cross country dream trip

[motomama]

Hey everyone,
I'm new to MotoCampers and want to introduce myself. My friend and I have the month of August open to take off from upstate NY and see as much of the US as we can fit in. The general idea is to do a camping loop through the northers states and come back through the southern states, i.e., Utah, Colorado, etc. or vice-versa. Pretty ambitious, yes? Well, perhaps too ambitious...need your input. We want r&r, as well. LOVE a challenge, though. Is desert-riding too hot at this time? My friend and I both agree that we are in it for the views and not so much for city sites. I am also guessing that a windshield is going to be entirely necessary (yuk.) I have seen the packing list, which is most helpful. I am riding an HD 07 Deluxe equipt with saddlebags and will have the passenger seat and luggage rack for storage. i also have a backrest on my Mustang seat. (and bungee cords!) I have ridden long distances, but have never camped. Looking for the most compact, effective gear I can find without spending millions. What would be a good amount to budget for each day? Also, I hate itineraries. However, if we absolutely have to have one, what is the best formula for enjoyment, peace of mind knowing that we have a place to stay and not being under the gun to make the next destination? What a treatise. I think I've gotten too complicated already. Folks?

[VRider75]

hey motomama... welcome to the site... I, too, am a newbie here, but you will find a truckload of information on most any question you may have on motocamping. I've criss-crossed the US 3 1/2 times and am planning my next coast-coast trip for April-May. I stay off interstates as much as possible so most of the riding is small town to small town. This will be my 1st trip camping. It seems a lot of people recommend small city or county parks as having the best camping amenities, but I'm sure it varies by experience. As far as gear goes, a lot of it is personal preference, however, a good comfortable sleeping bag sounds like the best advice, as a good night sleep is imperative. If you're not bringing a netbook or smart phone for internet access, I'd suggest coordinating with someone back home who can surf the net for info needed on you next destination. i.e. campgrounds, hotels (if needed), etc. Also, look into a SPOT personal tracker for emergency situations at www.findmespot.com. Be safe and have a great ride.

[Mr. Guy]

+100 on the good nights sleep. Do what ever you think you need to get them. If at some point during your trip you think your carry to much stuff, stop by a UPS store and ship some of it home to a friend. Whatever you use is going to be personal preference, take all advice with a grain of salt, listen, but pick what works for you. Most of the gear you'll use will probably be backpacking gear, it's light and small, so it works for motocamping too. But it sounds like you have the right attitude. Ride at your own pace, stop where you want and don't get in a rush to get some where. That's when mistakes are made and you'll miss something nice anyway.

Guy

[Ironheadziggy76]

Welcome to the site motomama! To answer one question, I think you will appreciate the windshield when you get to sample some of the large bugs we have here and parts south. Go with a quick detach and if you camp somewhere for a few days you can always leave it in the tent while out exploring.

As others have said a good nights sleep is important, you don't want to be trying to ride with an aching back! If you and your friend are going to be making the entire trip together you could consider just taking one tent large enough for the both of you. One carry the tent and the other carry the sleep gear, etc, you get the idea.

Budgets are very flexible, depends if you are going to eat out every meal, cook, or a mix of both. I can get by on about $30.00 a day easily to camp and eat, not counting fuel. Less if I do a lot of cooking. I normally pay at the pump with a credit card and use cash for everything else unless it's a larger purchase.

Go through the tent, sleeping bag, and mattress evaluations and be sure to ask questions. Don't be shy, all of us here were first time campers at one time or another.

[Dusty Boots]

Welcome motomama

Here's a link to a expense spreadsheet program, that you might find useful in planning for expenses - http://www.halolightingsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/motorcycle-trip-financial-planner-v4.xls

Here's a great resource for finding campgrounds in National Forests, which are usually cheaper and quieter - http://www.forestcamping.com/

Another link for a customizable 'check list', to make and check off when packed, to make sure you have the gear you want/need to pack with you and haven't forgotten anything. - http://micapeak.com/checklists/mclist.html

If you have a small net-book, I would advise you to take it to check out routes, conditions, campgrounds, keeping in touch with family/friends etc. I was surprised at the amount of campgrounds that now offer WiFi, or have access close by.

