FJRfarrier
Well-known member
Windsong of the West
Motorcycle Vacation 2016
People ask me where I'm going this summer. Well, I'm going west. All the way. To the Pacific Coast. But it's not like that is my destination. I mean, yes, it is a destination; a reason in which I am traveling that way. But it's not the only reason. So I quickly rattle off- shopping in Duluth, then a friend in Bismarck, then see Mt Rushmore area, then across Glacier NP, then over to Washington, then down the Oregon coast, then ride through the Redwoods, then venture onto the Salt Flats, then a group gathering in Colorado, and then coming home. That widens their eyes a bit.
At that point, most people ask me who I am going with. Well, no one. Just me. That shocks them a bit more. "You mean to tell me you are going all that way ALONE?!" Yes. And if I really wanna send them over the edge- then I tell them that I might be meeting random guys from the internet along the way! lol.
So for the people who do not have the same mentality as me- this may seem like a crazy thing to do. A lone, young, female off riding her motorcycle across America. But to me, it's going to be another "epic" adventure in which I hope to see this great country, and maybe learn a little bit more about myself. Not that I want to get all mushy or whatnot.
Here is a quick doodle of my planned route. I am looking at 13 (possibly 14) days. And about 7,000 miles. The extra day will only be added on at the end; depending on what or who I want to see on the way home. And depending on just how lenient the big bossman wants to be, too.
It's looking like I will have about 5,000 miles before I pull into NAFO in Montrose on Friday evening. So that should provide some stories to tell- hopefully good ones.
I will try to put up a ride report/summary every evening. (All within this thread) It will keep me organized, and will give me something to do (and someone to talk to) every evening. lol. It's also easier to recall memories and stories to family for when I get home, since I have written them down the evening after they occurred.
And here's a Spotwalla link for those who wish to follow along while they sit at their desks at work.....
*** https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=11538576dac5b7dfab ***
Now yes, I know these routes are based along the interstate system in America. So yes, I might be missing some great parts of these states that I am travelling through. But to me, I like riding the interstate. I can see enough of the state and area, and I can cover the ground quickly. And, dang it, I like having a passing lane. Now, if I had unlimited vacation time and money, then yes- I might get off the interstate and see the beautiful backroads that the states have to offer. And yes, I might be omitting some great tourist attractions, "must see" things, or "unbelievable" roads. But again, I had to sacrifice some in order to get the rest of this into one trip. In the future, I will hopefully be able to return to some places and see more of the area in depth. For now, I will cover the miles, enjoy the interstates, and see what I can see with the time allotted.
I am naming this the Windsong ride. I grew up listening to John Denver; my mother was a fan, and she has all of his albums. Which makes me a secondary fan, and many of his songs are on my mp3 player to listen to while riding. When trying to decide what to name this trip... I was shuffling through his albums. And as much as I like "Grandma's Feather Bed"... that just doesn't have a good ring to it when it comes to a motorcycle ride. lol. But when I heard "Windsong", I knew this was the one.
"...In your heart and your spirit, let the breezes surround you. Lift up your voice and sing with the wind..."
On this trip, I will also be sporting a new set of tires- the Metzeler Roadtec 01; Metzeler's new sport touring tire. Earlier this spring I applied, and was selected, to "test" a set of these tires. This adventure should be a good test session for them. This promotion is in partnership with Metzeler and RoadRunner Magazine. "The Roadtec 01 is the latest evolution on Metzeler touring tires. With a focus on enhancing grip on wet and low friction surfaces, increased mileage, and a high degree of adaptability to different motorcycles, riding styles, and conditions, the Roadtec 01 provides modern solutions to past and future needs."
I would like to publicly thank a great friend who helped me to prepare my bike for this ride. When my normal mechanic (my father) decides to take a 3 week vacation starting 2 weeks before I launch- that leaves me scrambling for someone to help change tires and oil on the FJR. Thanks to extrememarine, Wayne, and the super awesome wife, Annette. I owe you big time.
