Description:
After being inspired by the guys over at advrider, I dreamt up a ride of a lifetime. I finally finish university this spring and I managed to get some time off before I start my job. I want to tour the United States of America and have April 27- May 15 to do it. So far I've planned a route that would take 15 days, so I have 3 days of lee-way. I really wanted to do Utah but am afraid I will run out of time.
The bike I will be doing it on is a 2006 CBR600RR. I have yet to get a gel seat but will be doing that. I am quite comfortable on the bike and I have no problems riding on it all day. I have sportbike saddlebags that I can store a couple of things in and will be strapping a gym bag+misc things on the back seat. Bike has new tires, brake pads, oil.
I've done many 800-1000km trips back to back with no problems but never really camped out or anything like that. I plan to do a mix of staying at cheap motels and camping if the weather is nice...or if I'm in the middle of no where and have no places to sleep. I'm hoping some of you more experienced campers/tourers can answer my questions. Also, if anyone has any input on the packing list, please comment. I am and will be doing research on this but any advise is welcome just incase I miss anything.
Questions:
1) When camping in general, what are some basic safety tips?
2) How safe are campgrounds in terms of wild animals?
3) In some states, I have read that you can camp freely, are there any states which allow this that are part of my route?
4) In some states, they have "Reasonable and Prudent" speed limits such as Texas, Utah...does anyone know at what point speeds become unreasonable? Ie. Is 100mph on a long lonely desert road considered reasonable? 120mph?
5) Are there any areas along my route worth checking out that does not majorly deviate from my route?
6) What are the temperatures like at the Grand Canyon during my trip?
7) What are the temperatures like in the Colorado Mountains? (Ex. Million Dollar Highway, Pikes Peak) From what I read, Pikes Peak always has the potential for snow but I dont know about the Million Dollar Highway.
8 )I heard you can get some kind of yearly pass for camping at National Parks which will save some money after many uses...does anyone have more info on this?
9) Are there any motels in the states that have stay X nights, get 1 night free?
10) At the Grand Canyon, I only have time to stop at one lookout point...I was thinking the North Rim. Is that the best place to see the Grand Canyon?
I am looking for 1 other person to come along just for safety reasons. If anyone is interested please contact me. Any style of bike are welcome, I am only picky about the rider. They have to be experienced riders as some parts of the route include riding along twisty (paved or dirt) mountain roads with no guardrails and steep drop offs. Must be experienced in riding in rain. Comfortable with riding slightly faster in the curves, slightly above speed limits on roads with medium traffic, and exactly speed limit in villages/school zones/towns. If I don't get anyone to come along, I'll be going solo.
I'll be relatively tight on time and while there will be time for picture taking/resting, I'm not interested in starting a picnic.
The Route (Option 1):
Day 1/2 (1504 km):
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Queen+Elizabeth+Way&dadd r=40.1962%2C-80.51886+to%3A39.91739%2C-80.76397+to%3A39.63598%2C-81.20269+to%3A39.5793328%2C-81.2951748+to%3A39.46635%2C-81.64714+to%3A39.4833%2C-81.79037+to%3A39.48389%2C-81.85983+to%3A38.790141%2C-82.412037+to%3A38.22731%2C-83.37837+to%3A37.8936%2C-83.6044+to%3A36.89551%2C-84.18283+to%3A36.7786%2C-84.38843+to%3A36.47532%2C-84.6242...5+to%3AI-65+S&geocode=FbzWkgIdUlhG-w%3BFWhYZQIdNGEz-yljM2GGpMs1iDG8vzxb43GrAg%3BFU4XYQIdvqMv-ylRUWGs9eA1iDFJrFTnTGNVmQ%3BFQzMXAId_vEo-ykDu7LNhN9JiDFNceK77zGMpw%3BFcTuWwIduogn-ymh3Lc2eNlJiDGJtA91v562fw%3BFW41WgId3Cki-ynnjpCXAjFIiDF6us77Cu6iCA%3BFaR3WgIdXvof-ymfvRWpgDxIiDEQI4FDbJd30A%3BFfJ5WgIdCuse-ynHTIazhT1IiDEeTVRSbuUcxg%3BFf3jTwId-30W-ylX7gfr3DxGiDFSTi-9hKeJfw%3BFW5NRwIdPr8H-ymjZT15dhFEiDG5XFsocQmkDA%3BFeA1QgIdUEwE-ymlpjvmTYdDiDFdLcwjuLilsg%3BFRb7MgId0nj7-ikZ0cZSB9xciDEnT88PQUOenQ%3BFWgyMQIdslX4-inDaY2AAhldiDHA1Woy_X3Ziw%3BFbiRLAIdhrz0-inLaI7m6J9diDFiR1OaYrXs1A%3BFSj5JwId-ITT-g&hl=en&mra=dvme&mrcr=0&mrsp=13&sz=11&via=1%2C2%2C 3%2C4%2C5%2C6%2C7%2C8%2C9%2C10%2C11%2C12%2C13&sll= 36.467681%2C-84.603653&sspn=0.251248%2C0.676346&ie=UTF8&ll=36.5 93479%2C-84.534302&spn=2.00662%2C5.410767&z=8
