50 tips for riding a MC across the USA

[Robby321]

I've done 3 majors, month long, 6/7000 miles by myself. But as all these make sense, BUT, I did it with PAPER maps, NO CELL phone, no weather radio..(all ya gotta do is look at the sky?) Hot and humid in Kansas daytime? Park it and wait for hail and tornadoes later! GREAT FUN ME!:thumbsup: And some similes after one calling BS



#1 Stop putting it off, life is short! Don’t forestall joy.

#2 America is a lot bigger than you thought.

#3 Take at least two weeks to do the ride, ideally more (see #2)

#4) When choosing a bike, bigger/more expensive does not automatically = more fun.

#5 Regarding accessories: more farkles = more distractions = less fun.

#6 Interstates = ZERO FUN

#7 Interstates save time, but do you really want the trip to end sooner?

#8 Make sure your tires have at least 3-4000 miles of life left in them.

#9 If you ride a sportbike, they won’t!

#10 If you can read a map, you don’t need a GPS unit. Plus maps look better with coffee spilt on them.;):D:thumbsup:

#11 Michelin maps are the best and most detailed, get them from Amazon.com

#12 If you’re riding in summer, buy a cooling vest, they’re awesome. We like these.

#13 Bring earplugs and don’t be lazy about wearing them if you value your hearing.

#14 People will be asking you to tell them about this trip for years, so:

#15 Start and end your trip in an interesting place.

#16 Take plenty of photographs and video (iPhones are great for both)

#17 Make sure to note the names/locations of the places that resonate in you

#18 Blog about your trip while on the road (if you do that kind of thing)...(:reddevil:..tell them when the trip over, show pix and movies)

#19 Bring a smartphone so you can Tweet/Facebook/Youtube realtime when you stop..(:eek:..:icon_bs:..shut up and ride)

#20 Consider riding for your fave charity..(:eek:..do it for YOU first)

#21 Learn about how to raise money by contacting the charity (they often have instructions on their website)..:confused:

#22 Use a smartphone with GPS so you can easily geotag photos :confused:

#23 When you upload your pics to Flickr etc, use the geotags so people know where the photo was taken:confused:

#24 In some rural parts of the country, cell reception will be non existent..(:eek:..why a paper map!)

#25 Best months to cross the USA on a motorcycle: May to October

#26 If you bring rain gear or heated clothing, you won’t need it

#27 If you don’t bring it, it will be cold and pouring every day of your trip :thumbsup:

#28 Weather band radio is very useful, especially during tornado season in the midwest.(again look up the sky:p

#29 Hi-viz bike clothing makes you look like a tool whether you’re in NYC or Yellowstone

#30 If you set up camp in known grizzly bear country, and play acoustic versions of Death Cab For Cutie songs by the fire before going to bed, you 100% deserve to get mauled:thumbsup:

#31 It’s a long ride, and you’ll be tired at day’s end. Motorcycle camping is for the young, the poor, and the acutely adventurous.

#32 For everyone else, Best Western, Motel 6 and Super 8 are the better choice.

#33 Breakfast buffets in America are almost always overpriced and underwhelming.

#34 Eat a light breakfast, light lunch with healthy snacks as needed until dinner.

#35 Save the heavier meals for nighttime.

#36 Do not drink any alcohol until after the bike is parked for the day.

#37 If you ride a Triumph Bonneville, old guys are going to come up and tell you about their old Trumpets every time you stop.

#38 Music that goes well with a Cross USA ride: The Band, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Mark Knopfler, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Ry Cooder and The Grateful Dead.

#39 Music that does NOT go well with a Cross USA ride: Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Leona Lewis, Ke$sha, Jay-Z and Justin Beiber. Or anything from “Glee”.

#40 Which books you bring are important. Books about traveling seem to read really well on long trips, especially if you’re riding alone.

#41 Books we like: Paul Theroux’s “The Great Railway Bazaar”; Ted Simon’s “Jupiter’s Travels”; and “One Man Caravan” by Robert Edison Fulton Junior. Another obvious choice would be anything by Bill Bryson.

#42 Go to bed early (by 10pm) and be on the road no later than 7:00am. It’s a treasure to watch the world wake up, as an observer, on a motorcycle.

