Coastal ride around the country

[olderigetfasteriam]

Come on kids, you want to see the world's largest house of mud don't you?

Clark Sparky Griswold

[jwhite518]

 Hoping to Find that worlds largest ball of string!

That's in Cawker City, Kansas. Just down the block from the Geographic Center of the U.S. in Lebanon, KS.

Seriously, I had both of those places on the itinerary of one trip, but then rain happened and I changed my plans. I'm going there some day!

[panther289]

Thanks, I was looking for that  
That actually started off as a joke between my family and me when I was 16. I use to throw an old pup tent and a sleeping blanket(us army surplus wool blanket) on the rear rack of my bike(old Yamaha), go into the house, throw a dart at a map of Fla, and ride there. When I would get to my destination, I would buy a postcard and mail it to myself for a souvenir. Well, one night I broke down outside of Tallahassee and they had to come pick me up. I spun a bearing and couldn't fix that on the side of the road. The trip to Tallahassee was about 10 hours from home. When they got there, the first question was " for gods' sake you're only 16, what the H*&^ are you doing up here alone?" And me being the consummate smart arse said " I'm looking for the worlds largest ball of string  ". As you can imagine that went over like a lead balloon.
  Now when I call the folks to tell them I going to be away on a ride, they ask where is their postcard from the worlds largest ball of string?
  And that was the start of my motorcycle love, before I called it sport-touring.

[olderigetfasteriam]

Thanks, I was looking for that  
That actually started off as a joke between my family and me when I was 16. I use to throw an old pup tent and a sleeping blanket(us army surplus wool blanket) on the rear rack of my bike(old Yamaha), go into the house, throw a dart at a map of Fla, and ride there. When I would get to my destination, I would buy a postcard and mail it to myself for a souvenir. Well, one night I broke down outside of Tallahassee and they had to come pick me up. I spun a bearing and couldn't fix that on the side of the road. The trip to Tallahassee was about 10 hours from home. When they got there, the first question was " for gods' sake you're only 16, what the H*&^ are you doing up here alone?" And me being the consummate smart arse said " I'm looking for the worlds largest ball of string  ". As you can imagine that went over like a lead balloon.
  Now when I call the folks to tell them I going to be away on a ride, they ask where is their postcard from the worlds largest ball of string?
  And that was the start of my motorcycle love, before I called it sport-touring.

That is an awesome story. Reminds me of taking off when I was a teen and failing to mention that I had been 500 miles away from home on my RD250.

You are inspiring me to take a longer trip next year but time constraints may say otherwise. I know it has been said on here before but isn't it ironic that when you had time to travel you needed money. Now that I have the money I can't seem to get the time. Oh cruel irony, why must you torture me so?

[Guy]

If you can, Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (Dead Indian Pass) in WY are both stunning visually and awesome roads to ride. From there it is an easy ride over to the Bighorn Mountains and either 14 or 14a

[panther289]

If you can, Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (Dead Indian Pass) in WY are both stunning visually and awesome roads to ride. From there it is an easy ride over to the Bighorn Mountains and either 14 or 14a

That's very do'able. follow up to Red Lodge, then double back to 296 then hit 120 to 14 in Cody. I could enter Yellow stone form the east. from there, hit the route Dante was talking about. Cool, Thanks Guy.


olderigetfasteriam, I hope you get the chance to take the ride you are considering. There's a beautiful country out there and we have only but the time we are granted by health and design.

[jwhite518]

Ghost Town bonus locations from a recent Cal 24 rally:

Silver Peak, NV, south of Highway 6, west of Tonopah
Darwin, CA, south of 190, west of Panamint Springs, CA
Ballarat, CA, east of Trona Road, north of Trona, CA
Garlock, CA, on Randsburg Redrock Road, west of Randsburg, CA
Bodie, CA, on Hwy 270, east of Hwy 395 (CA State Park)
Ryolite, NV, on Hwy 374 west of Beatty, NV
Candelaria, NV, west of Hwy 95, north of Hwy 6
Columbia, CA, a CA State Park north of Sonora, CA (in the western Sierra)
Calico, CA, a park 10 miles northeast of Barstow, CA

[panther289]

Cool JW, Thanks for the list. I'll google them tonight.

A few of the riders answered the thread in region 5, so now I have the Dragon to Savannah set.
Now to start making the decisions on the bike, time/distance, and all the good stuff.

[rkrayton2000]

Don't give up on the 500cc. Rode from Atlanta  to Tucson Az in Aug I went straight through I-20/I-10 no side roads I was on a deadline did it 27 hours only stopping for gas 80+ got nailed in Tyler Tx. doing 91 My ninja 500ex has served me well. you are right on with the low maint. and ease of getting parts. I see you are coming through Ga. down I-16 to Savannah. Downtown Savannah is great very nice people watch out for troopers on 16 they have little tolerance for motorcycles. Good luck.
P.S. My brother swears by his vfr does 800 mile days with ease and it has hard bags!!!

