Need help with Dallas to Michigan trip in early May
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Need help with Dallas to Michigan trip in early May
I am planning a trip from the Dallas area to Western Michigan the first of May on an FLHTK. After reading several of the forums I have purchased a Mustang backrest, Airhawk R and saddle bag guard rail water bottle holder. I have also purchased a thermos that fits in the holder that will hopefully keep my water iced. I plan to use the turn by turn navigation that comes with my iphone as my navigation system. I have tested that the turn by turn will interrupt my tunes so I will not have to try and view the map on the small screen of the phone.
I also have the underarmour pants, but may get some bike shorts that you guys have mentioned here.
Now that is about the extent of my planning so far. What I am hoping to do is make it to St Louis the first day. This will be a little over 600 miles and then go another 500 the second day (although my longest trips have only been 300 miles and that was on a VTX). I really want to make it there in 2 days if possible so that I can spend time with my Grandson (had my oldest daughter when I was really young
).
On my way home, I can take it a bit easier and do it in 3 days if needed.
My question to this forum is can you give me some advice on the current conditions of US-69 in Oklahoma, I-44 in Missouri and I-55 in Illinois? That is the route that I had planned to take up there as it saves me a few miles and a few hours. I may come back a different route if you all have a better more scenic route that I can do in 3 days.
I apologize if I am starting a duplicate thread, but I have not found it yet and I have really been looking around.
I also have the underarmour pants, but may get some bike shorts that you guys have mentioned here.
Now that is about the extent of my planning so far. What I am hoping to do is make it to St Louis the first day. This will be a little over 600 miles and then go another 500 the second day (although my longest trips have only been 300 miles and that was on a VTX). I really want to make it there in 2 days if possible so that I can spend time with my Grandson (had my oldest daughter when I was really young
).On my way home, I can take it a bit easier and do it in 3 days if needed.
My question to this forum is can you give me some advice on the current conditions of US-69 in Oklahoma, I-44 in Missouri and I-55 in Illinois? That is the route that I had planned to take up there as it saves me a few miles and a few hours. I may come back a different route if you all have a better more scenic route that I can do in 3 days.
I apologize if I am starting a duplicate thread, but I have not found it yet and I have really been looking around.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Thank you 2AM. That is exactly the kind of information that I had hoped to get. I will be sure and keep to the speed limit and not try and do my usual 5 miles above.
As far as Michigan weather, I will try and bring a bit of Texas weather with me.
As far as Michigan weather, I will try and bring a bit of Texas weather with me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,978
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
To bad that you're not coming later in the season.
We have the International "Dream Cruise" in Detroit in late August and it's the ultimate "car show".
Check it out on youtube and consider do it someday.
It's definitely worth the ride if you're a "car guy".
We have the International "Dream Cruise" in Detroit in late August and it's the ultimate "car show".
Check it out on youtube and consider do it someday.
It's definitely worth the ride if you're a "car guy".
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 7
From: Corning, Ohio
You didn't say where your destination in Michigan might be. The one thing that I do know is that you shoud make your way to the western side well before Chicago. My advice, go around Chicago, GO WWWWAAAAYYYY AROUND Chicago. As was stated, Michigan can be and is a crap shoot as far as weather in May. July 4th near White Fish Ba 2 years ago it was 41 degrees and the coldest rain that I have ever riden in. We parked it at 10AM for the day.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 46
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From: Texas
I am heading to Grand Rapids. Currently looking at taking I-55 up to I-80 and swinging east of Chicago and going toward Gary Indiana to I-94. However, after leaving St. Louis I could also take I-70 and go up through Indianapolis and Fort Wayne and enter Michigan on I-94. This route is about 100 miles more, but hey I want to have somewhat of a decent ride up there eventhough I would like to make it in 2 days.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
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From:
i've seen snow the first week of may in wisconsin, michigan isn't any different than wisconsin when it comes to weather.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: on the road
I would detour far around Gary Indiana to--------or at least time it where you can slide thru in daylight and not stay close to that ghetto.My oldest kid runs all over in the truck and hates Gary worse than chicago
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Texas
I was really hoping that the 9 months of winter in Michigan would have ended by May. How do you people do it? Guess the weather makes it up to you in the summer when it is a boiling hot 110+ down here.
Pete I do not really care to go between Chicago and Gary if they are that bad. Might be best to keep myself further east and go through Fort Wayne.
I really appreciate all the advice. Really looking forward to this trip and know that I will have some surprises, but want to minimize them as much as possible.
Pete I do not really care to go between Chicago and Gary if they are that bad. Might be best to keep myself further east and go through Fort Wayne.
I really appreciate all the advice. Really looking forward to this trip and know that I will have some surprises, but want to minimize them as much as possible.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 7
From: Corning, Ohio
Well I woke up to a surprise this morning, 2 inches of new snow. It hit the roadways and turned immediately to ice. Made for a fun trip into work. Being prepared and not being surprised are kinda, well mythical situations. You can prepare all you wish and there will be something forgotten, misplaced or even lost. As for surprises, you really need to be open and up for surprises. You can never prepare for them, they come at you from every angle and sometimes they are the very best part of the trip. Remember, you are only one wrong turn away from your next greatest adventure.