Epic Journey (2013)

[parkinglot]

Looks outstanding!! When things start smelling, you can always grab a shower at a truck stop..newer ones are actually nicer than most peoples bathrooms..

[WickedWild]

Looks like an epic journey indeed, but you can't skip out on Arizona. Some of this countries greatest scenery is in that state, and my favorite spot... Sadona.

[1warlock]

JD this looks like a great trip, I made a 5100 mile trip to the Grand Canyon via the southern route and northern route back, took 12 days.
Now looking at doing the route 66 leisurely from east to west. General info, I get 12k miles on the pr2 michelins and 7k on the pr3s on my Connie. May help you on your tire planning. You are aware of the way I ride. It will make you love the C14 even more. Mine turned 55k and gets better on each ride.

[jamesd]

I was just in Vegas and drove to Grand Canyon from the south. Great drive indeed. We plan to stay a night at the north rim for this trip. We want to ride the UFO highway so that keeps us north.

Good info on the tires.. I may try and wear out a set before we go as a test.. I would like to do Rt66.. Was going to try and include it in this trip but it was going to be too complicated a task to get through.

Hadn't thought about the truck stop idea. That is my new plan since I like to wash every day need it or not..

[Luv2LafMcc]

Originally Posted by jamesd

The goal is 14 days and it's about 7000 miles.

Originally Posted by twicechosen

jamesd, the mileage and the days you want to travel turns into about 500 miles a day. Sounds like you guys can pull it off.

Originally Posted by arizonawarrior

Its a great route, you will have options-option-options for things to see and do along the way!

I have no reference as Ive never done anything like this. At 500 miles a day, is that an aggressive schedule? Do you have time to stop and see and do things? I know its easily possible to get 500 miles in a day, but every day for 14 days?

Just looking for some perspective from you guys/gals that have gone on extended trips.

I also hope you take pics and maybe a post a few words about your experience afterwards. Especially what would you do differently if you had to do it over.

Im a bit jealous, seems like a fantastic thing to do! GOOD LUCK!!

[jamesd]

I think the schedule is aggressive but I am not big on gawking for more than a couple minutes. We are trying to plan our overnight stops in places we want to see.. I intend to take pics and do some write-ups on lessons learned. I will likely post all that here. It is still months away so hopefully we can get all plans firmed up between now and then.

[midnightsun]

I can tell you already, end of august in some of those spots on your route you could easily see temps in the 30's. I only caught one morning of it on my trip this past august but it was well worth bringing my winter gear just for that morning!! That does look like an incredible trip and a 500 mile per day average really isnt that bad. Take lots of pics and have fun

[arizonawarrior]

500 miles at 60mph is ~8 hours riding, plus fuel stops every ~100 miles etc etc. For the secondary road portions, at least consider scheduling 400 miles a day (6 hours at 60 mph average) and you'll end up with an 8-hour riding day. For the pacific coast highway portions, plan 50 mph average at best because you'll be there on the beach in summer and the traffic will slow you down, and that is good because the views are literally awe inspiring. That leaves spare time to get fascinated with something along the back roads and hang awhile. Its about the ride. But part of the ride is 'being' where ever you are.

[jamesd]

I hear ya.. I expect the interstate portions as well as the flat 2 lane average speed to be 80ish. We aren't much on taking it easy. That said, the twisty mountain roads will be a lot less. The Concours eats gas in comparison to my buddy's Super Tenere so hopefully the gas stops can be stretched to 200 miles. If it goes over 14 days it isn't a big deal. Major break downs and accidents are really the only big problems that will screw things up.

[dfhowes]

Originally Posted by jamesd

I think the schedule is aggressive but I am not big on gawking for more than a couple minutes. We are trying to plan our overnight stops in places we want to see.. I intend to take pics and do some write-ups on lessons learned. I will likely post all that here. It is still months away so hopefully we can get all plans firmed up between now and then.

Yes, 500 miles a day is aggressive from my single experience but very doable, IMO. I took my first long trip this past May, solo-age 55, when I bought my Warrior. From Virginia Beach to Tea, South Dakota, almost 1500 miles in three days. Day 1 = 442 miles, day 2 = only 345 miles because of rain (click this link to see trip/video in detail), day 3 = 660 miles.

When you get your details down, let me know. I live in Eastern South Dakota and may be interested in tagging up with you two. I may ride along for an hour, maybe four, or maybe hook up and follow you home and then take in Deals Gap. At the very least, I'll buy you lunch/dinner if you have the time to stop. Heck give me enough time and maybe I can talk the wife into letting you stay here overnight. That might be a hard sell though as she's nervous about letting strangers in the house. But heck, worth a try.

Again, from my single experience, take LOTS of pictures, consider investing in a cam (GoPro, Contour, or whatever) for the more interesting parts of the trip (and that ain't gonna be this part of SD), and whenever you stop, write down your thoughts no matter how mundane they may seem at the time - it may trigger some good memories later. I wish I had done this more on my trip.

Any way, I'm envying you already. PM me and I'll give you my phone number if you want to get in contact when the time comes.