I'm planning on making a rather robust road trip in the future. It won't happen for a couple of years, but I'm in the planning stages now. I wanna do it old school style, meaning 3 or 4 days worth of clothes including what's on my back and sticking only to cheap motels and campgrounds. The plan is take 30 days and take in the sights. No rushing. Using the website www.roadtripusa.com I came up with a rough draft for a route.

This is where I am hoping to get more information so I can plan out a more detailed map.

Assuming I will start in the vicinity of Clarksville, TN I will make my way over to the Great River Road.

From the Great River Road I will get on to Route 66 all the to CA.

I will head North along the Pacific Coast and turn East at The Great Northern.

That will take me all the way to MA where I will stop and visit relatives.

Then I'll get on The Oregon Trail until it intersects with Route 66.

Finally, to complete the circle I'll get back on the Great River Road and stop where I started.


This is just a rough draft. I don't have much to work with other than that website. I'm hoping there are some people here that can offer me some ideas.

 

Well, I can tell you that from what I know (living in Montana and in WA a few years back), US 2 is a great road to cruise. You'll see more of America on that road than on any interstate.

US 93 is also a classic. If you take that far enough south, you see just how geographically diverse the mountain west is.

There are a zillion other great two-laners out there. If you need specific guidance on roads in the norther Rockies, send up a flare.

 

While Route 66 is okay through the midwest and has its nostalgic benefits, once you get past Amarillo (heading west) there are a lot better roads that offer far more scenery. Going through Colorado and the lower half of Utah down to the Grand Canyon would be my preference. 66 from OK City means just following the Interstate, and I would much rather go where the scenery is. If you're interested in some interesting alternatives you might check ScaryGTs thread from his recent road trip.

 

A few years ago, we got on US 60 at Virginia Beach and rode all the way to the west end of it at Brenda Junction, AZ (just a few miles short of the CA line). We've been East to West a few times and that was the best route yet. Of course, this is probably too far south for you, but thought I'd throw it out for consideration.

 

I'll take any and all ideas!!! There is nothing I really "need" to see. I do really want to see the Grand Canyon, Pacific coast, and the Sequoias and Redwoods. There is a park where you can drive through the trees. I wanna do that. I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time in CA.

 

'Old School Style' would mean pulling over and setting up camp wherever. Not a good idea, IMO. If your luck is like mine, Barney Fife will be rudely waking you. Or worse. There are just too many people that really don't give a fawk about your life. And no matter how 'badass' you think you might be: There is always someone (or multiple someones) that are badder (or better armed) than you. Find a safe/secure spot for the night.

'Old School Style' would mean no cell phone. Bad idea, IMO. Check for coverage in the areas that you intend on traveling. Oh, and don't forget the charger. If you're leaving loved ones behind: Check in nightly, they'll start to worry (ya gotta trust me on this).

'Old School Style' would also mean stuffing your wallet with cash. Bad idea again, IMO. Credit card and ATM card. Carry no more than $100-$150 cash, and charge the rest. Most places (even in BFI) will take a VISA/Mastercard. If your cash reserve gets low: Hit a Wal*Mart for some provisions (campground beer) and get cash back from your ATM. Or just hit an ATM and pay the fees (if applicable).

On your bike, you should consider getting some sort of sissybar/T-bag setup, or at the least a set of toss on leather saddlebags. Especially if you are considering any sort of tent camping. In either case, get something that you can easily remove from the bike and take inside. Oh, and regardless of what any mfg tells you about waterproof: Pack everything in plastic bags. Then pack it all in a big garbage bag. Removing wet clothes, only to put wet clothes on, is not the way to end a long wet day on the road (ya gotta trust me on this too).

You can eliminate a bunch of camping stuff, if you plan your campground stays at places that offer cabins. And if you don't plan on doing any serious cooking. A lot of state parks offer them, as do the private ones. KOA has some really nice accomodations, although you're going to start paying close to motel rates.

Take the next couple years to work up your 'minimalist' travel/camping gear. You can do this on short weekend runs. Make notes of what you used, what you didn't use, and what you really wished you had. Refine until you can get it all down to the smallest, most compact package you can carry on your bike. I tend to overpack ('cause I likes me comforts), but I've got a FLHS and I load the biotch down like a pack mule: Popup tent, blowup matteras, sleeping bag, cooking gear, lantern, folding camp chair, etc. Your bike may not accomodate that much 'stuff'.

You can probably get by with packing less clothing. I would pack two changes of underwear, extra socks, include a pair of athletic shoes (to let your boots dry out), definitely some warm stuff: Sweatshirt or Hoodie (it gets cold in the desert/mountains at night). And maybe two T-shirts: One short sleave, One long. You can get by with just one extra pair of jeans. Toss a pair of swim trunks and a bath towel in too (campgrounds don't provide towels...). Every third day, hit a laundramat, or find a campground/motel that has one, and throw everything into a single load. You'll always end up with the souvenier T-shirt anyway. Oh, and don't forget a bandana or snot rag. Unless you don't mind using your sleeve.

Work up a basic shaving/first aid kit. Just the minimums, but don't forget regular bandaids and asprin or whatever you take for a hangover at 4:30am (ya gotta trust me on this). Motels will have small shampoos, so grab them as you go.

