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05-09-2012, 08:50 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lansdale, PA
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Summer Trip-- PA to WI, and back
Guys and Gals, need some trip planning thoughts and sights to see along the way. I am going to make it to EAA's AirVenture 2012 this year, finally, after having it on my list of places to get to since becoming a private pilot years ago. Well, can't afford to go by General Aviation, don't feel like flying in a Commercial mailing tube, and it's just me,... so... taking the Nomad is the plan. I've done a few 250-320 mile day trips / rides lately, and the bike and I are quite comfortable, so I figure two days each way is a good plan.
I'll be traveling from SouthEast PA to near Dayton OH on day 1, and then from Dayton OH to Oshkosh WI on day 2. about 530 miles each day and a wide open schedule. After attending the airshow and camping with friends for a few days, I'll be leaving mid-week to begin the trip home, again in a 2 day stretch. Of course, things may change due to any heavy summer storm weather, but I have some days buffer before I have to get back to work. So attached are my current route plans, decent amount of highway pounding, but I don't mind getting off of them for a little while to see something of Roadside Americana as they call it. It will be quite a few years till I get to do any trip of this scale again on the bike. Any places of interest to stop and sight see that you can recommend? Even if it is just a leg stretch and a photo op, it would be great to get to if it is close to my intended direction of travel. something like the largest bottle of catsup comes to mind, but that is to far west from my path to get to this time around.
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Rob ------------ '07 Nomad 1600 w/ HD King Tour Pak VBA #02083 Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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05-14-2012, 06:36 AM | #2 |
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I envy you. I would like to go to Ely Mn.
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I'm not prejudice I hate everyone equally;) 08 nomad blue/silver MaryJane 74,010miles VBA #299 Her's 10 900LT 36,700 09 Bath NY. 10 Lake George NY. 11 National Maggie Valley NC. 12 Pa Wilds (Wellsboro) Pa. 14 Lincoln NH. 17 National Lake George NY.
Last edited by fish; 05-14-2012 at 12:58 PM.
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05-14-2012, 12:36 PM | #3 |
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Location: Owasso, OK
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When I first opened your pictures to see your route, my first thought was "Why don't you go through South Bend and along the lake?", but then I saw your return route and that's what you're doing. Looks like fun.
I'm not sure the distance, but you could run up to Lansing, MI and then over to Ann Arbor and check out the school stadiums... that could be some photo ops. I think college football stadiums are always a sight to see... but then again, I'm a college football junkie, so I like that kind of stuff. OH, BTW... enjoy Oshkosh! I want to go there one of these days. Getting my pilot's license and going there is on my bucket list too.
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Matt "Mo" Moore Owasso, Oklahoma VBA #1250 2005 Nomad 1600 - Darkside "There is no normal life, there's just life. So get on with it." - Doc Holiday
Last edited by mobandy78; 05-14-2012 at 12:40 PM.
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05-14-2012, 09:27 PM | #4 |
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Location: Henderson, NV
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No excursion recommendations but a warning. Make sure when you go up the gut on I94 through Chicago that you do it mid day. I can't begin to explain trying during morning or evening rush. Ugly in a car. Life threatening on a bike.
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Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park |
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05-14-2012, 09:38 PM | #5 |
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Location: Bloomingdale, Illinois
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I agree with the above post 1000 percent. Hate that area, I avoid it on every trip. Also more then likely there will be construction, check IDOT before your trip, should let you know what areas will be under construction.
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"All leather, no lace" 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) / 2003 Suzuki Volusia / 2014 Yamaha Stryker VBA #02051 2012 NCR Rally, Savanna, IL Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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05-15-2012, 08:39 AM | #6 |
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Goal being to take the 294 around downtown, hopefully around 10:30-11 am on SUNDAY. Hopefully some lighter traffic at that time. That is also why my route home (expected to leave on a Thursday from OSH, is taking me west of the chicagoland area and then east on 80. I figured it would be much worse during the week.
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Rob ------------ '07 Nomad 1600 w/ HD King Tour Pak VBA #02083 |
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05-15-2012, 12:09 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
You might want to check the Brewers schedule also although, Milwaukee traffic doesn't hold a candle to Chicago.
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Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
Last edited by Sin City Stan; 05-15-2012 at 03:59 PM.
