Since you lot on the other side of the pond are not coming over to hereabouts next year, by the looks of it, I suppose I will just have to do a big US trip for you. :icon_wink:
I have started planning for a ride from here, diagonally across the US to Florida, taking in the Little Bighorn Battle Site, the Devils Tower, the centre of the contiguous 48 states and the infamous Deals Gap.
So if any of you stalwart chaps live close to my intended route (if you look at a map it is pretty much a straight line from here in British Columbia through my intended stop-offs, to Florida) let me know and we can meet for a coffee.
Sounds like a nice plan, enjoy!
I've a couple of cousins in the US that I have met, I was planning not to tell them I was coming :icon_wink:
Are you going back through US? Point thru Arkansas on your way, you won't see it all no matter which way you go.
Place to stay or wrench or have tires ready or spares here if you need.
I'll check my cabinet for some chrome polish, no promises.
Quote from: motoOzarks on November 29, 2015, 10:11:04 PM
Are you going back through US? Point thru Arkansas on your way, you won't see it all no matter which way you go.
Place to stay or wrench or have tires ready or spares here if you need.
I'll check my cabinet for some chrome polish, no promises.
Thank you for that. I might take you up on the offer, since I do not know what state my tyres will be in on the way back.
Chrome polish....???? Oh, I get it, you're being a bit cheeky about the wondrous handlebars on the bike. :ImaPoser
How are you getting back? Same straight line? Spend an extra bit of time in the Black Hills.
Quote from: benebob on December 26, 2015, 06:23:02 PM
How are you getting back? Same straight line? Spend an extra bit of time in the Black Hills.
Hmmm. The ride back is still "to be decided". I have a cousin, who I have never, met who lives in Pennsylvania, and the original plan was to head north from Fla to there, and then west through the northern States. So the Dakotas would be on the list.
I have not heard from him so the other option will be to head west through the southern states (which will be warmer) for a visit with my son and grandkids who live in Redondo Beach. Then north and east through Death Valley and up through Utah.
It looks like Gerry, my riding buddy who I went to Alaska with last year, is going to join me so there will also be his 'places to visit' list to take into consideration.
Planning is almost as much fun as the ride itself.
Choices, choices :qgaraduate
An easy one Nick - just take the one with the most twisties :icon_biggrin:
We'll be waiting for your r/r :nod
So you got the gear indicator sorted then :icon_scratch:
Quote from: Sin_Tiger on January 21, 2016, 02:24:01 AM
So you got the gear indicator sorted then :icon_scratch:
Erm....................no. It sits languishing on the bench waiting for me to work up some creative enthusiasm as to what I'm going to do with it. :icon_lol:
I am on your one route, south of St. Louis. Welcome to stop by, camp, etc.
Having a big party here Memorial weekend if your Florida plans change.
Quote from: brad1098 on January 29, 2016, 05:04:49 AM
I am on your one route, south of St. Louis. Welcome to stop by, camp, etc.
Thanks for that. Will be in touch. The big arch in St. Louis is a destination, too.
The route you have shown that goes thru Chicago ..........................
I would seriously rethink that one , if you are considering it .
It's an absolute cluster fuck of traffic and toll booths ( like $3 and 4 bucks every few miles ) and construction .
It sucks major in a 4 wheeled vehicle and is even worse on 2 wheels .
Quote from: Mustang on January 29, 2016, 04:12:28 PM
The route you have shown that goes thru Chicago ..........................
I've heard that before! That was on the original plan if I was going to head to Pennsylvania. Now that is not going to happen we will be heading west through the deep south. Light blue-ish route on the map.
http://tourofhonor.com/index.html
Just read about this in the latest Rider mag. Seems to be a US version of the 'Round Britain Rally' I did in 2001, but with a specific theme to all of the places you have to visit.
I'm tempted to sign up and incorporate it into the trip.......
That must be the longest,straightest rd in the world!! Roman?? :augie
Quote from: threepot on March 17, 2016, 08:58:17 PM
That must be the longest,straightest rd in the world!! Roman?? :augie
No, it's an ancient route the indigenous peoples used to follow at the end of every year to get away from the harsh northern winters. And since they didn't need roads they just went in a straight line over hill, dale, valley, stream and mountain. :qgaraduate
Quote from: nickjtc on March 17, 2016, 11:48:42 PM
No, it's an ancient route the indigenous peoples used to follow at the end of every year to get away from the harsh northern winters. And since they didn't need roads they just went in a straight line over hill, dale, valley, stream and mountain. :qgaraduate
Yea, Lewis and Clark used it... (http://www.cash-5.com/Smileys/laughing.gif)
Just found out that my potential riding buddy has just landed the dream gig of driving the truck containing the Ducati road test-ride bikes all over Canada, so I it looks like I will be travelling solo after all.
Nothing better than perusing good old paper maps (Many!! Cripes the US is big.) to get a sense of where you need to go, with no idea how long it is going to take.
Update on the weekend plans of May 27-29
We are having a campout/party/festival at our place. One rider is coming in from New Mexico, others will mostly be local friends and family. Saturday is the big day, but if you are going to be in Florida on Monday you may need to leave after Fridays party. We have other accommodations if you are not a tent camper.
