SOLO RIDERS

[lwrydr]

solo trip

you're ON... :thumbup:
i've never been to Vegas, it's just not my type of town, but other than the 'Strip'... what else is there to see in Vegas...?

If your going to Vegas stop by the south side of the grand canyon...as you first walk up to it if you have never seen it before you will say "holy s&*t" that's a big hole. I was just in vegas for xmas and had a great time.

Dave

 

[SPYD3R]

I can remember FIFTY-FIVE years ago THIS MONTH I was in the St. Louis Corvette assembly plant, building the 1959 models. I was pulled off the line and tasked with sprucing the place up with a little fresh paint in preparation for a club of Corvette enthusiasts coming in for a plant tour.

Didn't I see you in that group? :roflblack:

GAWD...! ! ! you must be 3 days older than dirt... :roflblack: i'm only 2 days older...hyea:
i was 11 yrs. old back in '55 when a brand new 1959 Corvette, Silver with a White Cove, pulled up to the basketball court at our local play ground.... that did it for me... i've had a dozen since, starting with a '65 i bought after graduating from hi-skool in '66.... my last one was a 2000, and it was the same color as my 1st one: NASSAU BLUE... I no longer have one, way too demanding to exit said vehicle... so i now drive a Jaguar JF... oh, and my SPYD3R RS SE5 also....

 

[figmotoday]

I've travelled solo around US on my 2012 RS SE5 & various 2 wheelers. My findings over the years.
1. autonomy!
2. cool motorcycle weather app https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/motorcycle-weather/id537474876?mt=8
3. find cheap & daily & local hotels https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hotel-tonight/id407690035?mt=8
4. cool travel & camping & travel & general motorcycle tips - newly published book from motorcycle world http://www.amazon.com/Total-Motorcycling-Manual-Cycle-World/dp/1616286075
5. free paper maps from rest stops & old school map tank bag
6. travel light
7. be prepared for camping & staying in hotel if need nite on soft bed
8. pace self
9. get paper or online list of can am spyder dealers if need on road repairs
10. plan time of day when you go through or around large cities - I try to hit off rush hour times
11. try nite time travel
12. get cash & CC & pick direction & go

 

[SPYD3R]

I've travelled solo around US on my 2012 RS SE5 & various 2 wheelers. My findings over the years.
1. autonomy!
2. cool motorcycle weather app https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/motorcycle-weather/id537474876?mt=8
3. find cheap & daily & local hotels https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hotel-tonight/id407690035?mt=8
4. cool travel & camping & travel & general motorcycle tips - newly published book from motorcycle world http://www.amazon.com/Total-Motorcycling-Manual-Cycle-World/dp/1616286075
5. free paper maps from rest stops & old school map tank bag
6. travel light
7. be prepared for camping & staying in hotel if need nite on soft bed
8. pace self
9. get paper or online list of can am spyder dealers if need on road repairs
10. plan time of day when you go through or around large cities - I try to hit off rush hour times
11. try nite time travel
12. get cash & CC & pick direction & go

Figmo....
FANTASTIC info.... thx thx thx.... :thumbup:
let me ask you about #8. Pace Self... can you expand on this? i have no problems with a 500+ mile day... is this what you're talking about... PM me if you'd like....
Dan P
Easley, SC

 

[jScotD]

i always stayed to the Blue Highways. last time I was in vegas was 76.. won't go back... I could tell you roads across country to the west.. you need to find your own.. and make them yours.. 4 weeks is a good time.. enjoy and make your memories

 

[mrfats]

My biggest advice....pm murphybrown!

 

[figmotoday]

Figmo....
FANTASTIC info.... thx thx thx.... :thumbup:
let me ask you about #8. Pace Self... can you expand on this? i have no problems with a 500+ mile day... is this what you're talking about... PM me if you'd like....
Dan P
Easley, SC

Hi Dan P
Sorry for delay, I'm not the best @ going online/digital all the time. I try to limit & take brks from the digital world, lol

