First LONG Trip...any recommendations?

[1TuffChick]

My husband and I are both teachers and usually work during the summer to suppliment our education habits. I was diagnosed with cancer three years ago and had a recurrence this year so we're planning our trip of a lifetime for this summer. We've taken several weekend trips on the bikes, one week-long trip to New Mexico and southern Colorado, and a two-week trip to Wisconsin and back from Oklahoma...on the same bike. I got my own bike once I was declared cancer free the first time...my little F you to cancer.

Here is the basic plan: We are going to leave some time in the middle/end of June to north of Chicago to see a good friend of mine and play for a few days, then to Door County in Wisconsin for the week of July 4 to see family. From there, we want to go up to Lake Superior and into Michigan's penninsula and into Canada. We will then head west toward the Canadian side of Glacier National Park, then head south to Glacier, Yellowstone, Tetons, etc on our way home to Oklahoma. Neither of us have ever been to any of those national parks and have no clue what to expect or do...we just want to go. We really don't have a schedule after seeing family in Wisconsin, and don't want to have a schedule.

This is what we have:
A trailer (piggy-back, I think)...it has room for a cooler on the front.
A big-ass tent. My husband is 6'10" and a big guy and hates small tents.
Two big-ass cots. Due to health, sleep is very important and blow up beds will not last for us.
Colman propane stove.
Basic camping stuff.

Questions:
Are loud pipes okay in Canada, or does husband need to change pipes out?
Is there any way to make June get here faster?

Thank you. I've been reading this constantly since I found this forum. I'm SO excited about our trip.

Oh...bikes...I have a 450 Burgman (my left arm is numb and I have no business shifting) and husband drives a Road Star.

[David R]

Welcome to the site. I found it recently and enjoy it too. It sounds like you have a fantastic trip planned already! But, have you thought about the Monument Valley area of southern Utah and northern Arizona?

Here is one of the many links for Monument Valley area: http://images.google.com/images?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1W1TSHB_enUS318US318&q=Monument+Valley&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=faE-S4uFG8-QlAerzZWjBw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5&ved=0CCcQsAQwBA

Enjoy the trip and let us see some reports and pictures!

[Ironheadziggy76]

Welcome to the site! Sounds like you have a great trip planned so far. The Icefield Parkway in Jasper and Banff is a great road with stunning scenery, and would only add a few more days to the trip. P^ You didn't mention sleeping bags, you might want to consider some cold weather bags for Canada. I woke up to temps in the upper 20's at the end of June in Jasper.

Got your Passports yet?

I couldn't tell you for sure about the pipes in Canada, but it might be a good idea to change out if they are drag pipes. National Forest Services seem to be cracking down on things now days. It would be a shame to get there and then be turned away.

Some of our Canadian member can probably tell you what you need to know for sure.

If you have any more questions, fire away, there are some great folks on here that I have learned a lot from! P^

[Mr. Guy]

Hi TuffChick,

I live just east of OKC, if there's anything I can do to helpout, let me know.

Guy

[mark444]

I'm a newbie here, but learning alot from the Veterans (like IronHeadZiggy). Make sure you do alot of reading on riding/camping gear........might want heated apparel?? and wet-proof for sure (jackets, pants, boots, gloves.......and especially your tent!!). If not already planned, make sure your bikes are up to snuff for a cross-country ride.......spare parts?? fresh brake pads?? chain (don't know if your scoots are chain driven or not??)?? cables?? tires?? Maybe a list of dealers along your route in case of mechanical failure?? Alot of folks will be pulling/rooting for ya......don't be shy about contacting them if help is needed along the way!!

[motomac]

First, glad you are beating the big c. If you haven't gone through the articles section of the board, you can read for hours on various things that work and don't.

[Black and Blue]

Hello and welcome to the site. As motomac stated go thru the forum, (since you can't rush the seasons you'll have time.:D), you'll find a lot of valuable information about camping equipment and methods. Keep up the fight against that monster.P^

[bigTom]

Welcome to the Site!!!

A big long trip is just like a bunch of little trips back to back to back:) Sounds funny, I know, but I'll tell you, my load for a one night stay is within 5 pounds of being the same for a 1 week trip...and only another pound or two for a month.

The planning and anticipation is about 17% of the fun for me, I mentally pack and re pack darn near every day....I'm looking forward to my next camp out, too!

[1TuffChick]

Thanks everybody! Monument valley looks beautiful! We may have to go check it out since we will be in the neighborhood. We don't have cold weather bags since they are hard to find for Chris, but I'm in the search for one, preferable a down one since they can pack down well. I hope to find a good one in an end of season sale. We have pretty good cold weather gear, and go riding in temps in the 30s as long as the sun is out. I may look for a heated vest because I don't really like *being* cold very long.

