Proof that I have lost my mind (Crazy Trip)

[Quick281]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Atlanta,+Ga&daddr=N+Byron+Butler+Pkwy%2FSR-20%2FUS-19%2FUS-27+to:Key+West,+FL+to:deals+gap,+NC+to:KY-77+to:State+Hwy+32+Bypass+to:Dayton,+Oh+to:IN-240%2FE+State+Rd+240+to:Springfield,+IL+to:CO-121%2FWadsworth+Blvd+to:Grand+Loop+Rd+to:2nd+Ave+E %2FUS-30+to:Bonneville+Salt+Flats+State+Park+to:US-40+to:US-89+to:36.633162,-111.621094+to:grand+village,+arizona+to:CA-62+to:morgan+hill,ca+to:OR-101+to:salem,+or+to:Deadhorse+ak+to:Talkeetna,+ak&hl=en&geocode=%3BFdLdywEd5EkE-w%3B%3B%3BFUZOQQIdIKUD-w%3BFW7_SQIdiHAC-w%3B%3BFdzdXAIdjuTT-g%3B%3BFSCsXgIdgpW8-Q%3BFeg2rAIdAtZq-Q%3BFaBHiQIdonMt-Q%3BFY3ybgIdf5s3-SHrKlkAJhW7nw%3BFRT9ZAIdNChp-Q%3BFTLTXAIdeHlb-Q%3B%3B%3BFQyACAIdWOsd-Q%3B%3BFRKchgIdFn-V-A%3B%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=5&mrsp=15&sz=7&via=1,4,5,7,9,10,11,13,14,15,17,19&sll=37.186579,-108.984375&sspn=6.413783,14.282227&ie=UTF8&ll=37.614231,-107.775879&spn=12.745866,28.564453&z=6

What do yall think?

Tent and a sleeping bag most of the entire trip and avoid highways for the most part.

I have people to visit and I have decided I am giving up on Atlanta and going back to Alaska. Gonna do it via bike. Wanted to do it in under 30 days but I would rather slow down and enjoy the journey.

[Mr Lefty]

from indy to denver you're gonna wanna kill yourself.

and do yourself a favor... fallow the coast all the way up to seaside... or pacific city (your choice) THEN head back in to I5 in portland...

I5 south of portland is boring... the drive up the coast will be much better... you can stop in Tillamook and go to the cheese factory (seriously good cheese)

I take it your driving as you wanna go to barrow... just watch your self... the truck drivers OWN that road... they will not slow down... they WILL RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD... happened to a friend who was driving up there... trucks run 100mph+ up and down that road in the summer...

also expect to distroy your tires on that road. same friend went through three brand new BFG A/T... lucky he had two spairs and the third tire was only a nail and was fixed with a plug

[Quick281]

Yeah the long straightness will kill me so I may look up plenty of cool things to do along the way.

The route is my rough draft, I figured I would go coastal on the west coast.

I was going to do barrow on the bike if it is remotely possible but I already know it is nuts in a car. Just figured I could take my time but I know the road is narrow and truckers could less about my existence. Just sucks to go all that way and not get to the end.

Figured I can hustle through the flatlands and have the Rockies to look forward to. And the Alaskan highway will be fun again.

I am going to start working on tools/equipment I should start gathering.

[Quick281]

How ironic, I finalize something like this on Escape Day.

[G-Rex]

I've been planning a similar trip for a long time. 48 states in 7 days! :)

I have a suggestion or two for you though.

Find a different route east to west than I-70. BORING.

