OK unfortunately the GF's Pepa passed away this morning...met him only once as we went last Thanksgiving to see him...cool old dude who was a musician and worked on natural gas lines his whole life. He was 89 and leaves a legacy of good family.

Flying last minute is crazy expensive but GF will do so this week. I can muster 4 days off work combined with a weekend gives me 6 days total. Was thinking of curing some winter blues combined with being there for the GF as I know she would like me too. It's 945 miles one way, figured 2 days there...2 days visit...and 2 days to return. Weather here stinks with cold in the 30's all week...going to look at National Weather further south hoping it will warm up as I go.

Am I just crazy or is this a good way to kill 2 birds with one stone. Bike is all ready to go....I have no heated gear either which kind of worries me. Would be riding a 2001 wide glide which has a windshield and drivers backrest. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Bad move IMO. Weather is unpredictable. It is cold in Texas today.

 

I'm 30 miles North of Longview. Its in the 50's and chances for rain all week. It could be a cold wet ride.

 

I say go to revzilla order you a gerbings heated jacket liner / gloves and dual controller. (rain gear if you don't have already)
Make the trip.

Great way to kill two birds with one stone imo.
I wouldn't embark on that trip with the unpredictable weather were having without the gear though.

 

Without heated gear you will absolutely freeze your *** off. The high temps south of here look ok, but the morning and evening temps will be below freezing. Your hands will be the first to get cold with your current set up, and it won't get any better. Your actual ride time will be at least 10 hours/day with stops to get the feeling back in your hands and feet. Factor your recent back injuries with no riding up until now and I'm afraid it will be miserable. Factor in some black ice potential as well.

I wish I could be more encouraging, I think you know that.

That said, I'm considering a ride to Arkansas soon. It would be 11 hours. Difference is I have a batwing and lowers which is huge as far as wind protection. I also have a heated jacket liner, gloves, and heated grips. Regardless, I'm waiting until the lows are well above freezing.

 

Thanks guys, the more I thought about it the more I knew it was unrealistic this time of year. I think if we find time while down there we may rent a bike for a day just to stretch the legs a little.

 

Good decision. I live in the DFW metroplex and returned yesterday from a three day trip to the Hill Country. Going down on Friday was OK with warm weather. But Saturday we rode in constant drizzle although it was still warm. Yesterday morning we woke up in Fredericksburg to temps in the low 40's with heavy clouds. All the way home, 266 miles, it rained off and on and the temp stayed in the 40's. Very miserable riding.

The weather is just too unpredictable in the early spring.

 

The perfect solution. Lots of good riding due north of Longview.

 

What Nevada said. You're only about 3 hrs from the Talimena Scenic drive. I would take that over to Mena Arkansas, then take it from there. Any of that would be sweet, and not too far from Longview.

 

So much for renting!!! Leaving Friday and returning Monday early. So no time to drop bike off Monday morning before flight and no Sunday drop offs because they are closed. At least there is warm weather.

Midwestern luck???