First long distance trip ever - advice?
#21
Stopping every couple hours is good advice, as is the never pass a gas station with less than 1/4 tank. SO......stop every couple hours, 100-150mi, at a gas station, top off the tank and cover both bases.
For beginners, split 1100 miles into 3 days, just under 400 miles or 8hrs. This will give you plenty of time to do some stopping and gawking around a bit.
For beginners, split 1100 miles into 3 days, just under 400 miles or 8hrs. This will give you plenty of time to do some stopping and gawking around a bit.
#23
Maybe with the stock seat, I have a Mustang Solo, I did 15h and 971 miles two years ago on my '10 Street Glide, Goldsboro, NC through Columbus, to South Haven, Mi. no pad. I did just buy the wife an Air Hawk though, for her derriere! She starts complaining after about a 4h day during the weekends. Not terribly,, but she used one once and loved it. So, if interested, google them, several sizes and shapes. I did buy mine from amazon, opened a CC account and got an immediate 50.00 off. Ended up being like 60.00 for it.
#24
If you don't want Monkey Butt buy compression underwear and use Gold Bond or Zeosorb.
I prefer to make reservations for motels, in advance. But if I am winging it I check Yelp, Trip Advisor and Google reviews. My wife is really good at getting great rates with Priceline. I used to think a cheap motel was fine, but you better choose those carefully, after the Larry Weaver tragedy.
I like to take bottled water, and freeze them, so they defrost as I ride. I don't like paying $2/bottle on the road.
I never regret packing less than I need, except for the time it was 94° when I left, and 47° when I came back. I froze without my jacket liner,so check the extended forecast.
I prefer to make reservations for motels, in advance. But if I am winging it I check Yelp, Trip Advisor and Google reviews. My wife is really good at getting great rates with Priceline. I used to think a cheap motel was fine, but you better choose those carefully, after the Larry Weaver tragedy.
I like to take bottled water, and freeze them, so they defrost as I ride. I don't like paying $2/bottle on the road.
I never regret packing less than I need, except for the time it was 94° when I left, and 47° when I came back. I froze without my jacket liner,so check the extended forecast.
#25
Overheating mid-day? Most small towns have a public library; quiet, comfy chairs, air conditioned, nice bathrooms, a water cooler, nobody making you feel like you have to buy anything. You might also start some interesting conversations with locals (and some consider librarians to be hotties, I suppose!) Also wifi; take your laptop/tablet in and pick your next hotel and book it then, it's surprising how fast they fill up after 5PM.
A hotel with a dryer is your priority after a heavy or long, steady rain; eventually something will get wet.
Layers for large temperature variations, and rain gear as an outer layer also blocks wind, it kinda doubles the effectiveness of the rest of the layers. I can't emphasize hydrating enough; not only for heat, but it helps a LOT when going to high elevations.
There's a Road Trips section here in the forums with thousands of posts on trips like that.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-trips-23/
Enjoy!
A hotel with a dryer is your priority after a heavy or long, steady rain; eventually something will get wet.
Layers for large temperature variations, and rain gear as an outer layer also blocks wind, it kinda doubles the effectiveness of the rest of the layers. I can't emphasize hydrating enough; not only for heat, but it helps a LOT when going to high elevations.
There's a Road Trips section here in the forums with thousands of posts on trips like that.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-trips-23/
Enjoy!
#27
Medical info and contact information should be on you and on your bike. I also wear a Road ID wrist band. www.RoadID.com
#29
#30
I agree with TheBig-O, extra mile in a day the Air-Hawk is a need. Did almost 5000 mile trip in 10 day, one big a 800 mile day to get a part for fellow riders bike. I will say the Air-Hawk saved my butt.