Secondly, *when* are you planning on doing this trip? The Haul Road (north of Fairbanks) is barely passable in the heat of the summer. It's not really *paved*, they just call it that. It's overlaid with gravel every year, but because of the permafrost, yeah. You can do the math. In the summer, the high in Prudhoe Bay/Barrow is generally 32 degrees. Are you prepared gear-wise for a trip like that? Heated gear? Also, bear in mind that riding your bike up that 400ish mile stretch of road will do alot of damage. Be prepared for that. You also will want a buddy along on that stretch of road. It's pretty difficult and definitely not one to do by yourself. If something happens, you're stuck. There's very little traffic up there, and a wrecker will cost you $5 per mile if you have to call one. Oh yeah, be sure you rent a satellite phone, as there aren't cell towers up there, so your cell phone will be useless. Do you have 280 miles of fuel range? Once you leave Fairbanks, the first services are 280 miles north. You'll need to take fuel with you.

Basically, what I'm saying is alot more research is necessary before just saying *I want to ride to Barrow.* I've done it, as I fully intend to ride up there one day in the near future.

You might want to start googling the Haul Road, Prudhoe Bay, etc. to get info. Also, if you go to the bookstore, you'll find a book in the Travel section called "The Milepost". It's sole purpose is to detail road conditions and services each year on all of Alaska's roads.

Yeah, you are a little crazy. I am too, but I've been accused of that for a long time and I fully embrace the craziness. :D

[cuttle]

Find a different route east to west than I-70. BORING.

that's was my first thought too!

Why would anybody ever take I70 through Kansas on a bike :panic:

[Cruzergirl]

To get all the way "up" that haul road I believe you need permission. You might want to check into that. By "permission" I mean from the oil companies to get into Prudhoe Bay.

There is a book called "Walking my Dog Jane" about a guy who walked (most of the way by himself) with his dog for the entire pipeline road. Great book with great details of the road itself.

Whatever you decide, there better be TONS of pictures... :)

[Cruzergirl]

. Also, if you go to the bookstore, you'll find a book in the Travel section called "The Milepost". It's sole purpose is to detail road conditions and services each year on all of Alaska's roads. :D


The Milepost is a terrific resource. I wouldn't travel in Alaska without it.

[Krabill]

If it were me, instead of going straight down the middle of Florida and returning the same way, I'd go down one coast and return up the other side.

[Lucky3623]

What do yall think?

Tent and a sleeping bag most of the entire trip and avoid highways for the most part.

I have people to visit and I have decided I am giving up on Atlanta and going back to Alaska. Gonna do it via bike. Wanted to do it in under 30 days but I would rather slow down and enjoy the journey.

Nice distance... I see you are going though WY... my Aunt and Uncle own a liquor store in Douglass... Good times!

[Quick281]

If it were me, instead of going straight down the middle of Florida and returning the same way, I'd go down one coast and return up the other side.

Plan on doing that, just did this as a rough draft. :D

I actually hope to have a friend ride with me down to Key West and then he will return to Atlanta. He just picked up a bike and since I don't want him quitting his job to go on my epic adventure, he might take a long weekend. :D


Can you guys give me any good ideas on places to hit up or avoid while traveling the dreaded central us? I know the road will be boring but if nothing else I will just want to hurry up and get through it.

I intend to avoid highways as often as possible.

[Quick281]

I've been planning a similar trip for a long time. 48 states in 7 days! :)

I have a suggestion or two for you though.

Find a different route east to west than I-70. BORING.

Secondly, *when* are you planning on doing this trip? The Haul Road (north of Fairbanks) is barely passable in the heat of the summer. It's not really *paved*, they just call it that. It's overlaid with gravel every year, but because of the permafrost, yeah. You can do the math. In the summer, the high in Prudhoe Bay/Barrow is generally 32 degrees. Are you prepared gear-wise for a trip like that? Heated gear? Also, bear in mind that riding your bike up that 400ish mile stretch of road will do alot of damage. Be prepared for that. You also will want a buddy along on that stretch of road. It's pretty difficult and definitely not one to do by yourself. If something happens, you're stuck. There's very little traffic up there, and a wrecker will cost you $5 per mile if you have to call one. Oh yeah, be sure you rent a satellite phone, as there aren't cell towers up there, so your cell phone will be useless. Do you have 280 miles of fuel range? Once you leave Fairbanks, the first services are 280 miles north. You'll need to take fuel with you.