#43 You’ll take your best photos around dawn and dusk, that’s when the light is best. Think about that when you’re deciding where you’re going to be at those times.

#44 If you can take a month of longer for the trip, using your own bike makes sense financially versus renting. But remember that you have to get your bike back home once you reach the opposite coast. Shipping can be expensive, and it may take several weeks to get your bike back.

#45 East to West, or West To East? Well, America “opens up” as you head East to West. West to East, it gets more congested and populated. Psychologically, East to West “feels” a bit better because of that.:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

#46 Northern or Southern route? Great things to see if you use either…some suggestions follow.

#47 Start in Boston. Head down through New York State, over to Chicago, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Salt Lake City, finish in San Francisco

#48 Start in Washington DC. Head down the Blue Ridge Parkway into the Smokey Mountains, over to Nashville, then pick up Route 66 in Oklahoma and follow it to Los Angeles.

#49 Start in Los Angeles, follow Route 66 in reverse to Texas, then head to the Gulf Coast, see new Orleans, finish in Orlando Florida.

#50 Rent an EagleRider bike from The Lost Adventure! We’ve got the most competitive rates, we’re ridden Coast To Coast several times, and can give you tips and advice to help you plan your journey. We can book your hotels too. (WRONG HERE..give me MY bike;):D:thumbsup:

[CDave]

What does #9 mean?

[Robby321]

What does #9 mean?

I didn't write any that, just found it. Damn, I'd take a Cushman scooter cross country any day, or my CBR, but can't beat my HD bagger! And its the ride, not what ya own! And I don't really agree with maybe 1/2 it either. Damn, when I did my (not two weeks, #3, more like a month on the road).
And when I did my rides, there WAS no GPS, Amazon, damn, wasn't ever puters!
Ya want MY "Tips"? Pretty simple really.
I had a month off every summer from work........so?
Spread the maps out and spend MONTHS "planning the ride"..(thats 1/2 the fun!)
See just about how many miles ya want to do a day. Camp? or a "old school Neon lite" motel for the night?
Pack the bike.
UNPACK the bike as way to much stuff. (this can happen many times!)

And take TWICE the money, and HALF the stuff. Trust me, as everywhere I been, they sell "socks and under wear". (use and toss after wiping the bike off!)
See how fast and easy you can pretend to camp out, and just what go in first, as last out needed.
If ya don't plan a camp, still bring a tent or a full bike cover, as a zillion uses....(trust me, you get hit with "no where to hide", a hailstorm in Kansas? Helmet on, sit the bike and cover it with either, and "make a pyramid, you will survive, and little damage to the bike"
Stay the hell out of Kansas in August unless you enjoy the "power of nature:thumbsup:"
Always plan any ride to go thought Sturgis at bike week...(Stay at Glencoe at the far end by the 1/8 mile dragstrip, as great to crash out listing to the drag bikes!:p
The good? The best way is ride alone. You want to GET AWAY from reality, not drag it with you.
The bad? You wish yer friends were with you to share around the campfire the days ride.
But the good? No worry, as your gonna meet NEW people;)

Now ya done the "planning", ready to go? Tell all friends, family, neighbors, ..Outta here, see ya in a month:cool:
First day out? Probably as planned.
Second day? toss the watch, time don't count now.
Third day? What day? Where the hell I'm I and that road looks better! (toss the plans!)
Forth day, only thing needed is the state map yer in on the tank bag.
All ya need now is a wandering direction, screw the "Weather", use the old standby "weather Rock".
Wet? rain
White? snowing
Rocking? Windy
Gone?..tornado..(stay out Kansas!)

Oh yeah, on Kansas old truck RT 36 out St Joseph MO. I "planned" all the way to Norton, then Dodge City, then into the OK panhadle, into NM and soon Co. HA!

Left St Joe morning, so damn hot and humid, massive head winds, and had to stop in Marysville KS (Room with a pool!) at 2pm. I'll never forget that day. I was checking in the room, and the Weather channel was on the tube. Said 30% chance rain overnight. She said HA! Bet we get 4 inches this one!
Well, ended up overnight 4.75 inches rain, and the pool was overflowing! I made it to Dodge City that day, and that night was the MEANEST storm I EVER saw at dusk!
The desk girl told me to park the bike in there garage, as for sure gonna hail.

