It happens every year at about this time...

[mustang28027]

I go stir crazy, and want to ride to some far away lands... This year I have my 16 year old son, whom I got in the worst custody battle since Britney and Kevin... I want him to experience some great rides and roads this summer, since he will most likely have a job the next summer and be too "grown up" to ride with his old man... so deal is this: I live near Charlotte. If you were going to bring your kid with you, where would you go? Daytrips and/or weekend trip are the order. I have bags but with him on they wont fit, so we  would be riding with a tankbag and backpack, maybe a tailbag. Suggestions?

[Clive]

Go west.  Go south.  Go southwest.    Nice roads in western Carolina and Georgia.  Seriously, grab a Gazeteer and just look for cool twisty roads.


Find a partner in crime, especially one with luggage room to carry some of your crap.  If you and your son would rather be alone on your jaunts, you can UPS some stuff to your destination a couple days in advance (set it up with the place, such as a campground or cheap motel).  But for such short trips and it being two males, I wouldn't think you'd need to pack too much.

[MK96xj]

Go west.  Go south.  Go southwest.    Nice roads in western Carolina and Georgia.  Seriously, grab a Gazeteer and just look for cool twisty roads.

+1

Go to the shore. Head to the Mountains. Tie in some stuff he might be interested in to keep his attention.

Congrats on some custody.

[ZuluHour]

I hear ya' about going stir crazy.  

Saw this thread in the General ST discussion group: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,20374.0.html

Cliff's Notes version: dad and 16 year old son team up w/ motorcycle magazine writer to ride through Scotland on Sprint ST's.  The show is called "Trippin' on two wheels" from Speed TV, http://www.speedtv.com/articles/motorcycling/destinations/42251/

Very cool show - I would have loved to have done that ride w/ my dad.


However, something more realistic would be stateside.  If time permitted an outer banks tour would be fun.  Just would need to double check ferry schedules.

[mustang28027]

Yeah, the Tripping show was on  this week on Speed. My son and I both watched it, which is why I got this itch  that has to be scratched...

I had him write down 10 things he wants to do this year and one was to go to the Dragon, so it looks like that is one we will be doing... I put down the BRP from  start to finish.  Riding to the Outer Banks sounds fun.   Going to the New River Gorge Bridge in WV when they have the bungee pumpers going is an idea too. Might consider a trip to FLA to Bikeweek( cover those eyes, boy!)... Maybe do a IBA Rally... Any more I need to consider that are your favorites?

[CafeTBird]

Funny thing about it - that motojournalist is from Charlotte also.....

I hear ya' about going stir crazy.  

Saw this thread in the General ST discussion group: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,20374.0.html

Cliff's Notes version: dad and 16 year old son team up w/ motorcycle magazine writer to ride through Scotland on Sprint ST's.  The show is called "Trippin' on two wheels" from Speed TV, http://www.speedtv.com/articles/motorcycling/destinations/42251/

Very cool show - I would have loved to have done that ride w/ my dad.


However, something more realistic would be stateside.  If time permitted an outer banks tour would be fun.  Just would need to double check ferry schedules.

[servicerifle]

Big congrats on winning custody.

I think this occasion is worth getting a Givi trunk put on your FZ1 if they make one that fits.  

Try it out with a trip to Charleston for seafood, and doesn't Daytona have something bike related coming up soon?

[Clive]

Big congrats on winning custody.

+1

I think this occasion is worth getting a Givi trunk put on your FZ1 if they make one that fits.

Givi Topcase Rack
Givi Tubular Sidecase Racks
SW-Motech Topcase Rack
SW-Motech Sidecase Racks

[Swampy]

do a search on TWO - two wheel only camping places...in the smokies there are a bunch of them and they have cabins with beds and bedding - no power, no water....camping comunal shower/breakfast/dinner. Cool since you dont have to pack tents and bags etc

[hig4s]

Cherokee NC, from there you have access to dozens for incredible day rides including Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala hwy
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/other_rides.html

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/SC11_Loop/SC11_Loop.pdf

[YamadogR1]

Take him to VIR or Road Atlanta for the Superbike races or better yet let him see the fastest riders in the world at MOTOGP in Indianapolis.

[mustang28027]

Thanks for the suggestions!  I have been working on getting ready for the summer fun. Changed the oil to Rotella 5w-40 and the walmart filter, bought a sweet  sweet Givi tail box and mount( has a backrest, too), and have mounted frame sliders( T-rex brand on ebay).

Here is a list of the rides we may do:

Tail of the Dragon
Cherohala Parkway
Complete Blue Ridge Parkway
Outer Banks Lighthouse trip
Wiliamsburg, Va( Busch Gardens)
IHRA Dragraces at Thunder Valley( Bristol, Va)
At least one Rally( Not Superman, The Void, etc)
Bridge Day at New River Gorge, WV)
FZ1 owners Rally(Tail of the Dragon)

Possiblilities:
Cedar Point, Ohio( Rollercoasters)
Orlando, Fla( Universal, etc)
Key West( SS1000)

Any suggestions or comments?