Posted by Lee Bell on July 13, 2009, 6:13 pm
"Aitch" wrote
Wow, did you ever ask a mouthful. I'll try to address a few things. Hope
it helps.
> I've ridden a bit in the USA already, goodness knows I've been over often
> enough but this is different. We'll be riding longer distances, I'm
> expecting the weather to be more extreme and it's our main, long time
> coming, saved up for vacation and we want it to be a good one.
Weather is what it is. Prepare for it. Take compact rain gear and some
kind of thermal protection that is water repellant. You can go from 100 F
to snow in a couple hours in some parts of the country. Figure on a helmet
with visor unless the bike you'll be riding has a windsheild. Even then,
bring some kind of helmet. Some jurisdictions still require them.
> Is this realistic?
*> Any of these places over rated?
> Where else is worth going to look at?
> Should we be going in another direction all together?
It's realistic. As for over rated, that's entirely a matter of opinion.
I suggest that you stop at the first National Park along the way and buy
whatever their all park annual pass is called. Not all of the sights in the
US are parks, but a great many are. The pass will save you a bundle.
> Roads To Take:-
Go where the spirit and your atlas moves you. The US is full of high speed
highways. They're great from getting from one point to another, but not
much for scenery. Go local when you can, reserving the highways for when
you're sure there's nothing between here and there you want to see.
> Places To Stay:-
The Harley Owner's Group has some kind of deal with Best Western Motels.
> What's the best way of getting the cheapest rate?
Avoid the tourist season wherever you happen to be.
> Will we be able to "just show up" at motels or will we need to book?
Yes and no. Generally, you should not have a problem checking in someplace
suitable without a reservation. Sometimes, particularly when there's some
kind of event going on in an area, you may have to drive a while to find a
vacancy. Of course, some of us think that's part of the fun.
Posted by AH#104 on July 13, 2009, 6:29 pm
Aitch sed:
>Miles. He's an '09 FLTR and will be ready to roll on 08/07.
>On 08/11 I'll head off to the irl in the west, Greensburg PA to Seattle
>WA.
4 days to get to Seattle... you'll be pushing interstates all the way.
> After the shindig on 13th & 14th we have a clue where we're headed
?? 14th-16th maybe?
>but that's about it. So far we hope to be in Blackfoot ID, Yellowstone
>and
> Jackson WY.
Banker can give you more detail on some great roads in that area, as can
Chuck Lanter (Slug List), Diane Johnston, and a few others. BUTT... get
yer ass to State Road 12 in Ideehoe, from Clarkston, ID to Missoula, MT
(or vice-versa).
>but I equally don't want to get stuck on a road that goes through towns
>every 10 miles.
Once yer west of the Mississippi, most of the roads are free of traffic,
and you can make pretty good time on the 2 lanes.
Especially farther north in Idaho, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Nebraska...
>I notice that most motel chains give discounts to AAA
DO NOT buy any kind of discount, every hotel I've ever been in will give
you AARP discounts, even if yer 15 years old.
Also, if you ask, they'll take at least 10% off... you *have* to ask.
*Always* ask, all they can do is say no, they can't kill you. Well,
they can, but then they won't sell you a room.
> What's the best way of getting the cheapest rate?
See above... Also, http://www.choicehotels.com/ sign up is free. You
get points for staying there, 2 nights stay gives you one night free.
Lots of choices in hotels Comfort Inn, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clariton,
Econo Lodge, Roadway, etc... some are pricer than the others (I think
Econo Lodge are the cheapest,,, butt, I could be wrong). Also, if you
book it online (pull up to the parking lot, get out your computer and
log in using their wifi), it's usually cheaper). Send Mary in for the
best price, then check the online booking. Take the cheaper. Most of
them have indoor pools and hot tubs... sweet.
> Will we be able to "just show up" at motels or will we need to book?
Just show up... unless you're staying in a college town, military
installation, or big city on a weekend.
> The scoot will probably need to get a services done while we're out
> and
> about. Any recommendations for a good dealer in the aforementioned
> areas?
Keep my phone number close by. You probably won't even need a dealer,
there's plenty of netscum around that have tools and garages.
> plan on getting a netbook to keep in touch with the world (emails,
> newsgroups, booking motels, checking what to see), just not sure how
> to
> access wi-fi hotspots without signing up for a 12/18 month contract.
DON'T sign up for any wi-fi... it's really different over here. While I
*did* have free wifi at almost every hotel in Europe, some did want you
to pay extra for it. NOT SO over here. Even if you stay at a Notch
Above Scuzzy hotel that doesn't have wifi, you'll be able to find a
freebie close enough to use for email. GET SKYPE! It's awsome.
> More drinks are in order and the card hasn't found it's way back to my
> wallet so get your orders in. I think I could even stretch to getting
> some
> bowls of wings, what say you...
Save yer money for the trip... I'll buy this round and the wings.
ASSHOLE#104 Len
Looking forward to seeing Mary.
Posted by nospam on July 13, 2009, 8:51 pm
wrote:
>Aitch sed:
>>Miles. He's an '09 FLTR and will be ready to roll on 08/07.
>>On 08/11 I'll head off to the irl in the west, Greensburg PA to Seattle
>>WA.
>4 days to get to Seattle... you'll be pushing interstates all the way.
it only takes two from here!
--
Posted by Wakko on July 14, 2009, 1:56 am
> Aitch sed:
>>Miles. He's an '09 FLTR and will be ready to roll on 08/07.
>>On 08/11 I'll head off to the irl in the west, Greensburg PA to Seattle
>>WA.
> 4 days to get to Seattle... you'll be pushing interstates all the way.
