CT_SPIRIT Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Flying out west Friday the 13th to start my adventure back to Connecticut on my overhauled Chief, I'm really happy and blessed that I was able get the bike out to Joe Malfa's this year for a complete rebuild with the economy being the way its been and all. boy, I can't wait to try that Malfacious motorcycle out! i just hope I'm up for the ride home. I should be leaving Reno on Sunday the 15th and give myself 2 weeks or so to get back. I'd really like to stay away from the interstates...prefer the more scenic, less direct routes. I was thinking Idaho to Yellowstone then to black hills/ badlands to Iowa down to route 20 to Lake Michigan area then head over through Pa or maybe WV. I'd be open to any suggestions from those with this type of traveling experience, I will be doing this ride solo and could use any help or advice that anyone would offer. I've never been through any of these states in this capacity and look forward in seeing some of the landmarks, scenic roadways and people that will be on the way. thanks! CT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasbin Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 On a trip like you describe, I like to start early & shut-down early (before it gets dark) as the critterz with the beady lil red eyes can ruin a nice ride. While puttin down the road if you see something that might look cool or be interesting go ahead and exit stage right. I have seen some really cool stuff with that approach. Water, plenty of water, always have an extra bottle (of water) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Flying out west Friday the 13th to start my adventure back to Connecticut on my overhauled Chief, I'm really happy and blessed that I was able get the bike out to Joe Malfa's this year for a complete rebuild with the economy being the way its been and all. boy, I can't wait to try that Malfacious motorcycle out! i just hope I'm up for the ride home. I should be leaving Reno on Sunday the 15th and give myself 2 weeks or so to get back. I'd really like to stay away from the interstates...prefer the more scenic, less direct routes. I was thinking Idaho to Yellowstone then to black hills/ badlands to Iowa down to route 20 to Lake Michigan area then head over through Pa or maybe WV. I'd be open to any suggestions from those with this type of traveling experience, I will be doing this ride solo and could use any help or advice that anyone would offer. I've never been through any of these states in this capacity and look forward in seeing some of the landmarks, scenic roadways and people that will be on the way. thanks! CT when you get to Illinois i am not that fat off RT20 maybe we could meet up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micmac Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I would take John up on that offer, he lives in a beautiful piece of the world. I would make the same offer but alas, I will be on my own adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
injun46 Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Take old clothes, and when they get dirty, throw them away. No laundry to do, and your load gets lighter as you go. Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndianTrue Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Don't forget the tools, you are going to have a great time getting reintroduced to your Chief in some beautiful country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airpirate Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 CT, The reality... the country out here is BIG, 550+ miles Reno to Salk Lake. There is a lot of places out this way that are in the middle of nothing, lots of areas with no cell, no people, no water, no nothing (why we like it). I have had snow at my place ever month of the year, you can roast and freeze to death within an hours time. Dusk through Dawn and beyond, anything with four legs will be running across the road. That being said: Plan your route Be SURE to pack water with you, anytime you stop for gas drink water, you can dehydrate up here without knowing it as you won't sweat. Pack clothes that you can layer on and off as the weather changes. Be sure you keep a charged cell phone. Never miss an opportunity to gas up, some places you may go 80+ miles between fuel Have breakfast in the AM, hit the road early but after sun up, get OFF the road before it gets dark. The good part, great country, good people and scenery that will stay with you the rest of your days. Interstate 80 sucks!, Lost of trucks and mini vans. If you can route two lanes through some small towns, be sure to hit Jackson WY, up through Teton National Park, Yellowstone and then west through northern WY (souther WY sucks, windy most of the time, miles of nothing cept sage brush and antelope. Hed East through South Dakota, into MN and WI, stay away from 94 and 80 around Chicago and Northern IN, always sucks bumper to bumper trucks. Ride Safe, shoot me a PM, I'll give you my number of you need anything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasbin Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Just found out today the brother (a Canukastani) of one of the guyz @ work hit a deer last week in Montana I believe, He is real fukd-up & was close to seeing that bright light some talk about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It is Baloon Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 As a youngster, I hitched from new yawk city to sanfran twice. First time began in july 1974 and ended that December, the long route. Second cross country trip began January 1975...ended that March at CAL POLY university. Slepping bag rated below zero degrees F was always appreciated. Hope modern slepping bags are less bulky. ride um Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_SPIRIT Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 when you get to Illinois i am not that fat off RT20 maybe we could meet up meeting up would be great...I'll try and estimate when I'm near