Topic: Cross country road trip

[croquesaveur]

Hey all:

I'm leaving this weekend on a trip from my home in Guelph, Ontario, Canada to visit some friends in New Orleans, Louisiana.  I've got my 1978 CB550 in as good a shape as it's ever going to be (not much to look at but it should be mechanically sound).  Total round trip will be 4.5 to 5.5 megameters.

I intend to blog about my trip as I go (I've already started with respect to my preparations).

Anyway, if you're bored check it out: http://chrasslanding.spaces.live.com/blog/

If you have any advice (preferably before I leave on Saturday, September 9, 2006) I'd like to hear it as I basically have no idea what I'm doing.

Chris.

[upperlake04]

Chris - sounds like a great adventure   Didn't see a cell phone on your list of gear.  All the best

[dusterdude]

wtf is a megameter?

[upperlake04]

DD - its a unit of measurement used everywhere in the world except the good ole USA

[croquesaveur]

Actually, I've never seen anyone use a megameter before.  It's a million meters (or 1000 kilometers).  My round trip will be 4500-5500km (~2800-3500 miles).

[dusterdude]

groovy,thanks.i was wondering if i missed that one in math class

[nickjtc]

Membership to a roadside assistance programme....? Not being pessimistic here, just that if you buck-up for membership then you will never break down.

Failing that, take a puncture repair kit with you.

[tomme]

Did a B.C. to Mexico this past July. Took a heated vest which I didn't really think I'd need. Glad I did though.You may want one especially for the ride back . Also a throttle lock is worth its weight .

[Manic]

I saw from your map that your going to be in riding thru the KC area.  Send me a PM if you need a couch to crash on, a garage to work on the bike, and hang out w/ fellow metrics and consume barley water.

[tramp]

great idea, enjoy yourself
just watch how much you take with you it could be to much

[croquesaveur]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

tomme: I've heard that the alternator on a CB550 supplies just enough power to run everything.  Did you have any trouble running down your battery?

Manic: Be careful, I might take you up on your offer!

tramp: How much is too much?  Right now I'm looking at a large tank bag, some average-sized saddle bags, and a tent, sleeping mat, and hiker-sized backpack bungied across the rear seat.  I could probably get away with not taking the backpack except that my laptop won't fit in the saddle bags, and it's probably not a good idea to put it near the magnets in the tank bag.  I'd estimate the weight of my gear will be well under 100 pounds (probably more like 60lbs).

Chris.

[seaweb11]

My 2cents  .......  100lbs of stuff!!!!!!

* Leave the camping stuff at home. I found on my trip from BC to CA and back that after 8-10 hour days...setting up a tent in the dark was the last thing on my mind. Never used the tent or sleeping bag!    (sounds like you are into the rainy season?)
* You will put the same pants and boots on every day. Leave the runners, thongs, extra jeans etc at home.
* Layered clothes...good leather jacket, t-shirts, one turtle neck, pair of long johns and a good fleece coat.
      ...The fleece also works great when not in use folded in 1/2 and under your ass from time to time:
* Sounds like you need rain gear!
* Chain oil
* Engine oil

* My last and most important reminder  (An extra set of throttle cables)

Have a great trip

[croquesaveur]

Well, I said under 100lbs and probably more like 60lbs.  I'm just guesstimating here (and I'm trying to guess high rather than lowballing it).

I bought a rain suit this past weekend and that's definitely coming with me.

I used to do a lot of travelling by car and camping at night.  I'm certainly capable of setting up my tent in the dark, and I've got a pretty good sleeping mat that allows me a rest.  I will stay in motels from time to time but I'm trying to keep my costs down, so I'm probably going to avoid a motel every night.

I'm not sure what a reasonable amount of mileage to aim for is.  I'm thinking somewhere around 600km (375 miles) is about right.  I figure if the weather is nice I'll go for 700-800km (440-500 miles) and if the weather sucks I'll stop earlier.  I'm figuring that I'll probably be done riding before sunset each day.

