Some friends and I have just today agreed to take a trip in June, the 3rd week and head west. The Idea was to make it to the grand canyon but we may make a detor furher north. Only trying to spend a week or so.

Just looking for some ideas on what we should pack, how much to stuff to take and what kind. Just us so far no chicks type of trip. How to prepair. What to watch out for or which you had kind of things. Any ideas would be helpfull.
Got most of the winter to get ready. Leaving from Sandusky, Oh.


Thanks Merlin.

 

If you have not taken trips like this before, you will need to think things out as to how far you want to travel per day. On the average, with just "guys" going, and not riding 2 up, you should be able to handle min. of 500 miles. Allow plenty of rest stops, perhaps every 100 miles, to gas up and stretch the legs. This gives you ample time to leave early enough in the morning, and take in the sights as you go. You may even find 500 is too many miles a day if you are planning on several stops to sight see.

As far as what to take. This can vary. You can ask any one of us on this forum and we will all have a difference of opinion. If you are going to stop at hotels or motels that allow clothes washing, then pack light and just keep washing. I myself, depending on how long the trip will be have "shipped clothes to a designated stop over hotel, and then shipped the dirty clothes home. Packing perhaps 3 to 4 days worth at a time. I will roll a pair of jeans, underware, socks and t shirt, for a days wear. When I clean up at nite, I will put on the next days clothes, eat out, then return to the room and bed down for the evening. I have always traveled with my wife, so I am packing for 2 of us, which does make things a little more complicated. Her makeup and hair stuff takes up most of a saddle bag.

Take rain gear, check temps, you may need chaps, and depending upon elevation...warmer clothes.

Most of all..be prepared...for just about anything.

DanB

 

A Zumo 550 Gps would come in Handy for pit stops and other points of interest!

 

Makers Mark whiskey, Monte Cristo cigars, dry socks, rain suit, and a credit card..........

 

Check your bike over, tires check Drive belt, oil cables, pack ZIP TIES!!! If you have detactables check condition of bushing's maybe even do atrial pack, did I say Zip Ties and a decent set of tools to let do the small things.

 

ever been to the black hills and sturgis area..badlands/ devils tower... rapid city.. mt rushmore.. elsworth afb..
u should go if u havent been.. and NO GPS.... Get lost along the way .. Itll make for a much better trip .. riding since 1971.. never even a compass! last trip san fran to santa monica via pch and across to las vegas / death valley.. perfect ! 3 of us.. april 2006! As for ur scooter.. check tires.. fluids.. and lube cables., then ride.. bring an extra credit card,, good luck itll b great ! dont worry

 

Sunscreen, cell phone/charger, credit card, zip ties, spare spark plugs, and a tool kit. Quart of oil is a good idea as well.

 

Get you some 1 gallon zip lock bags. Just right for t shirts socks and whatever. Keeps everything from falling out when you need something out of your bags. Have a good trip. Garland

 

Gas and service get scarce in southeastern Utah (south of I70 andeast of I15) but the scenery is incredible. Roads don't twist that much - too much space. Lasttime we were there was inthe van camping for two weeks out in the sticks (which begins about 100 feet off the roads). We would like to go back on the bike.

Hwy 64 across northern NM is a cool ride, goes through Taos andheads to Farmington. Ran into snow once in first part of Aug near Eagle Nest; snow didn't last but the steam or fog was eirie. Saw bear, antelope and deer. There's a Viet Nam memorialout by AngelFire.

Not telling you how to ride but a week ain't much time to round trip the Grand Canyon. Good luck with the plans!

 

I did around 800 miles or so from North Carolina to MA just stopping for gas a couple of years ago (14 hours). Besides what folkshave given for advice so far:

I worebicyclepants (with the gel pad) under my jeans, and used a product called
anti-monkey-butt http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/ No joke, check the stuff out. Powder developed
for long ridesby bikers, truckers, health prof. Not affiliated with the stuff, but it did make the long ride
more pleasurable. I learned about the stuff from this forum when I asked the same type of questions before I left MA for NC on my trip.

Joe