Basically, what I'm saying is alot more research is necessary before just saying *I want to ride to Barrow.* I've done it, as I fully intend to ride up there one day in the near future.

You might want to start googling the Haul Road, Prudhoe Bay, etc. to get info. Also, if you go to the bookstore, you'll find a book in the Travel section called "The Milepost". It's sole purpose is to detail road conditions and services each year on all of Alaska's roads.

Yeah, you are a little crazy. I am too, but I've been accused of that for a long time and I fully embrace the craziness. :D

Thanks for your post, as this idea comes into play I might be needing a TON of long distance advice. :D

I have read through parts of the milepost before but this trip justifies owning my own copy. I am still looking at various tank/tail/saddle bags but I am hoping of rigging something up so that I can carry and extra gas with me.

I have a friend that will be driving up to Talkeetna this summer so if all fails, I could save the Prudhoe bay trip for mid summer.

I was hoping to arrive in Alaska in late April. My job starts early May I think.

[unknownroad]

Find a different route east to west than I-70. BORING.




Is there really any interesting highway route to take through the central U.S.? :idk: Detour all the way up to 90 or 94, maybe?

[thunderex]

Thanks for your post, as this idea comes into play I might be needing a TON of long distance advice. :D

I have read through parts of the milepost before but this trip justifies owning my own copy. I am still looking at various tank/tail/saddle bags but I am hoping of rigging something up so that I can carry and extra gas with me.

I have a friend that will be driving up to Talkeetna this summer so if all fails, I could save the Prudhoe bay trip for mid summer.

I was hoping to arrive in Alaska in late April. My job starts early May I think.
Tracy's the man to listen to on long trips. His trips were well-known on Cycleforums.

[Particle Man]

Tracy's the man to listen to on long trips. His trips were well-known on Cycleforums.

ping Kaneman too....

[SoFlaSV]

Looks like fun.

[anthonyk]

Can you guys give me any good ideas on places to hit up or avoid while traveling the dreaded central us? I know the road will be boring but if nothing else I will just want to hurry up and get through it.

I intend to avoid highways as often as possible.

The ride further up north across South Dakota and Wyoming ain't bad. The Black Hills help to break it up. It's definitely better than I-70 across KS or (way further south) I-10 across TX.

[Mr Lefty]

yeah I'd say go up to South Dakota... the first part is boring... but you'll hit the black hills long before you'd hit any intresting roads going across Kansas or Nebraska.

as for the milepost... I've got a new one if you want it... I'm driving down from AK in Feb... actually I leave in 16 days. I'll give ya the book when I get down to mississippi... just remind me...

as for the haul road... I don't think you still need permission to go all the way up... the friend of mine that was run off the road and had several flats... made it all the way up and I don't think he'd asked anyone for permission... but :idk: for sure...

and like G-rex says... don't even think about attempting that road on your own... honestly... I'd be a little wary about riding up to AK on your own if you've never done long trips by yourself first.

I would plan on stopping in Seattle and having a full service done on your bike... make sure all the fluids are topped off... your chain and sprocket are new... brakes are good... ect... cause you will not find that in northern CA... and even in AK it can be tough... Anchorage has a 4 motorcycle shops... I imagine Fairbanks has less... if they don't have a part... your stuck for a while...

But on that note... I'd plan on doing the same thing once you get to fair banks... replacing everything that's "consumable" up and back is a long ass haul and as tough as it is on your bike it's probably like riding it twice as far on normal paved roads... in terms of stress on the bike and parts.

I'm right there with G-Rex... I feel your craziness... just wish I could ride with ya...