I spent a month on the road, rode over 8,500 miles and spent under $1500 total for the whole trip, including a new front tire installed at a dealership in Rapid City, SD I wasn't cutting corner too much and ate very well. I usually made/cooked my breakfasts and dinners, although I did eat a few dinners in a couple of nice restaurants and shared a motel for 5 nights with a bud that can't camp, due to his wearing a colostomy bag.
A windshield will hep with all the grit blowing around in the SW, bugs and of course, HAIL!
In the SW, expect temps in the mid 80* - mid 90* range. Night time temps vary according to elevation. It was 115* , when I crossed Death Valley in mid September last year. Twas also below freezing in the mornings in the Black Hills and in the high Passes, so pack with temperature 'adaptability/versatility' in mind, as far as riding gear and clothing goes.
These shots were taken in the end of June, in the Bighorns of WY and Beartooth Pass, WY/MT of this past summer

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3668507550_75d986c64e_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3667700911_173961ab40_o.jpg
http://http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3668519342_4664fd017a_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3667712895_91faba265b_o.jpg

Down sleeping bags compress down further and are generally lighter than a synthetic filled sleeping bag, of the same temperature rating. Lots of people are happy with the performance/price of these goose down sleeping bags from Campmor ( http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40065)
Here's an excellent, cushy, insulated, very compact and inexpensive sleeping pad, also from Campmor (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/SubCategory___40000000226_200368356?ip_navtype=Adv ancedSearch&catFilter=&searchKeywords=200368356&ip_sortBy=&filters=Manufacturer%20Name%7EPacific%20Outdoor%20 Equipment%7EPacific%20Outdoor%20Equipment%20%281%2 9&ip_constrain=&pageSize=24&catType=&searchCategory=browsefilter&manNameFilter=&sizeFilter=&ip_state=&priceFilter=&currentPage=&colorFilter=) Beware the larger, thicker, Coleman type of air bed/pad, as they are not insulated(cold!) and require a pump to inflate.
Don't forget a pillow for a comfortable night's sleep. Your own preference will dictate what is comfortable to you.


Stick with the 2 lane black tops, as they are much nicer/scenic to travel and usually far less busy, compared to the Interstates.
300-400 miles per day makes for a fairly relaxed pace. Don't get locked into a strict itinerary!!!! You have enough of that in your everyday work life/schedule. This is a holiday!! Relax .... Go with the flow.
Have a basic route in mind, but don't be afraid to deviate if something pics your interest.
Above all have fun, go with the FLOW .... and ride safe!

Dusty

[G wizz]

Motomama.
Welcome to our little (Little?) group of Motocampers.
One important thing. You say you haven't camped with a motorcycle before?
Start gathering your gear now, take it and go camping on every weekend you get a chance. That way, by August, with help from your friendly forum members here, you'll pretty much know what you want / need to haul on a long camping adventure.
A lot of folks here have spent many moons in the out-of-doors, camping with their bikes, and know lots of tricks and tips that they will gladly pass on to others like yourself.
Dont hesitate to ask questions, we're here to help.
And by all means get a windshield. Also you'll be needing some sort of sunblock, so don't forget to pack the sunscreen.

G wizz

[Trailace]

Motomama.
Welcome to our little (Little?) group of Motocampers.
One important thing. You say you haven't camped with a motorcycle before?
Start gathering your gear now, take it and go camping on every weekend you get a chance. That way, by August, with help from your friendly forum members here, you'll pretty much know what you want / need to haul on a long camping adventure.
A lot of folks here have spent manny moons in the out-of-doors, camping with their bikes, and know lots of tricks and tips that they will gladly pass on to others like yourself.
Dont hesitate to ask questions, we're here to help.
And by all means get a windshield. Also you'll be needing some sort of sunblock, so don't forget to pack the sunscreen.

G wizz

+1

Welcome to the site.

[SparkyL]

I'm beginning to really like this place. Lots of great advise presented in a friendly manner.
Welcome Motomama!

[Black and Blue]

I'm beginning to really like this place. Lots of great advise presented in a friendly manner.
Welcome Motomama!

