Due to certain unavoidable circumstances in my life, I have decided to move to South Carolina from Idaho, and should be starting my trip cross country on Friday. I need as much advice as possible. Thanks.....
Quote from: JasonD on June 12, 2006, 03:11:13 PM
Due to certain unavoidable circumstances in my life, I have decided to move to South Carolina from Idaho, and should be starting my trip cross country on Friday. I need as much advice as possible. Thanks.....
Trailer the bike.
I am sure Alpha is kidding; it isn't a Harley :icon_razz:
Are you going to have enough room on the bike to move all of your belongings?? If not, then I assume you already have a place to stay out there, atleast till you get on your feet? Mail your stuff out there. :thumb:
Other than that, I'd stop every 100 or so miles - drink a lot of water - and stretch your legs everytime you get gas. Don't wait till the last minute to fill up; you don't always know when the next gas station is. Eat plenty and get a good night's sleep each night. Standard stuff. Let your bike's air cooled engine cool down, too.
Make sure your bike is in tip top shape. Check oil regularly, make sure your tire pressures and chain slack is up to spec, etc.
And above all: ENJOY THE RIDE! Focus on the "journey, not the destination". Not everyone gets the chance to motorcycle "cross country" like that, so take it all in, snap lots of pics, and enjoy the scenery. Make the best of the trip.
Move somewhere other than South Carolina...
Quote from: Phaedrus on June 12, 2006, 04:29:10 PM
I am sure Alpha is kidding; it isn't a Harley :icon_razz:
Nope. He's undergoing a HUGE trip, and it'd be easier to trailer the bike, IMO. He could take most (if not all, depending on the size of his truck) of his belongings and the bike all at the same time.
Then again, if you want to make it a really long trip (enjoy the sights, etc...) do what Phaedrus said. If you plan on moving, trailer it.
Yeah, but it sounded like "unavoidable circumstances" is a bad thing. Not wanting to get too personal, I assumed that he had to take his bike and get the hell outta dodge :laugh:
If I had to leave state with my bike, that is what I would do. I don't have a truck, and I certainly don't have a trailer. Since he wanted advice on riding, I assumed he didn't have a truck or a trailer :thumb:
Of course he could always rent one..but how much would that be? Quite a bit, I assume. I once rented a UHAUL to haul some stuff about 30 miles. I think it was like $70 down and x amount of cents per mile. It was a long time ago, but I think it ended up being about $150? That is what is sticking in my head anyways. Now from Idaho to SC.. :o
Can you stop in MI and pick me up? I need to get the hell out of this state.
Quote from: st8racin on June 12, 2006, 04:53:19 PM
Can you stop in MI and pick me up? I need to get the hell out of this state.
See Jason, just one more reason to take the ride nice and leisurely, and enjoy your..uhm, surroundings ;) :thumb:
Quote from: Phaedrus on June 12, 2006, 04:48:49 PM
Since he wanted advice on riding, I assumed he didn't have a truck or a trailer :thumb:
He said nothing of riding, which is why I suggested trailering.
Quote from: Phaedrus on June 12, 2006, 04:48:49 PM
... I assumed he didn't have a truck or a trailer...
We know what ASSUMING does. :icon_mrgreen:
We also know what it means to quote yourself. Haha.
What part of South Click are you moving to?
Quote from: Phaedrus on June 12, 2006, 05:09:02 PM
Quote from: Phaedrus on June 12, 2006, 04:48:49 PM
... I assumed he didn't have a truck or a trailer...
We know what ASSUMING does. :icon_mrgreen:
Yeah... it makes an ass out of U and some guy named Ming..
I'm getting divorced, all I will have is my bike and clothes. I'm gonna mail my clothes home and ride the bike.
:o DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMNNNNN :bowdown:
wait, didn't you just post a pic of your hot wife in the hotties thread like 2 weeks ago.
too bad.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on June 12, 2006, 03:46:24 PM
Quote from: JasonD on June 12, 2006, 03:11:13 PM
Due to certain unavoidable circumstances in my life, I have decided to move to South Carolina from Idaho, and should be starting my trip cross country on Friday. I need as much advice as possible. Thanks.....
Trailer the bike.