[No Worries]

If you take I-70 and I-25 in Colorado, you miss 100 percent of the twisty roads and 95 percent of the scenery. By the time you ride through Kansas, your tires will be so squared off you won't be able to do any twisties anyway. I would just ship the bike to Denver, ride up to Mount Rushmore, and go west to Seattle. I would then take the ferry to Alaska. Then I would come back to Seattle, take the coast down to southern CA, over to central Arizona, Grand Canyon, Utah, southwest CO, and back to Denver.

[Mr Lefty]

the ferry sucks though... I took it when I move from Cal to AK

[Quick281]

Well since I am going to Alaska and staying indefinitely it will be my final destination with the road to prudhoe bay being optional. If I opt out of it I may try it later in the summer when I could have a buddy follow me in his car.

Either way, the bike will get up there. :D

As the time to departure winds closer I am hoping to get some better information on the areas to ride out West from some of the west coast members. I will hit up the gap here.

I am also trying to get a rough estimate out of the mileage i can expect out of my tires. I was planning on budgeting for a new set depending on how they look in the weeks up to my departure.

Also, if I am running synthetic oil and running all these miles up, is it still needed to change at 3k miles even if that could literally occur 3 times over the trip? Could I extend it out to maybe 4K or 5k? Thoughts on the mileage I can expect on my sprocket and chain? I have 6k on the bike now.

[Quick281]

as for the milepost... I've got a new one if you want it... I'm driving down from AK in Feb... actually I leave in 16 days. I'll give ya the book when I get down to mississippi... just remind me...

Hey man I don't mind paypaling you for the shipping if you are just giving it away. Thanks for the offer though, I will remind you after you get settled in.

Any chance you can start using up all that deserved paid time off? I can easily change my route and meet you if you wanted to tag along. :D

[Mr Lefty]

Well since I am going to Alaska and staying indefinitely it will be my final destination with the road to prudhoe bay being optional. If I opt out of it I may try it later in the summer when I could have a buddy follow me in his car.

Either way, the bike will get up there. :D

As the time to departure winds closer I am hoping to get some better information on the areas to ride out West from some of the west coast members. I will hit up the gap here.

I am also trying to get a rough estimate out of the mileage i can expect out of my tires. I was planning on budgeting for a new set depending on how they look in the weeks up to my departure.

Also, if I am running synthetic oil and running all these miles up, is it still needed to change at 3k miles even if that could literally occur 3 times over the trip? Could I extend it out to maybe 4K or 5k? Thoughts on the mileage I can expect on my sprocket and chain? I have 6k on the bike now.

switch to synthetic and you can extend out to 4-5k... your sprocket and chain depends on how you ride... I'd put a fresh set on right before the trip. as well as refresh all the fluids, oil, fork oil, brake fluid, headlight fluid... everything!

Hey man I don't mind paypaling you for the shipping if you are just giving it away. Thanks for the offer though, I will remind you after you get settled in.

Any chance you can start using up all that deserved paid time off? I can easily change my route and meet you if you wanted to tag along. :D

Well how about we meet up for a ride in march... I'll be up there to pickup my new bike in TN... I'll bring the book with me and save the shipping :wink: :lol:

and unfortunately I can't... I'll be starting a new job in MS and won't be able to take big chunks of time off... I'm hope'n to be able to get a week for the Rally and another for Indy... and that's probably pushing it on both...

[Quick281]

That works. I will be sure to change out all the fluids before the trip and do a complete break down of the bike. I need to take some serious time and make a list of important tools to use and start replacing the cheap crap suzuki provides.

Are you driving to TN to pick it up I assume? When in march? If I am still out of work then I can meet up when ever.

[Mr Lefty]

I'm think'n of just fly'n up to ride down... more fun that way :D

[Quick281]

I'm think'n of just fly'n up to ride down... more fun that way :D

Awesome! Let me know, if you want a partner in crime I should be able to do it.

[G-Rex]

I am also trying to get a rough estimate out of the mileage i can expect out of my tires. I was planning on budgeting for a new set depending on how they look in the weeks up to my departure..