I love planning, too! As soon as it warms up a little we're heading to the Arbuckles.

Guy...I taught at Shawnee High School for six years and lived in Bethel that whole time. Now we're in South OKC/Moore area.

[motomac]

Big Agnes makes bags for big folks. They are a bit pricey, but worth it.

[David R]

Thanks everybody! Monument valley looks beautiful! We may have to go check it out since we will be in the neighborhood. We don't have cold weather bags since they are hard to find for Chris, but I'm in the search for one, preferable a down one since they can pack down well. I hope to find a good one in an end of season sale. We have pretty good cold weather gear, and go riding in temps in the 30s as long as the sun is out. I may look for a heated vest because I don't really like *being* cold very long.

I love planning, too! As soon as it warms up a little we're heading to the Arbuckles.

Guy...I taught at Shawnee High School for six years and lived in Bethel that whole time. Now we're in South OKC/Moore area.

I've ridden motorcycles since I was 15 but have not taken a long vacation style trip on one. I rode from MD to Tx and back twice but I did each leg in two days; in nother' words, Lexington Park MD to Killeen Tx in two days and back again in two days. It was "get and there and back itis", twice. I loved it!. But I never knew how many different ways one could sit on a motorcycle seat. :eek:

So I want to spend a week or so toodling out to Monument valley and whatever else that strikes my fancy along the way.

Keep us up to date okay?

[Trailace]

Here is the basic plan: We are going to leave some time in the middle/end of June to north of Chicago to see a good friend of mine and play for a few days, then to Door County in Wisconsin for the week of July 4 to see family. From there, we want to go up to Lake Superior and into Michigan's penninsula and into Canada. We will then head west toward the Canadian side of Glacier National Park, then head south to Glacier, Yellowstone, Tetons, etc on our way home to Oklahoma.

Keep up the good fight with the cancer.

If you in Canada heading west make sure to ride all the way to Jasper on 93 and then find a way back south to Glacier National Park one of the best roads I have ever been on. Good Luck

[Dusty Boots]

Keep up your battle against the 'Big C' P^
Unless you have someone to see in that stretch of Canada, I'd forget about riding the Canadian Prairies. Nothing much to see there.... trust me. Much nicer ride through the northern states.
I'd suggest you hit Chi town 1st, then double back and ride the west coast of Lake Michigan through MI and then over the bridge at Mackinaw to ride the UP of MI. Then hit your friends/relatives up in WI. Follow either US 2, or SR 200 across to MT, to Lake St Mary Glacier NP. Ride the Going to the Sun road. Then come back out to Lake St Mary and ride north on US 89 for a bit before hanging a left onto SR 17, which will take you across the Border into Canada and Waterton NP. Make sure you have Passports/Passport Cards so you can re-enter the US!
From Waterton NP, head north on Highway 6 and follow this route (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=48.746682,-113.433838&daddr=Range+Rd+90A+to:Unknown+road+to:HWY+93+to:HW Y-1+to:Toad+Rock+Rd+to:HWY+3A%2FHWY+3B+to:ID-97+S%2FID-97+Scenic+S+to:Unknown+road+to:ID-3+S+to:US-12+E+to:ID-75+S+to:US-20+E%2FUS-26+E%2FUS-93+N+to:ID-31+E+to:Unknown+road+to:US-14+Alt+E+to:US-14+E%2FUS-16+E+to:US-16+Alt+E%2FUS-16+Scenic+E&hl=en&geocode=%3BFQqYBQMdZn0j-Q%3BFbDpDQMd6FYY-Q%3BFbqtJgMd5An2-A%3BFfTLCgMd6oT3-A%3BFQEq9gIdyQMI-Q%3BFcfE7gIdbgkN-Q%3BFRhp1gIdkkcK-Q%3BFX5MzAIdcQkM-Q%3BFUxpxQIdqlcK-Q%3BFUgUxAIdAFMi-Q%3BFdQSowIdyrsm-Q%3BFaDplgIdHqk6-Q%3BFXDlmAIdpHZf-Q%3BFTdLpgIdQDp1-Q%3BFU58qwIdAPiQ-Q%3BFZzpqQIdfJWu-Q%3BFai-mwId7gbV-Q&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=11&via=3,4,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,15,16&doflg=ptm&sll=48.890455,-113.48877&sspn=0.308806,0.605621&ie=UTF8&ll=48.400032,-111.555176&spn=9.981648,19.379883&z=6) for unbelievable scenery!
Banff and area is definately worthy of 3 days of exploring, but stay away from the main campgrounds. The one at pointer "C" is centrally located and not as busy. Pointer "D" is a Motorcycle only Campground (http://www.toadrockcampground.com/index.php) and is minutes away from Ainsworth Hot Springs, a good spot to soothe the bod! All the ferry crossings you'll encounter in BC on this route are free. Check for the timetable, here (http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/marine/ferry_schedules.htm). You also will want to check out the hours the border crossing are open. Some are just 9-5!
If chosing to go to Yellowstone, you will have to reserve very early to reserve a camp site in the park. We stayed at a great National Forest campsite (Newton Creek, just outside of the park and it was very quiet and handy for a base camp, as well).
Here is a link to a great resource to find campsites in the US National Forests/Grasslands - http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/list/nflist.htm
Make sure you do the Bear tooth Pass and the Cheif Joesph Scenic Byway when in the Cody Wy area. The Bighorns is also a great ride. Finally, make your way over to the Black Hills region of SD, where there is lots to see and do(The Needles Highway, Spearfish Canyon, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Badlands NP to name a few), so plan to spend at least 3 days here as well. Then it's off home.