Alpha dont try to spread yur texan pus like ways. Some of us actually RIDE our bikes to and from places.
:laugh:
-ash
I'll have my laptop with me and every 200 or 400 miles, at least when I have a connection, I'll send an update on my progress. I'll probably be leaving Thursday or Friday.
Jason - Sorry to hear about your divorce. That sucks. Do check in and I hope all works well for you. Follow the long distance riding advice and you will be fine. :thumb:
Alpha - BOOO YAH! I WAS RIGHT. HE IS RIDING. AYE AYE AYE!!! BOOH YAHH!! heh. :laugh:
Quote from: ashman on June 13, 2006, 02:17:20 AM
Alpha dont try to spread yur texan pus like ways. Some of us actually RIDE our bikes to and from places.
:laugh:
-ash
Yeah yeah, because you only live 300 miles away from the Gap! Let's see you ride quadruple that amount!
Quote from: Phaedrus on June 12, 2006, 04:29:10 PM
I am sure Alpha is kidding; it isn't a Harley :icon_razz:
Are you going to have enough room on the bike to move all of your belongings?? If not, then I assume you already have a place to stay out there, atleast till you get on your feet? Mail your stuff out there. :thumb:
Other than that, I'd stop every 100 or so miles - drink a lot of water - and stretch your legs everytime you get gas. Don't wait till the last minute to fill up; you don't always know when the next gas station is. Eat plenty and get a good night's sleep each night. Standard stuff. Let your bike's air cooled engine cool down, too.
Make sure your bike is in tip top shape. Check oil regularly, make sure your tire pressures and chain slack is up to spec, etc.
And above all: ENJOY THE RIDE! Focus on the "journey, not the destination". Not everyone gets the chance to motorcycle "cross country" like that, so take it all in, snap lots of pics, and enjoy the scenery. Make the best of the trip.
actually phaedrus, if it was a harley hed be riding it :cheers: :flipoff: :laugh:
bump....leaving tomorrow morning. I can't decide between going from Salt Lake City-Cheyenne-Kansas City or Salt Lake City-Grand Junction-Denver-Kansas City. It's a toss up between mtn scenery and time. I've driven through Wyoming and I'm familiar with it but I've never gone through Colorado on 70(except when I was too young to remember). Also....Can anyone suggest a good cheap hotel around Cheyenne/Denver/Columbia, Mo?
Can't help you on the lodging :dunno_white: but it's too bad I'm flying to Sacramento in a few hours.
Otherwise I'd be tempted to ride most of the way from Salt Lake to Moab with you ... if you decided to go south, that is. (My sister lives in Moab, and I haven't visited for many months now.)
Oh, that reminds me, since I'll be posting as I make progress, anyone is free to come out and keep me company.....
I left caldwell at 9:30 Friday morning, got to Cheyenne, WY roughly 12 hours later....spent the night at the TA Truck Stop....continued on this morning around 7AM...now I'm just outside of Kansas City headed toward St Louis....Dont know how long I'm gonna keep going tonight, but if it stays warm I'm just gonna keep truckin....
P.S. - The rain sucks :( Wind sucks more :(
Quote from: JasonD on June 17, 2006, 03:21:02 PM
P.S. - The rain sucks :( Wind sucks more :(
Yep, thats very true. I'd take riding in the rain (with the exception of a severa thunderstorm, or so heavy you can't see..) over wind anyday.
Are you taking is leisurely or just travelling as fast as possible?
This is an epic ride so try to enjoy!
I dream about riding around the United States but will never have that block of free time 'til I'm old & gray--or jobless--in which case I won't have the means.
A family member was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year and spent the next 8 months in & out of hospitals fighting against the inevitable. :cry: That won't happen to me. I'll be out on my bike going for a long, long ride. :thumb:
Hey folks...sorry I didn't post more. I am home in South Carolina after 2500 miles of rain, wind, mountains, plains, cities, towns, bad drivers, and passing too many semi trucks to count. The bike was flawless the entire way....I was getting around 50 MPG the entire way, and I only spent 120 in gas for 2500 miles. It rained from St Louis, MO to Paducah, KY....and I decided after all that rain that I should sleep and let it pass. When I woke up the next morning it was still raining, and I rode through that storm all the way to Nashville, where it finally let up. The most beautiful part of the ride was going from Tenneesee to North Carolina with no clouds, perfect temperature, and the great smoky mountains. It was an awesome ride, and I'm no worse for wear.
