GS500 America Relay - Ideas?

[Huff1371]

Added myself in. I REALLY don't want to be anywhere near D.C. in any vehicle other than my truck. I know we have some NOVA riders.

[jestercinti]

Northern Virginia drivers near DC are no joke. Did a 4 month stint in Reston VA. Crazy

[steezin_and_wheezin]

I vote that it goes from coast to coast, but that it would include as many members as possible.

Example(from the looks of the map) it could start with Bomb in IL and travel southeast then down the east coast and across the bottom of the states.

I would love to see it travel up the west coast and all the way back across the northern border but it looks unlikely

[Paulcet]

I voted for perimeter.  However, that might not be possible. 

What about a hybrid?  Give it until spring for all willing participants to put their areas on the google map.  Then work out a route to cover that?  Still might be difficult to get across the mid-west....

[jestercinti]

Lets let the data and membership decide the route like paulcet suggested.

I'd also like to see it get all the way around but if we have a 1000 mile gap, we may need to improvise.

[dry_humor]

holy crap that map is awesome. i knew there was something that could be done to streamline things. i've added my coverage area. overlaps to the north, but someone still needs to cover far west fla, bama, mississippi, and louisiana.

i wouldnt mind getting things started sooner if everything falls into place either.

just a thought....if things dont really pan out with making it all the way around with just GS's, would you guys be open to maybe opening it up to sayyyyy the SV forums? i know that there would be a lot of people there that would find this idea VERY cool and would fill in a large area of the map.

just a suggestion, but i'll leave it up to you guys to decide.

[noworries]

Magic idea! While you are planning, maybe have a read of this ripper little free e-book on the Open Library by  a guy who crossed the country in the very early 1920s on a bike:

http://www.archive.org/stream/acrossamericabym00shepuoft#page/n7/mode/2up

Great story, great read.

[bombsquad83]

Can we talk about what to include in the "baton"?  I forget how exactly the Aussie's did it, but I think there is some kind of log with everyone's name and handle, year of GS500, and how many miles they went with the baton, correct?  Also, we could include a huge road map of the US so that we can highlight the route that you took.  Then later on we can more easily transfer that to a google map.  All of this should be kept in a waterproof container.  Who wants to build it?

[jestercinti]

The baton used in Australia is a toothbrush holder with a keychain on one end and a charm on the other.

Inside is a paper "scroll" used to record info such as GS member, miles driven, route, and notes.

Ours can differ, but make it too big and those if us minimalists like me won't be able to carry this on our person. A pencil holder would be another idea.  Its used in schools and is typically waterproof plastic/vinyl and is flexible. Think of it like a tough ziploc bag.

[BassWoW]

I know that I would have 3 willing bikers coming with me; just friends and stuff for involvment. We need more people to add themselves. Also tom your in CT right?

I didn't see you on the map so I tried to extend my riding distance.

I think with more people involved,we will in fact have a nice tour ahead of ourselves.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

If the gap from VA to GA doesn't get filled. I could extent my radius further south to meet up with Paulcet. I have friends in Atlanta and could manage.

[Paulcet]

Yeah, I could do atlanta as well... Probably take the Slab on the way up or back...

[jestercinti]

Can we talk about what to include in the "baton"?  I forget how exactly the Aussie's did it, but I think there is some kind of log with everyone's name and handle, year of GS500, and how many miles they went with the baton, correct?  Also, we could include a huge road map of the US so that we can highlight the route that you took.  Then later on we can more easily transfer that to a google map.  All of this should be kept in a waterproof container.  Who wants to build it?

I volunteer to build the baton/document holder.  It will contain at a minimum a US map and a log.

The best option I see is a clear mailing tube like this



That would contain a US Map and a log printout similar to this



Just roll up the documents like a scroll, stuff in tube, and Presto!  You have a baton.

[Zwerski]

I can do CA coast. Napa down to Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo. I live between those towns. Handing off in either terminus is great. Wine country on both counts.

[jestercinti]

Cool. Add you shape to California. Look at OP, we have a Google map started with areas shaded where people have indicated their riding radius boundries.

Steezin has some instructions on how to do this in an earlier post in this thread.

[Huff1371]

Might want to include some kind of banner or flag or such to snap pics of landmarks, views, riders, etc. I know a couple Harley riders that do this with a stuffed animal, granted they have full-size trunks and pop up campers. A banner would probably be a better fit.

[jestercinti]

Good point.  I think there is a low-cost silk screening place here in town.  Something I'll look into.  A small banner would be ideal.

[tom.gabriele]

Also tom your in CT right?

I didn't see you on the map so I tried to extend my riding distance.

Yes, sorry. Just now got around to putting myself in.

My parents, sister, and brother-in-law ride too. Just not GSes. Hopefully they won't tarnish the reputation of this USA tour if they come ride with me too.

FWIW, I have a GS (obviously), Dad has Shadow 750, Mom Shadow 600, Sister Virago 250, Bro-in-law FZ6.

[bombsquad83]

As long as there is always a GS carrying the baton, I say the more the merrier.

[jestercinti]

Agreed with Bombsquad.  As long as there is a GS'er carrying the baton, it can be an entire army riding with you.