tips for 2012 cross country trip?
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Let me see if I got this right. Scranton PA to St. Louis MO. in 1 day --- that roughly 900 miles --- @ an average of 50/55 mph and believe me you won't do much better by the time you stop for fuel and food and rest breaks, that's a 18 hr ride, you will be to tired to enjoy the 4th of July. The trip sounds great, I hope you have a great ride and by all means post some pictures for the rest of us to see. I wish I was riding with you but I have a Grand Canyon trip planed myself for the coming summer.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
First I would not miss the 4 corners area around Moab and Cortez, north of Gallup NM. The Columbia River valley is another I wouldnt miss, up thru Boise ID via I84 via Mt Ranier and Snake river. There is way too much to cover in 3 weeks, and 300 miles per day sounds easy to average, but alot depends on weather and sidetrips. Also go to www.touringdepot.com they will help you a lot, read it all.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
+1 on Rt. 66 being overrated. I've traveled RT.66 all my life since the days when I was a kid when we used to visit my Grandma in L.A. and there were few interstates done. I think the mystic and lore come more from the song and TV show then anything. Rt.66 is nothing special IMHO.
I'd take 50 and when you get to Colorado take a short detour and ride the Million Dollar Hwy. If you go to L.A. visit Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Pier....the official beginning/end of Rt. 66. Some cool stuff there and Santa Monica is beautiful.
As a matter of fact a good place to stay is the Holiday Inn Express Santa Monica Pier. It has an indoor parking garage, and is 1/2 block from the Santa Monica Pier. It is just a few blocks from the 13th Street Promenade....a street mall with a lot of cool, upscale shops, bars and restaurants. A great place to people watch(uhmm you say your gf will be with you, wear your shades cause there are some hot HOT women there) and relax and have a cold one. Then when you're ready to leave ride around the block from the hotel and jump on the Pacific Coast Highway.
I'd take 50 and when you get to Colorado take a short detour and ride the Million Dollar Hwy. If you go to L.A. visit Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Pier....the official beginning/end of Rt. 66. Some cool stuff there and Santa Monica is beautiful.
As a matter of fact a good place to stay is the Holiday Inn Express Santa Monica Pier. It has an indoor parking garage, and is 1/2 block from the Santa Monica Pier. It is just a few blocks from the 13th Street Promenade....a street mall with a lot of cool, upscale shops, bars and restaurants. A great place to people watch(uhmm you say your gf will be with you, wear your shades cause there are some hot HOT women there) and relax and have a cold one. Then when you're ready to leave ride around the block from the hotel and jump on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
How was it riding 50 across Nevada? Is there anything to see or is it just empty desert?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 85
From: Florida
Let me see if I got this right. Scranton PA to St. Louis MO. in 1 day --- that roughly 900 miles --- @ an average of 50/55 mph and believe me you won't do much better by the time you stop for fuel and food and rest breaks, that's a 18 hr ride, you will be to tired to enjoy the 4th of July. The trip sounds great, I hope you have a great ride and by all means post some pictures for the rest of us to see. I wish I was riding with you but I have a Grand Canyon trip planed myself for the coming summer.
I love my long runs, but you made 2 comments that give me pause.
1) You haven't ridden much on the interstate.
and
2) You are going to leave at 3:30 after work and try to make a run straight through.
4:00am on a motorcycle on an interstate after being awake for 22 hours will put you to sleep faster than mom's milk and cookies. If you don't think you can doze off riding a bike, you haven't stayed on it long enough.
I would break that up into 2 stages with sleep in the middle.
Or:
Get off work, go to bed early, jump up at 4:00am and haul azz. With a good night's sleep behind you the trip is easily makeable in 16-18 hours.
The remainder of the trip at 375-400 miles per day will be a walk in the park as long as your partner is comfortable. Think about a real thin blanket (like the type airlines use) to fold she can sit on. Keep her comfy and you stay on the bike.
Last edited by Jonesee; Dec 28, 2011 at 02:13 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: East Tennessee
Stay hydrated throughout your trip. You'll feel better after a long day. Also, there is no reason to "skank it". Unless you are going to camp on the side of the road just about all campgrounds have showers.
Take the glock. Just know which states you need to unload and lock it up.
Take some tools and a tire repair kit. Take some meds with you too. A valium for your GF may come in handy from time to time!
Have fun, be safe, and take lots of pics!
Take the glock. Just know which states you need to unload and lock it up.
Take some tools and a tire repair kit. Take some meds with you too. A valium for your GF may come in handy from time to time!
Have fun, be safe, and take lots of pics!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 580
Likes: 54
From: Ohio River Valley
IMHO...The ride is what you make it. Good friends. Good memories. We'll do Rt66 again. I loved the Cadillac Ranch.
i told her firmly 2 pairs per person. im taking 1 shes taking 3. haha
Last edited by 11Streetglide103; Dec 29, 2011 at 04:34 PM. Reason: new years resolution to stop saying "lol
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Let me see if I got this right. Scranton PA to St. Louis MO. in 1 day --- that roughly 900 miles --- @ an average of 50/55 mph and believe me you won't do much better by the time you stop for fuel and food and rest breaks, that's a 18 hr ride, you will be to tired to enjoy the 4th of July. The trip sounds great, I hope you have a great ride and by all means post some pictures for the rest of us to see. I wish I was riding with you but I have a Grand Canyon trip planed myself for the coming summer.
unrelated: happened to see a movie called "the canyon" on netflix last night haha a guy and girl got stranded down in the grand canyon and their tourguide got bit in the face by a rattlesnake and died. she ended up cutting his leg off cuz he got it pinned after a fall and eventually suffocating him to keep him from getting eaten by coyotes. i asked the the woman if she would be willing to do that to me and she seemed a little too anxious haha
Stay hydrated throughout your trip. You'll feel better after a long day. Also, there is no reason to "skank it". Unless you are going to camp on the side of the road just about all campgrounds have showers.
Take the glock. Just know which states you need to unload and lock it up.
Take some tools and a tire repair kit. Take some meds with you too. A valium for your GF may come in handy from time to time!
Have fun, be safe, and take lots of pics!
Take the glock. Just know which states you need to unload and lock it up.
Take some tools and a tire repair kit. Take some meds with you too. A valium for your GF may come in handy from time to time!
Have fun, be safe, and take lots of pics!