was on the road for 21 days. I had a blast but man it was some major mileage.
I rode during early sept. Got caught in 45 minutes of heavy snow in the mountain pass west of Denver, so just a heads up that despite going west you can still get some really cold weather in those higher elevations !
Otherwise, it was a low dollar travel by backroad blast. Have fun !!
cheers
[IMG]local://upfiles/54653/26B448BAAB2A45A9ABA8E70B3F371C34.jpg[/IMG]
i rode my softail from london ontario area out to vegas and back thru many of the same states you've listed. I was on the road for 21 days. I had a blast but man it was some major mileage.
I rode during early sept. Got caught in 45 minutes of heavy snow in the mountain pass west of Denver, so just a heads up that despite going west you can still get some really cold weather in those higher elevations !
Otherwise, it was a low dollar travel by backroad blast. Have fun !!
cheers
[IMG]local://upfiles/54653/26B448BAAB2A45A9ABA8E70B3F371C34.jpg[/IMG]
Novice
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
RE: Road trip question
Voodoo,
That sounds awesome. I am trying to get it done in 16-18 days and make it to LA. San Francisco would be a bonus if I have time. I will be in Colorado around May 11th so I hope it is not snowing. I will have one eye on the weather channel.
I am really stoked to go.
FYI, I pick up my first Harley tomorrow 2008 ECG. w00t!
That sounds awesome. I am trying to get it done in 16-18 days and make it to LA. San Francisco would be a bonus if I have time. I will be in Colorado around May 11th so I hope it is not snowing. I will have one eye on the weather channel.
I am really stoked to go.
FYI, I pick up my first Harley tomorrow 2008 ECG. w00t!
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Burnley UK
RE: Road trip question
Hello not much room for such long trips here in the UK.So I'm planning a trip round Europe in July.Taking in 12 country's and about 7000 miles.Any tips on what gear i should not leave home without.I've got my hog touring handbook of Europe. and will be using satnav +maps. I'll be doing a mixture of camping and hotels.And its my first time riding on the wrong side of the road.so I'll be going across to France early morning to give me a few hoursof quite roads. Thanks for any info John
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Road trip question
some friends and i from the u.k. done a road trip last year
....and found the info and tips given by people on here very valuable...
all you have to do is ask...
once agian guy,s...
many thanks
....and found the info and tips given by people on here very valuable...
all you have to do is ask...
once agian guy,s...
many thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Windsor, CO
RE: Road trip question
If you've got a good lookin' girlfriend ... and she sleeps in the nude ... then you can camp in my backyard. 
But seriously ... I don't know about the folks here but there are places online that promote room exchange programs. The idea is that you agree to put folks up at your place in exchange for the ability to stay at someone else's house when you're on the road. Here's one ...
http://www.roomexchange.net/
You might also try the Motorcycle Travel Network ... it has a room exchange program that allows members to stay at little or no cost at other member's homes (in exchange for the promise to loan out a room/cot/backyard to another rider).
http://www.motorcycle-travel.net/
But seriously ... I don't know about the folks here but there are places online that promote room exchange programs. The idea is that you agree to put folks up at your place in exchange for the ability to stay at someone else's house when you're on the road. Here's one ...
http://www.roomexchange.net/
You might also try the Motorcycle Travel Network ... it has a room exchange program that allows members to stay at little or no cost at other member's homes (in exchange for the promise to loan out a room/cot/backyard to another rider).
http://www.motorcycle-travel.net/