Day 3 (455miles):
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...2C2.705383&z=9
Day 4: Dallas, Texas(538 mi):
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...C10.821533&z=7
Day 5: Slabbing to Albuquerque (624 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...2C5.410767&z=8
Day 6: To Pheonix, Arizona (550mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...2C5.410767&z=8
Day 7: The Apache Trail (376mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...C1.352692&z=10
Day 8: To San Bernardino Cali (437mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...C0.676346&z=11
Day 9: Bike Service, Mullholland (240 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...C0.676346&z=11
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...2&ie=UTF8&z=15
Day 10: Vegas! (254 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...C10.821533&z=7
Day 11: Grand Canyon (513 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...77&ie=UTF8&z=9
Day 12: Colorado Springs (499mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...C0.617294&z=11
Day 13: Pikes Peak + Head Home(604mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...54&ie=UTF8&z=8
Day 14/15: Slabbing it back home (974 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...09&ie=UTF8&z=7
The Route (Option 2):
Day 1,2 Toronto to Denver (2395km):
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...8,2.705383&z=9
Day 3: Denver to Grand Junction (392 mi):
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...,0.676346&z=11
Day 4: Grand Junction to Salt Lake City (478 mi):
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...8,2.705383&z=9
Day 5: Salt Lake City to Salt Flats to Reno (531 mi):
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...,0.169086&z=13
Day 6: Reno to Salinas (455 mi):
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...9,5.410767&z=8
Day 7: Salinas to LA (374 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...8,2.705383&z=9
Day 8: Rest/Service Bike/Local Cali Ride
Day 9: LA to Apache Trail (452 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...1,2.705383&z=9
Day 10: Apache Trail to Monument Valley (467 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...,0.338173&z=12
Day 11: Monument Valley to Salida via Million Dollar Highway/Bonanza Mines (421 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=US-191+N&daddr=37.50096,-107.81666+to:38.45157,-107.32587+to:38.39542,-106.46475+to:38.31646,-106.14319+to:E+Rainbow+Blvd&geocode=FYT1OAIdTnx4-Q%3BFSA4PAIdLNmS-SnfLlrCVbo-hzHQjBzpZ0__MA%3BFXK5SgIdUlaa-SnRP25LZ3Y_hzEqZSb0KfgYlw%3BFRzeSQIdEnqn-SkPjUh8eWEVhzHVK0JghQOlsw%3BFaypSAIdKmKs-SnH2PQk2gwVhzHo69sKWYLB1Q%3BFdjUSwId2oeu-Q&hl=en&mra=dvme&mrsp=3&sz=9&via=1,2,3,4&sll=38.24 4652,-106.548157&sspn=0.979317,2.705383&ie=UTF8&z=9
Day 12: Pike’s Peak (398 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...83&ie=UTF8&z=9
Day 13: Mt Rushmore/Explore area/rest (time permitting) (95 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...,0.338173&z=12
Day 14/15: Go home (1531 mi)
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...,21.643066&z=6
Packing List:
Clothes/Gear:
1 textile jacket
1 textile pants
2 riding gloves
1 winter gloves
1 pair of mittens
1 riding boots
1 helmet + helmet bag
5 t-shirts
5 socks
1 pair of pants
1 pair of shorts
1 hoodie
1 windbreaker
1 rain suit
1 pair of shoes
5 Pairs of earplugs
Documents:
-insurance
-DL
-registration
-passport
-travel insurance
-credit/debit copies
-emergency contact
-maps
-paper/pen/sharpie
Living:
-tent
-sleeping bag
-utility knife
-toilet paper
-heat pads
-camelback
-first aid items
-towel
-shampoo
-bug spray
-bear spray (after the border)
-Tylenol
-sleeping pills
-non perishable foods
Tools:
-wrenchs
-allen keys
-flat tire repair
-chain lube
-chain clean
-rags
-pliers
-vice grips
-portable air pump
-air pressure gauge
-zipties
-duct tape
-plastic/garbage bags
Equipment:
-flashlight
-jerry cans
-tie downs
-bungee cords
-bungee net
-U-lock
-compass
Electronics:
-GPS
-iPhone
-iTouch
-2 pairs of noise canceling headphones
-fuses
-SPOT GPS tracker
-extra batteries
-extra fuses
-USB charger
-apple charger
-watch
-GoPro cam
-Digital Camera
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