Now should I REALLY tell ya to stay out of Kansas on a bike August? HMMMmmmm..MILES AND MILES of corn,..(if ya got tunes in the ear, its solid "David Allen Coe".. great storms, and ..well...it aint for wimps, and ya meet the best damn people on earth!

And for sure vid the good stuff riding. I had a compact VHS camera, laid in the depression the tank back, simple on off switch, and have all my rides.."on tape".

ALSO NEVER EVER DO NOTHING BUT KEEP RIDING AND LOOKING WHILE VIDS OR PIX. Just hold it to the side and whatever. never put to the eye!:reddevil:

A good friend from HS..(68), finally did his dream to retrace Rt 66 to the coast and back to Illinois. He almost made it back, but the last pic they found in his camera, you could tell he had it up to the eye, on a curve, and he left the road and was killed. :mad:

OK, Rule # 51..........always ALWAYS pay attention to what you are doing.

I'll leave now with this. I'm 9 miles away from the rural Fire station here, next is HWY 101, and they always have some "saying", on the reader board there. Me and another took a 10 day ride to California see my bro, did the coast all the way down, east side the Cascade Range back here. On the way out, the reader board said..

"At anytime, things can go horribly wrong, so stay vigilant" Stuck in my brain the ride too.

Thanks CD, for letting me share some my rides "storys". Got many. Just glad I did it when I could. Getting old now, but still "have that"..."I need a ride", but now back to boats.

Pic me in heading to Sturgis middle bumfuk Wyoming, 100 miles from nothing, and got a flat. Soon a HD biker, and a BMW rider stopped and helped me fix, and followed me all the way to Sturgis for a new tire.
THATS what its all about!:thumbsup:

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[Greg G]

My Pops did two solo runs from Westport, CT to the Bering Straights Alaska. First one did not go well, ended up thrown roadside in the Northwest Territories. Long haul trucker came by 6 hours later and saved him. Spent two weeks in ICU. Two years later tried a repeat, and made it, there and back at 75 years old. Filled a canister with sand. Later I was talking to him about one of my crapper fast boats blah, blah, blah........... he looks at me and says......."do you really think going around LI in a boat is a journey?"

[Robby321]

My Pops did two solo runs from Westport, CT to the Bering Straights Alaska. First one did not go well, ended up thrown roadside in the Northwest Territories. Long haul trucker came by 6 hours later and saved him. Spent two weeks in ICU. Two years later tried a repeat, and made it, there and back at 75 years old. Filled a canister with sand. Later I was talking to him about one of my crapper fast boats blah, blah, blah........... he looks at me and says......."do you really think going around LI in a boat is a journey?"

HA! He was a WISE "adventurer", and people like that simple RULE in my book. A fiends of mine here, dads a old flattrack racer, in his 70's too, seems out the PNW, to AK way north, and a be back, just going for A ride!"?
The first time I met him, we simple started "talking bikes". He told me to look for a old BSA 441 "Jug". Said why? He said..."in my will to get cremated , and screw that "Urn" BS, my ashes go in a 441 jug!..AND NO BROKEN FINS! (ya gotta meet this old fart, a "real rascal!" )...........

[dockrash]

Robby I have some biker friends that ride up here in the PNW.. One of them posted this the other day on their website. Thought you might get a kick out of it:)

Rain
My Mastiff loves rides in the rain, not small runs either, more like the heavy downpour rains, the long distance 400 mile lunch runs, the gotta get home runs, the ones where water is standing on the interstate, cars are hydroplaning, rain coming down so hard it is hard to tell if more water is coming out of the sky or bouncing back up off the road, the kind of rain where water is coming back out of your boots after the first mile on the road and ya just gotta grin and bear it knowing you still have 8 hours to go, the kind of cold rain that turns to hail and snow coming over a mountain pass and coming out of the sleet into the heavy thunderous down spout rains only the NW gets, the kind of heavy rain that comes from the right going to the left o= in winds strong enough to keep the rain at the same elevation all the way across the road, the kind of cold rain that at 85 mph gets the back of your wet pants flapping in the wind leading to the back of your legs getting tore up and bleeding to the point of being lightheaded that takes 8 weeks for the scabs to start healing, the kind of rain that bonds a man to his scoot that cannot be easily explained, the kind of ride that strengthens brotherhood, the kind of rain where the Mastiff knows a hot soapy bath awaits her with a lot of rinsing, the kind of rain we ride in if we want to ride, that is the kind of rain my Mastiff loves to go for rides in, as do I. http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/images/smilies/choppersmiley.gifhttp://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/images/smilies/choppersmiley.gif

