Solo trip question
Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Salmon Arm, BC, Canada
In my earlty years I went across Canada 4 times organized the 1st 3 flags rallie in 1976 and road the 2nd one Vancouver, BC, Canada to Mexico and back in 48hrs. Now that I am retire and bought a 2003 fatboy and ran of to Las Vegas in April 2010 (not a good idea to go through Washington in April #### cold and wet snow, from Salmon Arm BC. about 3,000 mile round trip in 3 weeks. Planing on a Sturgis, Sd and on to East cost after that.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 1
From: South FL
I have been crossing the country (FL-CA-FL) yearly, in the last ten years alone, and I will do it again until I cannot ride a bike anymore.
My trip is average 8000 miles, and I ride around 600 miles a day.
I am getting slower and riding shorter distance every year tho!
This year, route66 (FL-IL-CA-SD-FL) is my plan, and Sturgis in on the way back home!
Just get on your bike and ride with your own comfort, you will love every second of it!
Ride safe!
My trip is average 8000 miles, and I ride around 600 miles a day.
I am getting slower and riding shorter distance every year tho!
This year, route66 (FL-IL-CA-SD-FL) is my plan, and Sturgis in on the way back home!
Just get on your bike and ride with your own comfort, you will love every second of it!
Ride safe!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 580
Likes: 54
From: Ohio River Valley
Can you give me info on "Bloody Angels"? I'd like to read it. Thanks.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Orem Utah
You are a lucky man, first to have a wife that will even consider an Iron Butt, then to have a group of riders that you can do it with you. My wife is up for one good ride a year and a few short ones. Good luck and have a blast.
Got to be honest with everyone. Last summer I decided to try an Iron Butt here in Alaska with a group of folks that I had never ridden with. My wife had to work and told me to make the ride. Really was bummed about doing it without her since we enjoy riding together on rides other than back and forth to work. I took her advice and made the trip, after the first 100+ miles everyone made me feel like their best friend, respected my skills on the many winding roads. The trip was great, made it with plenty of time to spare but the entire time I truly missed having my shorty sitting on the back of the Ultra. Most of the folks on the ride new something was bugging me and after the ride we discussed it since I did not want to mention it during the ride because I did not want to take a chance on spoiling their ride. After speaking about it most of them agreed that they too wished they had brought their wife, girlfriend and one of the ladies joked about having her husband be her passenger. This summer we are going to do it again, throw in a little different route and I am taking my wife.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Ditto- did Montana and Idaho last summer, met a lot of HD riders from all over. Was great going on my own timetable!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 1
From: Brookfield,Il.
About two years ago I headed out to see Canada. I left Chicago with the weather slightly cloudy, which was suppose to be a nice clear day. Had some issue and had to return, made it from Chicago - Fargo and back in about 22 hrs average speed was approx 62 mph. Left at 6 am and was back in my bed 1300 miles later at 2 am. So 400-600 would be a ok day.
I purchased a Nolan helmet with cell phone capibilities which came in handy. Plus a few guys mentioned about missing there GF or wife. Easy waht to check in.
The other think would be some type of GPS tracker like a spot. A year later I helped in finding a diwn rider. If he would have had a Spot or something it would have made things a lot easier. Also has some type of ride log so someone knows where you are....like a pilot.
I purchased a Nolan helmet with cell phone capibilities which came in handy. Plus a few guys mentioned about missing there GF or wife. Easy waht to check in.
The other think would be some type of GPS tracker like a spot. A year later I helped in finding a diwn rider. If he would have had a Spot or something it would have made things a lot easier. Also has some type of ride log so someone knows where you are....like a pilot.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Battle Ground WA
Now that's my kind of trip... Haven't done anything like that solo yet, but stories like this one make me really want to!!
July 1982 I asked my boss for a unpaid month off for the upcoming Sept. to ride from Ga. to Ca. with 4 riding buddys. Boss said no, buddies insisted they were going, so I lined up another job and quit. It was my first big trip and I wasn't going to miss it.