#8 pace self - While either camping or hoteling (sp?) on the road, I wake up & meditate and do some type of biofeedback to assess my state for levels of: focus, sleep quality, attention, energy, mindfulness, & calmness. It gives me an idea of my "self pace" of mileage for the day. For example, a morning that I have high focus & high energy & excellent sleep & moderate/high attention; it is a day to get on the road early and hammer out a ton of miles - probably on superslab - & using my high focus & high energy to my advantage. On another morning, my meditation & state may indicate high calmness & moderate focus & high mindfulness & I'll have a different "self pace" of mileage; probably a lower mileage & mosey type day & backroads & more stops to take in local music scene & pubs & people & sights. If I end up finding a pub with Lagavulin or Aberlour (neat) & a double score that the pub has live music then I'm done riding. My first & only rule: 1) sober on the road & follow the military pilot rule of 12 hours bottle to throttle. Half of the motorcycle deaths in the United States involve a rider who was drinking & 70% of all motorcycle accidents involve riders who have had a drink (NHTSA, 2003). Off my soap box now, I've found that if I match my "self pace" with my riding goals/sights/stops/mileage that I am much more tranquil & relaxed while riding and when I'm done riding. If my self pace state changes during the day then I change my riding goals/sights/stops/mileage. It is easier for me to match my self pace state with my riding goals rather than trying to change/adjust my self pace/state to match my riding goals for the day. There have been times when I've been off my spyder & I'm in line waiting to see a sight/museum or doing some type of non riding activity; however, my self pace state is matched with getting out of the line or activity & hitting the road to hammer out miles. Other times, I have found myself on my spyder on the superslab trying to hammer out a ton of miles & my self pace state would match a mosey ride on backroads & small towns & hang with people...

 

[bobnaquin]

Solo

I have about 65,000 miles on Spyders all but about 4,000 miles being by myself.

Hide a key. I use a magnetic key holder on the inside of my Tupperware where I check the oil. Yeah, now everybody knows but in 65,000 miles I have stopped and talked to exactly one Spyder owner. Even with the key, most non Spyder riders couldn't get the thing started.

Put a spare credit card and $xx in cash in the pocket inside the trunk. If you lose your wallet, you are screwed unless you have a backup. I have put a pull wire on my frunk release as an additional back up.

Get a few 2 or 3 gallon zip lock bags from Wal Mart. In my experience there is nothing waterproof at 70 mph for extended periods. At the very least they serve as good containers to separate clean and dirty clothes.

Make a copy of every credit card, drivers license and other important paper you have in your wallet. Front and back. Put it in the frunk.

Send a message to a group of interested people. Every day. When the messages stop being sent, at least they will know where to look for the body. BTW my messages from my first trip got put on the BRP website. They paid me a $1000 for them. Which I immediately spent on more BRP stuff.

Never stay in a place if you recognize the name of it. Never eat in a place if you recognize the name.

Get a book called National Scenic Highways and Byways. Take the time to ride every one along the way. There is so much of the USA that people miss from the interstates. Practically all of it, actually.

That is what I have done. It has served me well. I have lost a key and lost a credit card and never missed a beat. I have had some fine meals cooked by people who liked to feed people. I have stayed in some interesting places but have never had an organ harvested during my sleep. It has been an adventure. I have tried travelling with others and that is good too. but I like going where I want, when I want.

Good luck.

 

[Motorcycledave]

FIRST Join the AMA

Hi
It sounds like you are a some what new rider so for that reason I would
suggest you call 1-800-AMA-JOIN and join the AMA, they have more contacts than you
coud ever imagine and can help you plan out your trip right down to the gas stops and
places to stay. The AMA has many discounts available to members for hotels, rentals,
tons of stuff besides anyone who considers them self a motorcyclist should be a member because of all the support they offer go check it out you will be glad you did.
If anyone else out there has more info on the AMA chime in.
Ride Safe
Dave

SOLO RIDERS.... HELP...! ! !
Last May i rode from SC to UT and back with a life-long friend... just the 2 of us... we met up with many SOLO RIDERS on all different types of bikes, and their stories were quite intriguing...

this year my pal can't make a long ride because of other commitments - he's a contractor... so i'm thinking about a SOLO RIDE to Arizona to visit with another SYPD3R rider, BIG BIRD...

would anyone that has experience in long-range-solo-riding give me some tips for saving $$ at hotels, and what tools/spare parts i should carry with me, etc... also, if you know of any 'good stops', such as tourist attractions i'd appreciate that info too... If it helps you to know my intended route; i'll be hooking up to Rt. 82 just outside of Birmingham, AL and riding it into NM... stopping in Roswell to visit with some of my distant relatives, the aliens... then truck'n on down to Tucson to visit Davis-Monthan AFB and walk thru the military aircraft 'junk yard'... from there i'll head into Pheonix then to BIG BIRD in Golden Valley, AZ.... from there, most likely i'll head northeast and find my way to Sparefish, SD to visit with another friend... then back to Easley, SC via a stop at the Corvette Assembly plant in Kentucky, then HOME....

