You must get a picture of your bike at the highest elevation on the Blue Ridge Parkway! Here’s our ST’s on the BRP. Mine is the silver ST!
First Long Distance Ride
- Thread starter V4RDR
- Start date
You must ride the Blue Ridge Parkway and get a picture of your bike at the highest elevation. Here's our ST's on the BRP. Mine is the silver one!
tnbill
Site Supporter
The blue ridge parkway has a lot going this year with repairs. There is a bridge closure at mile 248-249 but there is a detour and they are good at signage on the detours. Also there is pavement work in pretty much all of NC. You can find this info on the web.
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2020
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- 66
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- Birmingham, Alabama
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- 2008 ST1300A
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- 9065
Reminds me of an old Pink Floyd album...
"A Nice Pair".
If I may add I don't like to ride more than 500 miles a day anymore before I call it a day. I am trying to remember where I saw it but an article stated after 500 miles it is unsafe to continue the ride as most riders are physically and mentally not as sharp as when the journey began.
Here's a link to a last-30-minutes precipitation map for you to take with you.
It's centered over VA, but covers PA to NC, half of TN and KY, and WV, OH, MD, and DE.
It's not self-refreshing, so you have to re-load it periodically to keep it current.
It's centered over VA, but covers PA to NC, half of TN and KY, and WV, OH, MD, and DE.
It's not self-refreshing, so you have to re-load it periodically to keep it current.
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Have fun and ride safe! Been to every state on moto, but I don't ride the east coast that much (mostly Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania). The most of my comments about this and other's suggestions are on the CB1100 forum. The I-95 sure seems convenient but was not fun as everyone told me. Took less congested roads/highways which allowed for more relaxed riding. I do cross country every year between June & October and I always seem to need my Frogg Toggs (cycle gear), a compact umbrella (amazon), and a Nelson Rigg half cover (amazon). Also always stash some cash and an extra key somewhere on my bike that a simple screwdriver (or less) can access. FYI, I pretty much carry the kitchen sink when I travel to deal with most any USA climate or emergency ... you don't need to do that in your situation I think. ALSO, years ago Mr Ferret suggested keeping a ziploc bag with a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe bugs from helmet shield & moto windshield .... this has proved invaluable to me on all of my moto journeys. 
When I travel long distances I usually go to a Goodwill store and buy a $5 tee shirt for every day I travel, then throw it away after I wear it. That way I have less and less to pack every day. I buy a new pack of socks and do the same thing. I also use a cramp buster for long interstate rides.
I think the album "A Nice Pair" is actually at Supertramp album.
Edit. I'm wrong. The Album I was thinking of is titled "Indelibly Stamped".
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Jack Reacher style of traveling. I don't remember, did he buy new underwear too?
One simple thing I have found that works: I make a quick stop about once an hour. Just get off the bike, have a sip, walk around for a few minutes, and back on the road. To me that makes a huge difference on how my body feels...
Absolutely.
Everyone;
Thanks so much for all of the great feedback. Sorry for the delayed response, but it's been a crazy week getting back to my bike.
A few answers for the questions that were asked:
- Not sure if I'm camping or hoteling. Planning to take that day by day and I'm sure there will be a mix of everything. I have even been kicking around some hostels / couch surfing / room-shares etc. trying to make the most of the trip.
- I always keep my bike in top shape, as my life depends on it, even going to Walmart. But with that said, she has new sneakers, brakes, fluids etc. and I will be going through everything before I depart. Also a long time member of AAA just in case of breakdown.
- Working on ordering all of the suggested items - shorts, pads, cruise control, gloves, etc. Would love to get a new seat / pegs / mods, but time may not facilitate that.
- Got my helmet comms and audio books all ready to go.
- As for route, I'm still looking at all of the alternatives. Some friends along the way that I am trying to incorporate are making this route very interesting. I have traditionally made this type of trip doing the highways (car / van) but I would much rather be on the two lane mountain roads for the views. Thanks to all of the engineers and technologists for GPS and satellite navigation lol. I'm sure I'll need it.
- As for going west - well that is planned for this winter (I will be trailering to get over there probably). And those plans may be contingent on how this adventure goes lol. Not going to miss the opportunity to see the country on two wheels one way or another, now being retired. That was the whole reason for going from the VFR to the ST. Still can't resist a good ride on the VFR now and again though.
I'll remember to take some pics along the way.
Thanks again !
Thanks so much for all of the great feedback. Sorry for the delayed response, but it's been a crazy week getting back to my bike.
A few answers for the questions that were asked:
- Not sure if I'm camping or hoteling. Planning to take that day by day and I'm sure there will be a mix of everything. I have even been kicking around some hostels / couch surfing / room-shares etc. trying to make the most of the trip.
- I always keep my bike in top shape, as my life depends on it, even going to Walmart. But with that said, she has new sneakers, brakes, fluids etc. and I will be going through everything before I depart. Also a long time member of AAA just in case of breakdown.
- Working on ordering all of the suggested items - shorts, pads, cruise control, gloves, etc. Would love to get a new seat / pegs / mods, but time may not facilitate that.
- Got my helmet comms and audio books all ready to go.
- As for route, I'm still looking at all of the alternatives. Some friends along the way that I am trying to incorporate are making this route very interesting. I have traditionally made this type of trip doing the highways (car / van) but I would much rather be on the two lane mountain roads for the views. Thanks to all of the engineers and technologists for GPS and satellite navigation lol. I'm sure I'll need it.
- As for going west - well that is planned for this winter (I will be trailering to get over there probably). And those plans may be contingent on how this adventure goes lol. Not going to miss the opportunity to see the country on two wheels one way or another, now being retired. That was the whole reason for going from the VFR to the ST. Still can't resist a good ride on the VFR now and again though.
I'll remember to take some pics along the way.
Thanks again !
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2018
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- Location
- Northern Baltimore suburbs
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This thread just got started and might be of interest to you:
www.st-owners.com
If you're not in a rush, those apps can create a motorcycle-fun route from point to point (or even round-trip).
Great little App - Scenic GPS | GPS
After the frustration of trying to plan a 200mi loop through google maps (on iPhone and computer), I realized I wanted something that was better designed for my needs, I checked out Rever and a couple of the others, but the UI and price points were not to my liking. I then came across Scenic...
If you're not in a rush, those apps can create a motorcycle-fun route from point to point (or even round-trip).
docw1
Bill Rankin
Maybe it's just me, but I could never follow an audiobook while riding. I could either concentrate on the book or the riding , but not both. I usually have music playing in the background.
IndyRob
Site Supporter
I ALWAYS have my rain gear in my right saddlebag, and stored in the order I need to put it on (e.g. pants on top, then booties, then jacket). The right bag is for everything I may need during my riding day; rain gear, clear visor (normally do tinted during the day...), extra battery for the cell phone, tire plug kit, polish and rag for windscreen, etc. Left bag is miscellaneous stuff. I do a Cortech motorcycle duffle strapped to the rear seat as my main luggage. It has a rain cover and plenty of room for up to 5 days of clothes. As others have said... minimal clothes, max money.
Enjoy the ride!