I remember sitting on my 1979 Sportster, Sept. 1, 1982 as it warmed up thinking " What the Hell am I doing?'' Because Every one of my friends, 1 by 1 had backed out, and I had quite my good job. I knew then, I had to go. It was 1 hell of an adventure that taught me many things like " Don't camp at 10K' elevation". Met some Great people along the way. Not sure of the mileage, speedo cable broke on the way out, but Ga to LA up to San Fran and back across Utah and CO. Just me and a Rand McNally. The weather kept me from going too far north.
I rode scenic 2 lanes most all the way. Probably about 7000.mi total & 31 days.
It was my new beginning.
I remember sitting on my 1979 Sportster, Sept. 1, 1982 as it warmed up thinking " What the Hell am I doing?'' Because Every one of my friends, 1 by 1 had backed out, and I had quite my good job. I knew then, I had to go. It was 1 hell of an adventure that taught me many things like " Don't camp at 10K' elevation". Met some Great people along the way. Not sure of the mileage, speedo cable broke on the way out, but Ga to LA up to San Fran and back across Utah and CO. Just me and a Rand McNally. The weather kept me from going too far north.
I rode scenic 2 lanes most all the way. Probably about 7000.mi total & 31 days.
It was my new beginning.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
The farthest I have rode alone is a 9,600 mile round trip from Phoenix, Arizona to Hyder, Alaska and back. I zig-zaged many western states on the way home. While it is fun to ride with others, there are no group pressures when riding alone. You leave when you want, eat when you want, go where you want, etc... I prefer to ride 700+ miles per day, and most groups don't like that.
For those going to Alaska, there is almost endless sunlight the further north you get. Most of my evening stop decisions were due to lodging logistics, rather than fatigue. There is plenty of gas up north, and enough Harley dealerships if needed.
For those going to Alaska, there is almost endless sunlight the further north you get. Most of my evening stop decisions were due to lodging logistics, rather than fatigue. There is plenty of gas up north, and enough Harley dealerships if needed.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: hope mills, nc
first long one? 5,570.6 in 13 days. NC to New Plymouth, ID. june, 2006. but i had a passenger for part of it. she only had 5 days off, so she flew out and met me in denver, rode with me to ID, and back through UT, WY, Co, to Kansas, and flew back home from Kansas City.
longest in the least time? 5801.01 miles in 9 days. NC to Oregon and back. may, 2008. only had 14 days of leave, so i did my prep, packed and rolled, as hard as i could. rain, and all. was lucky, only had a few spots of rain.
longest all together? 7,432.07. same start and finish, but different stops in 15 days. july, 2009.
next one, over 8500. may 2011. stops are NC, FL, LA, TX, KS, CO, OR, CO, KS, MO, KY, PA, NY, VA, and home to NC.
i been fighting for my country for over 15 years now, i just wanna see it all. done it in a truck once, never again. as long as i am able, i will ride it.
ride safe,
corb
PS: E N AZ. that sounds like my kind of riding! not too many folks will ride with me for that reason. i did 1080 miles in a day. baton rouge to El paso. started at 0500, and arrived at 2230. long day through west texas! lol!
corb
longest in the least time? 5801.01 miles in 9 days. NC to Oregon and back. may, 2008. only had 14 days of leave, so i did my prep, packed and rolled, as hard as i could. rain, and all. was lucky, only had a few spots of rain.
longest all together? 7,432.07. same start and finish, but different stops in 15 days. july, 2009.
next one, over 8500. may 2011. stops are NC, FL, LA, TX, KS, CO, OR, CO, KS, MO, KY, PA, NY, VA, and home to NC.
i been fighting for my country for over 15 years now, i just wanna see it all. done it in a truck once, never again. as long as i am able, i will ride it.
ride safe,
corb
PS: E N AZ. that sounds like my kind of riding! not too many folks will ride with me for that reason. i did 1080 miles in a day. baton rouge to El paso. started at 0500, and arrived at 2230. long day through west texas! lol!
corb
Last edited by 2004vmc; Jan 23, 2011 at 01:58 AM.
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