Go West My Son!

JB - Riding out and heading west at 4 am is just fine. Just remember the mulies and the pronghorns and the bison love that time, too. Stay alert. The good thing is you'll be riding west from a rising sun. As it gets later (or for you Easterners, meal time) riding into a setting sun is good in a John Ford Western, but for real folk it starts to suck bad if the sky ain't cloudy. And it ain't cloudy much between the Rockies and the Sierras.

I'm jusr saying that there are days when 700 miles are a breeze, and days that 300 miles are H-E-double-toothpicks. I want ya to get here happy, and happy to ride more. Don't push yourselves to the point where it ain't no fun no more. Been there - not a good place. Great stories afterwards - (we all know the best stories are the edge of death ones) - but can kill both expected and unexpected pleasures ahead.

I really do like the early start idea when heading west. Keep the sun behind ya as long as you can.

Looking forward to taking you both up to Virginia City for some ol' time Nevada fun. I may even let you ride my 'King. so HRider can take your pretty bike and follow us up Six Mile Canyon and tour the land of my ancestral origins. Thank the Lord that I have my DR650SE, too - I don't ride pinion on my bikes!

:cheers:

I am a pretty go with the flow female rider! I don't get to bent out of shape about a whole lot, except if my hair isn't done right I think it is more exhausting to be the one driving the bike then the passenger. I'm not to worried about the trip, I have to say JB and I make a really good team when we are traveling together. I'm a country girl, I hold up rather well.

You hold up well all the time BABY!!

LOL, unless I'm unloading on you, huh? :roflmao:

I'm used to it.. :gah::gah:

You don't have it so rough!

I know I don't, but exaggerating to the boys is fun too at times...



On a serious note, I am finding out there are a lot of things that need to be considered for a trip like this. I think that I have thought of all that is needed, but am stuck with one small dilemma. Since I refuse to put rear crash bars on my bike just for this trip so I can put a water bottle back there, what are my other options so I can hydrate without dismounting? Has anyone here ever just thrown a canteen over the shoulder and use that? I will not use a cup holder that is mounted on the side of the bike either... What do you all suggest?

never used one but seen those "camel back" hydration things that strap on your back.

Camelbacks work great. Still have one I was issued in '98, but got newer/better ones, too. I still carry a bottle of water on my bike in crazy-hot weather, use it to pour on my face and chest. Better than A/C!
:cheers:

Hey, JB - also make sure you are up on the helmet laws in the different states you may pass thru.

My son used one under his jacket, warm water early morning (chilly ) as it cooled down the ambient temp rose. It wont be cold but it does quench the thurst

That is coming with already as I know that there a few states that require them.

I have seen those camelbacks, they do look handy. Ugly, but handy...

If you wet the whole pack, it will stay cooler as the water evaporates. In 100 degree weather, having a wet pack aint really a problem!

The only problem I've had with one is when it is brutally cold. Then the sip line will freeze solid. That is only a problem, though, when it ain't riding weather anyways.

JB you're over thinking this trip, it an't like you're going to the desert where it gets the 110 degree range, all you need is 2 changes of cloths, extra underwear and socks, a credit card and a pocket full of money, your new gun w/ammo and you're set to go. I mean man it's only 2,000 miles you're not going around the world and these days there is a walmart in almost every town. JMO, you'll be buying gas every couple of hours anyway.

Yeah just stick a bottle of water in one of the saddle bags. sheesh! Try to have fun.

Tank of gas, bottle of water, a couple changes of clothes, a general direction and an open road.

Thanks Red, Two Times, Iron Horse and DW for the input. Maybe right, maybe thinking too much into it.

I have started to look at luggage in a serious way as this will something that I will need. I have found that I again can get a great deal off of retail price on either TBags or HD stuff. I like it when you can get what you want a reduced price.

Camelbaks are great for keeping hydrated..makes for a better ride in hot weather, you notice it so much the first day but if you're pounding on big miles day after day it's just better to be able to sip on demand..or if there's a spot where you can carry a water bottle and easily get to it while riding, that'll work as well. I am not so good at not drinking in between gas stops any more.

My goal is 650 minimum/day so that would mean that I would have to keep going strong for as long as I can. Of course I do realize that I will have to eat and have some sort of relaxation.