Sturgis 2013 From Florida
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
My wife and I are planning on riding from Tampa to Sturgis. We are working out a rough plan on how long we want to ride each day and which route to take. We want to hit the Black Hills, Wy, and catch as many interesting side trips as possible without costing us too much time away from the event.
Looks like about 29 hours of riding one way so, yeah, big adventure time. Anyone have some tips on riding 2 up for 30 hour stretches?
Looks like about 29 hours of riding one way so, yeah, big adventure time. Anyone have some tips on riding 2 up for 30 hour stretches?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 85
From: Florida
Don't do it 2-up. You will endanger your significant other needlessly.
Can it be done? Yep...
I did it in 34 hours, see my sig line.
If you really want to try, let me make a suggestion.
Run the first 1100 miles as quickly as you can. Have a motel reservation at that point. Hit the sack for 4 hours, jump up and run another 550-600. Then if you are still in the game, run the last 400-500 hard.
Keep your paperwork, get your witnesses to sign and you earn your first Iron Butt certificate, saddle sore 1000,before bed the first day (1000 miles in less than 24 hours). Then with the next stop and witness signatures you earn a second Iron Butt certificate, Bun Burner 1500, for 1500 miles in less than 36 hours). Then run the last leg hard and you earn your third and fourth Iron Butt certificates (a second Saddle Sore for another 1000 miles in less than 24 hours and a SS2000, 2000 miles in less than 48 hours)
Key rule is if you get sleepy, STOP and sleep.
If you think you can't fall asleep on a bike you are wrong. I've done it. Stop before you get to that point and sleep.
Can it be done? Yep...
I did it in 34 hours, see my sig line.
If you really want to try, let me make a suggestion.
Run the first 1100 miles as quickly as you can. Have a motel reservation at that point. Hit the sack for 4 hours, jump up and run another 550-600. Then if you are still in the game, run the last 400-500 hard.
Keep your paperwork, get your witnesses to sign and you earn your first Iron Butt certificate, saddle sore 1000,before bed the first day (1000 miles in less than 24 hours). Then with the next stop and witness signatures you earn a second Iron Butt certificate, Bun Burner 1500, for 1500 miles in less than 36 hours). Then run the last leg hard and you earn your third and fourth Iron Butt certificates (a second Saddle Sore for another 1000 miles in less than 24 hours and a SS2000, 2000 miles in less than 48 hours)
Key rule is if you get sleepy, STOP and sleep.
If you think you can't fall asleep on a bike you are wrong. I've done it. Stop before you get to that point and sleep.
Last edited by Jonesee; Feb 7, 2013 at 06:41 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 131
From: Central Texas area
My wife and I made our first long-distance trip together to Sturgis last year on the Limited and it was her first ever motorcycle rally..We had a blast...
Here's our route from Texas and back...
http://www.tripline.net/trip/Texas_t...F880506D87C3EB
Here's our route from Texas and back...
http://www.tripline.net/trip/Texas_t...F880506D87C3EB
Last edited by rossn2; Feb 8, 2013 at 07:14 AM.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Florida
We went coast to coast pulling a camper trailer the whole way. Google up Timeout Trailers. We checked the maps every morning and went from state park to state park all the way. Cheapest way to go and most parks were great. Went from Florida to New England then west to Oregon, down the Pacific Coast Hwy. to San Francisco, east back to Florida. This country is just incredible to ride across. Three months on the road, 11,500+ miles. Now on to Alaska through Canada this summer.
Last edited by Dresser Dan; Feb 21, 2013 at 09:40 AM. Reason: Added info
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 9
you can easily wear a pair of jeans for 3 days...take one extra pair and underwear and long sleeve tees for 6 days. pair of shorts and flip flops for lounging around motel. wash clothes one time at the end of 6 days. rain gear and leather jacket and you are good to go. forget the trailer.
stay at motel 6 most nights...generally cheap and clean...also plenty of little mom and pop motels a few blocks off the main highways. better get your room booked in sturgis-many are full already.
stay at motel 6 most nights...generally cheap and clean...also plenty of little mom and pop motels a few blocks off the main highways. better get your room booked in sturgis-many are full already.
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,724
Likes: 234
From: Altoona, Pa.
On the subject of trailers, I assume that your budget may be limited. In 2008, I purchased a trailer "kit" on eBay for $180.00. Since the crate it came in was relatively heavy, the shipping was another $110.00. I had to supply the plywood bed, about $50.00. I purchased a hitch and wiring kit from J&P Cycles for around $400.00. All together everything came to about $800.00.
I did not have any trouble with the trailer itself but I did lose an alternator stator on the trip. The next time I used the trailer to go to Sturgis was in 2011. I replaced the lightbulbs with LED units and had no electrical problems. (The left tailight/license plate bracket broke off but that is another story.)
From looking at the attached photos, you can see that this inexpensive set-up hauled a lot of stuff.
I also suggest to people that they purchase a Garmin GPS that has the Harley Logo on it. You can sometimes get a used one or a cheaper one on eBay. Why the Harley/Garmin GPS you may ask? When I lost the alternator, I was passing through Lusk, Wyoming. Since I knew I had a limit on how long the battery would last, I needed to know where a Harley dealer was that had the parts. The Harley/Garmin Roadtdec Quest I had at the time had a search program for nearest Harley Dealer including their phone number. Bikes break down and knowing the closest dealer that can help you is a handy piece of information to have. If you have an Apple Smart Phone with Siri, you can get the same onfo.
I did not have any trouble with the trailer itself but I did lose an alternator stator on the trip. The next time I used the trailer to go to Sturgis was in 2011. I replaced the lightbulbs with LED units and had no electrical problems. (The left tailight/license plate bracket broke off but that is another story.)
From looking at the attached photos, you can see that this inexpensive set-up hauled a lot of stuff.
I also suggest to people that they purchase a Garmin GPS that has the Harley Logo on it. You can sometimes get a used one or a cheaper one on eBay. Why the Harley/Garmin GPS you may ask? When I lost the alternator, I was passing through Lusk, Wyoming. Since I knew I had a limit on how long the battery would last, I needed to know where a Harley dealer was that had the parts. The Harley/Garmin Roadtdec Quest I had at the time had a search program for nearest Harley Dealer including their phone number. Bikes break down and knowing the closest dealer that can help you is a handy piece of information to have. If you have an Apple Smart Phone with Siri, you can get the same onfo.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Rockledge, FL
Sturgis
Hey man
I am riding alone from Brevard County FL. But, I hooked up on this forum with a few guys from south FL and am going to mtag with them... Anyone is welcome. Nothing invested so you can still ride your own ride if ya'd like...
PM me if your still thinking about it...
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Rockledge, FL
Sturgis
Shimi- I'm pretty much in the same boat as you..I'm down in Ocala and it is my plan to do the Sturgis ride on '13 as well..my wife isn't keen on such a long trip, but I think I'm ready.. let's keep in touch and maybe we can do it at the same time..my first stop when I come that way is always Pensacola, as I lived there for 30 years and still have family and friends there..keep in touch!