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05-15-2012, 02:04 PM | #8 |
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Good tips, thanks. I wouldn't have thought of checking the sports schedules.
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Rob ------------ '07 Nomad 1600 w/ HD King Tour Pak VBA #02083 |
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05-15-2012, 05:04 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North Central Illinois
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I'll report back with suggestions.
Lived in the area most all my life and have been on about every route. There are a few things to avoid for certain no matter what time of day.
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"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 |
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05-15-2012, 06:41 PM | #10 |
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Location: central virginia
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My advice is don't spend a penny unless you have to in thay god forsaken liberal cespool that is IL.
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05-15-2012, 08:57 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North Central Illinois
Posts: 8,575
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If you have never been through Chicago... I would not ride a motorcycle there. Certainly not on the interstates going through and around the city. It is simply far too dangerous. There are plenty that do, and I know of at least one here that does, but those people live around the city and are used to it... but I would bet not a single one would recommend anyone not from the area do it. That is my bottom-line on recommendations regarding the Gary and Chicago area -- avoid it!
Instead I would ride further west on I-74 out of Indianapolis, IN to Bloomington, IL to pickup I-55N and then I-39N (on north side of Bloomington, IL). Take I-39 to Rockford, IL to merge with I-90W (at Rockford) up to Madison, WI... split-off on SR-151N, then to SR-41N to Oshkosh, WI. (41 takes you right by Wittman Field / Airport.) This route is entirely on a slab. Non-stop from your location is around 18 hours total drive time. On a motorcycle it will be longer (you be the judge). However, this route helps you avoid being killed by avoiding Chicago. Second idea is to ride to Muskegon, Michigan and take the Lake Express Ferry across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. Getting out of Milwaukee isn't all that bad if you take the morning ferry that arrives at 11:45AM in Milwaukee. The ferry ride is about 1 hour 15 minutes, and is nice. Costs about $47.50 or so one-way for a motorcycle. You avoid Chicago doing this; get a ferry ride on the lake; and I believe it is far less mileage in total. Send me a PM if you have questions. You'll love the Oshkosh air-show. I have attended many times, and have flown my own plane into Wittman Field twice to the show (that was an experience to fly double-breasted into the field... landing side-by-side with other planes at the same time. World's busiest airport on the Saturday of the show. Great experience.) Wear comfortable shoes!! Good luck, and enjoy the show...
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"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 |
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05-15-2012, 09:02 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: central virginia
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I like the ferry idea, ferrys are awesome. $50 seems steep, but when you weigh the cost of gas to ride around the lake, sure looks more appealing. I rode from Washington dc to Detroit in 7hrs, so about 10 I think to ride to the ferry. I think your starting point gives you about an hour jump on that... Could stay overnight in mi, and take the ferry over.
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Keep the shiney side up!
Last edited by bibendum; 05-15-2012 at 09:14 PM.
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05-15-2012, 10:39 PM | #13 |
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Location: Lansdale, PA
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gwilson, thanks for the great tips. I often run the 95 corridor thru Phili down to DC, but, I've heard Chicago can put that traffic to shame. A few years ago my wife and I traveled to the Twin Cities and went thru Gary and out to Rockford like you mentioned. I was going to go that route on the way home to avoid chicago during the week, but I like your Ferry Idea too.
On the way west, I have free lodging at a friends house which is about half way, so I modified my west route to incorporate your comments. Going back east, I think I'll pick up the Ferry and then head east thru Michigan. I sent some emails to some other pilot friends that are up that way which I may be able to find a couch to say at. My wife will be up at her families Cabin with the kids (stop C) on the way home, so that will break up the trip nicely. Attached are some revised maps. I also found this website, www.roadsideamerica.com that has oddities and tourist type places to find along a route or in a state. Definitely some places to grab some photos while stretching the legs and filling up the gas tank.
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Rob ------------ '07 Nomad 1600 w/ HD King Tour Pak VBA #02083
Last edited by aeropilot; 05-17-2012 at 12:01 PM.
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05-16-2012, 07:16 AM | #14 |
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So, how many miles doess the ferry save?
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05-16-2012, 08:07 AM | #15 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: North Central Illinois
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I'll bet the ferry saves some miles just by looking at the map. As far as saving time... not so sure.
But for certain these routes avoids Chicago; which is a good thing. Glad to see you rearranged your trip... have fun!
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"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 |
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