Advice, please

[Desert X]

Okay, fellas, I plan to leave Glendale Arizona on July 8th, for my trip to Maine (and back). It'll be about 6,000 miles. I'm planning on 750 miles each day. The bike is ready (except for a Vista Cruise I expect to install this week). I have bags packed; tool kit, tire repair kit, rain suit, etc.). Any pointers? I haven't embarked on a trip of this magnitude...ever.

Thanks in advance.

[Craigs1800Redretro]

WATER!! don't get dehydrated!!

[Todd2]

:o WOW :o 750 mile days back to back is quite an ambitious schedule. I really mean it!!!! You won't have time for much of anything else (sightseeing, etc). Plan on riding 15 hours a day (some days more, some less), if you're just eating on the road. OK OK you asked for hints. I've been doing this (cross country riding = 1000 miles away from home, by my definition) for 10+ years now with my G/F and I on separate bikes, so I may be able to help you out here. I'm no Iron Butt rider - NO WAIT a minute, I'm waiting for my credentials. :) Much of this may be obvious to you, but its based on my experiences - good and bad as I learned along the way, so I'll just type what comes to mind, till I get tired.

The water suggestion is a good one. Drink as you go - I drink 1 Gatorade between every gas stop, if I am riding in the heat. I used to just 'tough it out' till I got sick on a particularily hot ride one year - no more. Bicycle shops (and The Container Store) sell insulated squeeze bottles - get one - a nice cool drink is much better than hot liquid when you're hot and tired. Always keep it within easy reach while you ride (RAM sells a cheap mount). Re-fill with ice (pack it in) at the self serve fountain drink machines when you stop for gas - buy your gatorade and tell the clerk you filled your squeeze bottle with ice. More times than not, they give it to you for free (if you do not use one of their cups) or charge 12 cents (no kidding).

Carry all the protective gear you will need. You WILL ride through cold weather. You WILL ride through pouring rain. You WILL ride through hail storms. You WILL ride through hurricanes. Trust me - don't kid yourself. You will eventually hit every kind of weather imaginable - its not the end of the trip - just another story if you can ride through comfortably and safely. I used to try to plan around this crap - forget it - ***** happens. What I'm saying is - stay dry, warm, cool, use sunscreen, and stay comfortable at all times. And yeah, I know, you're feet got soaked, and your boots weren't dry the next morning either. :lol: I like to layer my clothes, so the little I carry goes double duty.

This goes for your gear also - protect it. Use zip lock freezer bags or space saver bags (used to compress garments for storage (Container Store again)) for ALL your gear exposed to the weather not in a hard saddlebag. Waterproof dive bags from a scuba diving shop (like Sea Line) are an alternative, but $$$.

Plan your day and know (in your head) when it will end. This is really psycological, but it does make a differnce. Wake up, and first ride for 100 miles, minimum, before stopping for breakfast. For some reason, the part of the ride before breakfast is forgotten. This makes the day seem shorter.

Carry extra gas - if just a gallon! I know I'll be jumped for this one, but again, trust me - even with the most carefull planning I've run out of gas on several occasions :oops: (I have a "C" - not really a long legged bike, I must say). Planned gas station stops are closed down or non existent. For some reason in the NE, the gas stations are far and few between, even though the towns are closer together (you won't find a gas station 'on every corner'). This should be less of a problem for you, since to make your kind of mileage you will be traveling on interstates. I travel x-country on back (sometimes way back) roads. :D :D :D

OK another one for everyone to jump me on - If you get tired [pull over immediately and rest, or.......] drink Red Bull or any of the other high intensity/energy/brain enhancing drinks. They are sold at many gas stops now and really do work (takes about 20 min. to kick in).

OK now I'm tired of typing....

Lock your bike in hotel parking lots, and take off all valuables. I have an alarm. I sleep peacefully now.

