Go West My Son!

Yesterday I had a conversation with Red Rider telling him that it would take an act of God for Hot Rider and I not to be able to make it out to his place this summer. I have the funds set aside and am ready to roll other than than the fact that my Harley just isn't put together just yet, but it will be by then.

I am starting the rout planning and I have come up with a very simple rout. One that was picked by google maps as I just am not sure what it the best way to go as I have never been that far west or south. I have decided that I would rather take a more south west rout so that is going to take me to South Dakota right around Rapid City or even Sturgis. From there I will be heading south towards Denver as I have a cousin that lives there and would like to see if I can take shelter there and also to see him. I usually do not get to see him unless someone dies up here. From there it looks that they want to take me to Salt Lake City and then to Sparks Nevada.

I have one basic search question so far. How do I determine what the distances between fill ups are along this rout? Meaning, how do I know when I can fuel? Is there a feature on Google maps that I can utilize?

Hot Rider and I have talked and She has left this up to me but I have a choice of either purchasing an HD GPS that I can enter my specific rout into, or go ahead and buy LED headlights so I can see better. That is a touch one and will address that later, but I am putting that out there as I do need your guy's help to decide.

So far, my trip out there, just to meet Red at his home, it will be an almost 2,000 mile ride. Not bad for the first long trip that I have taken.

Also while talking with Red, he suggested that we pack lightly. Sounds good to me as I do not like to carry along a lot unnecessary shiit. Hot Rider usually isn't that bad with that so not too much to worry about there. One of the things that he did suggest that I do think that I must do is to carry along those 1 gallon gas cans that fit in the saddle bags. I like that idea...

The time of year that I am looking to do this is around the 4th of July as I would get some free time from work without having to use my vacation. If I plan this right, I will have 2 free days of riding which will take me about a day out based on a 650-750 mile average days of riding. Lots to consider....

Sounds like you got a plan....650 to 750 miles a day seems like a lot of hours in the saddle for one day, reckon yalls young bodies can handle it though

Not sure if you have met my wife Hot Rider through the forum or not but Hot Rider, Red Rider and I did 400 in 7 hours when Red Rider was up here two summers ago. I posted on FaceBook a list that I got from HTT. Check it out and see what you think of it.. I figure if I can do 400 in 7 hours on my Sporster, I should be able to do 750 on my Road Glide without issue.

I want to push it the first day so I make some good time and from there I think that I will take it easy. Before my build I was getting 49 mpg with Hot Rider on the back, but with a light load. I will be riding mainly interstate. I do like the idea of stopping every 150-200 miles to stretch and for liquids, that just makes sense to me. Thanks.

Take sunscreen, rain gear, quart of oil, tire repair kit, drink water and a few clothes as u can always wash at hotels or buy new ones on the way. I found a GPS to be a good tool but I also carry a atlas of the U.S. for back-up. JMO. Have a great trip JB.

Yes, sunscreen is a must, I think that I am going to attempt to ride without a shirt so I do think that it will be needed. LOL. I think that I am going to pack like 4 pairs of pants, shirts, socks and underwear and that will be it. My GPS will be making the trip, great suggestion on the atlas, one just never knows.

My wife and I tightly roll-up all our clothes and can easily get 4-5 changes onboard. I like to look at a atlas and memorize the main roads I want to take so I don't have to stare at it all day and use GPS when I want to go to an exact location. Just remember that riding without a shirt will dehydrate you faster, don't ask me how I know.

I can about imagine. Yes, that is how I would pack my cloths as well is to roll them nice and tight. The wife and I are going to buy some TBag luggage as I have heard such great things about them. The wife is asking if she can take a hair dryer along. I said yes, I will let that happen. :gah::roflmao:

If a lady doesn't get her hair done the rest of the day will be no fun and a hair dryer does't take up much room. Take a swimsuit in case you want to relax in the hot tub at the end of the day in the motel.

I know you are a bit younger than I am but from Minnesota to Rapid City on a hot day will kick your but. If you run the interstate out to Rapid City there are plenty of gas stations to stop at. When we go to Sturgis running at 80 I will fill up every 180 miles. Fighting the wind at 80 mph Harleys suck more gas.

Whatever time it takes you to get there. give yourself an extra day to get home,THAT'S when it becomes a grind. Also longsleeve T-shirts are a must. Also even an el-cheapo GPS can save your bacon,most will show gas stations.motels and resturants. carry some water bottles. make some good,rockin' CDs. Pay attention to fatigue. Enjoy the ride.

Made plenty of the ibr's one a couple in particular was Altoona WI to the house in Cheyenne and/or back, around a 1000 mi and around a 16 hr ish ride, takin the 2 lanes aprrox 90% of the way, if'n your headed to Denver, add another 1.25 hrs to your ride. Myself GPS in the cage is nice, I like the little atlas's on the scooter though. When i run alone 125-175 miles between juice ups and gawk at the map while stretchin the legs. I have also ran the big road from the house to Chicago and back makes for a long day also, thing to remember is once you start pushin the Wyoming line your climbin at a faster pace and the head wind can be more intense and the fuel stops farther apart.

Oh ya, as I mentioned I'm in Cheyenne roughly your half way point, I'll have the tooling ya need and the shop to do it in if you get in a pickle.

Awesome, I will keep that in mind. I am looking at some other routs and from the previous rout that I chose, I like the rout of using Interstate 35s to Interstate 80w a lot better. Fewer turns. then I will pass right through Cheyenne, then if you want we could hook up for some riding? Up to you.

I am considering changing the trip date as I will then have an extra three days off from work if I do that.

Red, get off the couch as I know you are feeling under the weather.

Just give me a heads up, I work about 50-60% away from town, but if I'm around I'll have some cold ones on Ice

Travel light. Ride fast. Have fun.