Beginning? Oh, SparkyL, you should already like this site.:D

Welcome motomama.:hi1:

[Whosoever]

Plus 1 or should I say Plus two on Gwizz and Trailace...when it comes to "practicing" your camping routine. I've set up tents in my living room...slept in them with my sleeping bag and sleeping matt of choice long before I used them for real. Same way with my camp stove and dishes. Prepare the same kinds of foods you like to eat at home and see what it takes to duplicate them with much smaller equipment. If you do this kind of preparation starting now...you are going to have a great time doing it for real....and you might even trade off some equipment for different stuff because the first selection just doesn't work. One thing I know about this site....there are some great ideas and some real ingenuity demonstrated here. And, a bunch of really neat people...some I sure hope to meet on the Cheroloha Chill Out. So, with that said....welcome to the site...Motomama!

:tent6:

[SparkyL]

Beginning? Oh, SparkyL, you should already like this site.:D

Welcome motomama.:hi1:

I should have put REALLY in caps! You're right, I've been liking this site from the first. P^

[motomama]

:)Thanks for the warm welcome, my new friends. Riding is all about the soul...have the bumpersticker on the cage. I am soaking up the info...appreciating it...this is part of the fun of the trip!

[DILLIGAF61]

Hey everyone,
I'm new to MotoCampers and want to introduce myself. My friend and I have the month of August open to take off from upstate NY and see as much of the US as we can fit in. The general idea is to do a camping loop through the northers states and come back through the southern states, i.e., Utah, Colorado, etc. or vice-versa. Pretty ambitious, yes? Well, perhaps too ambitious...need your input. We want r&r, as well. LOVE a challenge, though. Is desert-riding too hot at this time? My friend and I both agree that we are in it for the views and not so much for city sites. I am also guessing that a windshield is going to be entirely necessary (yuk.) I have seen the packing list, which is most helpful. I am riding an HD 07 Deluxe equipt with saddlebags and will have the passenger seat and luggage rack for storage. i also have a backrest on my Mustang seat. (and bungee cords!) I have ridden long distances, but have never camped. Looking for the most compact, effective gear I can find without spending millions. What would be a good amount to budget for each day? Also, I hate itineraries. However, if we absolutely have to have one, what is the best formula for enjoyment, peace of mind knowing that we have a place to stay and not being under the gun to make the next destination? What a treatise. I think I've gotten too complicated already. Folks?

Welcome !! I'd like to add to what everyone else has said and suggest a small trailer like the one harbor freight sells to pack everything into and then next year we will see you asking about pulling a camper behind the bike ahh the endless possibilities

200-350 miles a day make for a relaxing trip you could do 400-500 a day but then the trip becomes gotta go gotta get there remember its vacation stop and smell the roses

try to route yourself through Mich. and cross the Mackinaw bridge into the upper peninsula of Mich. both the bridge and the u.p. are spectacular my opinion is to travel the east coast of Mich.to the Mac. G.wizz will try to tell you to travel the west coast of Mich but I think age might be clouding his opinion (lmao)

[G wizz]

Welcome !!

try to route yourself through Mich. and cross the Mackinaw bridge into the upper peninsula of Mich. both the bridge and the u.p. are spectacular my opinion is to travel the east coast of Mich.to the Mac. G.wizz will try to tell you to travel the west coast of Mich but I think age might be clouding his opinion (lmao)

I'll agree with all this EXCEPT the part about which side if Michigan to visit.
And my cloudy opinonated age has nothing to do with it.
If anything's cloudy, it's the east side if the state ... most of the time. :D
Come ride the sunny side of the state, (west side) you'll be glad ya did. P^
See the picture to the left? ... Sunshine ... West Coast.

G wizz

[DILLIGAF61]

I'll agree with all this EXCEPT the part about which side if Michigan to visit.
And my cloudy opinonated age has nothing to do with it.
If anything's cloudy, it's the east side if the state ... most of the time. :D
Come ride the sunny side of the state, (west side) you'll be glad ya did. P^
See the picture to the left? ... Sunshine ... West Coast.

