Member Contributer CrazyT Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 This trip report is two months overdue, and now that areas I rode in are now in snow, I figured I should finally get around to posting my trip report. I started on Aug 5 and got done aug 24. Summary: Trip to the four geographical corners of the continental US. Miles: 8692 miles Days: 19 Days of Rain: 12 Favorite Place: Southwest Least Favorite Place: Florida Problems with the VFR : Nothing besides a punctured tire and flammable grips. Government issued certificates for outstanding performance: None Different types of stonehenges: 2 Coldest temperature rode in: 37 Hottest temperature rode in: 104 Important lessons learned: 1) Bike shorts and gold bond are your friend. 2) Buying a house on the road is difficult. 3) Pack as little as possible. Im not a big fan of long draw out ride reports. If I covered every road I was on or experience, I might as well write a book. Left from Saratoga Springs, NY where I have lived for the last two years. I am going through a change of careers, moving to TN, and getting a separation from my wife. It was a perfect time to take a trip like this. The plan is to do this trip, ending in Washington, where I will visit my parents for a few days and close on my house Im buying in TN. I originally planned to ride from WA to TN, but due to recent events, my folks were holding my truck and two dogs, so I loaded the Viffer on a trailer and dogs in the cab and took the truck. Me leaving my old home. Took my time in New England, as I was hoping that by the time I got to Washington that my dad would be back from a business trip, so that he could finish my ride with me. It ended up not working well with timing but I was able to finish with my brother. Ticondaroga Ferry I spent some time in Acadia National Park in Maine. Campground On top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia NP Sunrise in Acadia Started my northern trek. Took Hwy11 in Maine. Fun, no one around, decent speed, but the road in many areas was in poor shape. This road has experienced too many new england winters. A Lobster Roll, from a roadside food shop in Patten, Maine. Rain finally cleared. The VFR at the four corners park in Madawaska, ME. This is along US 1 in Maine, staring in Presque Isle, ME. It is a complete scale model of the solar system. The sun is located in the science museum, and the first few planets are in the town. It is completely to scale, including not only planet size but distance. One mile along US 1 is equal to 1 astronomical unit (or distance from sun to earth). Pluto is located in the hallway of the visitor center at the intersection of US 1 and I-95. So I stayed in a motel in Beddeport, ME on my way south. In the morning, I woke up and started to get everything ready on the bike. When I went out to the bike, I saw this: Some asshat tried to burn my bike down! Looks like they lit the left handlebar grip on fire, and once it was self-sustaining took off and melted half of the turn signal / headlight switch. The molten rubber from the grip dripped down and melted a hole in the fairing. I got a police report filled, and it took me two hours to scrape and chip melted plastic and rubber so I could get my turn signals to work. Anyway, I head out two and a half hours later than I planned to PA. Thats better. The homeland! The oldest brewery in America, the Yuengling brewery. Makers of the best cheap beer in the US. You will notice that picutres on the east coast are few and far between. This is pretty much due to the fact that: It rained a lot There is not much neat things to see on the east coast without taking too much time out of the day. I was getting frustrated with the east coast and just wanted to be heading west. Anyway, back to the pics. Skyline drive. As you can see, there was rain. Foamhenge! I dont know what this is about. Its just on the side of the road. Wierd. Anyway, its near Glasgow, VA. US 501 outside of Glasgow, VA before I went on the BRP. I drove through that fog a few minutes before the picture. Blue Ridge Parkway From VA, drove down through SC, GA, and then to Florida. Mostly slabbing the whole way, so again, nothing interesting. Therefore, no pictures. Heading out on US 1 to Key west This guy has his own tropical island, and his own bridge! Heres the VFR with the southermost point located in the distance. Camped in Blue Springs State Park, near Clio, AL. I had the whole campground to myself. With the exception of this little guy: I named him Al, short for Alabama. He came around about 30 minutes before I retired for the night. He walked over to my campsite, circled me once, then came in and was non-stop purring and following me around. I made a deal with him that if he was at my campsite when I woke up, that Id find a way to take him home. When I woke up in the morning, he wasnt there, but about 10 minutes later he showed up. Sorry bud, that wasnt the deal. I felt bad anyway, so I shared my blueberry Nutri-Grain bar with him. Westward I go. Oklahoma, right before it started to rain. Dont mess with Texas grills. Western part of the Texas panhandle in the morning. In Roswell, NM. Even the Wal-mart gets into the whole Alien thing. There was no one on this road (Hwy 13 in NM) so I just parked the bike in the middle of the road and got off and took pictures. I was suprised on how green (and cold) New Mexico was. Up until 11 oclock, I was wearing a sweater underneath my Aerostitch and my heavy winter gloves. White sands, New Mexico Self Portrait, heading into AZ from NM This is along US 191 north of Clifton, AZ. Its a large mining community here. Switchbacks. Lots of Switchbacks. US 191 is crazy. Lots of tight turns. Fun, and definately worth all that freeway riding that Ive been doing the last several days. Rain even found me in the desert. Got a little warm once out of the mountains. But I was fine in my aerostitch roadcrafter. Finally in California. VFR by the San Ysidro post office. I pretty much rode up US-395 up into Washington. Pretty direct with less traffic and more scenery. My last day on the road, starting from John Day, Oregon to my parents place near Seattle, WA was the most challenging. First I had a punctured tire. Good thing I packed a repair kit and 12v compressor. Within the first hour, I saw 37 degree temperatures, 3 deer , and 1 coyote jumping out. Another Stonehenge, located in Maryhill, WA. This is supposed to be some type of war memorial. Yakima Canyon Road. Finally arrived at my parents place in western Washington I didnt shave for all the trip. Near the end, the collar on the stich was really irritating the half beard that I grew. I spent the weekend with my parents, then set off to finish the ride with my brother. Rode up to Blaine, WA with my brother on his SV650 In about 4 months he is going to become a father, and hes basically going to be hanging up his riding gear for a while and probably sell his bike. This was one of his last rides for a long time. Glad I could finish my trip with him. Well, that wrapped up a great ride. I wish I could this more often. Unfortunately I like my new job..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDO-VFR Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Way to go CrazyT :laugh: We should all be so lucky, well OK it's more than luck. It also takes determination, and planning and a good bit of gumption. I hope to do something as grand one day. DDO-VFR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CrazyInNYC Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 WOW! