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  1. #1
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    Default Fairly long road trip in May

    My wife and I are travelling from Eastern WV to Northern MN for the summer on our 2020 Spyder RTL with the freedom trailer. While I have the clothing gear down (though we may take heated gear as it was early May last year before the ice was off the lakes up north), I would be interested in hearing what others bring like tire repair kit, any fluids etc.

    Also, when we drive this in the car it takes us 3 10 Hour days on interstates. This time I am looking at US highways rather than interstates at least when I get to Ohio and taking longer to enjoy the journey more. Also, this July we will be attending the Deadwood rally.

    I have watched a lot of YouTube videos and have good ideas, but I am always open to more insights.

    Thanks.
    2020 Limited , Petrol Metallic

  2. #2
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    Take 36 out of Hannibal Mo it goes all the way to Denver or cut up depending on where you need to go Very enjoyable ride

  3. #3
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    Thanks, I will take a look at that route. I also like to avoid tornados if possible, on a goldwing trip in Ohio I was too close for comfort.
    2020 Limited , Petrol Metallic

  4. #4
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    Yes, early to mid May for ice to go off a lot of the Northern Lakes. I used to live in Duluth, and am very familiar with Northern MN. We did a lot of BWCAW canoeing and camping back in the 90's. Also liked the Gunflint Trail area and N. Shore.

    Are you going to any of those areas? Also did some walleye fishing in Lake of the Woods.

    A tire repair kit might be a good add on....but your new 2020 has brand new tires...that would be a low priority for me. Also, leave the oil at home....the 1330's do not use any oil between changes.

    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
    2020 F3L , Magma Red

  5. #5
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    Well in college I worked as a guide in Quetico Provincial Park in the late 60’s, I love the canoe country. But then I left MN after college. We now have a summer place about 90 miles west of Duluth. But the North Shore of Lake Superior is about my favorite place in the world. I am glad you got to experience it and it is the reason we returned.
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  6. #6
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    You might consider a tire gauge and air pump to check and adjust tire pressure if necessary. Also water to keep hydrated and snacks.
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  7. #7
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    Thanks, good points. I was thinking of looking for a battery powered air pump after watching the YouTube of a guy with a flat on Forty Times around. It took him forever to hand pump a tire after a flat.
    2020 Limited , Petrol Metallic

  8. #8
    Very Active Member JayBros's Avatar
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    If you've ever wanted to see the headwaters of the Mississippi River include a leg through Itasca State Park. Remember too that the mosquito is the MN state bird.
    Artillery lends dignity to what would
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  9. #9
    Active Member KenInMN's Avatar
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    Northern MN in May (and into June) can be like late Fall early winter. In the Duluth area the weather on top of the bluff can be significantly warmer than along the North Shore. Make sure you have cold weather riding gear with you.

    WI 35 is a nice ride north to Superior, WI. Cross the Bong bridge into MN. Place called Amazing Graze is an awesome place to eat in Duluth. And one can't go to the Northshore with out stopping at Betty's Pies!~
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  10. #10
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    I'm in the camp of if you bring something, it will ward off the evil spirits that happen, and you won't need it. A small air pump and tire plugs should be in your kit. I ran a cigarette lighter plug to the underseat area on my 12, and now again on my 19. I use it for GPS, but it is centrally located, and will run my compressor. Stop N Go, Slime, Dynaplug, all small compressors. Harbor Freight, TSC, WalMart all have plug kits that can get you moving. A pack of hand cleaners. Bandaids . A decent LED flashlight. Rain gear, and layers for temp changes. Extra gloves. I hate putting on damp gloves the next day if it's rained. Microfiber towel and visor cleaner for gas stops. AMA membership for roadside assistance and hotel discounts.
    And 2 credit cards. I was in DC a few years back and my card was hacked at a local restaurant. I found out 2 days later when it was shut off, but the card company could not get me a card overnight, or to where I was. Home address only.

  11. #11
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    RE: Post #8 Yes on Itasca State Park. Went there in the 60's with a summer camp group. We brought canoes and put in the Mississippi when it got wide enough. Spend the whole day down and back exploring the headwaters of ol Miss. An interesting swamp where the Mississippi meandered back and forth for the whole time we were on it. Thousands of Red Winged Blackbirds that day.

    RE: Post #9 And who can go up the North Shore without stopping at Betty's Pies...just North of Two Harbors. We did that as a regular stop on our return trips. It has also appeared on TV. I think Andrew Zimmern did it on one of his tours of North Shore attractions.

    Back to the program.

    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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  12. #12
    Active Member a99miata's Avatar
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    carry a can or fixaflat for those flat tire issues....

  13. #13
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    Thanks for all the feedback. Yes the North Shore is my favorite part of the world and we usually go to Betty's Pies. But I will look for Amazing Graze as a place to eat. My summer place is about 90 miles west of Duluth in Mosquito country, though last year they weren't bad, though my wife disagrees. I will go to Itasca State Park this year as I have not been there since I grew up in SW MN. As far as cold goes we have heated gear as needed and with the Freedom Trailer we should be good. This year we won't have a car in MN, but my brother-in-law covers that plus there are a lot of off highway trails to explore with his Can Am four wheelers.

    I will take everyone's comments and add them to the list. I don't fish, but my brother-in-law does so we have a lot of summer fish fries. I tend to go to the lakes with the camera and looking for wildlife. Last year I saw one wolf and no live bears though one came through our parking lot.

