Travel USA 2006

[Pansmiker]

I know, I know that it is only 2005 but next year –2006- will be the big 50 for me and I want to do something to mark it if God spares me in the interim of-course!

This may be a bit of a cliché but I do fancy a trip along Route 66 or at least some sort of East West trip. Route 66 has, I understand, fallen into some disrepair in places or has been replaced by other roads so that an end to end run wouldn’t be possible anyway.

I would plan to take 2 weeks, hire a bike in the East if possible and drop off in the West or the reverse if it turned out more do-able.

A big part of the will I or can I, will be the cost. Therefore I would like to ask the group if there are any sites which I could trawl such as Hotel chains, route finders (maps etc) and Bike Hire.

This is all very tentative but if I don’t start now and find out the practical side then I will just continue to dream and when 2006 does come round I will regret not being more proactive.


Paul ;)

[sandman]

Paul, Here's a site or two that might help with the route planning:

http://www.motorcycleroads.us./index.html

http://therideguide.com/index.html

http://www.route66clicks.com/8states.html

This is probably the best road atlas I've seen, but it took a month to get it delivered in the states, don't expect them to find Ireland for a couple. :D

http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2016&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=120&iSubCat=244&iProductID=2016

If you're coming through Alabama drop me an email.

Gordon

[NewsMag]

One thing to keep in mind is that the US is an enormous country. And the biker community here is (mostly) like anywhere else. If you were to pick a region, you would get tons of suggestions from people here on routes to ride in that region. And experience says you will also get offers of places to stay including meals and libations.

For instance - Four years ago I was riding in mid-May with a buddy, both of us on ST1100s. We spent the night in Torrey, Utah, which is as close to the middle of nowhere as anywhere is. After a great dinner, we pulled up the motel and proceeded to secure and cover the bikes for the night. Couple of minutes later a nearly-incoherent Dutch guy comes charging out of the motel, claiming that he has a Pan European 1100 also, back in Holland.

Once we calmed him down to where we could understand him, it turns out that he was on a monthlong honeymoon with his lovely bride, and they were touring the Western US via rental car. It also turns out that (once I could understand his name) he and I "knew" each other - virtually. We had "met" years before via the infamous ST1100 EMail LiST. He had a tragic story about love lost to an evil woman, who potentially was going to take all his worldly possesions as well. He had disappeared off the LiST. Now we learn, with a new (and wonderful) new woman, his life was good again.

So anyway, he spent about half of the rest of his trip staying with old virtual acquaintances all over the Western USA. My buddy even loaned him his ST so we could ride some mountains together - a rare treat for the flatland resident of Holland!

So browse around a bit, pick a vague destination and time, and stand by for all the free advice you can stand!

Certainly if you are in my neighborhood, I could stand to provide a free beer (or several) to a fellow Irishman!

[Pansmiker]

Gordon thanks for the links. These are just what I was looking for :cool:
I will make full use as I try and cost out the proposed adventure.

STeve thanks - I will keep you offer in mind :beer3: :D

Paul

[hiflynbrd]

Paul,

Most of my traveling is in the 2.5-3K mile round trip range but somewhere in the future is a multi-continent ride. I haven't used it yet but I intend to make use of this link when I range further from home.

http://www.hospitalityclub.org/

You may find it useful and interesting too.

Ray

Price, UT
STOC# 4210

[Horst]

Hey Pans ... I mean Paul, does this mean '50' is less than 6 years away for me too ? ... yikes :rolleyes:

On a serious note, if you come, what about an ST gathering to honour the fine guest from the Emerald Isle ? ... Utah is just a hop and a skip away from BC. I'm serious.

Several years back, when I had just gotten back into riding after a short abscence, I joined an active XS11 list. There were members from all over and several get-togethers were done over the years. One member from South Africa really wanted to come to N.A. and we even collected some funds to help but alas, it did not work out that year. But many long lasting friendships were made that have stood the test of time.

Isn't motorcycling just wonderful ? Here's to 'Pans' doing Route 66 ! :D

[Pansmiker]

Horst

Thanks.

The whole thing is in a very large melting pot. I wanted to try and get a feel for the potential cost.

Since starting to ride bikes at 17 years old I had a need for travel. I saw the film Easy Rider and loved the wandering / big open road feel of it. I dreamt of going to the South of France and riding along the Cote D’Azur with the sun on my back and the blue Mediterranean at my side. I fulfilled this dream in 2000 and thankfully, the reality was better that the dream.

Next stop USA (maybe :D )

Paul

[Horst]

Hope you can make it ... you will love the American West, I promise. I have ridden WA/OR/MT/WY/ID/UT/CO and CA is next. These are wide open spaces we have here (this includes the Canadian West) and you will be amazed at the miles, given European uh, 'constraints'. :) You will find that on occasion you may want to exceed the posted limit even, and mobody will care because nobody is aorund ! .. :a13: ... I'm not encouraging anything of course, but if you come, you will enjoy yourself.