Thinkin' about taking a long trip

[S.D.Willie]

I've never really gone TOO far but have alway wanted to. I have a friend who lives in virginia beach who ive been meaning to visit since she moved there years ago. I'd be going solo and its about a 7 hour drive, 384 miles one way from NY here. I dont have much "touring experience" but since id only be staying 2 days i wouldnt have to take much. Anyone gone on any long trips solo? Just looking for ideas, encouragement, a push off the plank..............you get my drift.

[TVoyagerXII]

No problem. Done it many times. Rain suit, jacket, one change of clothes, personal hygiene items, and head south. You'll be glad you did.

[S.D.Willie]

Originally Posted by TVoyagerXII

No problem. Done it many times. Rain suit, jacket, one change of clothes, personal hygiene items, and head south. You'll be glad you did.

yeah rain gear for sure. i even can borrow a gps from someone. just would have to figure out how to mount it to my bars if i wanted to.

[TVoyagerXII]

You've certainly got a trip making scoot there. I've never used GPS, but guess it can help if expedience is required. I just think of all the people and places I wouldn't have met or seen if I didn't get lost once in a while.

[demon_668]

Do it.
Do it.
Do it.
In 5 years, do you want to think back and say to yourself:
a - "That was one of the best things I've done so far"
b - "That was the most excruciating thing I've ever done or will do, but I've got some great drinking stories now"
c - "I wonder what would have happened if..."

Do it.
Do it.

[AWM]

In the immortal words of Ted Nuggent,"When in dout,Whip it out!"

Did the samething 2 years ago,from Albany,it was like 515miles.I've got a good friend with D.E.V group at Oceanona,in Virgina beach.
Get thru Jersey at the right time,jump on rt13,ride across the Chesipeak bay brigde,just watch out for the boys.Pack lite,change of clothes,toothbrush,extra cash,cell phone and hammer down.
Don't forget to go to Dirty d i c k s crab house for dinner.
Give us a ride report!

[Ruh Roh]

I went almost 600 miles last year, taking the same route id driven many times. I figured 8 hours, or so cz thats how long it was many times before.

Well duh, i got tiny gas tank on a bike ! So it was more like 11 hours.

First couple hours was the worst, nervous, and non stop 18 wheelers ( only 1 place to cross the river close by, had to take the freeway ) But after that it was lot better. So i learned its best to jump right in.

You better ride the ****in' bike, cz youre not even gonna be able to afford drive down to the gas station pretty soon !

[Boogieman utb]

I agree with every one. do it! every couple of yrs. we take a little trip. last one was 2006 13500 miles 11 days. Derry, NH to Anchorage, AK. Rain gear, leather, toothbrush, change of cloths, and my cell phone. gps is nice but hard to see in the sun and rain will kill it. keep a good paper map on hand for when your batteries die. I print out a cheat sheet of highways and exit #'s in a zip lock taped to my shield. that way your not wondering if you needed that exit.
2008 8 days in the mtns. of TN, NC, AL.

[mccolo]

I'll chime in: Do it! Everyone loves a road trip and there's no road trip better than one on a bike.

Do: have a good rainsuit.
Do: study the maps and know where you're going.
Do: know how many miles you get on a tank of gas.
Do: stop and stretch yours leg frequently, and enjoy the ride.

Don't: be a big hurry.

Have a great ride.

[lh4x4]

Add keeping hydrated to the list. Very important on long rides. You won't get as tired.

[S.D.Willie]

thanks for all the support. i have a few months to plan and i wont need much stuff but id like to pick up one of those tire inflator co2 kits i think. Although i have roadside id rather have it to be safe anyhow. I agree, i dont want to look back and say man, i shoulda done that.

[Colt4530]

Originally Posted by S.D.Willie

I've never really gone TOO far but have alway wanted to. I have a friend who lives in virginia beach who ive been meaning to visit since she moved there years ago. I'd be going solo and its about a 7 hour drive, 384 miles one way from NY here. I dont have much "touring experience" but since id only be staying 2 days i wouldnt have to take much. Anyone gone on any long trips solo? Just looking for ideas, encouragement, a push off the plank..............you get my drift.

Cake.

I rode my Ducati 375 miles one day!

How about 7000 miles in 20 days? I took my 14-y.o. to California and back.

For a trip like that, you'll need clothes for the destination and a rainsuit, just in case. All your stuff should be in waterproof bags or in Zip-lock bags, just in case. Wear riding gear for the weather (mesh in the heat, etc.). Stop for gas every 125 miles and stretch.

If you're paranoid, buy a tire plugging kit and compact air compressor from Wal-Mart.

[dinoSnake]

Agree with what everyone else says. 600 miles for me is a relative "shorty" and did it so many times I can't count.

Rain gear, extra layer (like heavy shirt or jacket liner in case of cold front or late night riding), underwear and socks (1 change extra if you can than required for number of days in case of rain or heavy sweat), personal hygiene (include aspirin in case of aches / headache), small can spray wax and rag (for fuel spills, etc), ear plugs (2 sets in case of damage / loss), cell phone (the modern replacement for tire patch kit and compressor, because you'll be on easy to access major roads), credit card (in case of emergency), clear visor (if you normally ride with tinted, for night riding if desired), cash (even if using gas charge card, for snacks / drinks / other cash transactions), alternate road plan (in case of major road closure or just too much traffic), folding map (if unsure of roads), EXTRA BIKE KEY IN WALLET (in case of lost primary key), insurance agent contact information (like business card, hopefully to never use), ATM card (in case additional cash is needed), etc.

Plan on the trip taking longer than the equivalent car trip - you have to make more breaks, if only for gas, plus average road speed on a motorcycle just never seems to compute as high as a car no matter how much you push (in congested areas, that is, and NY to Virginia is DEFINITELY "congested").

If you have the option in your jacket (and you do not use EZPass) put small bills into one of your jacket pockets that is both secure yet easily accessible - getting money out of deep pockets at toll booths is a PITA. Tank bags work wonders there (also remember to not pull up to a toll booth on the grease stripe in the middle of the lane).

Use ear plugs - even if you do not do so now. You'll thank me later!

And then...just enjoy the ride. Remember to hum music to yourself to pass the time.

[flurrz]

Yeah rain gear is huge. If there's one thing I learned from my last trip... I would have killed to have that $30 rain suit!

[rbentnail]

Since you have a few months to plan, consider UPS. Yep, UPS your clean clothing and toiletries to your destination. That way you only carry on your bike what you need while on your bike. Since it's your first road trip, you'll have enough worries, once less is good. Besides, you get to UPS your smelly socks and underwear back home so everyone handling your laundry on the way gets to enjoy it too! And don't forget the plastic bag trick that goes along with your rain gear. And, as a young man, one of the most valuable lessons from my mother: "Scotchgard is your friend."

And I agree with everyone else: Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.

[Charlie Gary]

Everybody else has covered the basics, so I'm just here to pile on.

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Or you'll always wish you did.

[flurrz]

Do it.

[S.D.Willie]

Probably looks like the month im going to go is in August and i even got a friend who agree to ride his old yamaha there with me so it should be really cool. looking forward to it.

[Miralcos]

You can DO IT!!!!!

[Dis]

Just did my first "long" ride from the DC area to SC (about 450 miles each way). Overall, a very good experience (except for the last 20 miles coming back where I got caught in a Beltway traffic jam due to a bad accident).

Do it...you won't regret it.