"The Big Ride"

[Mellow]

Trailace, Buzz (both GS riders) and myself have been planning a ride for about a year now.

We originally planned on going to California since neither Buzz nor Trailace had been there on the bike, maybe not at all, I can't remember.

I was there just after I got the ST for one of the STOC events and it was nice, but, I was alone and it's never as fun as it is with a friend along.

So, we started making our 1-week trip plans... didn't take long, but it's now a 2-week trip and heads into Canada, as long as the weather is nice. We decided the optimum number of bikes on this trip would be 3 as any more and gas stops and other stops would just start to take a little too much extra time. This is a very aggressive route schedule but we have some built in buffer so if we decide to take a day and just sit around, we can.

Attached is an overview of the routes, this includes alternate routes from Crater Lake just in case snow hits Canada early and we can't head to Jasper NP. The alternate routes hit Yosemite, Bryce, Monument Valley... then, a short trip over to Mt Rushmore and the Badlands before I attend the WeSTOC rally near denver.. then, Trailace and Buzz will do some dirt roads and a couple days later meet back up with me to head to my parents place in OK and finish the trip with a couple days in northwestern Arkansas for the NatSTOC even.... Yeah... wow.. looks like about 8k miles total, give or take a couple K miles...

We will be camping 100% of the time no matter what the weather throws at us.

We aren't done with the route planning... there are still some fine tuning to do but this is probably 95% of what we will be doing.

This will be the best trip ever and I can't wait. Now, all I need is to sell about 1,000 t-shirts so I can afford it.... LOL :eek: :D

[Trekker]

Awesome!!!! What an adventure you guys will be on!

[STeveGray]

Whew! The Big Ride is right! You guys are going to be taking in an amazing variety of sights. Just the stretch from Joshua Tree to the PCH to the Canadian Rockies is going to be impressive. What a great trip. Be safe and enjoy!

[Doobage]

Incredible. I'm guessing gas will cost you about $600-$700 alone. Mix that with camping and food and you can probably get away with $1200 on the cheap and $1800 on the higher side. Not bad for two weeks. Not bad at all.

I need to look up the range on the GS. I'd think your Wing would go further on a tank, but I honestly don't know.

I hope to make Westoc. But no telling. My brothers and I are talking about doing a camping trip in August to the back country of some fourteeners, so it'd probably be hard to convince my wife for a second week out. Just have to see what happens.

[mongo]

Hope you guy's have a blast. PC1 is a great road, I had to remind myself to watch the road the scenery is so great. There is a nice state campground at Moro Bay I really like, Flat grassy with some nice trees for shade, it has been a few years but I don't remember showers. I know you have it planned but this one sticks in my head because of a little mom and pop Mexican food stand in town that was awesome. Ride safe and have FUN!

[Mellow]

If the were the std GS models the range would be close but these are the adventure models with the 8 gallon tanks.. so, they'll have to deal with my frequent stops every 200 miles.. LOL

A couple years ago I stayed at montana de oro state park, accross from morro bay. No showers but it was nice. We will try morro bay as it does have showers and I know I'll need one by then.. LOL

Thanks,

[Trailace]

Waiting for this one is killing me. :D

I was thinking it would be about $750 for gas. (8,000 miles 35mpg and $3.25 per gallon)

[TOMB]

Hope ya take a shower before getting to WESTOC:D Wish I could tag along with you guys but... I'll be in your rearview mirror....

[Alan]

Waiting for this one is killing me. :D

I was thinking it would be about $750 for gas. (8,000 miles 35mpg and $3.25 per gallon)

I just got back from my 7500 mile trip out west and your gallon cost of $3.25 is good for premium gas in the isolated backcountry. I found better prices in the metro areas, near the interstate highways.

Have a great trip!

[dannyk]

I know its a camping forum but I thought this would be of interest for gas as you travel, found the highest fuel prices in Colorado, the lowest in Iowa
Today I tallied up my expenses for the trip, miles traveled by gps 4019 gas used 76.744 gallons, average mileage for the trip 52.3689 gas expense $232.38 highest price paid $3.35 per gallon lowest price paid $2.73 per gallon, all premium except for one tank of 89 thats all I could find. Motel room split 3 ways using a rollaway bed or 3 beds when available $200.00 per person for 9 nights sleeping. Food and entrance fee's about $180.00 for a total of around $613.00 just over $60.00 per day average. Camping you should be able to do better on the lodging costs, especially if you can get a few free ones thrown in. Danny

[Trailace]

miles traveled by gps 4019 gas used 76.744 gallons, average mileage for the trip 52.3689 gas expense $232.38 highest price paid $3.35 per gallon lowest price paid $2.73 per gallon,
Man thats great!

[Mellow]

That's good info. Don't worry, you don't have to have 'tent' or 'camp' in every post... LOL.. we'll let you slide this one time... however, the words 'motel', 'hotel', 'lodge' and 'suite' are strictly prohibited.

[Trailace]

Less than 4 weeks.

But who?s counting. :p