Coast to coast trip??

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Dec 10, 2008 | 05:16 PM

#11

jeffbarb17

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 738

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From: Toronto

There are so many variables when it come to distance per day.....we put on 350=500 miles per day....sometimes less......

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.

Spend your time in Colorado/Utah/Wyoming/Montana/and Arizona....you won't go wrong in those States and the PCH is great north of Malibu.....

Dec 12, 2008 | 07:45 PM

#12

mopar

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 172

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From: Anderson, SC

Lots of good info. You guys are great. We have a month to do the trip. We were planning on taking superslab until we get to Sturgis then back roads while traveling though the west. then superslab back. I'm thinking of skipping Death Valley. Wife wants to add Rachel NV to the stops. I have heard there could be a problem with gas stops in that area.

Dec 13, 2008 | 12:04 AM

#13

desertclassic

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 3,027

Likes: 28

From: Las Cruces, NM

If you are going to be in Roswell, NM, you should go on to Taos and do the enchanted circle. That is a very nice ride. I ride in the desert all the time. The trick is lots of fluids that don't dehydrate the body, skins needs to be covered, and something on the head, and a lot of short stops to get out of the sun. Enjoy the trip.

Dec 15, 2008 | 02:18 PM

#14

04ctd

Banned

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,967

Likes: 206

From: Jax FL

if you are retired military, you can stay on base REAL cheap.

i stayed at Scott AFB, was nice. hard days ride from the Blue Ridge.

GOOGLE "military lodging" or hotels or something.
there's more than you think, $40 a nite,
clean, safe & secure.

Dec 15, 2008 | 04:18 PM

#15

jdtrash

Stage II

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Rhode Island

mopar

My wife and I along with one of our friends do a long trip each year. This summer we went coast to coast starting and ending in the north east. The average miles per day depends on you and your wife. If you're not used to long trips, an hour or two in the saddle can be an eternity especially for your passenger. On average we'll ride 350 - 400 miles a day. There are a lot of other things to consider for the trip, are you camping or staying in hotels? Have you got an itinerary of things you want to see each day? and did you get a good map? One of the best tools we had in our arsenal was AAA. They hooked us up with all the maps and information books for each state we were riding through. Another was the latest KOA campground book, we camped for the five weeks we were on the road. Their campgrounds always have a hot shower! A huge mistake we made....don't take travelers checks, for some reason no one except Harley dealers would cash the things. Use cash, a debit credit card or those disposable credit cards. The only other thing I'll add, is buy a cheap pair of gloves that absorb water. If you ride through the dessert, soak the gloves before or after you put them on. (along with a shirt and head wrap) They'll keep you cool for a while then re-soak em and ride some more. They sell wet gear that will cost you an arm and a leg - when it dries it gets really hot and heavy......Stay hydrated and enjoy the sights.

Dec 16, 2008 | 10:31 PM

#16

cosmo glider

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 2,981

Likes: 696

From: N.C.

When touring I like to eat a energy bar/fruit in the AM and start riding early (before 8 o'clock). Stop around 10AM (no crowds) for breakfast at a fast food joint and then another snack/light lunch around 2PM. Start looking for lodging or camp site no later than 4PM, unload, unwind, cleanup, eat a nice dinner and walk (explore) the area before hitting the rack around 10PM.

350 - 400 miles a day comfortably.

Wanting to go westward again this year if things go well.

Have a great ride.

Dec 18, 2008 | 07:14 PM

#17

mopar

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 172

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From: Anderson, SC

04CTD, I'm not retired military, but I am a vet with "Service Connected Disability". Wonder if that would help?

Dec 18, 2008 | 09:27 PM

#18

ironheaddave

Tourer

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 318

Likes: 6

From: Alabama Gulf Coast

I went to Death valley last year. Southern Colorado, Southern Utah, Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite, The Dam, The Canyon, Meteor Crater, Painted desert, Petrified Forest.

It was a very nice trip. I was riding solo. As I recall it was 5800 miles in 10 days.

You will have a lot more time and the coast should be no problem with a month.

Death Valley is great.

You might run into some high winds. I rode into some 87 mph winds by the Meteor Crater.

Yellowstone is great. I spent a few days there in 06 after Sturgis and spent the night there this past summer on my way back from Alaska.

Have a good trip. Drive safe.