Travelling cross country on back roads is a really wonderful way to see
the United States. The Interstate Highway system has its place, but to
really see the country there's nothing that can beat a motorcycle ride
along the byways of our land. Cross country travelling, however, is a
little different than just a ride out to the mountains for an afternoon
in the wind. What follows are a few lessons learned (some the hard way)
while on the road.
Order an official state highway map from each state you plan to visit
well ahead of your planned departure. On the web you'll find the maps
either at the state DOT or the state tourism web site. Don't count on
picking them up at the state rest stops because those stops are mostly
found on the Interstates, and the back roads you're traveling won't
have them.
Obtain a list of dealerships for your brand of motorcycle for each
state you plan to visit. Some manufacturers provide maps with the dealerships
marked. Some can provide you with a master phone number that you can
call to find the nearest dealership. Either way, make sure that no matter
where you are, you have some way to reach mechanical help should the
need arise.
Have your motorcycle serviced regularly and just before you depart
so you don't need to use the tip 2.
Plan your route so that an Interstate highway is no more than an hour's
ride away. You may need to make up some lost time, but more importantly
you'll find there are a lot more services you may find critical that
just aren't available along the route you've chosen. Off just about
any given Interstate exit you can find gas, food and lodging. Sticking
to the two lanes and going through towns rather than bypassing them
is hugely more preferable, but sometimes you'll find the locals roll
up the sidewalks early and you have to resort to Interstate services.
Riding two up wears your rear tire more than riding alone. The folks
where you had your bike serviced didn't know you were planning to ride
double for the next 3 thousand miles when they checked your tires. Have
a look at them yourself before you go, and do a quick visual at each
gas stop just to make sure you're getting no unusual wear patterns.
Check your oil frequently.
Depending upon the area and the route, don't assume you'll average
the kind of mileage or speeds you're accustomed to when traveling in
your local area. Roads that look straight aren't necessisarily so. You
can easily find yourself winding through hills and curves averaging
no more than 30 or 40 miles per hour. Your schedule must have the flexibility
to accommodate the extra time required. Remember - it's a pleasure trip
so allow time to have fun.
Just because the road is marked as a nice dark line on the map, don't
assume it's completely paved and in good condition. Always be on the
lookout for sudden changes in the road surface and/or damage that can
cause you to loose control. This is especially important on winding
roads with limited visibility. Rock slides, potholes, or wandering farm
animals can suddenly appear before you, so roll off the throttle a little
more than when traveling familiar roads.
Think long and hard before passing a gas station if you're down to
a quarter tank or less.
Plan to have your lunch at around noon local time. This is easy to
overlook if you've been snacking at gas stops, but to find the best
places you have to watch for where the locals gather and they only do
so at lunch time.
Plan to stop early each evening - no later than 5 PM. If you need
to make miles, set the alarm and start your day a bit sooner. When traveling
the two lanes, most of the towns you see on your map will be too small
to have a motel, and those that do fill up quickly - especially if there's
a local attraction. You'll need to start looking early to have options.