Glasses - for day AND clear for night riding. If you have contacts you MUST ride with good wind blocking glasses (by the second or third day, you'll know what I mean).

You didn't say if you were traveling with a woman, If so, take anit-bacterial waterless soap (it comes in a bottle). Some restrooms are absolutely filthy and women seem to have to pee a LOT! Also, individually packaged baby wipes are GREAT! They will even take off grease from your hands.

Walkman - any kind of music while on the road helps pass the time during the dry stretches.

Also, see the Iron Butt Association site for their riding tips. They have 20+ (rather conservative) tips that may jog your memory and help you with your planning.

Finally, and most important - HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!! - every mile of every day! Remember, its an adventure - savor and enjoy it. And good luck. :wink:

Todd

P.S. I really hope this post helped you out, by giving you just one idea. Feel free to PM me if you have a specific question (I'm terribly slow to respond due to my travel schedule). Let me know how it goes!

[The Dreamer]

besides the water, take sun screen and lip gloss.

bring a camera for pictures and memories, rain gear willbe needed. Make sure you have something for a flat tire. small repair kit and CO2 to get to the repair shop.

And have fun!!!

If you have a mapped out route, think about advertising it on the general topic board to meet X'ers along the way. Just a thought.

[William Ardrey]

I just completed a 5500 mile trip in 11 days. On one day we rode 820 miles; that day we rode until we were exhausted. The weather was perfect, the traffic was mininmal and my speed was over the top. You are heading from the West to the East. Traffic and delays are greater in the East. You have left no time for unforseen delays. In short, your aggressive plan requires everything to work perfectly. My advice - have about 4 days available in case you need them. Then if for some reason you don't log the miles you planned you are still ok. Good luck and enjoy your adventure.

William Ardrey - Tulsa Okla.

[Tinman]

I have driven from Key West Fla. to San Diego and if I learned nothing else it was the importance of sunscreen. I was so burnt on the face from not wearing a helmet I could barely stand to put one onthe next day. Seems that is not such a big deal anymore but the sun is still there. his site will give you info about helmet laws...
http://usff.com/hldl/hlstatutes/mapolinks.html
Remember there will come a point when you will think you can't get on and go again, but you will. Have fun and wish I could take time for a trip like you are about to enjoy. Maybe in a year or so.

[The Dreamer]

I have driven from Key West Fla. to San Diego and if I learned nothing else it was the importance of sunscreen. I was so burnt on the face from not wearing a helmet I could barely stand to put one onthe next day. Seems that is not such a big deal anymore but the sun is still there. his site will give you info about helmet laws...
http://usff.com/hldl/hlstatutes/mapolinks.html
Remember there will come a point when you will think you can't get on and go again, but you will. Have fun and wish I could take time for a trip like you are about to enjoy. Maybe in a year or so.

You are so right. I wore my helmet every day to Colorado (a full face) but got sun burned around the eyes and nose. Everyone thought I was a rackoon (or however it is spelt).

And don't forget about chapstick for your lips as they dry out on a long ride.

[The Dreamer]

I have driven from Key West Fla. to San Diego and if I learned nothing else it was the importance of sunscreen. I was so burnt on the face from not wearing a helmet I could barely stand to put one onthe next day. Seems that is not such a big deal anymore but the sun is still there. his site will give you info about helmet laws...
http://usff.com/hldl/hlstatutes/mapolinks.html
Remember there will come a point when you will think you can't get on and go again, but you will. Have fun and wish I could take time for a trip like you are about to enjoy. Maybe in a year or so.

You are so right. I wore my helmet every day to Colorado (a full face) but got sun burned around the eyes and nose. Everyone thought I was a rackoon (or however it is spelt).

And don't forget about chapstick for your lips as they dry out on a long ride.

[Extremetwin]

Just switched from a Walkman type CD player to a MP3 player. Best thing I've ever done. MUCH smaller to carry, NEVER skips, 30+ hrs of music. Good luck and have fun.
The Twin