MOTOBRICK RIDING => Photographic Ride Reports => Topic started by: koapono on April 22, 2017, 08:32:10 PM
Title: USA Coast to coast
Post by: koapono on April 22, 2017, 08:32:10 PM
Greetings all, This will be a report from the road with updates as I ride across USA and return. I am riding my 94 K1100LT. I left my domicile this morning, just south of Richmond, VA heading for Knoxville, TN a ride of approximately 470 miles. My spouse flew to LA, CA yesterday to visit daughter and grand-daughter and we will all meet in Los Olivos, CA on Apr 27th. I will zip across USA on I-40 with no sight-seeing or meandering on the way, that will be reserved for the ride home. After a week in Los Olivos my spouse and I will ride north to Olympic Nat'l Park in Washington state and spend several days there. My spouse will fly back to Virginia on 12 May, I will point my scoot east and plan to ride home on secondary roads avoiding all Interstates. The ride thus far was horrible! Rain, rain and more rain accompanied by gusting winds and crummy visibility. The inclement weather added nearly 2 hours to the ride but all went well. I was properly attired and remained warm and dry for duration of ride. I only took one picture today because weather was not the best for picture taking. I always travel with a motorcycle cover, it's worth the hassle on days like today. so picture #1 is the end of day 1 from the hotel parking lot in Knoxville, TN.
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: jakgieger on April 22, 2017, 08:40:07 PM
Sounds like a great trip...other than the rain :eek: . Safe travels :bmwsmile .
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: Martin on April 22, 2017, 10:29:25 PM
:2thumbup: Awesome trip, ride safe and have fun. Regards Martin.
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: milq on April 23, 2017, 10:51:34 AM
I think you'll enjoy some better weather today!
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: Retread on April 23, 2017, 07:42:52 PM
Nice way to start a trip...be safe!
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: koapono on April 27, 2017, 08:37:31 AM
An update: Days 1 and 2 were soakers! Precipitation of some sort all day long mostly a steady rain that required use of wet-weather gear, there were periods of light drizzle and mist and the occasional deluge. I was able to maintain posted speed limits for the most part as traffic was light and I pretty much had the road to myself except for the trucks. They seem to gather and run in packs and riding through the spray and splash they generated had me thinking I was in the rinse cycle of a commercial-duty dish washer. I am riding on brand new Michelin Pilot Road tires, PR3 up front and PR4 on the rear. These are proving too be excellent wet roads tires, they shed water, track straight and maintained traction. Couldn't ask for more. Days 3 through 5 had me thinking I was in the NASA-Langley wind tunnel facility. Sustained winds of 20 knots with gusts to 35/40. I experienced a form of this all the way across OK, TX, NM and AZ. The wind does blow across the plains! The weather was otherwise pleasant, moderate temps, nice sunny sky with wispy clouds. Other than the wind it would have been perfect riding conditions. I am 200 miles from my destination and will be there by lunch time today. Park the scoot and pick up a rental car as I will not be allowed to haul grand-daughter (15 months old) around in the top-case of the LT. Picture is the LT dressed for inclement weather. The multivaro tank bag with rain-cover and shower cap for my TomTom GPS. Also a pic in some nicer weather along Route 66 somewhere in AZ. Crossing the Mojave, never pass a chance to purchase petrol and water. It's an inhospitable place. If you have to cross the USA I-40 isn't a bad choice. The ride through TN is very nice. There are no major metropolis cities and the cities you do pass through lack the congestion of other major US cities. The trek across the plains isn't as mind numbing as KS and NB (no offense to fellow K-owners from those locales) though the ride across Mojave does seem endless.
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on April 27, 2017, 08:50:16 AM
I'm envious...
After playing that tune hundreds of times over the years, getting my kicks on Route 66 is definitely on my Motobrick Bucket List.
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: The Dude on April 27, 2017, 03:06:54 PM
I love road trips,keep it coming. :popcorm
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: koapono on April 28, 2017, 09:12:52 AM
I have arrived my first destination, Los Olivos, CA. Parking the scoot and switching to a rental car. Rest of the gang (spouse, daughter, grand-daughter and son-in-law) arrive later today. We will spend a week here in a rental property. Had a great ride on CA 166 running west from Bakersfiled to CA 101. Nice two-lane winding up, over and around some sierra foothills and canyons. No one to slow me down so it was a sweet ride! snap-shot from my GPS shows trip stats since I left. The date is confusing as I actually left on 22 Apr, the 20th is when I programmed GPS and set initial waypoint as a destination. Not a bad ride considering the weather. pictures: GPS ride stats Lovely day on CA166 Hitchin' post II, had to stop for a glass of Pinot! Movie "Side-Ways" filmed some scenes here. the wind never stopped! Ave of Flags in Buellton, CA. While viewing the hitching' post photo, if you look over my left mirror and across the street you'll see the gold helmet of a CHP officer astride his R1200RT-P, shooting on-coming traffic with his RADAR. We had a short chat, said he loved his beemer!
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: johnny on April 28, 2017, 09:15:30 AM
greetings...
needs more photos...
:popcorm
j o
Title: Re: USA Coast to coast
Post by: jay1622 on April 28, 2017, 10:56:45 AM
Reading over your thread... Glad to see you arrived safe, and that you are enjoying the trip. Enjoy the miles! :riding: