The ride to Totality (Solar Eclipse)

Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Messages
110
Age
64
Location
Veedersburg, IN
Bike
2004 ST1300
In February of 1979 I was 19 years old when the northwest part of the U.S. got to witness a total solar eclipse. Here in Indiana the sun was maybe 70% covered. Daylight got pretty dim but I thought it would sure be neat to be able to witness one. The news people said that the next total eclipse in the U.S. would occur in 2017. Well the time has almost arrived. It has been a long wait. The date is August 21, 2017. Since this eclipse goes from coast to coast through the central part of the country I was wondering how many of our ST members actually live in the path. Maybe we could have several meeting points across the country? Any ideas? Here's a link to an interactive map (if I can get it entered) https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SE
 
Joined
Aug 17, 2005
Messages
398
Location
na
Re: The ride to Totality

I have been waiting for this thread to start, I have all intentions to place my self in it's path, closest point in 160 miles north of me and depending on sky conditions will be willing to travel as far as the sand hills of Nebraska for the dark night skies to shoot the Milky way, by the way the link in post 1 gives me a 404 error. try this one

http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2017_GoogleMapFull.html
 

Nashcat

Site Supporter
Joined
Nov 13, 2011
Messages
1,722
Age
73
Location
Theta TN
Bike
2015 Versys 1000LT
STOC #
8591
Re: The ride to Totality

My house is listed in the 98% total eclipse area. If I ride 40-50 miles northeast, I can get in the center of the path.

Ride Safe
John
 

Mark

Gotta make tracks
Moderator
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
6,133
Age
70
Location
Apache Junction AZ
Bike
KTM 525exc
STOC #
3768
Re: The ride to Totality

I have been planning on this one for a couple of years also.

The path is just a bit North of Phoenix; but, I think I can make the effort!

Plan well!
 
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
206
Age
51
Location
Knoxville, TN
Bike
2006 ST1300
Re: The ride to Totality

If I go about 45 minutes south, I'll be right in the middle of its path. I think I'll cut out of work a bit early that day. :cool:
 
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
176
Location
Dahlonega, Georgia
Bike
2020 Africa Twin DCT
Re: The ride to Totality

About 10 miles outside the 100% band, will definitely make this a priority that day.
 
Joined
May 3, 2011
Messages
318
Location
Rochester, NY
Bike
2008 ST1300
STOC #
8441
Re: The ride to Totality

Planning to make a short hop south (about 845 miles) to Deals Gap for the event! Hopefully won't be too cloudy, else will find somewhere else to see it :cool:
 

Mellow

Joe
Admin
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
18,826
Age
59
Bike
'21 BMW R1250RT
2024 Miles
000540
Re: The ride to Totality

It would be cool to follow it from one end of a state to another.. lol.. I think.
 

Mellow

Joe
Admin
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
18,826
Age
59
Bike
'21 BMW R1250RT
2024 Miles
000540
Re: The ride to Totality

Good luck with that. Don't get a ticket. 1,100 mph at equator, up to 5,000 at the poles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
LOL.. yeah, I looked at one of the links... might take longer than 20 mins to ride across Nebraska... oh well, I may still try to head up there if I don't have work or other riding plans that interfere..
 

Mellow

Joe
Admin
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
18,826
Age
59
Bike
'21 BMW R1250RT
2024 Miles
000540
Re: The ride to Totality

Looks like you will have to be doing a little over 1,630 miles per hour to keep up......
Darn.. lol.. that's 1 gas stop every 2 miles also because you probably aren't getting but .0000000034 miles to the gallon..
Oh.. and a tire change every gas stop too..

So, you probably have to triple that speed to make up for the gas stops and tire changes.
 

jfheilman

Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 15, 2006
Messages
459
Location
South Carolina
Bike
2007 ST1300A
Re: The ride to Totality

I am about 10 miles north of the max totality Zone and have clear views of the sky.
 

Blrfl

Natural Rider Enhancement
Joined
Aug 24, 2005
Messages
5,689
Age
55
Location
Northern Virginia
Bike
Fast Blue One
STOC #
4837
RTE (Ride to Eclipse) Road Map

If your riding plans this August include [-]eyeballing*[/-] observing the solar eclipse, here's an interesting map with its path and predictions of how bad the traffic will be on highways near its boundaries: CLICKY

--Mark

*Please don't eyeball the eclipse.
 
Joined
Mar 11, 2010
Messages
117
Location
Colorado
Bike
'08 ST1300
Re: RTE (Ride to Eclipse) Road Map

--an interesting phenomenon; thx for sharing; but I just don't get it; yes it's rare; but--isn't the sun eclipsed each night when it dips below the horizon? I think I'll go riding and would much rather just see a nice sunset with backlit clouds somewhere after a nice rain storm; and oh, look at a nice rainbow.

--sidenote--heard that all hotels in St. Joseph, MO are booked around that time.
 
Top Bottom