[panther289]

  I've been spending some quality time on the GPz550 lately. Though I enjoy it, I find myself returning to the 500.For me the EX is the perfect size and with the Corbin on it, I can ride for hours without a hitch. I was holding out to see the 08 650r, sv650 and the fz6, but I'll most likely end up with a new (or newer) EX500. I am partial to the bright blue or black ones. Still waiting for Kawai to release the new line up to see if they have upgraded it like the Ninja 250 has supposedly been ungraded. If so I'll go for the new one, if not, any low milage one in great shape will do.

rkrayton2000; thanks for the info, I have unfortunately seen the inside of the Savannah court house after getting pulled for 104 in a 55 zone back in 1989. I was in my 78 Mustang and was heading home to Fla. to see the family. I got off real lucky, only had to pay a fine and court cost. So I will definitely be on my best behavior on this trip.  

Thanks again, Panther(bry)

[CRMH Eagle]

I've lived in the South for many years, so here's a few pennies of advice:

Be careful in Louisiana. Law officers are known to pull people over who are out of state. A few years ago Dateline did a sting operation on I-10 in Louisiana...had about 10 cars, each car with several people inside, out of state plates, with full video recording on the inside. Two of the cars that were not speeding were pulled over and the passengers thrown in jail. Only when the NBC producer showed up with a lawyer did the release the crew. So be careful.

When in North Carolina, it's worth the time to drive the Outer Banks. There is still destruction in Miss from Katrina. If you are going thru New Orleans be careful your not knocked on the head and robbed.   If you pass thru Destin, FL (near the AL state line), go visit the beach. It's pure white sand and crystal clear water makes it one of the best beaches in the nation.

Ever thought of going through Colorado and riding up to Pike's Peak? There's some awesome twisties out here!   The map shows you may pass through the Applachians... consider doing the Outer Banks in NC and then hitting the mountains here in Colorado... Much more awesome and inspiring. And when you are in Seattle, take some time and ride through Mt. Rainer Nat'l Park. Just incredibly amazing. One of my favorite spots in this country.

I've traveled almost 35 states and though I love the smokies in TN and NC, nothing beats the Rockies.

Happy trails.

[panther289]

  Thanks CRMH Eagle for the heads up in Louisiana. I'm originally from down that way (Fla) and have passed through La. with no hassles with Fl tags. The NJ tags may end up as a bullseye on this trip.
  The new map has the peak on it. Lots of good advise has been given and is appreciated about Co. I've been to the Outer Banks and the area is as awesome as you say. I do have a certain love for the BRP and that's the main reason for going that way.

Thanks again for the info, Panther

[nmquigley]

Since you are passing through Texas, you may want to stay on 90 out of San Antonio, to Del Rio (Border town with Acuna on the Mexico side), then follow it to the Amistad Reservoir (serves both the US and Mexico), it will with US 67, and continues into Marfa, a cool town with history of UFOs (the Marfa Lights) and artsy stuff.  You can then slide on up 90 to Van Horn, and get back on IH 10.  Take IH 10 on to El Paso which has lots of cools stuff to see.

One caution though, if you are considering taking a day trip across to a border town (Acuna, Juarez, etc.) don't have a firearm on you.  Instant arrest and imprisonment, with a very difficult process for release.

It's a great ride.  Wide open spaces, cool rocks and nice folks all along the way.  Just take some water with you, and make sure you manage your fueling.  It is not a great place to run out of gas.

[panther289]

Thanks for the info on Texas Nmquigley. I'm going to stay within the borders of the US with the exception being Niagara Falls. I haven't decided if a firearm is needed. I will be consulting the NRA for rules and regs on the matter. My S&W would not be an acceptable choice. Weight along with barrel length prohibit it.
 Thanks again for the info, Panther

[PHXXXRIDER]

I noticed that you are looking to pop over to Yosemite from San Fran.
(btw, great vantage point of the golden gate bridge from waters edge at the presido)

You could also take a short side ride towards walnut creek and go to the top of fishkill mountain rd.
Its on the east side of the bay and is a great place to take pictures of the entire bay  (if the fog isn't covering everything)

Anyways, you are totally missing Tahoe and 395.

I suggest you go thru Yosemite to the east side and take 395 north to Tahoe and then cut back over towards the pacific.

Its a nice stretch of road and the tahoe area is a great ride. In summer, of course.

[jwhite518]

You could also take a short side ride towards walnut creek and go to the top of fishkill mountain rd.
Its on the east side of the bay and is a great place to take pictures of the entire bay  (if the fog isn't covering everything)

Where's fishkill mtn road? I've never heard of it, and I live in the East Bay.  

[panther289]

Where's fishkill mtn road? I've never heard of it, and I live in the East Bay.  

Found Walnut Creek, can't locate Fiskill Mountain Rd.

Oh, JW how's the bike and the ride and the new helmet?

[jwhite518]

Hi Panther! The bike's great! I rode it yesterday in Walnut Creek, as a matter of fact. Haven't tried the new helmet yet (the old one was on the bike at the shop, so I wore that one yesterday.)

Let me know when you're in the area, I'll show you around.