And since I just put my Harley into storage this past weekend, I started thinking... Wouldn't that be the coolest freakin' thing to do? And then, even better... What if I were to make a similar trek, but stop in to meet bloggers along the way? I've got a month-long paid sabbatical coming in the summer of 2010 - it's one of the cool perks at my job after 10 years of employment. I'd like to head west across the northern US, then down the entire West coast, then back across the southwest and deep south.
I could swing into PA and meet Sebastian, and see the Geekwitha45 again. Then west into OH for Breda & Mike, Epijunky, Sevesteen, JimmyB, Brent, and James. Swing in to see Bill in MI. Hit Ahab, Tam, RobertaX, Red, and og in IN. Then Brigid. Strings in WI. Cross into SD - naturally I'd have to time it to hit Sturgis - then into MT just because. Cross into ID to meet Bill and knitalot3. Cruise through WA. Meet Gullyborg in OR, then onto CA, where I could meet dirtcrashr, fodder, and DJK.
From there it's into the southwest - Chris and Mel, Kevin, Cowboy Blob, and Danno in AZ, Bob G. in UT, then OK for Firehand and Lindsey, then onto TX... Matt G, tweaker, pistolero, phlegmfatale, Murphy, Holly & JPEG, Mark, Kim, Jim, LawDog, ChrisB, and Sabra in TX... Then Ambulance Driver and Xavier in LA... Robb, Greg & Beth, and Jay in FL... Then it's time to head north for the last leg of the trip...
Obviously the highlight of the trip would be meeting Ricky, who I've known for over a decade. While in GA, I'd have to search out buck (maybe he could meet Ricky & I for a well-deserved beer or three...), then head north. I could meet Chris in NC, then make a slight westward jaunt into TN so I could meet Unc, Les, Squeaky, Linoge, and Rustmeister. Then back to the coast to see Sailorcurt in VA (where I could reconnect with ArcticElf) and meet Countertop. After that, I'd hit the mid-Atlantic states: T-Bolt in MD, Mike W in DE, then onto the home stretch with Erica in NY.
I figure, all tolled, it'd be somewhere well north of 10,000 miles. Given that the Iron Butt Rally is 10,000 miles in 10 days (yes, 1,000 miles a day on a motorcycle!), this would only be 333 miles a day. That's a fair bit of driving, to be sure... On the plus side, I'd stand a pretty good shot of winning the Harley Owner's Group "ABCs of Touring" contest that year... I count over 60 different people to meet, so I'll either need to spend a couple of hours in each place or arrange mini-get-togethers around the country. Kinda like the Johnny Appleseed of blogmeets.
What an interesting concept. I wonder how hard it would be to turn it into a reality? The first step, and the hardest, would be convincing Mrs. G. to let me take off and explore the country for an entire month. After that, everything else is easy... I'd take the wuss way out and arrange for hotels rather than camp - the last thing I want to do after putting in 300 - 400 miles on my motorcycle is struggle with a damned tent...
So, who's up for a visit from a foul-mouthed biker gun nut?
That is all.
(Side note: Holy crap, it's a huge pain in the ASS to get all the links together. This represents everyone on my blogroll that I have a location for, or at least where I think they're located. If I've missed you, my apologies, it is completely unintentional. Interesting to see how many gun bloggers are in OH and TX...)
31 comments:
Hey, now that we finally upgraded to a two-bedroom apartment, we might actually have somewhere to put you! May not be comfortable, but at least it has a door...
That'd be one heck of an expansion to the 'Bloggers I've Met' section...
You're worried about setting up a tent after a measly 400 mile day? Jay, dude... it's a good thing you wussed out on the Mt Washington ride. 425 miles in one day, and 16 of them were up and down a freakin' MOUNTAIN.
Wimp.
Wish I could go with you; I've always wanted to ride cross country.
You might find some good crosscountry tips if you join the IBMWR mailing list at ibmwr.org. The forum at www.bmwmoa.org has some good stuff, too. I know the sites are BMW-centric, but there's still a lot of long-haul riding info to be found there. (the IBMWR list was where I learned about soaking down your t-shirt every hour or so on a 100 degree day to keep from overheating while still letting you wear your leathers, for example).
linoge,
Thanks for the offer, but be careful - I might take you up on it... :)
murphy,
Y'know, I meant to make mention of that. I think if this happens it will be easier to make a list of "Bloggers I haven't met...
ross,
There's a world of difference between doing 400 miles in a single day and going home and doing 400 miles in a day, sleeping in a tent, then putting in another 400 miles...
I have always, as long as I can remember, dreamed about driving cross-country. It's something I've wanted to do pretty much since I was old enough to pedal a bicycle; once I discovered the joys of locomotion the appeal of long-distance has pulled at my spirit.
Why d'ya think I bought a Geezer Glide?
With a trunk and the hard bags, a good passenger seat, and a thorough going-over, the FLHT should be good for the trip.
Might need a satellite radio hookup, tho'...
There's two couches for you to choose from in my place.
Granted, you'll be pawed at constantly by two cats and enjoy the delightful sounds of a nocturnal guinea pig, but that's the price one has to pay ;)
You are also welcome at my house if you don't wanna hang out with that dork across town. We're closer to the beach anyway.
