Oregon or Bust II, Memorial Day Coast Ride 05/23/15 - 05/25/15

[slmoto]

RG's plan:

Early departure to Redding in Van Day one. Meet the goons in motel in Arcata Sat evening. Join group.

Anyone who does not want to do the 200 mikes of boredom to Redding is welcome to come with me in Van.  Could haul 3 more bikes with trailer if demand is there.

Do I need to contact motel and get my own reservation or does GM have rooms dialed??

Please respond promptly as I have a big woody for this forum and it's playtime...............

The whiskey van ride sounds tempting but I think I'm going to tough it out on the bike myself.

As far as I know everyone's been taking care of their own room accommodations or finding someone to room with. I'm already rooming with someone but maybe somebody else can post if they still have a bed open in their room.

Better go take care of that woody while you can before the Viagra wears off!!

[rg500nut]

Thanks Scott, you are one of few in this group with any sense.............

[GreenMachine]

RG,

See the private message I sent you on March 26 at 9:24 AM.  There's a link to where we're staying and room reservations.  For good measure, I sent it to you via E-mail tonight as well.

Thanks for offering to take other riders with you in the van, that may prove useful if someone tires or wants to just take you up on your offer.  You're a fine gentleman.

We'll be covering a lot of miles for three days straight and I for one, will be doing it willingly from the cockpit of my two-wheeled chariot.    I am sooooo looking forward to it, all of it.   

[Tahoebrian5]

If it rains on the way home, I'm with RG

[rg500nut]

just booked a room with the boys @ Howard Johnsons.  Sat and Sun night in Arcata.  I have 2 queen beds and anyone is welcome to share room with me, but I do not sleep with hairy legged men.

Also GM, I could haul my trailer if you thought we may need it, should some one crash or have problems.  At least get their bike back to Reno.  It is easy to pull when empty.

RG

[Tahoebrian5]

Don't encourage GM to crash! Then he will owe me another set of knee pucks.

[GreenMachine]

...Also GM, I could haul my trailer if you thought we may need it, should some one crash or have problems.  At least get their bike back to Reno.  It is easy to pull when empty.

RG

I'll leave that up to you, but I don't see a need for it.  The group of riders we have going has always been smart about riding their own pace.  Accidents happen, of course, but I don't anticipate us riding a pace that would facilitate a support vehicle.  Besides, if your van has the ability, we could always rent a one-way U-haul.  My State Farm covers me for towing if I'm within 500 miles of my residence.  AAA and All State have similar policy provisions.

Rain won't be a factor this year.  For me, it'll be an all or nothing decision.  Either we get three solid days without precipitation or we cancel our reservations in advance.

[KawasakiNoob]

I am probably in for this ride, let me know as more info is available.

[GreenMachine]

KN,

You sure?  This is no picnic ride; 400 miles per day for 3 days in a row, without a weekend in between to rest.  You did alright on our La Porte ride a couple years back though.  I'd recommend long ride training to everyone going, to build up your body's fatigue coping abilities and to learn to remind yourself to relax while riding and think of the long-haul.  Maybe do a full day ride over to the coast and back to test and train.

I took this from the link below.  I tell people that if you can ride a bicycle for 100 miles in one sitting for three days in a row, you're ready to ride long distances on a motorcycle.   That's a fair comparison to what it'll be like.  Most people can't or aren't prepared to do either.

Our requirements won't be as demanding as those below, but the points are valid for consideration.

As soon as possible, pair up with someone for the overnight accommodations.  I'll send you a PM.
-GM

Physical endurance.
You don't just wake up one day and decide to ride 1000 or 1500 miles. You have to plan for it, and work up to it.

Not surprisingly, Jeff adheres to a strict physical training regimen and diet, as any athlete would ... in his case, hitting the gym, and yoga.

A desire to test your limits.
How long can you ride before stretching or sleep ... how many miles between fuel stops?

It's not unusual to ride through the night, and end up being covered in bugs and grime after days on the road.  At it's core, this sport is about the competitive spirit to push your physical limits.

