Riding the lower 48

[flavor]

You can become a member of the KOA campground for about 25 dollars. That entitles you to a discount at their campsites as you go, should you decide to camp along the way.

[ringadingh]

It does sound like it could be a lot of fun with a bit of planning. My only problem is getting that kind of time off from work.

[1600bluekaw]

There is no age limit to anything, it is all a mind set. A friend of mine whom rides a GW is 66 yrs old he has done the four corners, 3 categories of the Iron Butt 1,000: 2,000 & the 3,000 he did the lower 48 this past June in 37 days. All these rides were done in the last 3 yrs. Enjoy your ride. It should be on every motorcyclist bucket list.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

It does sound like it could be a lot of fun with a bit of planning. My only problem is getting that kind of time off from work.

Yeah, me too. I'd love to hit the road for 30 days and just "wander" the country on a bike. Kind of like Neil Peart in his Ghost Writer book. He went as far as Central America.

[jesse]

Maybe some friends to share the cost of Hotel rooms? You would want to choose carefully, some people are only good for short trips, they can get annoying really fast on a long trip.

[flavor]

Originally Posted by jesse

Maybe some friends to share the cost of Hotel rooms? You would want to choose carefully, some people are only good for short trips, they can get annoying really fast on a long trip.

Very true. The more involved usually the tougher to get everyone going. People usually have different mileage goals for the day as well.

Put over 200 miles on the bike in a day and you'll start weeding out riders. Can u picture some kind of last man standing.............

[fish]

Time wise I would be able to do a trip like that this summer. I'd be afraid after 4 or 5 days into it and my joints would say no more without a rest :-/

[coacha]

Go for it. Many great ideas already as far as staying on the cheap. If you have friends along the way, maybe they will put you up for a night. That will save you some cash.

[tombstone]

I've done a few trips, and have found some ways to save money.

For breakfast I eat oatmeal, the kind in the individual serving bags. I carry plastic spoons; tear the top of the bag off, put hot water from the tap (when hoteling) and eat it out of the bag. When done, throw away the bag, spoon, and go on my way. I get it in a box of ten so it doesn't take up much room.

For lunch, I sometimes carry a loaf of bread, some jam, plastic knifes and will make a sandwich. Other times I carry my backpacking stove and heat up a can of soup or stew in the can (the kind of can you just pull the lid off) and eat out of the can. Again, when done toss the can, spoon and be on your way. I've made a metal plate to put on the stove to make the can more stable.



For dinner I usually eat out, but have resorted to the camp stove and can of stew at times. Other times I have taken cooking utensils, which if you are careful take up a surprisingly small amount of space.







I've stayed in a lot of $30. a night motels...in small towns it's been ok, in large towns, not so much.

And a tip or two;
I think most of us avoid the super slab, but if I have to go on it, I am VERY cautious at the rest stops, even more so in the restrooms, the dirt bags like to walk in behind you after you started whizzing. I had a friend get beaten severly that way. Truck stops are also high crime areas, yes I know the showers are there... you just have to weigh you options, and risks.

[flavor]

I ate a lot of peanut butter and honey on bread. Doesn't go bad and good for you. Especially when there's not a lot of food stops.

[tombstone]

Originally Posted by flavor

I ate a lot of peanut butter and honey on bread. Doesn't go bad and good for you. Especially when there's not a lot of food stops.

I tried honey and was fighting the mess, so I get the smallest container of jam I can, it seems to be less messy and I can change flavors when it runs out.

Either way, when food stops are rare, or you're in remote locations honey, jam, whatever is VERY good to have along!

[blowndodge]

I plan on taking this type of trip someday. I'd get a Leesurite camping trailer and hit hotels every other day.

[coacha]

Only bad thing about a camper BD is that the mileage sucks when pulling one. Of course, if you stay on backroads it is better.

[usranger74]

I am going to be on the road for 3 weeks this Summer (I hope).

+Sleeping - I am going to camp using a backpacking tent (light). USFS and BLM have small cheap campgrounds. NPS and State Parks cost to much and you have to pay an entrance fee on top of camping fee. Many small town out this way have small city parks and allow camping in them for no or little cost. Every 4th day or so, will either stay in a Commercial Campground with showers (many also offer cabins with beds) or look for a cheap hotel. You can also do laundry at both.

+ A good night sleep is a key for me - as such, I will carry a very good sleeping pad - not a light wt/backpacking one.

+Food - I will carry and use a backpackers stove (small and light) for 2 meals per day. You can get backpacking meals for less than $4.00/meal. With the stove I can also do my coffee in the AM. Will pick up some fresh fruit each day at local stores. You can get a foot long subway for $5 and use it for two meals. I will carry and use paper plates and plastic spoons and forks - I don't want to mess with washing/cleaning. And, let's not forget I will carry a 5th of Jack.

+ I will carry a small notebook computer so I can stay on top of weather and ck email.

+ I will also carry a small folding camp chair - picnic tables bench seats are not all that comfy.

With my tour pack, hard bags and duffel like bag on the back seat, I will have ample room for gear and clothing.


AND - let me know when you get close to NE - You can take days rest here and if would be happy to ride a way with you

[fish]

BED BUGS Not only in cheap motels but up scale motels. Park benches might be looking better :-/