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CrazyT Posted November 4, 2008 Author Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 Way to go CrazyT :laugh: We should all be so lucky, well OK it's more than luck. It also takes determination, and planning and a good bit of gumption. I hope to do something as grand one day. DDO-VFR Thanks. The best preparation was building my own tool kit (and did all maintenance for a season with the tool kit, making sure I had everything to do 95% of anything), and of course, riding. I did at least a 350 mile day every weekend ever since the snow melted in New England up until I put on the Pilot Road2s right before I started the ride. Oh and a Sargent seat helps a LOT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Kel Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 That's incredible! Long rides can help you get your mind straight or they make you miss everyone to the point of wanting to turn around. Hopefully yours was the former. Sorry to hear you've come to a such a life shift but you've managed to do something most only dream about. Great start to a new start! Great pics. Great roads. Good luck with your new direction. I enjoyed the post. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddulu Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Epic! Someday I'll have my opportunity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer VFR Capt.Bob Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 Great post. Let the pictures do most of the talking. I still dream about taking a cross country trip one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer elevation Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 Epic!!! What an amazing road trip. I don't know how people ride by themselves for such a long period of time... but you did. Congrats. A trip of a lifetime for sure. You certainly put meaning to "where one door closes another one opens" I live up in Vancouver, BC and I would ride with you anytime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrrider17 Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 That's an Epic ride!!! Except for the whole burning of your left hand grip :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer i_needit Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 Wow, what a ride. Thanks for the RR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEBSPEED Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Great start to a new start! Great pics. Great roads. Good luck with your new direction. I enjoyed the post. Thanks. Amen to that! Thanks for stirring my memories CrazyT, you make me want to do another long trip! Too bad about the rain, but it happens. You can do some of your best thinking in the rain, and you had the right gear, so I'm sure you enjoyed it anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmv Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Great trip. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2FAST4U Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 You averaged 457 miles per day. Not bad! I recently did about 600 (in one day) and almost dropped dead at the end of it (it was the longest I'd ever done; luckily, no rain.) At times it got as low as 30 degrees, though. Over the past three months I rode (from Illinois) to Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. Not anywhere near as many as you, but I did what I could. I've also ridden (from Pennsylvania) to Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and Ohio. I've ridden in Texas, too. So long as we're on the subject, can somebody tell me where to find those color-coded maps like what Seb's got in his signature above? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
original007 Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Great trip. One word comes to mind. JEALOUS. Someday,someday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V4 Rosso Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 From the pics it looks like it has been a great trip. Even though I prefer twisty roads I would like to experience how it is to ride a road like this just for once. Big skies and no other traffic to be seen for miles. It may be the lens but it looks like you can even see the curvature of the earth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 You sir, are my personal hero. I have a small favor to ask. I'm yet to ride more than about 100 miles in a day, but I have grand plans to ride out to Seattle from NJ (my dad also lives in Seattle), and I would be very interested in seeing a complete list of what you packed for the ride, what mods you made to the bike specifically for the ride, and what else you did to prep for the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 outstanding. tell us more about your daily schedule and details. also WTF with your grip bandit? that is just strange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfr_steve Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Epic trip!! Man I'd love to have some larger photos of some of them shots. Anyway, I'm outraged about the lowlife who tried to kill your viffer, thank god you didn't wake up to something worse though hey. Enjoyed the trip! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dude Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 What a great write up and pics. Really enjoyed the read man :goofy: Thanks for sharing!!!! :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer tyrroneous Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 I cannot believe somebody tried to set your bike on fire! That is crazy. Otherwise, it looked to be a fantastic trip. One of these days I'll do a long, epic ride like that...just gotta get the kids grown up a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Wheatie Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 You averaged 457 miles per day. Not bad! I recently did about 600 (in one day) and almost dropped dead at the end of it (it was the longest I'd ever done; luckily, no rain.) At times it got as low as 30 degrees, though.Over the past three months I rode (from Illinois) to Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. Not anywhere near as many as you, but I did what I could. I've also ridden (from Pennsylvania) to Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and Ohio. I've ridden in Texas, too. So long as we're on the subject, can somebody tell me where to find those color-coded maps like what Seb's got in his signature above? http://www.epgsoft.com/VisitedStatesMap/ That'll do ya ! ! :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Wheatie Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 Epic report, CrazyT ....... tx a bunch for sharing the pics. Super job... ! ! :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soichiro Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Nice trip, :unsure: Are there pics. for the other 2 corners? Landmarks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Peto Posted November 4, 2008 Member Contributer Share Posted November 4, 2008 19 days on the bike over the road is good for you. good job. nice write up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 I told my wife I wanted to to nearly the same thing, and she said OK, but don't come back! Women, can't live with them, can't drag them behind the motorcycle. Just kidding. I envy you sir. I can only dream. Thanks for the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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