Planning my first road trip

Falcon23 · 11-28-2007, 9:05 PM

Well, I am starting to plan my first real road trip with the bird. This trip is going to be taking me from AZ out to scenic Cali. I am planning on taking it next August because I will have completed the academy by then and the weather should be fairly nice. My Dad is planning on getting a Harley "Streetbob" this January and he is gonna go with me. We will take about 3 or 4 days to make the trip. This is the route I have chosen so far:

Starting here in Glendale, AZ we will head west on I-10 to Cali. We will then switch onto US-101 and take that to El Rio where we will jump onto SR-1. We will take SR-1 down the coast to I-5. I-5 will take us further down the coast until we meet up with I-8. I-8 will take us back to AZ where we will jump on AZ-85 and take that back to I-10. The whole trip will be just about 1000 miles. So, with 3 or 4 days to take it you know there will be a lot of sight seeing and goofing around.

So, any thoughts or suggestions?

Spicholy · 11-28-2007, 9:14 PM

Give the bike a good going over. Make sure your oil is changed, tires good, brake pads good, chain good. Pack some clothes, fuel her up, and go. Riding through the desert in August? Take a camelback and keep it filled.

Falcon23 · 11-28-2007, 9:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spicholy

Give the bike a good going over. Make sure your oil is changed, tires good, brake pads good, chain good. Pack some clothes, fuel her up, and go. Riding through the desert in August? Take a camelback and keep it filled.

Once you get away from the city it isn't too bad. The worst is being stuck in stop and go traffic on I-10 in 110 degree weather.

CanadianBird · 11-28-2007, 9:24 PM

I'd like to suggest a web site that may help but I was reemed out by a moderater for mentioning it more than once. It seems that if it isn't a site related to Blackbirds it's forboten. Have a great time.

lois · 11-29-2007, 2:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianBird

I'd like to suggest a web site that may help but I was reemed out by a moderater for mentioning it more than once. It seems that if it isn't a site related to Blackbirds it's forboten. Have a great time.

Well..... we all know that you Canadians are a bad influence on the rest of society, why with your excessive drinking and superior riding skills, we must keep you under very careful scrutiny at all times....

Maxx409 · 11-29-2007, 2:26 AM

First off, Congrats, sounds fun. Watch for bees swarming in AZ in Aug. but you probably already know that. Hit swarms twice west of pheonix. If you can add a day, you really should try to make it up Hwy 1 to Monterrey and Big Sur. This place is truly heaven on earth. Just watch out for sea lions. If you decide to go that far north pm me and I'll fill you in on a few things to see. Keep us posted as far as preparations you make. I'd like to follow in your footsteps someday

Sandsquidxx · 11-29-2007, 11:41 AM

I live up in the San Fransico Bay area, the weather is perfect year round to ride. You may want to switch to a northerly route. I grew up in Pheonix and Prescott, the heat in August is brutal. Keep us posted on the trip. It will be a cold ride into the city this morning, but its a nice ride over the bay bridge on sunny days. The traffic is bad, but up here we make our own lane.

MOTOR ON....

Falcon23 · 11-29-2007, 10:41 PM

I have only been to Cali once and that was about 10 years ago. I am looking forward to riding down the coast. I have heard that the scenery is absolutely beautiful. There will deffinately be lots of pics on this trip.