Rain gear: If you don't have a 'system' worked out, take the time now to fine tune it, 'cause it's a biotch learning under an overpass (if you are lucky enough to find one). Definitely know what it takes to keep dry at 70mph, because cold and wet is no way to end the day (ya gotta trust me on this).

Start working up your basic tool kit, and get that all organized. Wrap them in one or two shop rags, and put in either a waterproof container, or a plastic bag inside your fork pouch. I consider my HOG tour book part of my tool kit, because the maps suck, however it has all the dealers listed.

If you wear glasses, take an extra pair. If you wear contacts: Ditto. But I'd also take the prescription with me. There are places that can get you same day contacts. Sunglasses are expendible (unless perscription). I wouldn't take my one pair of Maui Jim's, when I can take two pairs of Sam's Club wraparound safety glasses (one tinted, one clear).

If you are on perscription meds, get them registered with either CVS, Walgreens, or any of the other nationwide chain drug stores, so you can get refills (or replacements) if necessary.

Health insurance card. Do not leave home without it. You never know when you might extend your vacation by visiting the ER. Either on your bike, or in an ambulance (another ya gotta trust me).

Small digital camera. If it needs a charger, ya gotta take that too. I've got a small Sony that uses AA batteries. Stick a 4-8 Meg card in it, and you'll be fine for the duration.

 

Thanks, Hackd. Great tips! Some of the points you made have already been noted, but it's never a bad thing to reinforce them.

Maybe I should refine what I mean by "old school style!" Let's just say I'm going to inconvenience myself. I want to get away from a lot of the hassle that we have put on ourselves. I planned on staying at campgrounds and maybe a motel every 3rd day. I planed on NOT bringing a cell phone, but I already changed my mind, for the same reasons you stated. I never carry cash, so I already planned on that too.

I think space is going to be an issue. I just bought a sissy bar and luggage rack from a friend of mine and I have an old army issue rucksack. But like you said, I will need a little more than that. I might get a small bag for the right side of my bike and a large fork bag that can hold a bit of stuff. I will probably get another bag and bungee it to the sissy bar as well as a small tent and sleeping bag.

I'd like to do this while I'm still in the army so I won't have to worry about medical insurance, but I don't think the powers that be will buy off on a motorcycle trip. They are just too safety conscious now.

I have thought about the "badass" part of that too. I know I'm not a Billy Badass and I have thought about maybe bringing something along, but I haven't given it too much consideration yet. I know a gun will be an issue in some states.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who has given me tips and ideas so far - please keep 'em coming! Like I said, earlier, this trip isn't going to happen for a couple years, so I have plenty of time for planning.

 

But it's okay to go on patrol in Afghanistan or Iraq

Brings a whole new meaning to 'Military Intelligence'....

Like I replied, take the next couple years to 'shake out' your gear. If you're hell bent on tent camping: Look at a lot of different styles. Pay special attention to the ones that are simple to erect. You may be putting one up in the dark, or with limited lighting. My pop-up dome tent, is pretty foolproof, but there are much better models out there. I also carry one of those cheapo plastic 'tarps' to act as a barrier under the tent. They roll right up with the tent.

I use a RubberMaid 'action packer' as my tourpack. I bungee it down to the luggage rack, and it serves as a night stand inside the tent for my small Coleman lantern (which, by the way: Puts out excellent heat. Again, it does get cold 'out there'). I stack all my camp cooking gear into a pair of plastic dish pans (that fit inside the action packer). Any of the backpacker stuff will work good. I've got a small Coleman single burner stove, small nestled cooking set, a couple metal plates/cups, silverware, and percolator. Add a small bottle of dish soap, disposable salt/pepper shakers, and cooking oil: I can whip up some decent meals.

I carry my clothing (inside a garbage bag) in a ballistic nylon duffle bag, strapped to the top of the action packer (along with the tent and folding camp chair). My sleeping bag (inside a plastic garbage bag inside the nylon bag) is bungeed to the passenger seat (acts as a nice back rest). My air matteras is also inside the same bag as the sleeping bag. When I hit a motel, I just unhook the duffle bag and leave the rest strapped to the bike. Most times, I can find a motel that will let me leave the bike parked under their covered front area. The other times, I don't worry about it, because the bad guys will just steal the whole bike anyway.

This packing scheme leaves my saddle bags for my leathers, raingear, spare shoes, tool kit, and fifth of whiskey... All stuff I like to have 'at the ready'.

Like I posted: 'I likes me comforts'....

 

Yeah, the army really doesn't make any sense when it comes to motorcycles. They just keep piling on the ridiculous "PPE" (Personal Protective Equipment).As of right now you are "required" to wear long sleeve shirts, pants, over the ankle boots, a DOT approved helmet (I'm waiting for them to make FF helmets mandatory), and something reflective. You are also required to take a motorcycle safety course before you ride on post. What the army doesn't seem to realize is that there is no PPE for stupid. These kids will go to Afghanistan or Iraq and make decent money, come home and buy a Hyabusa with no experience and then go do wheelies and other crap at 160+ mph. All the safety gear in the world won't help them.

Anyway, that's for another thread. Rant Over.

I'm not planning on doing much cooking, but it's so early, pretty much everything and anything is subject to change.