[Robby321]

Thats a cool and true story too. I've seen so many real bikers out here riding in terrible..(to some) weather, and they love it! One day on the freeway, nice sunny day, a pack of "adventure riders", loaded down camping gear, big KTM and GS dual sport bikes, simple covered in mud and dust, flew past me probably cutting through too get to another mountain to cross, roads or not! We have a big off road park here, and I mean BIG...

The Capitol State Forest is a 91,650-acre (370.9 km2) state forest in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties of the U.S. state of Washington. It includes part of the unusual Mima Mounds geologic feature.
The Capitol State Forest is managed by Washington Department of Natural Resources. It is a multi-use forest with active logging operations and is open for off-road motorcycles, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking. It is approximately bounded by U.S. Route 12 to the southwest, Interstate 5 to the east and State Route 8 to the north. It roughly contains the Black Hills. Topographical Relief - 600 ft (180 m) - 2,659ft -- 575 Miles of Gravel Road...(and a zillion miles dirt trails!)

I'm a wimp when it comes to what some do here, but I'm getting to old to be young again! Done my share of "cold/rain/snow", but enjoyed every second of it. I still think the BEST spring riding is when the mountain passes that are closed here winter open up. Awhile back, 4 us went in June to a ABATE Spring opener in Yakima. Took White Pass over. They had just opened up Chinook Pass, and took that back over Mt Rainier. Simple fantastic! 30/40 foot high snowbanks the sides, CC skiers up there, warm sun, just too damn much. I could go on talking rides forever! Pic us a smoke stop before heading over the pass...(simple ya can't beat the scenery here!)
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[1BadAction]

Good friend of my uncles was dropped off in San Francisco after his tour in Vietnam. He lived in south Florida. Bought an HD sportster, packed his roll up mat, tent, clothes, etc, and headed home. :eek: Wore out a set of tires on the way, ran out of gas a few times, etc. Ended up rolling into his hometown with a dollar and some change to his name. Apparently it was quite a trip.

[Robby321]

Good friend of my uncles was dropped off in San Francisco after his tour in Vietnam. He lived in south Florida. Bought an HD sportster, packed his roll up mat, tent, clothes, etc, and headed home. :eek: Wore out a set of tires on the way, ran out of gas a few times, etc. Ended up rolling into his hometown with a dollar and some change to his name. Apparently it was quite a trip.

Damn, it HAD to be on a old Ironhead Sporty! What a way to come ..."Back to the world"! My last letter home from Nam was simple.."Quit writing, got my orders, and coming home..when I don't know" 3 weeks later walked in the house unannounced, and my Mom fainted!

[1BadAction]

He still has it too. Next time I'm in his neck of the woods I'll get a pic.

[Robby321]

Friend mine had a 75 Sporty that he rode to Sturgis every year. But he's got a butt made of steel. He simple wore that bike out! Another time I was in Wall Drug gassing up before Sturgis, and a rag tag bunch pulled in. Saw one dude on a hardtail old Sporty, solid mounted single seat NO SPRINGS? Said don't that hurt after awhile? He said .."nah, I'm used to it like that" Then I looked the back and saw the license plate. Holy chit, they were from NEW JERSEY!