This is ideal bike-time in FL. The weather is pretty much perfect from November to January, then we get about 2 weeks of "too cold", followed by a few more months of perfect.
Come on down, there's a "kinda" guest room I can put you up in.
If you ever find yourself in the Northeast corner of Georgia you need to damn sure give me a holler. Politically you'll be more at home in my home county than I am and keep in mind that everybody around here is packin' heat ;-) You will definintely be among friends.
you'd have to write a book, detailing your adventures!
Hell yeah, come on out!
We've got room... Come by on a Thursday night and we can shoot steel or IPSC depending what part of the month we're in.
Robb, Greg, and rustmeister,
Thanks for the offers. I'm hoping if I play this right I'll be able to mooch a free place to sleep most of the time. *g*
breda,
I am absolutely planning on writing about this. Blogging, too, whenever I can borrow a computer. And I'll need a camera, as well...
Thanks DJK!
I don't know how good a shape I'd be in for shooting after riding cross-country, but I'd give it a try!
We could always just go surfing...
Dude, if you're within a hundred miles of me I'll volunteer to house/feed you for as long as you want. "All you can drink beer" is, of course, obligatory.
Jay,
maybe 6 years ago I had the opportunity to drive across the country. It was an absolute blast, and my only regret was not spending enough time doing it. We had to be on the other side of the country ASAP, so we didn't spent much time along the way. Only one stop in Canton OH to pay homage to all things holy.
It was a blast.... In a jeep! Mental note : Late november + sleeping in a jeep /= relaxing :)
You are welcome here, too, including accommodations--however, you might want to check first to see where I am with my remodeling--Depending on my progress, accommodations could be anything from a proper spare bedroom, a cot next to my reloading bench in a semi-finished air conditioned attic, or an entire mostly unfurnished apartment.
Lord knows you'd be more than welcome down here.
I've done a few trips of that nature around the southwest (while I was in college, on my old Magna 1100), but never more than about 1k miles total.
if you can get bunches together you might get some shootin time in.
I'll share the roof here (if you can stand cats and dogs). I'll even buy you a tank of gas if you get to TX.
One lap of America -I envy you.
I want to do that as well, though I'll take the plane.
The SandCastle has a spare room. It's yours.
Shit, if y'all keep being so damn nice to me, I'm going to have to risk divorce and/or worse to make this happen.
My butt's hurting already... ;)
As for everyone who has so very graciously offered me a space, thank you. I appreciate it, and will certainly take up your generous offer when the time comes.
You get close and I'll meet you somewhere.
Hey, how about swinging thru York, PA and you can meet N.U.G.U.N. and go for the Harley-Davidson factory tour.
;)
You actually think you'll be allowed to stay in HOTELS?
Who do you think your dealing with here?
I'd love to tag along with you for part of the way as you head north...as long as you don't mind riding with a Honda.
Ill cool down some beer
The Computer Graveyard has a guest bed in it. Just try to pick a time when *I* am not on a cross-country road trip.
Well remember I'm 40 miles north of Corpus Christi, a good hard stones throw from the Gulf of Mexico. :o)
I'd be glad to meet you if you should swing through here.
My house is really bachelor, but I've got a spare bedroom if you need to lay your weary head down.
James
Jay, a couple of thoughts on seats - if your stocker isn't up to the trip, try looking at Sargent, Mayer, Russ Mayer or Corbin seats. Personally, I wasn't all that impressed with my last Corbin; my next one is likely to be a Russ Mayer.
Or you could cheap out and put an Allyn Air Seat over your current seat; I had one for several years and liked it. Sheepskins are nice, too - Alaska Leathers sells some good ones. Sheepskin over an Air Seat is a great combination.
Aw, hell... now you've got me thinking about a one month leave of absence.
T-Bolt,
You got it. I've actually got friends in the area (Severn) that would hate me forever if I didn't stop in, so I'll probably stay an extra day in your neck of the woods.
the saj,
DEFINITELY! I wanted to hit the factory in WI when I came through that way; I'd most certainly be up for hitting the York plant as well - I believe that's where the Touring bikes are made, so it'd be like coming home for my FLHT... ;)
curt,
I'll ride with anyone who'll ride with me. I spent many years in the saddle of a Honda Magna V45 - I am very much not a Harley snob by any means.
And that goes for anyone who'd want to join me for any stretch, be it across town, across the state, or halfway across the continent.
Thanks for the offers, everyone. I don't think I can adequately convey just how impressed I am that y'all read me and yet are not locking your doors... *g*
Ross,
I've actually found the stock Harley seat to be quite comfortable, although the most time I've spent in it at one time was going from my house to my buddy's cabin north of Augusta, ME (about 2.5 hours, 150 miles or so).
I *will* be getting a rider's backrest for the trip, as well as the water bottle holder that goes over the saddlebag guards.
And the wingman position is yours if you want it...
By the way, my employer has a service award policy, as well. A bit different than yours; after 10 years' service, I get to come to work the next day.
You are welcome in CT, Jay. Its not too far from where you start out, i think
Best,
Terence (MeatAxe)
http://menrnotspuds.blogspot.com/
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