I just realized that my saddle bags are wide enough to hold my laptop, so I might be able to avoid the giant backpack (or at least not have to fill it completely).  I'll still need to bungee my tent and sleeping mat the back seat, but I figure they'll make an okay back rest anyway.

Sitting on the fleece is a great idea!

I've already packed chain lube.  I figure I can get engine oil along the way if I need it.

I'm not too worried about the throttle cable because I replaced mine about a month ago, and because the motorcycle shop I bought it in had one in stock.  I'm going to (perhaps naively) assume that I can find one again should I need one.

Since clothes don't weigh much, I'm going to bring "extra" clothing (extra jeans, extra shirts, etc.) based on how much space I have when i get everything else crammed onto my bike.

Any ideas what tools I should bring?  I'm just aiming for what I can fit in the tool pouch (spark plug wrench, wrenches (8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm), and a pair of pliers).  I figure that will get me through the "easy" stuff.  Anything else and I'll either have to borrow, rent or buy some tools or pay a mechanic.

Your input is gold, guys!  Keep it coming.

Chris.

[seaweb11]

* Duct tape
* Zip ties  (trust me I know)   if you don't have extra throttle cables this will  work for the 900 miles it takes to get to the shop you asked to order them for you    2 day delivery time from some warehouse in the MidWest.


you said
"I used to do a lot of travelling by car and camping at night."
Nice and cozy listening to the radio while eating all day.

I'm just giving you my experiences of long days on the bike. After a day of wind, sun, dry eyes, glare, bumps, sore ass, cold, rain, etc, the tent just looks like more work at night and in the morning.   If it was a bike weekend away camping /  set up once and take down on Sunday.  HELL YES! Love it! 

I am over 40 now, would probably have camped in my earlier days.


Safe trip

[nickjtc]

I'm not sure what a reasonable amount of mileage to aim for is.  I'm thinking somewhere around 600km (375 miles) is about right.  I figure if the weather is nice I'll go for 700-800km (440-500 miles) and if the weather sucks I'll stop earlier.

Unless you are in Iron Butt mindset bear in mind that you'll probably cover the most miles the first day and then will taper off to a lower average thereafter. Unless you are pressed for time allow yourself an hour or so of 'you' time in the middle of the day to get off the bike and wander around a small town, or just to sit by a river, or whatever.

Nothing worse than being constantly under the gun to get a trip done. I speak from unhappy experience!

[tomme]

Chris, you've given me food for thought. I needed to replace the battery in Evanston Wyoming. I'd assumed that it was due to the age of the battery. Maybe not eh? As far as daily mileage goes I think your estimates are pretty close to what I was doing. I got up early and stopped late but stopped many times. Mind , I ride a 78 750 F and the mileage was closer to 30 than 40 so had to stop. I took only a fly, down bag , and thermorest.Attached one end of fly to bike and staked the other end(see avatar). Had good weather all the way, not sure how I'd have been in bad weather. Have a good trip.

[andy750]

Hey Chris,
All good advice so far and Id just reinforce the layer idea (assuming you have a good biker jacket). I find that thermals are great - light and small enough to pack away and yet very warm when needed. I know you are heading south but on the way back will be chilly (I went x-country in October from Boston - San Franciso via Wymoing/South Dakota) and it was 32F in some spots. As for camping I say go for it. I would drive 400- 500 miles per day (~10-11hours/day) and enjoyed the tent at night. I also did a few motels when weather was really bad. Hope you have some good riding boots (army boots are great). Luggage sounds fine and dont forget your torch in case you break down at night (as I have done) -a spare inner tube is also very handy just in case...but basically if you do break down and cant fix it at the side of the rod someone will always stop and help you. Ive done enough long distance trips on a CB750K4 to know this. Failing that just stick out your thumb and people will stop. A stranded biker is never alone.

As for your estimated mileage it sounds fine and I was doing 400-500 miles/day on a stock unfaired CB750 and yes you feel very tired at the end of the day...a long day was 550- 600 miles for me and I was 32 years old then. If its windy its a lot harder (and even in the rain).

Anyway good luck and look forward to your blog!
cheers
Andy in Nagoya