    Since I will be fully retired by then, theoretically, we can take off from WV anytime we feel like to look at the weather fronts coming across the US to get the best travel weather.

    I will look at the flat tire options. I had not seen fixaflat before.

    We also plan to go to the Ely Blueberry Festival this summer and the Deadwood Rally.

    Again, Thanks.
    2020 Limited , Petrol Metallic

  14. #14
    Active Member Raprider's Avatar
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    I don't have personal experience with either, but my impression from earlier threads is that most seem to prefer the mushroom-style plug over the strips...

    https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Go-1075-...SIN=B0018EUDHW


    This jump start kit includes a portable compressor

    https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Batt...07HRYR7MF&th=1


    Enjoy the ryde!
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  15. #15
    Active Member Michaelscs's Avatar
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    Will, If your going over to Itasca State Park, make sure you ride Cty Rd 113 that starts on the south side of Itasca at Hwy 71 and heads west. It is one of my favorite roads in Minnesota. You won't regret it!
    2020 RT Limited , Petrol Blue

  16. #16
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    Thanks, I will check Cty Rd 113 that starts on the south side of Itasca at Hwy 71 and heads west out as I will have plenty of time. I really appreciate the feedback. Do you live up north?
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  17. #17
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    Thanks, I. Will check them out.
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  18. #18
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    That is the links from Raprider.
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  19. #19
    Active Member Michaelscs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by will View Post
    Thanks, I will check Cty Rd 113 that starts on the south side of Itasca at Hwy 71 and heads west out as I will have plenty of time. I really appreciate the feedback. Do you live up north?
    Up north from WV, yes, but central MN near St. Cloud. I've driven 113 with my Spyder, my Cobra, and the truck with a snowmobile trailer. Great fun with the Cobra and the Spyder. Not so much fun when snow covered with the truck and the trailer!
    2020 RT Limited , Petrol Blue

  20. #20
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    We live in Hill City MN in the summer and I just looked up the details on 113, I will ride it this summer as I like to head over to Walker with my camera. I ordered and just received the big Chippewa National Forest map which I was planning to use to plan rides this summer and explore the area which is just east of Walker (or Walker is on the sw side of the map).

    I grew up in Pipestone, MN and remember Cold Spring beer (late 60's - early 70's) since I see that is where you live. I also came up highway 23 through Cold Spring many times. Have a great day.
    2020 Limited , Petrol Metallic

  21. #21
    Active Member krakum1967's Avatar
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    I put Ride On Wheel Balancer and Tire sealant in all my tires, if you catch a nail it fixes it, and it keeps the tires true. I love the stuff, have used it for two years, its not slime.

    Other than that I would add the fourth day. Packing up, fueling and dismounting take longer on the trike, its those little things kill moments in time that will make you fall behind. I would just add the fourth day and enjoy the ride.
    Kraig B. Kumlin, M.M., M.C.P. (Retired)



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  22. #22
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    Good points, I will check out the tire products. I think you are right on taking a break. My wife and I will get a good gauge on how long we want to ride when we leave WV for MN and how aging bodies operate. Good luck on getting your last two states.
    2020 Limited , Petrol Metallic

  23. #23
    Active Member Scotts8826's Avatar
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    I also suggest getting a good tire plug and compressor set. There is not much on the Spyder that you are going to be able to fix on the road except tires.

    Staying on the US Highway system is a great way to travel. I'll also second Highway 36 through Missouri instead of I-70 if your are traveling a bit more northerly. I'm amazed at how little traffic is on most US Highways compared to Interstates yet they are often 4 lane roads. Gas, convenience stores and restaurants are often directly off the road. You will travel about 5-10 miles an hour slower than an Interstate but you will see more, be more relaxed and enjoy the ride more. I ride the Interstates when I need to make time but for me the time goes by slower because there is less to see from the road.

    Your individual comfort on traveling each day may be different from mine but I plan my riding day not by the miles but by the hour. I always budget a six hour driving day. Once I add a couple hours for various gas stops, lunch, etc., it will add two more hours so I end up with an 8 hour travel day. I leave my hotel at 8:00 am and arrive at my next destination at 4:00 pm. I get off my bike, stretch out in the hotel room for a bit and shower up and then head out for dinner. I'll be turning 63 next month and when I am doing one of my 7-10 day trips I want to enjoy the trip, not feel like I have to book it down the road 700 miles a day. So, some days I'll travel 360 miles, others I may hit 450 miles.

    Long distance riding is my favorite experience with my Spyder. You will have a great time.

  24. #24
    Active Member will's Avatar
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    I agree with you on the time, not miles as there can be a significant difference. At 68 I need to pay attention to not trying to be what I remember I could do. So beyond the normal daily exercise and stretch I will be paying attention how I feel as we go as the beauty of retirement is that you have some flexibility.
    2020 Limited , Petrol Metallic

  25. #25
    Very Active Member Revalden's Avatar
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    I haven't seen these items mentioned anywhere for a long trip or even just a few hundred miles. Since we do a lot of eating at new places I keep: Tylenol, Advil, Ibuprofen, Imodium, Ex-Lax, PeptoBismol, and Adult Diapers(just a couple, enough to get to the next place to buy more), Diaper Wipes, a small spray water bottle.
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