>> After the shindig on 13th & 14th we have a clue where we're headed
> ?? 14th-16th maybe?
>>but that's about it. So far we hope to be in Blackfoot ID, Yellowstone
>>and
>> Jackson WY.
> Banker can give you more detail on some great roads in that area, as can
> Chuck Lanter (Slug List), Diane Johnston, and a few others. BUTT... get
> yer ass to State Road 12 in Ideehoe, from Clarkston, ID to Missoula, MT
> (or vice-versa).
>>but I equally don't want to get stuck on a road that goes through towns
>>every 10 miles.
> Once yer west of the Mississippi, most of the roads are free of traffic,
> and you can make pretty good time on the 2 lanes.
> Especially farther north in Idaho, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Nebraska...
>>I notice that most motel chains give discounts to AAA
> DO NOT buy any kind of discount, every hotel I've ever been in will give
> you AARP discounts, even if yer 15 years old.
> Also, if you ask, they'll take at least 10% off... you *have* to ask.
> *Always* ask, all they can do is say no, they can't kill you. Well, they
> can, but then they won't sell you a room.
>> What's the best way of getting the cheapest rate?
> See above... Also, http://www.choicehotels.com/ sign up is free. You get
> points for staying there, 2 nights stay gives you one night free. Lots of
> choices in hotels Comfort Inn, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clariton, Econo Lodge,
> Roadway, etc... some are pricer than the others (I think Econo Lodge are
> the cheapest,,, butt, I could be wrong). Also, if you book it online
> (pull up to the parking lot, get out your computer and log in using their
> wifi), it's usually cheaper). Send Mary in for the best price, then check
> the online booking. Take the cheaper. Most of them have indoor pools and
> hot tubs... sweet.
>> Will we be able to "just show up" at motels or will we need to book?
> Just show up... unless you're staying in a college town, military
> installation, or big city on a weekend.
They'll be on the road with those leaving Sturgis (lots of those guys ride
slow). When he gets close all those hotels around there (and those a state
away) will fill up early. I had a hard time finding a room in Wyoming last
year the weekend after Sturgis. It would be wise to start calling early when
they get to the midwest.
--
Wakko NTXNS TOMKAT PHS BS#257
Posted by Aitch on July 14, 2009, 11:52 am
AH#104 wrote:-
> Aitch sed:
>>On 08/11 I'll head off to the irl in the west, Greensburg PA to Seattle
>>WA.
> 4 days to get to Seattle... you'll be pushing interstates all the way.
Oh yeah, just like going to Vermort only it's 9 times further.
>> After the shindig on 13th & 14th we have a clue where we're headed
> ?? 14th-16th maybe?
Well done, just checking to see if anyone was awake.<sf>
or
It's the time difference dontcha know.
>>but that's about it. So far we hope to be in Blackfoot ID, Yellowstone
>>and
>> Jackson WY.
> Banker can give you more detail on some great roads in that area, as can
> Chuck Lanter (Slug List), Diane Johnston, and a few others. BUTT... get
> yer ass to State Road 12 in Ideehoe, from Clarkston, ID to Missoula, MT
> (or vice-versa).
Noted.
>>but I equally don't want to get stuck on a road that goes through towns
>>every 10 miles.
> Once yer west of the Mississippi, most of the roads are free of traffic,
> and you can make pretty good time on the 2 lanes.
> Especially farther north in Idaho, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Nebraska...
That's a relief. I was toying with taking 212 north of Sturgis, but that
all depends on the time of day and the progress I've made up to that point.
>>I notice that most motel chains give discounts to AAA
> DO NOT buy any kind of discount, every hotel I've ever been in will give
> you AARP discounts, even if yer 15 years old.
> Also, if you ask, they'll take at least 10% off... you *have* to ask.
> *Always* ask, all they can do is say no, they can't kill you. Well, they
> can, but then they won't sell you a room.
I'll just have to shed my shy retiring personality
>> What's the best way of getting the cheapest rate?
> See above... Also, http://www.choicehotels.com/ sign up is free. You get
> points for staying there, 2 nights stay gives you one night free. Lots of
> choices in hotels Comfort Inn, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clariton, Econo Lodge,
> Roadway, etc... some are pricer than the others (I think Econo Lodge are
> the cheapest,,, butt, I could be wrong). Also, if you book it online
> (pull up to the parking lot, get out your computer and log in using their
> wifi), it's usually cheaper). Send Mary in for the best price, then check
> the online booking. Take the cheaper. Most of them have indoor pools and
> hot tubs... sweet.
Now sending in the pretty one is a good idea. No wonder we never got places
when I went in after a day on the road in Switzerland!!
>> plan on getting a netbook to keep in touch with the world (emails,
>> newsgroups, booking motels, checking what to see), just not sure how to
>> access wi-fi hotspots without signing up for a 12/18 month contract.
> DON'T sign up for any wi-fi... it's really different over here. While I
> *did* have free wifi at almost every hotel in Europe, some did want you to
> pay extra for it. NOT SO over here. Even if you stay at a Notch Above
> Scuzzy hotel that doesn't have wifi, you'll be able to find a freebie
> close enough to use for email. GET SKYPE! It's awsome.
Ok, just a little concerned about security of piggy backing off other
peoples wifi.
> Save yer money for the trip... I'll buy this round and the wings.
Thanks Len.
> ASSHOLE#104 Len
> Looking forward to seeing Mary.
I know she told me to say something but I can't for the life of me remember
what it was. I'm sure it was something complimentary<sf>
Cheers
Aitch
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> enough but this is different. We'll be riding longer distances, I'm
> expecting the weather to be more extreme and it's our main, long time
> coming, saved up for vacation and we want it to be a good one.