*everyone else is welcome to come along as well.
* any other time coming or going on your trip works for us.
Thank you for that. I now have to be in Tennessee the night of the 27th, so will not be able to join you. Pity. Have a great time!!
Just went for a quick trip over to Kamloops to visit the eldest, and camp on his lawn to try out the new tent. And to get an idea of how much stuff I will be able to carry on my trip. I now know that the right pannier is useless for carrying anything of note. :icon_wink:
The jury is out on whether wearing bicycle shorts makes the ride more comfortable.....
Note the classy brass 'grab handle' on the top box, put on by the po. One on the other side too. A stylish counterpoint to the chrome handlebars, perhaps. :rfl
Quote from: nickjtc on May 01, 2016, 10:45:46 PM
Just went for a quick trip over to Kamloops to visit the eldest, and camp on his lawn to try out the new tent. And to get an idea of how much stuff I will be able to carry on my trip. I now know that the right pannier is useless for carrying anything of note. :icon_wink:
The jury is out on whether wearing bicycle shorts makes the ride more comfortable.....
Note the classy brass 'grab handle' on the top box, put on by the po. One on the other side too. A stylish counterpoint to the chrome handlebars, perhaps. :rfl
In the UK Aldi have the gel shorts in this week for only eight quid. As for the brass handle, "Why would you" :cp
Quote from: Bixxer Bob on May 02, 2016, 04:05:16 PM
In the UK Aldi have the gel shorts in this week for only eight quid. As for the brass handle, "Why would you" :cp
BixxerBob... please keep in mind he was in the bathroom supplies when he purchased it. This was his first choice. (http://www.cash-5.com/Smileys/bleh.gif)
Brilliant idea! handy for wiping flies off the visor on the go :eusa_clap
Quote from: Bixxer Bob on May 02, 2016, 04:05:16 PM
In the UK Aldi have the gel shorts in this week for only eight quid. As for the brass handle, "Why would you" :cp
The shorts I got were cheap 'n' cheerful, too. Maybe a more expensive pair would be better??
My mate Gerry (from whom I bought the bike) sometimes marches to the beat of a different drummer.... hence the brass :icon_wink:
I bought a pair of really cheapo cycling shorts from HK, I tried them on a 180 ml run and there was a definite reduction in arse fatigue, not tried them in hot weather yet though... for obvious reasons :icon_rolleyes:
They wear sold as 'Gel' padded, but they don't seem like gel to me, more like foam.
Steampunk :headbang
Quote from: JayDub on May 02, 2016, 09:24:34 PM
not tried them in hot weather yet though... for obvious reasons :icon_rolleyes:
And where I am going things are definitely going to get hot 'n' steamy :icon_wink:
If you find yourself in or around Boone, NC, (The High Country of the Blue Ridge) feel free to pm me. I can offer a meal (or two), a guest room, hot shower, and two barking dogs during your visit. Some most excellent roads and vistas all throughout this area.
Safe travels!
These ...
http://ldcomfort.com/
and this...
http://alaskaleather.com/collections/sheepskin-buttpads
will help.
Quote from: Daiku on May 15, 2016, 02:12:49 PM
If you find yourself in or around Boone, NC,
Thanks for that offer. I'm going to ride Deals Gap, just to say I've done it, which is already a bit off my direct route. Then heading directly south. But thanks a lot for the offer.
Quote from: nickjtc on May 15, 2016, 04:04:26 PM
I'm going to ride Deals Gap, just to say I've done it, which is already a bit off my direct route.
it's a big disappointment....................there are much better routes all thru west va,va,sc,nc
Quote from: Mustang on May 15, 2016, 06:35:10 PM
it's a big disappointment....................there are much better routes all thru west va,va,sc,nc
Thanks for that 'heads up'. I suspected that would be the case. I've ridden roads in northern California that were twistier than Deal's Gap claims to be. I'll see how the mood takes me when I get thereabouts.
The Santa Cruz mountains are full of some very, very good roads. Back in the 80's I used to commute about 60 miles each way on my bike over these roads.... it was wonderful.
Quote from: Daiku on June 08, 2016, 04:38:44 PM
The Santa Cruz mountains are full of some very, very good roads. Back in the 80's I used to commute about 60 miles each way on my bike over these roads.... it was wonderful.
Thanks for that. I got to do the Angeles Crest Highway on Sunday which was a treat.
Depending on where you make it in PA let me know, shower, a/c bedroom etc is offered. My best advice from my experience stay out of Arkansas. The only place I went on my Tiger that I couldn't wait to get out of. (no offense to others here, I just got treated far too badly by everyone I came across there).
Quote from: benebob on June 13, 2016, 05:41:21 AM
Depending on where you make it in PA let me know, shower, a/c bedroom etc is offered. My best advice from my experience stay out of Arkansas. The only place I went on my Tiger that I couldn't wait to get out of. (no offense to others here, I just got treated far too badly by everyone I came across there).
Thanks for that. I ended up crossing the country directly west form Florida to Los Angeles.
You can read all the sordid details here:
http://www.tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,15574.0.html