Coast to Coast on 2 wheels

[RB]

I have been thinking about a ride across the US starting on the East Coast(home) for the past year now. Last year i took my longest single trip to Deals Gap, 650mi in one day...boring slab due to rain. I was comfortable on my monster and she preformed as expected. So now i want to go coast to coast in about 5-7 days, stopping off to visit friends(couch surfing).

My plan is to take 1-3 friends with me, but i am also fine with going solo. The trip is scheduled for July next year, so i need to plan a route(Middle to Northern mostly), and set up some couches(not a cost thing, but id rather meet new people then stay in a hotel every night). I have Boulder, CO and Kansas City, Mo covered already, not to mention about 4 different cities on the West coast(California) once we get there.
So, if you would like to add your tips, experience or offer a couch/floor for such a trip please post up.

Thanks,
RB

[DanTheMan]

Southern Utah is nice ride, but hot that time of year. Nevada sucks, but Vegas could be a nice place to spend the night.

[RB]

thanks DTM
The heat isn't a huge concern of mine, unless it is hundreds of miles(hours) or rush hour stopped traffic. i am going to bring my Camel Back

[corey]

5-7 days seems VERY ambitious...
you might need to allow yourself some more time friend..

[DanTheMan]

5-7 days seems VERY ambitious...
you might need to allow yourself some more time friend..

One way or round trip? But seriously, take the time,if possible, to enjoy and not have to bonsai every day

[RB]

So you think i should allow more time? Maybe 7-10 days, i've never ridden this distance day after day, and i do want to stop and see some spots on the way. I really don't have plans to go spend a day at a specific spot, other then visit a few friends here and there.
Thanks for the input, any comments are greatly appreciated, i am somewhat flying blind in this.

RB

[Buckethead]

Time-wise, it all depends on how much time you plan to spend in places. You mention KC and Boulder. Are you planning to enjoy the areas at all, or are they just overnights?

Also, don't forget to factor in wear items. If you're going coast to coast and back, you're probably going to go through at least a rear tire and, depending on what they look like when you start off, possibly chain/sprockets, too. If you know you're going to be going through a particular area on a particular day, it's easier to call up shops ahead of time and tell them that you're going to be coming through and need stuff so they can have things waiting for you, rather than waiting 2-3 days on parts once a problem shows up. This is where local knowledge from your friends would come in handy.

You'll also be (over)due for an oil change by the time you get there, and possibly a valve service, too. Why not just plan on having speeddog or DucSea take care of things for you when you get there and have a fresh bike to ride back east?

Keep us posted on your plans. I'm hoping to be living in Boulder by this time next year, so if you're coming through, the first round is on me. 

[OT]

You'll need much more time that one week.  If all you're trying to do is ride 2,500 miles in five days, then stay close to home.  However, if you want to experience the US on a bike, then that's a different story (and a much more noble goal).  A friend recently completed a R/T from the Philly area to Alaska on his BMW GS....took almost six weeks and he said he wished he'd  taken more time to enjoy the scenery.

Everyone preps for rain, but I found that the heat is the biggest problem on a long ride; it's exhausting - make sure your gear is up to it and you drink tons of water.  Also, you'll be baking on the plains and shivering in the mountains, especially if you decide to ride through Rocky Mountain NP out of Boulder....

* Check out a friend's blog, he rode from Delaware to Arizona this winter/spring: www.motorbikebirder.com
* Peruse "Riding with Rilke", it's a crappy book but useful for getting a feel for long distance riding and the things one can do along the way - sans friends
* Ducati.ms has a Multistrada group that posts its long-distance rides.
* Google for other long-haul websites

[Popeye the Sailor]

You're going to want WAY more time to see the scenery, stop and eat, etc etc etc.

Also, one way in 5-7 days or both?

Right now you're virtually limiting yourself to slab, which, while it eats up distance, a short range tire eating naked bike isn't really the bike for that sort of thing.

[DanTheMan]

So you think i should allow more time? Maybe 7-10 days, i've never ridden this distance day after day, and i do want to stop and see some spots on the way. I really don't have plans to go spend a day at a specific spot, other then visit a few friends here and there.
Thanks for the input, any comments are greatly appreciated, i am somewhat flying blind in this.

RB

If i was going to do coast to coast, id plan on three months, but we don't all have that luxury. But sometime things need to be done and someone needs to do them. May not be the ideal ride for everyone here, but go for it.  If you want to have some fun bring very little supplies and see what stories develop on their own.  Round trip 7 days each way. That should give you some fee days for whatever arises. You can do it in 5 each way, but long days on the freeway.

Go lite, back your bag then take half of it out.

[El Matador]

+1 DTM, the lighter you travel, the more fun you have. We did north/south twice last year with nothing but a camelback and a change of underwear. It was some of the best times of my life

[RB]

+1 DTM, the lighter you travel, the more fun you have. We did north/south twice last year with nothing but a camelback and a change of underwear. It was some of the best times of my life

this is more like the plan!! thx

I already have a bunch of new parts, maintenance items, to go on before the trip....belts, brakes, sprockets, tires...

The trip is planned for one way, in 7-10 days. So this isn't going to be a 'see the US on two wheels in 4 weeks', maybe when i retire!  I know the bike is short range, and i am going to try to schedule a day of local riding with friends if timing permits. Don't get me wrong i want to ride everywhere, and as little slab as possible, but time and money prevent the 'noble' ride i would like to take...agreed. Mainly this trip is fueled by the 'i want to do this' gene. I'm certain that no matter how many questions i ask or blogs i read, i will still realize things i should have done after this trip. And then i will plan another ride.

thanks your comments are much appreciated.

[pitbull]

5-7 days will be some long ride days, but it will also allow some time to see a few things, especially if you pick some side highways off the interstate wherever possible. You'll also see some great scenery once you get out west to the rockies no matter what roads you take. 

I've done it both ways on my monster...........riding it hard and fast in 4 days and riding it slow and easy over a couple weeks. Although very different rides, I enjoyed both rides equally. There's something very satisfying about only having a week free and covering as many miles as possible.

[RB]

thx pitbull thats kinda what i was thinking. i am going to stretch the trip to 7-10 days.

Anyone have any suggestions on roads to ride...fun, scenic...or things to see...largest booger, restaurants, bars.
I have never driven coast to coast, but i have watched the Cannonball Run lots! A friend of mine has done it over 14 times, and she is telling me the weather in the fall is more unpredictable, even in the south. Any one want to weigh in on idea time of year to go? im not a fare weather rider, but snow is not something i ride thru.

thanks
RB

[Popeye the Sailor]

Anywhere around SF.