[dockrash]

We used to ride ATVs in the Capital forest quite a bit years ago.. They had poker runs and hillclimbs and lots of area to ride:) Got tired of the mud and switched to riding down in the dunes of Oregon. Never got much into the street bike thing, I had one for a while, got T-boned in an intersection and lost interest in it. I'll stick to the sand:)

[gary slagle]

What does #9 mean?

talking about tires lasting, see #8. i've used up some rear tires in less than 1000 miles running hard (no burnouts) in my younger days.. i can relate to the rain gear thing in wich if you pack it ..no rain,if you FORGETto pack....wet!:D

[Robby321]

We used to ride ATVs in the Capital forest quite a bit years ago.. They had poker runs and hillclimbs and lots of area to ride:) Got tired of the mud and switched to riding down in the dunes of Oregon. Never got much into the street bike thing, I had one for a while, got T-boned in an intersection and lost interest in it. I'll stick to the sand:)

Its only 20 miles from me. Still have "shooting pits" too. A few years back there was a "problem". I can't remember, think some idiot in a jeep, or ATV rolled and was killed. Lots of legal BS happened, almost closed down the moto races and the car track (Rock Candy MTN off HWY8), etc. Been awhile now about that, have to search it, but its back and running again.

Speaking sand dunes, ever do Pismo Beach in CA? Thats a gas on ATV's! Plus here at the ocean, always fun to ride the beach at Ocean Shores..(beats the piss outta Daytona with having "fun in the sand", and not a zillion cops if any, but just behave). Or down in Long Beach...also the worlds "Longest drivable beach" I think. Both are OK to ride in the "family station wagon"...(damn, dating myself here..as a "Station Wagon?...not made any more!) But its too well known and too "populated with tourist". Also on sand dunes, I rode by a place in Utah that was a "stop and watch!" There was a massive hill, all sand, and nothing but "sand rails", trying to make the top! Just too much fun even if only watching those crazys!

[Robby321]

talking about tires lasting, see #8. i've used up some rear tires in less than 1000 miles running hard (no burnouts) in my younger days.. i can relate to the rain gear thing in wich if you pack it ..no rain,if you FORGETto pack....wet!:D

Yep on the tires! I could get 10 thou front the bagger, rear good for 6000. But thats road miles. But my CBR1000..sold now, kid here bought it to "take over", as my ass is getting..well..not that old at 63, but damn sure used up my youth early doing crazy when I could, and regret ZIP DONE! Seemed a new set tires ever 1000, as those "stickys", the only thing holding ya off the pavement? Thing is, when ya got some good.."chicken strips" on them, ya want a new set, and do it after a breakin again.:thumbsup:

One thing I could add that 50?......."Trust your tires, and replace often!"

[Robby321]

I gotta re write that "50", MY WAY. Kinda bored and sidelined the moment, as pulled a neck, back muscle just yanking to start a neighbors lawn mower I'm working on. And don't laugh, the older ya get, well..just hope ya all get there!;)

Here ya go.

#1 Stop putting it off, life is short! Don’t forestall joy.

don't think thats a problem any here

#2 America is a lot bigger than you thought.

First time, and gets way shorter the more ya do it

#3 Take at least two weeks to do the ride, ideally more (see #2)

2 weeks is a rush, plan 4

#4) When choosing a bike, bigger/more expensive does not automatically = more fun.

BS...run what ya brung

#5 Regarding accessories: more farkles = more distractions = less fun.

Not really...

#6 Interstates = ZERO FUN

100% agree! But see #7

#7 Interstates save time, but do you really want the trip to end sooner?

HA! WRONG! Take 2/3 weeks seeing it ALL, then 1/2 way back in the flat land midwest? Simple "gethomeitis", takes over, and enjoy the mems the last 3 weeks

#8 Make sure your tires have at least 3-4000 miles of life left in them.

If you leave with not NEW tires?..DON"T

#9 If you ride a sportbike, they won’t!

BS, its the rider, NOT the bike

#10 If you can read a map, you don’t need a GPS unit. Plus maps look better with coffee spilt on them

If you need a GPS to see where yer at, look for home, as ya don't belong where you are

#11 Michelin maps are the best and most detailed, get them from Amazon.com''

Again, BS. any state map will show 2 lanes "scenic", plus getting lost is more fun anyway

#12 If you’re riding in summer, buy a cooling vest, they’re awesome. We like these.

Again BS. I been shirtless in 100 degree heat in Montana, only a baseball cap on to stop the days ride sun burn from frying me. Soak it in water, and back into "the wind"

#13 Bring earplugs and don’t be lazy about wearing them if you value your hearing.

BS....if you get wind noise "buffeting' the ears, ya aint set up right

#14 People will be asking you to tell them about this trip for years, so:

YEP, as still am..