you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_SPIRIT Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 thanks for some good advice, I won't underestimate the sun and its effects..thx! Definitely gonna travel at first light and I'll keep interstate traveling to a minimum. I had Joe install a GPS for me too, so I look forward to checking out the country without fear of getting lost which is the usual with me...lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiefin Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 On a trip like you describe, I like to start early & shut-down early (before it gets dark) as the critterz with the beady lil red eyes can ruin a nice ride. While puttin down the road if you see something that might look cool or be interesting go ahead and exit stage right. I have seen some really cool stuff with that approach. Water, plenty of water, always have an extra bottle (of water) Good Advice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiefin Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 thanks for some good advice, I won't underestimate the sun and its effects..thx! Definitely gonna travel at first light and I'll keep interstate traveling to a minimum. I had Joe install a GPS for me too, so I look forward to checking out the country without fear of getting lost which is the usual with me...lol. Getting Lost is part of the Fun,,, have found some cool shit when lost,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejburroughs Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 I have been three 1200 plus mile trips, two of them on my Chief, the best advice I ever got was "don't plan your trip to the last detail, enjoy the ride, plan on where you want to stay that night and nothing more" take your time and enjoy everything you come across, do not fall into the trap of "I will have to remember to visit that next time" next may or may not come, enjoy it now........ Our wonderful country has so much to offer, you can spend a life time exploring it, never pass up the opportunity to see something........ have fun, ride safe, and enjoy the trip!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
335 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 thanks for some good advice, I won't underestimate the sun and its effects..thx! Definitely gonna travel at first light and I'll keep interstate traveling to a minimum. I had Joe install a GPS for me too, so I look forward to checking out the country without fear of getting lost which is the usual with me...lol. next time Al brakes my balls i,ll blame you LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_SPIRIT Posted July 8, 2012 Author Share Posted July 8, 2012 next time Al brakes my balls i,ll blame you LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol....I remember I had people following me in PA looking for the greasy spoon that had great barbacue that I stumbled over years before, they followed me freakin one and half hours for a 30 min run...they still don't know it and thank the lord google maps didn't exist back then. Smoked meats were out of this world...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Te Heuheu Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) HWY 50 (Pony Express Trail) is a good ride. From Reno Take 395 (South) to HWY 341 (South/East) to Virginian City Take Six Mile Canyon Rd (East) to HWY 50 (East) If you have time, run around Lake Tahoe. Edited July 9, 2012 by Te Heuheu 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHIEF DOC 99 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 HWY 50 (Pony Express Trail) is a good ride. From Reno Take 395 (South) to HWY 341 (South/East) to Virginian City Take Six Mile Canyon Rd (East) to HWY 50 (East) If you have time, run around Lake Tahoe. Pony Express existed from April of 1860 till October of 1861 ~ about a year & a half...until transcontinental telegraph service began. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satuit Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Have fun, ride safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longrider Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Keep us posted on your journey and enjoy the ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tahoe Chief Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 That is one exceptionally clean ( looks new ) vintage. You are going to be very pleased with the performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
335 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 TALKED TO RICH TODAY LEFT RENO SUNDAY AM, HEADED EAST ON 50 SAID IT WAS JUST DAM HOT GOT TO ELKO NV AN HEADED NO. HES UP IN IDAHO FALLS FOR A DAY OR TWO, GONNA HIT YELLOW STONE THEN EAST BIKES RUNNING GREAT! I,LL CALL AGAIN ON SAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_SPIRIT Posted August 4, 2012 Author Share Posted August 4, 2012 good to hear from a friend out on the road...thanks Lou! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT_SPIRIT Posted August 4, 2012 Author Share Posted August 4, 2012 (edited) crossing the US on a MC is an amazing experience, not having an itinerary with time constraints and the fact that the weather behaved for me really did work in my favor. I was lucky to sight see places that I've only heard about as well as just jumping on a highway and going down it to see where I end up. Actually ended up in Tampico, Il, the pinnacles in shoshone and raced a storm in Red Shirt, SD by applying that formula, lol, equally entertaining in my book! Joe's bike ran and looked killer the day I picked up, put 4,000 miles on that puppy! I couldn't be more happier with the entire process and his final product...bad ass motorcycle! Kick ass crew! CT Edited August 4, 2012 by CT_SPIRIT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasbin Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Glad the weather stayed decent for you, riding cross-country is a blast & you get to see our awesome country Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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