Just to reiterate...the bike was freaking awesome.....I only stopped when I needed gas, and the only time it sputtered is when the main tank went dry. I only spent 20 dollars on food the whole way. Twice for taco bell and about 20 granola bars. I drank a crapload of bottled water and noticed that riding got alot more uncomfortable when I forgot to drink some water during a stop.
I only had a couple of near death experiences. Once on the interstate leaving Nashville, a dodge pickup pulled into my lane as I was passing him on the left, because he didn't see me. I put out my right hand on his window(out of reflex) and scared the shaZam! out of him as I tried to keep from running into the concrete wall on my left. Flipped him off and rode away....
Second was 3 miles before I got home....a deer jumped in front of me on the highway right after the sun went down. I ended up in the grass from swerving to avoid it...2500 miles and I almost lost it 3 miles from home....
Thanks to the people that let me follow them for endless stretches.....and did their best to entertain me as I looked into their back window. . . . and especially to one couple of ladies(you know who you are)
Thanks to the truckers who taught me that no truck is the same, and the wind gust you get as you pass them will be different everytime...
Thanks to the cops who ignored me the whole way....even as I was tearing through the North Carolina Mtns...I passed several who stared as I went pass and didn't seem to care that I was doing 80 in a 55....
anyways....ttyl.... :)
Quote from: JasonD on June 15, 2006, 03:40:49 PM
bump....leaving tomorrow morning. I can't decide between going from Salt Lake City-Cheyenne-Kansas City or Salt Lake City-Grand Junction-Denver-Kansas City. It's a toss up between mtn scenery and time. I've driven through Wyoming and I'm familiar with it but I've never gone through Colorado on 70(except when I was too young to remember). Also....Can anyone suggest a good cheap hotel around Cheyenne/Denver/Columbia, Mo?
I live in KC now but I lived in Columbia for like 5 years.
There is a Hampton Inn off of I-70 and Old 63 Highway, just south of the interstate. Also, there is a Holiday Inn Executive Center off of I-70 and Stadium but it will cost a bit more. There is a couple cheap hotels off of the Providence exit. Very near there there is a Harley dealer that actually will RENT you a Harley. I know. Wild. If you get a chance, jump off at Business Loop 50 and go to this strip clup called Club Vogue. If you want to see home hot college chicks take a cab to Willy's, Tonic, Quentin's, the Field House, or Harpo's. Nothing makes you feel better than tying one on.
Glad you made it! :thumb:
You've had a bike adventure, the memories of which will last a lifetime. Glad you made it OK, SC is a pretty state, and I hope things turn out well for you in your new home. :thumb:
Quote from: JasonD on June 19, 2006, 02:19:40 PM
Hey folks...sorry I didn't post more. I am home in South Carolina after 2500 miles of rain, wind, mountains, plains, cities, towns, bad drivers, and passing too many semi trucks to count.
:bowdown:
:thumb:
Glad to hear you made it! :thumb:
Jason,
I-40 east of Knoxville into NC to Ashville is one of my favorite pieces of Interstate. I hope that was a stretch of road that you had a chance to enjoy. Where in SC are you calling home? Charleston ranks up there as one nice, genteel city. We head down there almost every year. Great town!
That stretch of I-40 was my favorite stretch of road the whole trip. And I'm staying in florence...
Quote from: JasonD on June 19, 2006, 07:22:28 PM
That stretch of I-40 was my favorite stretch of road the whole trip. And I'm staying in florence...
heh ill be damned i prolly saw you on 40 around knoxville,, (bout 30 mins from my home) least youre close to the almighty dragon now (hint hint wink wink smack smack ) ;)
I have no idea what you're talking about :dunno_white: Almighty Dragon :icon_confused:
Quote from: JasonD on June 20, 2006, 01:38:47 PM
I have no idea what you're talking about :dunno_white: Almighty Dragon :icon_confused:
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/