I've been thinking of taking this road trip since I returned from my maiden multi-day trip on my bike last summer. Repeating in a way a trip I took (albeit in a car) some 30 years ago, starting in the northeast, driving to the Grand Canyon and LA, up to my sister's neck of the woods in Oregon, and then back home.
The differences, this time (aside from the aforementioned difference in vehicle -- 2 wheels vs 4) travelling alone, and while there are some places I wouldn't mind seeing again (SW apex of the triangle still Grand Canyon/LA, NW again will be out in Oregon) I've been thinking of places we didn't go to last time and I really haven't had a chance to see since. So, the Colorado rockies, Yosemite, Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore are on the agenda, but likely not the Gulf coast, the PCH between LA and SF, and some other things.
Leaving things pretty loose when it comes to both route and itinerary. I know my bike and I can do 500+ mile days, but am not planning them, as much as planning just to go till I don't want to any more. Maybe some days I'll want to stop and explore someplace that I arrive at early in the day, maybe some I'll just want to keep going. I'd rather not arrive at the major national parks on weekends, but that's about it.
Only two modifications to the bike for the trip,
- removing the passenger backrest, and have installed a Reynolds grab rail/luggage rack. That gives me a place for big bag behind me, and another (for camping gear) behind that.
- installed Renegade driving lights. I don't plan on riding much in the dark, because seeing where I am is part of the reason for the journey, but it'll make me more visible, and won't hurt should I decide to do a long day once in a while.
Of course, I've done full fluid change to set the baseline, engine, trans, final drive, brake and clutch fluid; new brake pads in the rear -- haven't replaced the fronts yet, but i'm carrying spares. Had the dealer fix the blown fork seal this morning, and install a new rear tire while they were at it. I will probably replace the front sometime on the west coast leg of the journey.
- Camping gear. I will try to camp over staying in hotels to save money and because I haven't camped in ages and miss it. I've been an REI member for 35 years and they're still my favorite, I have a new REI Passage 2 tent (I'm just too big for a solo), summer-specific bag (Travel Sack +55), and Thermarest pad. I got a basic foam one, not one of their self-inflating, a little extra size seems worth the vastly lower cost and convenience come morning
- Riding gear. I have a number of options here, haven't made final decisions yet.
- Jacket. I have my BMW Freerider that I like a lot, even in pretty warm (80's) kind of weather. Hybrid leather/textile, good venting sleeves, good protection. But part of this trip is going to be a lot hotter than I've ever worn this before, I will probably leave it home. The leading alternative is a Firstgear Kenya I've got. It's got better venting than the BMW (back, chest in addition to the sleeves) has a good liner that I might need in higher altitudes, good water resistance (they call it waterproof and I have recently refreshed the NIKWAX, but I never count on it).
- Pants. I bought a pair of BMW Summer 2 pants that unfortunately will be staying home. In order to get the length I need I bought a 3x, but that means they're WAY too large in the waist. The tailor I use said they'd need weeks to make them fit, which I don't have. I'm debating now between a pair of Firstgear pants that I have (that are too short) and another BMW pair that's pretty hot. I will probably bring the latter and alternate between them and jeans.
- Gloves: bringing 3 pair probably, a couple of Alpinestars that I got on clearance earlier this year -- just $20 each -- one is perfed leather, the other vented textile. I prefer the leather onec. Also an old favorite pair of unlined leather that I've had for some 20 years now. They're the closest to waterproof of the three. probably somehting I should address. My only real waterproof gloves are winter only and certainly staying home.
- Boots: even though it's going to be really hot and that's what they're made for, I think my BMW airflow boots are going to stay home. They're worse than worthless in the rain, I don't like galoshes on the bike, and it's bound to rain sometimes. So, it's my old reliable Hein Gerike boots; they're not that hot, I've found.
- Rain Gear: a 2 piece First Gear rain suit. I have never found a 1 piece that fits my long skinny frame.
- Helmet is a Nolan 102. I have an old Arai and a couple of HJC, but the modular style of the Nolan -- better for my glasses, quick release chin strap, and tinted overshield -- make it the best for this trip.
- Luggage -- the bike has these little hard panniers, which are of course on the bike for the trip.
- I've got a tour master tank bag that'll be on the bike; I don't love it, because I scratched my tank once last year pulling it off at a fuel stop, and it's a pretty odd size to me, too small mostly, but handy for wallet, electronics, speed pass, water bottle, etc. so it'll come along.
- Most of the gear that's not in the panniers (which will hold laptop, tools, spare oil filter, brake pads, chrome tape for the next time the signal stalks go, some electric and duct tape, zip ties, etc. but i digress) will be on the rear rack. Seattle Sports Navigator roll top dry bag duffel is the main carrier for clothes, and the aforementioned sleeping pad, books, whatever else -- the thing is huge. A smaller dry sack holds my tent, sleeping bag, spare shoes, and other misc items.
- So, that's about it for the pre-departure checklist, in case anyone was wondering.
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