G wizz

hmmmm east side full of tourist from Chicago HOT sunny days with no clouds to relive you from the heat east side of Mich beautiful scenic rides like the Au sable River Rd.

[Dusty Boots]

I'd bypass MI altogether,
riding due West til you hit the Mighty Mississippi, then head north on US 67/52 until Dubuque, then take US 20 across to the Black Hills Region of SD!!! ;)

:Popcorn :Popcorn

[G wizz]

hmmmm east side full of tourist from Chicago HOT sunny days with no clouds to relive you from the heat east side of Mich beautiful scenic rides like the Au sable River Rd.

Ah ... But you forgot about the soft cool breezes coming off Lake Michigan, along with the shade of all those beautiful trees ... not too hot at all.
But you're right about the Touist traffic on the EAST side ... clogging up all the good roads, especially near the Geat Au Sable.

[G wizz]

I'd bypass MI altogether,

:Popcorn :Popcorn

You may do that Dusty, but you'd be missing out on some GREAT riding. Even Dilligaf woud agree with me on that.

[Dusty Boots]

Aah .... I was waiting for the 'Bite'. :D

You MI people KNOW I was just teasing, right? :hatw1:

Although I've ridden through the UP a couple of times, cruised through Port Huron to points west/south and up the centre of the LP, over the Mack, I haven't, as yet, had the pleasure of doing either coast of the LP. I am planning on rectifying that, by doing both coasts in the not too distant future. :tent8:
I was hoping on doing that this year, but bike time this year will be severely restricted, while I'm providing care for my ailing parents. Funny how siblings 'wash their hands' of the responsibility, once another one steps up to the plate. :rolleyes:

[Mr. Guy]

Hi Ken,

Don't take it to hard about your parents, Both of mine had passed away before I was 22.

Guy

[G wizz]

Aah .... I was waiting for the 'Bite'. :D

You MI people KNOW I was just teasing, right? :hatw1:

bike time this year will be severely restricted, while I'm providing care for my ailing parents. Funny how siblings 'wash their hands' of the responsibility, once another one steps up to the plate. :rolleyes:

We're in the same boat. My wife's father passed away recently, and her mother, being in need of constant care, has moved in with us ...
Wifes sister doesn't help out much, making it hard to get away very often, especialy for more that a few hours ...

G wizz

[Dusty Boots]

Sometimes it gets overwhelming, watching once vibrant, active parents, decline to the state where some days they have trouble putting together a coherent sentence and are 'lost' with that vacant look in their eyes. Sad really, but that's the last I'll say about that. Back to the subject matter! ;)

Mama - there is beauty to be found no matter which route you choose across the nation. Some will be 'up close and in your face', while other spots are a little reluctant to disclose their sublime beauty, that you may have to slow down to discover!
Your biggest obstacle is not which route to ride, or sights to see, as you will migrate toward those, eventually. No sir, your biggest obstacle is the bane of all long distance tourers/moto-campers - TIME!
You'll just be getting in the grove, moving on from place to place, forgetting what day it is and then discover that you have to make your way back, into the 'World of Reality' again, to earn money and keep commitments/responsibilities which is that of the 'working world' and also allows you to participate in this 'passion', where you feel at peace with the world outside your tent and as one, with your bike.

Gather up some gear, get away for a few weekend rides to see what packing 'systems/methods'/gear works for you. I would advise you to get a National Parks pass (http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html), if there are more than a couple of National Parks/Monuments/Grasslands along your route. Make sure you sign both your names on the back and the both of you will gain entrance under the one card, while you are on your bikes.

If you get the time, or get that far, make sure you check out Southern Utah! There's a reason why there are so many National Parks located there! P^

Dusty

[motomama]

P^Southern Utah is part of the plan. I hadn't really considered Michigan, but certainly all the contention has piqued my curiosity. However, the thought of missing my mother's
85th birthday August 12th leaves me not feeling so hot about being away...she lives on her own (with my cat) in an assisted living facility. My dad passed away September 23, 2005. Going to have to turn this one over to the Big Guy for more consideration.

[Superdave]

Welcome!
I think you just found a great place!