I'm Going Toronto-Washington DC Bike Trip, What's Your Advice?

Pegassus

Pegassus

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I have never ridden longer than 400 km in a single day or a single trip, now I'm planning on taking a solo trip to Washington DC from Toronto on my 650cc Kawasaki. I have already changed the oil and filter, put new radiator coolant (flushed it), and will swap the rear tire because I don't trust it, it's kinda worn already. I have already planned the route on Google Maps, it gives me 2 routes, one is 937 km the other one is 956 km, they are separated by about 80 km but follow basically the same route parallel to each other, one arrives to Washington DC via Baltimore and the other one (my favorite) from the Pennsylvania/West Virginia mountains. I have travelled the latter one 7 times by car so it's familiar.

So what should I take on this trip? Remember that my bike is NOT one of those bikes with bag saddles and boxes, all I'm taking is a backpack. I'm planning on leaving a Thursday morning around 5 am and arriving the same day at 9 pm. GPS says it's a 9.5 hrs trip but it's going to take a minimum of 12 hrs because I have to fill up more often, my tank's range is 230 km per tank full. I'm staying Friday, Saturday, Sunday and leaving Monday morning at 5 am and arriving in the GTA at 9 pm same day. I'm planning on taking only 3 days of clothing, so that's 3 shirts, 3 pair of socks, ect,ect and only 2 pants.

I'm planning on only taking a portable tire inflator and a tire patch repair kit. Maybe a small fuel jug, the smallest, only a gallon. Plus my phone which I can charge on the go on my bike, and maybe I can get my hands on a paper map or print it out in ccase there's no cell coverage in those Pennseylvania mountains.

What else you guys think I should take and what advice you'll give me?
 
No rain gear, I'll watch the weather for that route and if it says "sunny" for 24 hrs that's ample time for me to get there, same on the return trip. If I have to delay either one by 1 or 2 days I'll do it, I'm in no hurry. I will be taking a light jacket and gloves just in case. I bought new battery last summer, also I can start bike pushing it and in 1st gear if battery fails me. I'm more concerned about a flat tire, if caused by a nail I can repair it myself on the spot and inflate the tire. My biggest concern is my chain, if it busts I'm f*cked. Going 110 to 120 km/h for hours on end is going to test it to the limits.

BTW I also bought one of those cruise controls from Amazon for $24 bucks, t's a must, if that thing doesn't work I won't even contemplate this trip. I ordered it from Amazon and will arrive tomorrow, reviews are mixed, some people say it works like a charm others say that the speed keeps decreasing every 5 mins because it slips with every little bump. Even if true, a 5 minute break for my wrist is better than nothing.
 
Pegassus said:
I'm planning on taking only 3 days of clothing, so that's 3 shirts, 3 pair of socks, ect,ect and only 2 pants.
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I found its better to just discard old used clothing and buy cheap clothing on the go, takes too much space and weight to carry a weeks worth of clothing etc.
 
1000kms is a regular day riding. Only thing I take are under the seat tools some zip ties , electrical tape, lockwire. And a CAA card
 
bigpoppa said:
I found its better to just discard old used clothing and buy cheap clothing on the go, takes too much space and weight to carry a weeks worth of clothing etc.
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Yes, that's right, that's what I have always thought about when I see these cross-country bike riders with 300 lbs of clothing on their touring bikes, they can easily just buy $10 worth of clothing from Goodwill or Value Village type of stores, t-shirts are $3 and pants are $4.50.. You can also REPEAT the clothing you're wearing for 3 days unless you are going to be hugging strange women along the way. This will be a one-day each way trip so I'm just taking minimum clothing change.


sburns said:
CAA card
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It works in the USA??

gsxr guy said:
1000kms is a regular day riding. Only thing I take are under the seat tools some zip ties , electrical tape, lockwire. And a CAA card
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Why zip ties and electrical wire? I have never ridden that long, my main issue right now is the cruise control device that I have to install, without it this trip is not happening, also will need a more comfortable seat but I ain't spending $400 on a special seat, a $10 cushion pillow from Walmart will suffice.

DJM said:
Phone number for the Canadian Consulate...
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What will they do if I break down or fall on the road? CAA and my credit card are more worthy. Like GSXR Guy said, 1,000 km is only a day of riding for him and he hasn't break down.
 
The zip ties and lockwire are for if something unexpected happens. Maybe the bike tips over in a parking lot, maybe a bolt vibrates loose and disappears. They don't take up much space and they are extremely useful to have in a pinch.

The phone number for the consulate is a half-joke. The USA is currently... uncharitable towards non-citizens that don't keep their head down
 
Pegassus said:
What will they do if I break down or fall on the road? CAA and my credit card are more worthy. Like GSXR Guy said, 1,000 km is only a day of riding for him and he hasn't break down.
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They're worried el chapo will get you in Pennsylvania
 
Zip ties and wire have been a god send to keep something out of the way after a tip over etc. you can always remove the broke thing and carry on I suppose. I’m thinking like a signal light or something else that has rattled itself lose and can’t repair it road side.

I’ve had to secure a head light after losing a bolt one trip. Also had to secure a side stand when I lost the return spring on another trip. Don’t ride a Harley any more but, still keep zip ties and wire with the ride I’ve go just in case.


CAA is affiliated with AAA/NAA and most roadside services cover Canada and USA (lower 48)
 
nakkers said:
CAA is affiliated with AAA/NAA and most roadside services cover Canada and USA (lower 48)
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The one time I tried to call AAA it was a miserable experience. I literally could not convince the rep on the phone that Secaucus, New Jersey was a real place
 
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