Here's a 'video' of my tour through the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone/Glacier National Parks, as well as the Bighorns loop/Beartooth & Chief Joseph Scenic Byways - YouTube- Tetons, Yellowstone and Glacier NP Motorcycle Tour June 2009

and one through the West Kootenays area of BC - YouTube- West Kootenays Road Trip

Hope this helps to give you some ideas.

Cheers, Dusty

[Bug Dr.]

I did Highway 61 up the north shore of Superior last August. Don't plan on camping at any state park (my guess is that they are already booked - but look anyway). I camped at Grand Marais Marina Campground for 15 bucks right on the water. Great view but waaaaay too much goose crap. I'd go for the same view but a little farther away from the water.

After Grand Marais, I went to Copper Harbor, Mi and camped at Ft. Wilkins State park. Nice place with real nice facilities but expensive ($8 MI camping permit and $23 campground fee).

On the way up from Farmington, MN I took Hwy 35 north through WI to Duluth, MN. I really enjoyed the scenery and had a great trip.

My only suggestions for a long trip are:
1. Keep an open mind and engage the locals.
2. Understand that you will have brought things you don't use and forget things you need.
3. Slow down and enjoy the trip (I am still guilty of rushing to the next destination when the road IS the destination - guess that comes with maturity)
4. Have fun

Enjoy,
Mike

[1TuffChick]

Wow! I'm highlighting your input on my map. I can't wait to head out. My husband is ready to go camping now, but I want the temps to be over 30 before I push out...I don't want my fingers to fall off!

[Jeff in Ferndale WA]

I think the biggest thing we've learned is to not plan your days too aggressively,and be open to change of plans.You say you don't want to have a schedule,so you are already ahead of where we were when we started.
Our first big trip,we planned 500 mile days,and it was just too much.We could do it if we really needed to,but it's a vacation,why work at it!
Also I like to be parked by dusk if we're not in a hurry.I have no problem riding at night,but prefer not to when possible.Fewer critters to deal with,and we don't miss any scenery.
Last fall we did a 12 day trip.We planned only one 500 mile day and did that.The rest were planned in the 300-350 mile range.That gave us enough time for "flower sniffin".
One day we decided we wanted to get to point B,and rode about 450 miles.
Being flexible and not having to be any particular place makes it much more enjoyable for me.

As said above,you will quickly learn what you need,and what you don't need.Walmart is a great place to pick up some of the camping gear you might need but don't have.A couple of the things I had and found we didn't need I left in a couple of campgrounds so that maybe the next person might have some use for it.You could always mail it home if was something you didn't want to throw away.

Good Luck!

[Black and Blue]

My only suggestions for a long trip are:
1. Keep an open mind and engage the locals.
2. Understand that you will have brought things you don't use and forget things you need.
3. Slow down and enjoy the trip (I am still guilty of rushing to the next destination when the road IS the destination - guess that comes with maturity)
4. Have fun

Enjoy,
Mike

Well said, Bug Dr.P^

[freddy]

dusty loved the videos and great choice of music

[Alan]

Our first big trip,we planned 500 mile days,and it was just too much.We could do it if we really needed to,but it's a vacation,why work at it!


Now I'm the opposite, only 500 miles is a waste of a good day of riding for me.;) (At least while crossing the flatlands to get to the mountains.)