#15 Start and end your trip in an interesting place.

How about the driveway at home?

#16 Take plenty of photographs and video (iPhones are great for both)

Hmmm..world getting wimpy with the damn phones. Take a camera though, and do vids someway. AGAIN..just hold it the side and snap, NEVER PUT TO THE EYE unless PARKED!

#17 Make sure to note the names/locations of the places that resonate in you

What? why the hel ya doing a trip in the first place?

#18 Blog about your trip while on the road (if you do that kind of thing)..

BS, do a daily "note book" of the days ride, in a "Journal", you do days end, around a camp fire, or a Neon lite..motel. AND if a "old school motel, sorely lacking now..(and it better have a pool)..the LAST thing you EVER do is use the towels to them to "clean yer chain". Its not good as as they we soon say.."no bikers"

#19 Bring a smartphone so you can Tweet/Facebook/Youtube realtime when you stop..
(:eek:..:icon_bs:..shut up and ride)

#20 Consider riding for your fave charity..

(:eek:..do it for YOU first)


#21 Learn about how to raise money by contacting the charity (they often have instructions on their website)..

Shut up and ride

#22 Use a smartphone with GPS so you can easily geotag photos

Again, shut up and ride

#23 When you upload your pics to Flickr etc, use the geotags so people know where the photo was taken

see above

#24 In some rural parts of the country, cell reception will be non existent..(:eek:..why a paper map!)

HA if ya aint RURAL? Why even go?

#25 Best months to cross the USA on a motorcycle: May to October

Damn, that had to have some thinking in it:confused::rolleyes:

#26 If you bring rain gear or heated clothing, you won’t need it

BS..as ..YOU WILL! And do a two piece rainsuit, as a BITCH to do a one piece when wet. AND! Get a heated vest, as well warn your torso. I've left morning many places the Rockies at 30 degrees, snowing, but if ya trust yer bike, and yer skills WHEN WARM AND COZY?...nothing ya can't handle;)

#27 If you don’t bring it, it will be cold and pouring every day of your trip :thumbsup:

See #26

#28 Weather band radio is very useful, especially during tornado season in the midwest.

(again look up the sky:p..and if in Kansas...as you see the blackest bluish green sky in front heading west? FIND SHELTER FAST!


#29 Hi-viz bike clothing makes you look like a tool whether you’re in NYC or Yellowstone

I agree here 100%. Simple ride like no one sees ya..(they don't). All the bells and whistles ya put on don't count, but make ya look like a wimp, and ya shouldn't be in "traffic anyway"

#30 If you set up camp in known grizzly bear country, and play acoustic versions of Death Cab For Cutie songs by the fire before going to bed, you 100% deserve to get mauled

Gotta tell a fast (HA, not me fast) story that BS. I was in Montana heading back east after hitting the coast here, outside Libby Mt. Just done the "Going to the Sun road". Now in between nothing and nothing for a 100 miles. Saw old camp ground that was abandoned with nothing, but still open, as across the river was a new campground with.."the masses", which I try to avoid. Parked the ride, tent up, had a bag of fried chicken for the nites chow. Got a fire going, and walked down to the close river. DAMN, Someone before had piled rocks and made a "for lack of a better word, Jacuzzi"! Flowing water the stream..(COLD MOUNTAIN RUN OFF!) in and out! Got naked, a bar of soap, and ..well, just one those great "moments" in life. THEN, I started thinking the bears, which can smell chicken 30 miles away? Heated it up over the fire..(I have that pic in my albums, need to scan), and said "hmmm". So later took all the food..as no "hoisting in a tree". Tossed all in the river down stream. Also woke up 3am in the tent, with something BIG out there, sniffing. Thats another thought that just hit camping bear country. Put some pebbles in a soda can, and if a animal out the tent". Shake it and make noise! (Also carried a 44 Mag with me too, last resort) Then morning, packed up and left, into Libby. Soon there this massive Moose wandering down the road! I could NOT get around it!. I pulled to his left, revved it, and he wandered right, but still the road..(were talking a 1000 pounder here). So I go right side, and making noise, and he goes left, but still the road! This went on for 1/4 mile!. Finally went the right him, revving and blowing the horn, andlet a round out the 44 mag. BOOM! He took off, back to get woods. And ya freaking right my left had had the VHS going, as still have it on tape!
#31 It’s a long ride, and you’ll be tired at day’s end. Motorcycle camping is for the young, the poor, and the acutely adventurous.