The right gear.
If packing for a trip on 4 wheels is a challenge, consider all that can happen over longer distances and multiple climates.  Then think about what you can carry on your bike.

You will need:  Base layer plus clothes, rainsuit, boots, motorcycle gloves, extra socks.  Plus: tools, cell phone, advil, food, bedroll, an auxilliary gas tank, and more ...

In case you were wondering ... Jeff overnights food and supplies to a checkpoint ahead of time, rides on a special Rick Mayer saddle, and gives this unexpected pro tip: wash your clothes in baby soap to lessen chafing.

An understanding of your equipment, and the road.
You need the knowledge (and tools) to handle road emergencies and mechanical breakdowns ... and the experience to know how aggressively you can ride, and still stay safe.

Experience dealing with the unexpected.
When you ride in all conditions and push your limits, you have to rely on your wits. If you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, or experience some other mishap, what will you do?

You'll also likely see your share of accidents.  Whether you are the one needing help, or you stop to help others, it's a good reminder to have fun, but also respect the rules of the road and ride safe. - OlympiaGloves.com

[slmoto]

I tell people that if you can ride a bicycle for 100 miles in one sitting for three days in a row, you're ready to ride long distances on a motorcycle.   That's a fair comparison to what it'll be like.  Most people can't or aren't prepared to do either.

I've ridden my bicycle like this before and then some, riding a motorcycle long distance is much easier by a long shot. Don't get me wrong both can be tiring but twist of the throttle compared to the turn of the pedals is much different. I'd say the one thing that is more critical on the motorcycle is the mental fatigue. On a bicycle you can zone out more but obviously on a motorcycle the consequences of zoning out can be severe.

Definitely plan on getting some miles and long days in ahead of time, though.

[dub]

I tell people that if you can ride a bicycle for 100 miles in one sitting for three days in a row, you're ready to ride long distances on a motorcycle.   That's a fair comparison to what it'll be like.  Most people can't or aren't prepared to do either.

I disagree wholeheartedly. That is in no way, shape, or form a fair comparison.

Don't get me wrong both can be tiring but twist of the throttle compared to the turn of the pedals is much different. I'd say the one thing that is more critical on the motorcycle is the mental fatigue. On a bicycle you can zone out more but obviously on a motorcycle the consequences of zoning out can be severe.

Definitely plan on getting some miles and long days in ahead of time, though.

This is more reasonable.

[GreenMachine]

Found some good options on luggage.  Figured I'd lay out all the crap I'm taking; cameras, clothes, toiletries, rain gear (just in case), wine, bottle opener, just seeing if you're paying attention on those last two.

I know the capacity of my other storage piece and it's just a fraction too small.  It ends up coming down to leaving behind stuff that would have value during the ride.  Hoping to avoid that this time around.  And without DR there as our pack mule, I'd rather squash down a luggage container that's too big, than the alternative.  Not too expensive either.  And there's still time to test it out in the weeks ahead.

[RichVee4]

When I need extra storage capacity I use my Chase Harper storage bag. Its a simple one compartment bag that holds 32L.    It has 4 cinch straps that hold it to the bike securely and even makes a nice back rest.   I use if for the bulky items like rain gear, shoes, bike covers, gin and tonic!  Nice treat after a long days ride.

This trip I am planning to carry more of the heavy stuff in it instead of my trunk so the weight is not cantilevered off the back as far.  

 http://www.amazon.com/Chase-Harper-4100-B-Alaska-Black/dp/B000WJ75Q6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1428848053&sr=8-5&keywords=chase+harper

[GreenMachine]

The weather this weekend is forecast to be ideal.  I was thinking of starting my (road) bicycle training to toughen up for the big ride.   Probably do 25 miles each day if anybody is interested in joining.

[slmoto]

The weather this weekend is forecast to be ideal.  I was thinking of starting my (road) bicycle training to toughen up for the big ride.   Probably do 25 miles each day if anybody is interested in joining.

I'm down to ride if you don't mind me and my touring bike's slow pace.