You also give good advice about buying stuff while on the road, when I couldn't fine laundry facilities, I stopped and bought new underwear so I could keep on moving. I have also stopped in small towns and shipped stuff back home via UPS. I find that the hardware stores in small towns usually provide a UPS pickup service.

[Jeff in Ferndale WA]

Now I'm the opposite, only 500 miles is a waste of a good day of riding for me.;) (At least while crossing the flatlands to get to the mountains.)



If riding the freeway making a point to be someplace,500 miles is easy,but we were trying to do it on the California coast,and found we weren't getting much pleasure out of it.
We've done several 600 mile days.

[Mr. Guy]

I've done a 700 mile day and a 200 mile day and enjoyed them both. It's all good as long as it's on 2 wheels.

Guy

[denny]

If camping I usually plan 250 to 300 miles per day. Back roads and quite a bit of rose sniffing along the way. 500 or so miles on highway is not so bad, but I still prefer the backroads.

I like to get in the campsite early enough to have some light left before I am ready for bed.

[Indianscout]

Hi all, newbie here.

Alot of great information here but the two that I really have to agree with the most are Dusty Boots and Bug Dr. Since you have some time on your hands I would suggest ordering some infomation on line. Free publications from sites like ExploreMinnesota.com will give you ton's of information and help you pick your route. A few travel guides will keep you busy for weeks! Good luck!



.

[Trekker]

Regarding your question about loud pipes.... you may want to consider something a little quieter if only to save your own hearing. Many days in the saddle with excessively loud exhaust can wear ya down and initiate long term hearing loss. I'm also of the opinion it's considerate of the other campers in the campground and folks walking on the sidewalk in the small towns you'll be riding through.

[G wizz]

Regarding your question about loud pipes.... you may want to consider something a little quieter if only to save your own hearing. Many days in the saddle with excessively loud exhaust can wear ya down and initiate long term hearing loss. I'm also of the opinion it's considerate of the other campers in the campground and folks walking on the sidewalk in the small towns you'll be riding through.

I can vouch for the loud pipes causing long term hearing loss. Used to run straight pipes on the Harleys I rode in my younger days ... thought they were cool ....
I have to wear hearing aids now ...

G wizz

[Ironheadziggy76]

Did you all say something?

I too suffer from hearing loss mainly due to running noisy equipment with no hearing protection. My right ear has the most loss because I do the driving when in the car with the wife! :p

As far as the loud pipes go, I can deal with folks who run them IF they act like they have a little sense. Sadly most don't, I have yet to figure out why some guys can't back their bike into a parking spot with out revving the engine. :rolleyes: Most of the time it's just wanting or needing to be noticed. Sad.......

[1TuffChick]

Regarding your question about loud pipes.... you may want to consider something a little quieter if only to save your own hearing. Many days in the saddle with excessively loud exhaust can wear ya down and initiate long term hearing loss. I'm also of the opinion it's considerate of the other campers in the campground and folks walking on the sidewalk in the small towns you'll be riding through.

I absolutely agree on the pipes. I don't like them, but my husband is a 17 year old boy at heart and thinks they're cool. I usually wear hearing protection if I'm riding pillion. I got a lot of ribbing for having them at a concert from the security last year...oh, well...I teach high school and need to hear what is going on in my classroom!

[Tor]

I can vouch for the loud pipes causing long term hearing loss. Used to run straight pipes on the Harleys I rode in my younger days ... thought they were cool ....
I have to wear hearing aids now ...

G wizz

They can also be very tiring (pipes) if you ride for extended periods of time. I prefer to have it as quiet as possible in my helmet, or.....listen to some tunes....:D If this is your very first long one, you will probably have this strange feeling the first couple of days,,,,,,what in the world am I doing???? Then after about 2-3-4 days it all comes together. The days start to blur together, and you're just enjoying yourself and the company. Just an incredible feeling of freedom. You milage may vary, but this is how I felt on our (my wife and I) first long one. When you get home, you can't wait to get back out. Good luck to you.

[George]

Back to Big Tom's comments: Treat each day as a new adventure. Every time you stop, the ride starts all over when ya hit the GO switch. Plan to live forever but treat each day as your last. (Does that sound philosophical? :D)

Even with a nice cot, you'll probably want a mattress for insulation if nothing else. Big Agnes offers lots of options.

Don't recall seeing, are you planning on cooking? Lots of options for that, too. Mac carries a gourmet kitchen and chef most places. :D

All the locations you've listed sound great. I need to get up to Banff myself. Also, check the list of events here and at st-owners.com. Lots of like-minded folks meet up all over the country on a pretty regular basis. Hope to run into youse folks somewhere during the season.

Good luck on the cancer, and prayers for a quick cure.