I can squeeze 11k out of a set of Michelin pilot roads. They are great tires.

[Smittie61984]

That'd be some crazy shit right there. Do it to it!!!

Winter time though I'd try and stay as south as possible. Probably run through Louisiana to Southern Texas and then hit up Arizona, Nevada and then Southern Cali for a ride up the west coast. I'd love to ride through the desert in the middle of the night. I bet that is some peaceful stuff.

[Curb]

good luck man, sounds like a blast...and let the florida people know when you are coming through.

[unknownroad]

I am also trying to get a rough estimate out of the mileage i can expect out of my tires. I was planning on budgeting for a new set depending on how they look in the weeks up to my departure.

Also, if I am running synthetic oil and running all these miles up, is it still needed to change at 3k miles even if that could literally occur 3 times over the trip? Could I extend it out to maybe 4K or 5k? Thoughts on the mileage I can expect on my sprocket and chain? I have 6k on the bike now.

If the bike is at 6k on the original tires, I'd replace them before the trip. One thing I learned the hard way is that traveling long distances at higher speeds with a bunch of extra crap loaded on the bike can burn up a tire a LOT faster than normal riding.

I don't think 5k between changes will be an issue with synthetic.

As long as you keep the chain clean and oiled, 15k should be no problem for the chain... I actually got better than 25k out of the chain on my SV with a Scottoiler.

[Quick281]

If the bike is at 6k on the original tires, I'd replace them before the trip. One thing I learned the hard way is that traveling long distances at higher speeds with a bunch of extra crap loaded on the bike can burn up a tire a LOT faster than normal riding.

I don't think 5k between changes will be an issue with synthetic.

As long as you keep the chain clean and oiled, 15k should be no problem for the chain... I actually got better than 25k out of the chain on my SV with a Scottoiler.


Thanks for the input. I was figuring that maybe I could order new tires and have them sent to some of my family that I will be staying with and then use the time to have new one put on versus starting with a fresh pair.

I have a mini can of chain lube so I will have to be sure to put some on every morning. Is there a visual way of knowing when a chain is done? I know that I can look at the sprocket and see the wear but what about the chain? I would assume they should only be replaced together front sprocket included right?

[G-Rex]

I have a mini can of chain lube so I will have to be sure to put some on every morning. Is there a visual way of knowing when a chain is done? I know that I can look at the sprocket and see the wear but what about the chain? I would assume they should only be replaced together front sprocket included right?

You *really* should lube the chain at the end of the day once you stop, while it's still hot.

The chain will start *kinking* when it's getting done. I only replace them as a set. I think I'm on set # 4 or 5 now on the Busa, but then again, it's sitting on 52,000 miles. :lol:

[Quick281]

That makes sense. I suppose in the weeks up to departure I will do a huge tear down and see what needs to be replaced right away and what sort of things I should bring with me.

[Cutty72]

Looks like a good ride, and I wish you luck.

I do agree with others though. To find some better roads and scenery in the midwest, from Indy go north to northers IA, central SD, and then across Northern WY. There are some really cool roads from Gillette to Yellowstone park.

Keep in mind though that in April there is a good chance there could still be (a lot) of snow around, especially through Yellowstone.

Best of luck with everything, and I have relatives in Gillette WY, and Provo UT if you need something in those areas let me know.

[G-Rex]

That makes sense. I suppose in the weeks up to departure I will do a huge tear down and see what needs to be replaced right away and what sort of things I should bring with me.

I'm going to make a suggestion here.

Any and all maintenance you plan to do prior to departure should be completed at least one month before you leave. That gives you 30 days to shakedown your work and make sure that you have made any repairs or replacements correctly.

You don't want to find out after the bike is loaded down and you're 500 miles from home that you left a clip out, or forgot to plug in a socket somewhere.

[Quick281]

Probably a good idea Grex, I was thinking of a round trip to Ohio and back before the big trip just to test out packing and the bike.