I'm figuring no less than 4 weeks... tell me if I'm wrong in any of this...

thanx in advance for your help....
Dan P
Easley, SC
View attachment 81446

 

[Bob Ledford]

Trip

Don't forget your sunscreen and camera, multi weight jackets. Don't eat any grumpy flakes for breakfast and have fun! I am envious!:cheers:

 

[figmotoday]

Hi Bob,
What are grumpy flakes? I'm intrigued & this may be my morning problem for years & years.

 

[Bob Denman]

Never tried them...
But he picture on the Box looks like...

:roflblack:

 

[HuckFin]

GAWD...! ! ! you must be 3 days older than dirt... :roflblack: i'm only 2 days older...hyea:
i was 11 yrs. old back in '55 when a brand new 1959 Corvette, Silver with a White Cove, pulled up to the basketball court at our local play ground.... that did it for me... i've had a dozen since, starting with a '65 i bought after graduating from hi-skool in '66.... my last one was a 2000, and it was the same color as my 1st one: NASSAU BLUE... I no longer have one, way too demanding to exit said vehicle... so i now drive a Jaguar JF... oh, and my SPYD3R RS SE5 also....
View attachment 81520 View attachment 81521

Reminds me of the "back to the future" movies.

 

[oldman]

Gas

Go to a sporting store and pick up a container for white gas. It holds about a quart . I carry one in my left bag
away from the exhaust. If a sign says last stop for 100 miles believe them and fill up.

Wish I could go with you.

 

[SPYD3R]

Go to a sporting store and pick up a container for white gas. It holds about a quart . I carry one in my left bag
away from the exhaust. If a sign says last stop for 100 miles believe them and fill up.

Wish I could go with you.

OLDMAN.....
on our ride to Utah last May... we rode by the HALF TANK RULE... when your tanks were @ half full, we started looking for a gas station.... EXCELLENT advise for anyone crossing states like Texas, New Mexica, Colorado, Utah, etc. on back-roads...

as for "Wish I could go with you"... duh...??? COME ON DOWN...
it seems like every1 I know, has an excuse that falls within 2 catagories... 1. JOB, 2. WIFE...
I have no worries on either... my job comes with me - it's called a MOBILE PHONE... 2. wife has ZERO problems with my rides... heck, she's off to Europe or some other place anyways... so join me if you can my friend... but understand, I'M GOING WHERE I WANT TO GO... if you plan on other places, that's OK with me, we can meet up again someplace else... or heck, i may even change my mind, if you have a more interesting place to visit than I...
but remember OLDMAN.... time is NOT on our side, we only have a few more good years left in these old bodies of ours... so if you don't do it NOW... then WHEN..???? i could meet you just south of Memphis..... :thumbup:
Live Fast n Pray Hard...
Dan P

 

[flamingobabe]

traveling alone is good for the soul.....pay attention to your surrounding.....enjoy the back roads....Grand Canyon is worth the trip.....North side is better than South, but south you can get to easier...both are beautiful....take time to smell the roses....I have a bad habit of just go....if something looks interesting...stop and look....Best western and other hotels chains are good for a free room after a couple of stays....eat few carbs through out the day...they make you sleepy...eat carbs at night...have a plan of travel...but know you can change anytime.... making plans to be somewhere at a certain time is not a vacation...when visiting friends have a 2 or 3 day window...enjoy...don't rush

 

[BajaRon]

I would give advise here... But I do it all wrong.

No one should do it like I do... Not even me! hyea:

The fact that I've gotten away with it all these years is no reason to place any confidence in the method.

 

[SPYD3R]

traveling alone is good for the soul.....pay attention to your surrounding.....enjoy the back roads....Grand Canyon is worth the trip.....North side is better than South, but south you can get to easier...both are beautiful....take time to smell the roses....I have a bad habit of just go....if something looks interesting...stop and look....Best western and other hotels chains are good for a free room after a couple of stays....eat few carbs through out the day...they make you sleepy...eat carbs at night...have a plan of travel...but know you can change anytime.... making plans to be somewhere at a certain time is not a vacation...when visiting friends have a 2 or 3 day window...enjoy...don't rush

Flamingo;
i'll be X'ing TX on Rt. 82... if you and frenz wanna ride with me for a bit, let me know, n i'll give u my departure date....
keep the rubber side down, and enjoy...
Dan P

 

[Gordy]

when on the road I carry a spot satelite messenger www.findmespot.com that way my wife and whoever I want can see where I am all the time

 

[BajaRon]

when on the road I carry a spot satelite messenger www.findmespot.com that way my wife and whoever I want can see where I am all the time

Do you get a phone call if the dot stays in the same place too long?