Topic: long way round

[Klark Kent]

Despite the fact that netflix describes it as "motorcycle diaries for the hollywood set" I rented the series as a motivator for my trip from baltimore to new york tomorrow.  I am still nervous, but it did a lot for my perspective.  I would recommend the series for the travel aspects, but it is not a very moto-enthusiast geared film.  they visit OCC for gods sake! 
that said, I as less nauseated by six hours of ewan macgregor than i thought i might be- he really stepped up to the challenge of riding through mongolia and siberia, so i am in no position to talk any smack at all.

but this post is not really about the series, it is about my trip.  Anyone have any good roads to recommend that will help me get from Baltimore to NYC?  the next day I will be going from NYC to the hudson valley in an effort to break up my longest trip to date, but I am not as worried about the roads there.  my main concern is avoiding the super-duper-slab that is I95. 

Also any advice about how to approach your first long trip in general would be much appreciated, because this "hot shot" is really just a verbose newbie in disguise...
-KK

[andy750]

Hey Klark,

Having rode the I-95 slab from South Carolina (and from North Carolina, and Washington DC - all separate trips to Boston, MA) on my CB750K4 Id say avoid it unless you like lots of traffic and fast driving and toll roads  Sorry dont have any recommendations for alternative roads as I was always in a hurry to get home.

Good luck,
Andy

p.s. for CB750 related stories (well mine :-)) go here: www.hondarestoration.com - click on Stories - see Mexico trip and Easy Rider Trip.

[Klark Kent]

I do appreciate your ride reports Andy, and your advice on 95.
I do it often enough in the car to have that impression already though, and would only consider doing it on the bike between 11pm and 2am at the earliest.  if i cant come up with a decent plan of attack that doesnt involve the bulk of I95 that is likely what I will do, as right now i trust the bike more than i trust my car.
-KK

[Chris Schneiter]

How's the weather going to be out there? Here in Michigan, it's big time crappy, and upstate N.Y. got 2' of snow!

[super pasty white guy]

I live in Washington, but have only taken the train up to NY.  Just looking at the map, 40 up to wilmington and then over to rt 9 on the coast looks awfully appealing to me.  Might add a bit to your trip though.  I've driven alot of the roads on the otherside of delaware bay and really enjoy getting off the beaten path.  The thought of riding I-95 gives me the screaming heebies.  The beltway is bad enough.  Good luck on your trip and give us a trip report when you arrive.

Dave

[Klark Kent]

SPWG-
I am LOOKING to add a bit to my trip 
i would much rather find roads that add something to the trip than burning up 180 miles of four lane nothing.  anyone have first hand experience with that section of route 9.  i dont know if 40 will be any fun, but it will be better than that section of 95 that it parallels, and while i am there i can pay the $5 yearly fee to cross the same water that delaware charges you 5 bux each way each time.

CS-
The forcast has been partly cloudy all the way up the coast for the past week (i am only going to kingston so not really upstate).  I just checked wunderground.com (weather underground- great weather site) Now there is a slight chance of rain (20%) in jersey on saturday around 5pm, ut I do not plan on taking 7 hours to get to jersey even with the back roads and do not plan on leaving after 10am.  so it looks like my parade could be rain free.

thanks guys
-KK

[Ernie]

take interstate route 83 north (wich is a left off of east prat street) from baltimore into pa to route 581west follow that to interstate 81north for a short hop then take interstate 15 and 11 north (it changes back and forth a few times) into ny. its definately the long way round as you say but by all means stay off of 95. hope this helps and good luck brotha!!! oh and double check these directions before you go id hate to have steerd you wrong

[nickjtc]

I'm watching the Long Way Round on the box (on OLN) on Wednesdays. As you say it hasn't been much of a bike show so far, but it is interesting seeing the different places they go to.

However, despite the fact I give them kudos for having done it: how hard can it be to ride around the world knowing that you're on a bike that was given to you, wearing gear, ditto, being followed by not one but two chase cars. AND, being an international film star a lot of people know you and therefore want to 'help' as much as possible, if only to get on film. Some of the mistakes they are making are pretty goofy too. Same time next Wednesday........!

As to your trip. Can't help with road advice. If this is your first long trip make sure you take riding gear for every weather eventuality. Wear 'proper' riding gear, including a good helmet. Eat well and wisely. Don't try to do too much in one go. Check and re-check the 'consumables' on the bike before the off: oil level, tyre pressures, chain adjustment, maybe the state of charge of the battery.

Oh yes....have fun!!

[Serge]

I rented it on Netflix I watched parts of it

I was kinda envious to the camera guy who got payed to go with them this  . 

As the sport goes, there is nothing to write home about -  I think it was a failure since the leg in Russia they did in the truck.
They new about water crossings. If they would not to rely upon on the chase cars, they would take  lighter bikes and put them on the floats.
Hell, with new materials they could have an inflatable float on which they could put they beamers on. So it looked kind of pathetic.

I read a report on one Russian woman travel recently an abandoned highway in Far East of Russia with more than 50 water crossing. She traveled alone and was not very strong and had no chase care with spares, so she had to unload her bike every time she went down to be able to pick it up. She was saying the scenery worth the trip ...

I watched a brief documentary how the topographers, who did first reconnaissance trip when Alaskian highway was planned, made they way through on the bikes. They had to carry gas with them and to make the wooden floats each time. (and of course they did not have an ABS and Cordura jackets back then .  (I would think twice about taking up the job they did .

- serge