#32 For everyone else, Best Western, Motel 6 and Super 8 are the better choice.

If it aint a old school neon lite flea bag motel? Screw corporate places

#33 Breakfast buffets in America are almost always overpriced and underwhelming.

Calling BS here. You camp out, up and do 100 miles BEFORE finding a "mom and pop place", for chow!

#34 Eat a light breakfast, light lunch with healthy snacks as needed until dinner.

Shut up and ride, a soda and a bag pretzels good for lunch

#35 Save the heavier meals for nighttime.

YEP, chow down, crash, and ready for morning..

#36 Do not drink any alcohol until after the bike is parked for the day.

Never drink and do any CC ride. You really don't need a "alcohol enhanced" experience

#37 If you ride a Triumph Bonneville, old guys are going to come up and tell you about their old Trumpets every time you stop.

HA! The new Trumps are simple fugly to me, as had a T110 back in 57, a kid.

#38 Music that goes well with a Cross USA ride: The Band, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Mark Knopfler, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Ry Cooder and The Grateful Dead.

Thats up to you, but David Allen Coe in Kansas? A must!

#39 Music that does NOT go well with a Cross USA ride: Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Leona Lewis, Ke$sha, Jay-Z and Justin Beiber. Or anything from “Glee”.

"WHO?.......?

#40 Which books you bring are important. Books about traveling seem to read really well on long trips, especially if you’re riding alone.

BS, read then BEFORE the ride, then make yer own..(journal), The sound of a campfire is music to me

#41 Books we like: Paul Theroux’s “The Great Railway Bazaar”; Ted Simon’s “Jupiter’s Travels”; and “One Man Caravan” by Robert Edison Fulton Junior. Another obvious choice would be anything by Bill Bryson.

Read Ghost Rider, Neil Pert, drummer for Rush, lost his wife and daughter, and .."he went for a ride", and wrote a fantastic book

#42 Go to bed early (by 10pm) and be on the road no later than 7:00am. It’s a treasure to watch the world wake up, as an observer, on a motorcycle.

Back to the "weather rock here..Light, get up, dark, park it.

#43 You’ll take your best photos around dawn and dusk, that’s when the light is best. Think about that when you’re deciding where you’re going to be at those times.

Just take a zillion pix, edit when home

#44 If you can take a month of longer for the trip, using your own bike makes sense financially versus renting. But remember that you have to get your bike back home once you reach the opposite coast. Shipping can be expensive, and it may take several weeks to get your bike back.

BS, use YOUR ride...never EVER tghing the clowed brain with the "what if"

#45 East to West, or West To East? Well, America “opens up” as you head East to West. West to East, it gets more congested and populated. Psychologically, East to West “feels” a bit better because of that

:thumbsup:
#46 Northern or Southern route? Great things to see if you use either…some suggestions follow.

All ok

#47 Start in Boston. Head down through New York State, over to Chicago, the Black Hills of South Dakota, Salt Lake City, finish in San Francisco

all Ok

#48 Start in Washington DC. Head down the Blue Ridge Parkway into the Smokey Mountains, over to Nashville, then pick up Route 66 in Oklahoma and follow it to Los Angeles.

all OK

#49 Start in Los Angeles, follow Route 66 in reverse to Texas, then head to the Gulf Coast, see new Orleans, finish in Orlando Florida.

OK me

#50 Rent an EagleRider bike from The Lost Adventure! We’ve got the most competitive rates, we’re ridden Coast To Coast several times, and can give you tips and advice to help you plan your journey. We can book your hotels too.

WHAT? Thats where I lost interest any this, as simple "selling something"..and RENT a unfamiliar bike":eek:

Now #51........? Simple jump on the bike and go...as any worrys ya have will not happen anyway, but seems all..who did ..."came home with a lifetime story":thumbsup:

[Talon2.5]

Did an 1100 mile trip to a concert in Baltimore a month ago on a 2013 Electraglide Classic :)

[captadhos]

Good tips, we are planning a cross country trip for this fall.