New York to San Francisco on VFR’s: 7,000 miles and 18 states

[Orson]

Heckuva trip  

kudos to y'all for attempting the more difficult New York - San Francisco 50 CC. You came close!  

beautiful pictures...makes me wish I had a dashboard cam.  

[toddrod]

what a fantastic read.....

what a real shame that all those pics were lost early on in the trip.

While I was reading, I got the impression that you made a the smartest decision by not completing the 50cc. You came close, but if you had pushed it, it probably would have ended in bad news.

As you seemed to get closer to the end of your trip, I also seemed to think that you both were not getting enough sleep, and it was not as much fun for ya. I think it was also very smart that you got the room so close to home instead of trying to push it.

Man, too bad about the one VFR having those mechanical problems. However, that actually will make your trip much more interesting when you look back years down the road. It is much more of an experience than having everything work out perfectly.

Congrats to you and your friend Hulked!!  

[Hulked Up]

When I was thinking about whether to end the 50CC attempt or not I remembered this quote from Jon Krakauer's book, Into Thin Air, about Mount Everest.  He talked to one mountaineer who had probably prepared for years for his climb up Everest.  The guy got nearly to the summit but the weather conditions there were dangerous so he had to turn around and go all the way back home w/o summitting.  His rationale is that you have to be prepared to walk away if the conditions aren't right, despite all the prep. work.  Obviously a 50CC isn't Everest, but riding exhausted can be just as dangerous.  In the end, it was a pretty easy decision and we were happier without having to fixate on the clock.

[Orson]

and you'll have the memory of riding the Pacific Coast Highway.

In my opinion, that's the road every motorcyclist should ride before they kick the bucket

 

[st2sam]

You -da-man Hulkster!
Fantastic, awesome job, thanks for sharing. It's a     ride and report!

[satz]

Great ride keith as usual  . I am still amazed at the endurance that is required.Even though i do not like highways i think a trip like this to see so many places will be tremendous.

[happybusa]

Way to go,guys.

My cross country trip followed a VERY similar route.
( in 1979 on a '76 Goldwing, my expenses were
475. + 150. wired to me in oregon)
No mechanical difficulty   BUT

I was blown sideways by the wind on the Oakland bridge,
inches from the rail;My camping gear stolen in Ontario,Oregon;
Sleeping in a heated restroom,with the doorlocked in Yellowstone;
Driving out the East entrance, I didnt stop (except for a couple
of 20 min. naps also) til I got home 2 1/2 days later!
I know exactly how you felt!

Again, congrats to you both.
I'd rather tincan than iron butt.
(500 vs. 1000)

Sully.
 

[swimmer]

Thanks for sharing. Crater Lake looks amazing.  It's true that out here in the west you can get on some pretty desolate roads and you are doing a steady 90-100mph without much thought.  Not sure if that is good or not.

[Outlaw]

 

WOW! what a fantastic report to read It has taken me all day to read this. I started it at work but had to work some you know so I just finished it at home and its great.

Now I'm back to finishing up my trip plans and start preparing for my coastal trip in a couple of weeks
Glad you guys made it safely home.

I loved the comments about east vs west when it comes to riding. There is no way I could live anywhere else but here in the western U.S. I really do miss the california rds now that I'm in Utah but Utah has some good places to see.

[fhaze]

Longest and best ride report I have ever read. It was worth every min! Thanks Keith for your attention to detail and Viffercam! As I mentioned on our last ride a coast to coast is in my near future, the difference being I will do it solo, and spend a little more time in Vegas .

Thanks again! Great ride!

[Hulked Up]

Yes, very big differences in riding between east and west.  I got very spoiled riding out there for 2 weeks.  The west has it all:  great 1st gear twisties, high speed runs or fast sweepers.  I loved the long distance between towns and the more sensible approach to speed enforcement you all have out there.  The scenery was also spectacular all day long.  

In the east we have some nice roads for sure, but they are quite a bit shorter in length (20 miles between towns is about the best you can do), frost heaves are a constant problem and relatively low speed limits and heavy enforcement conspire against vigorous riding.

There's definitely something to be said for the Iron Butt Motel style of riding.  On our trip out west we only needed one night in a motel for 2,900 miles (we stayed with our friend Dave one other night).  If you keep to your limits of fatigue and pull over when you need to, you can cover amazing distances within 2 days.  Once we got into the rhythm of it, taking 20-30 minute power naps worked out great.  Biggest risk is animal strikes.  We did see two deer (separate times) grazing on the side of the highway in the middle of the night on our return trip.  

To anyone thinking about doing a trip like this, you just have to get started on the planning and commit to doing it.  Mark it on your calendar, whatever it takes.  Doug and I both had to make significant sacrifices to go on this trip, but once you're on the road you forget about all that stuff.  Outlaw and Fred, hope to read about your trips by the end of the season as I'm done for a while!

[servicerifle]

I think you put your riding bud Doug in danger, often.  Obviously there were several times when his alertness, and yours, affected the trip, yet you pressed on.  I don't know if you had to be at work the next day or something, but you took on too many objectives for the amount of days you had.  Doug is lucky to have only screwed up the luggage and not something more severe, but that's not just his fault.   Also, he didn't know he was expected to ride that day and had to ride with a hangover.  By your text I got the feeling he felt compelled to move at your speed. Uncool.

In the future, perhaps making sure that both bikes are in good nick (to include chains and tires), and making sure there are several days slop just in case problems arise, would be a good idea.

Just my 2 cents.

[Photon]

Great stuff ...Hulked, are you going to put together one of your videos montages of the trip?

[Agent950]

Another    Keith, that's just remarkable, all those minor problems are just what LD riding is all about.  More importantly, there were beautiful places you saw and strangers met, and able to come back to home sweet home at the end of it.  I would do it again in a heart beat.

Looks like PCH and Eastern Oregon are definitely high on my wish list.  Oh, and this is NJYANG before changes to this site, I have a KTM950 now hence the new user name.

Hope I can join you for a ride again this season.

[SWriverstone]

Awesome report Hulked Up! I'm not sure whether to think you guys are NUTS...or respect and admire you! (A little of both, actually.  ) I can't wait to ride out west...but I've vowed that whenever I do it (and I might have to wait a few years for it to happen) I'm gonna take 2-3 months to do it...precisely so I can lollygag all I want!   But you guys accomplished something special, that's for sure.

Scott

[eye.surgeon]

Wow what a great ride report. Thanks for sharing that. I have to admit you put up with a lot more discomfort that I would be willing to. I'm more about enjoying the ride and less about miles per day. My ideal day is about 350-400 miles. Next time you ride California check out pashnit.com for detailed advice on every road worth riding-- that way you don't waste time and hit all the good stuff. My first bike was a 1984 VFR (brand new) and although I've moved on to BMWs your report reminded me of what cool bikes they are and a great value for the money.

[R Doug]

Now that's an experience you'll be able to share for years.  Kudos to you!  

[traveler]

A very well done ride report, and a trip of a lifetime. Glad you both made it home safely, given some of the difficulties encountered (some your own doing, others not).

Too bad you missed some great riding out this way, though you did manage to hit some high spots. You both will now have to make the trip all over again to get the rest.

[naustin]

...there were several times when his alertness, and yours, affected the trip, yet you pressed on.  ...making sure there are several days slop just in case problems arise, would be a good idea.

I had the same thoughts.    Glad you made it home safe, and I enjoyed the reading, however.  

[kendenton]

Fantastic write-up!!!!!  Just the right mix of "we took this road and that road" and life observations.  Outstanding.

Though I do agree it seems you were pushing your friend too hard, whether he would admit it or not.  But you're both adults.....