4,500 In 10 Days On The VTR.... Lots Of Large Pics! (56K WARNING!)
large member
Squid
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 59
From: Petaluma, CA (1 hr north of SF)
Awesome trip, thanks for posting. You rode within a mile of my house on the 101. I was off on my own VTR trip around NorCal. I had planned to do a trip similar to yours, but ran out of time and cut it short. My knees were KILLING me each day after about five hours, I wound up being glad I didn't try to do more. My hat's off to you!
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 714
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Awesome! That's pretty ballsy to go that far (out of the country?!) with a tailbag only. Guess I need to take some lessons on your packing prowess!
What did you guys use for gear? It looked like you were all in leather jackets which I prefer when spending long days in the wind no matter the temp.
What rain gear did you bring?
And what were the temperature extremes?
What did you guys use for gear? It looked like you were all in leather jackets which I prefer when spending long days in the wind no matter the temp.
What rain gear did you bring?
And what were the temperature extremes?
Thread Starter
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,708
Awesome! That's pretty ballsy to go that far (out of the country?!) with a tailbag only. Guess I need to take some lessons on your packing prowess!
Why pack more? I didn't even need everything that I had brought.
What did you guys use for gear? It looked like you were all in leather jackets which I prefer when spending long days in the wind no matter the temp.
Yup, we all wore leather jackets, riding boots and a good pair of jeans
What rain gear did you bring?
Brandon and I both had a set of Frogg Toggs from previous touring ventures. They are nice and compact, although the do shred in the wind. Next time I'd like a nice weather proof cortech suit that I could wear the entire time, that way i wouldn't have to keep on switching back and fourth. As for the luggage, we just wrapped those in trash bas when the weather turned... I'd also like to get a nice set of weather proof bags for the next trip.
And what were the temperature extremes?
Well, crossing eastern SoCal was brutally hot (115+), but we passed through during an extreme heat advisory too. Hollywood was hot too, but I think it was exaggerated because of the stop and go traffic. The rest of the country is a lot colder during the summer months than you'd expect especially the coast. With the constant fog, it couldn't of been warmer than 60 at the most. Usually 60 isn't that bad at all, but with the dampness of the air it just cuts right through. Canada as a whole had a very pleasant temp.. probably 75ish.
Why pack more? I didn't even need everything that I had brought.
What did you guys use for gear? It looked like you were all in leather jackets which I prefer when spending long days in the wind no matter the temp.
Yup, we all wore leather jackets, riding boots and a good pair of jeans
What rain gear did you bring?
Brandon and I both had a set of Frogg Toggs from previous touring ventures. They are nice and compact, although the do shred in the wind. Next time I'd like a nice weather proof cortech suit that I could wear the entire time, that way i wouldn't have to keep on switching back and fourth. As for the luggage, we just wrapped those in trash bas when the weather turned... I'd also like to get a nice set of weather proof bags for the next trip.
And what were the temperature extremes?
Well, crossing eastern SoCal was brutally hot (115+), but we passed through during an extreme heat advisory too. Hollywood was hot too, but I think it was exaggerated because of the stop and go traffic. The rest of the country is a lot colder during the summer months than you'd expect especially the coast. With the constant fog, it couldn't of been warmer than 60 at the most. Usually 60 isn't that bad at all, but with the dampness of the air it just cuts right through. Canada as a whole had a very pleasant temp.. probably 75ish.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,611
From: Belgium, WI
How was the back to back miles? I am doing a big trip coming up and I have a few people telling me that I won't be able to pull it off. i am going to do 3k in 5 days. I know the gear I need as I have done Lake Michigan and Superior.
Member
Squid
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 62
From: NC
I totally agree, I had alot of people tell me my trip would be impossible, and it was only 3700 miles in 10 days, it was a cinch. I don't think 3k in 5 days would be bad, My first 2-1/2 days was a little over 1600 miles. Once you get the first 2-300 miles under your belt, you get in a groove, it will be a cinch.
New Hawk Rider
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 258
From: Ventura Co. SoCAL
I spent some time in OR in 2005. I drove back from OR across I-90 and was able to see a lot of the pacific NW, and NW areas of the US. Some of the most beautiful parts of this country. Seeing these pics brought back a lot of great memories, thanks!
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
inde,
sounds like you all had a good trip. no breakdowns, flats, wrecks or other negatives. great pics!
You said you guys went over the everything checking for loose bolts, etc. Did you find anything loose or anything that you had to correct so that the rest of us might be on the lookout for?
By the way, love the wheels I bought from you. thanks, Nath
sounds like you all had a good trip. no breakdowns, flats, wrecks or other negatives. great pics!
You said you guys went over the everything checking for loose bolts, etc. Did you find anything loose or anything that you had to correct so that the rest of us might be on the lookout for?
By the way, love the wheels I bought from you. thanks, Nath
Thread Starter
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,708
Nope, nothing at all. Glad you like the wheels. I loved them too, but they were the wrong color.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,934
From: altoona, pa
Member
Squid
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 71
From: Milton, Ontario
Hey inderocker, just a quick question regarding LD touring: how do you lube your chain when you tour like this without a centrestand?
I think I saw a small portable stand somewhere online designed for this particular purpose - or any other maint/fix on the road - but didn't save it and now can't find it.
I think I saw a small portable stand somewhere online designed for this particular purpose - or any other maint/fix on the road - but didn't save it and now can't find it.
Thread Starter
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,708
We each had our job when it came to lubing chains, one person would tilt the bike to the left while it was on the side stand to lift the rear tire off the ground, another would spin the rear tire by hand and the last person would spray the chain lube. If I was riding solo I would just lube a section, rotate it, lube a section, etc. I would skip the rear wheel stand for the long distance trip. Although it may be useful, when it comes to packing for the trip, less is more, IMO.
Last edited by inderocker; Sep 2, 2009 at 07:37 AM.
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