Quick summary:
1 2012 FJR 1300.
1 female motorcyclist.
13 days.
About 7,000 miles.
19 states to travel through - 10 of which are new to my collection.
I will be launching from NW Ohio the evening of Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Just a short jaunt north to the next morning's launch point.
I'll have about 800 miles to get to Duluth, MN. Traveling via Michigan and the UP, instead of Chicago. Couple reasons for that, 1- skips Chicago. (I think that's a good enough reason, lol), 2- adds another state to the trip count (Michigan).
Motorcycle Vacation 2016
People ask me where I'm going this summer. Well, I'm going west. All the way. To the Pacific Coast. But it's not like that is my destination. I mean, yes, it is a destination; a reason in which I am traveling that way. But it's not the only reason. So I quickly rattle off- shopping in Duluth, then a friend in Bismarck, then see Mt Rushmore area, then across Glacier NP, then over to Washington, then down the Oregon coast, then ride through the Redwoods, then venture onto the Salt Flats, then a group gathering in Colorado, and then coming home. That widens their eyes a bit.
At that point, most people ask me who I am going with. Well, no one. Just me. That shocks them a bit more. "You mean to tell me you are going all that way ALONE?!" Yes. And if I really wanna send them over the edge- then I tell them that I might be meeting random guys from the internet along the way! lol.
So for the people who do not have the same mentality as me- this may seem like a crazy thing to do. A lone, young, female off riding her motorcycle across America. But to me, it's going to be another "epic" adventure in which I hope to see this great country, and maybe learn a little bit more about myself. Not that I want to get all mushy or whatnot.
Here is a quick doodle of my planned route. I am looking at 13 (possibly 14) days. And about 7,000 miles. The extra day will only be added on at the end; depending on what or who I want to see on the way home. And depending on just how lenient the big bossman wants to be, too.
It's looking like I will have about 5,000 miles before I pull into NAFO in Montrose on Friday evening. So that should provide some stories to tell- hopefully good ones.
I will try to put up a ride report/summary every evening. (All within this thread) It will keep me organized, and will give me something to do (and someone to talk to) every evening. lol. It's also easier to recall memories and stories to family for when I get home, since I have written them down the evening after they occurred.
And here's a Spotwalla link for those who wish to follow along while they sit at their desks at work.....
*** https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=11538576dac5b7dfab ***
Now yes, I know these routes are based along the interstate system in America. So yes, I might be missing some great parts of these states that I am travelling through. But to me, I like riding the interstate. I can see enough of the state and area, and I can cover the ground quickly. And, dang it, I like having a passing lane. Now, if I had unlimited vacation time and money, then yes- I might get off the interstate and see the beautiful backroads that the states have to offer. And yes, I might be omitting some great tourist attractions, "must see" things, or "unbelievable" roads. But again, I had to sacrifice some in order to get the rest of this into one trip. In the future, I will hopefully be able to return to some places and see more of the area in depth. For now, I will cover the miles, enjoy the interstates, and see what I can see with the time allotted.
I am naming this the Windsong ride. I grew up listening to John Denver; my mother was a fan, and she has all of his albums. Which makes me a secondary fan, and many of his songs are on my mp3 player to listen to while riding. When trying to decide what to name this trip... I was shuffling through his albums. And as much as I like "Grandma's Feather Bed"... that just doesn't have a good ring to it when it comes to a motorcycle ride. lol. But when I heard "Windsong", I knew this was the one.
"...In your heart and your spirit, let the breezes surround you. Lift up your voice and sing with the wind..."
On this trip, I will also be sporting a new set of tires- the Metzeler Roadtec 01; Metzeler's new sport touring tire. Earlier this spring I applied, and was selected, to "test" a set of these tires. This adventure should be a good test session for them. This promotion is in partnership with Metzeler and RoadRunner Magazine. "The Roadtec 01 is the latest evolution on Metzeler touring tires. With a focus on enhancing grip on wet and low friction surfaces, increased mileage, and a high degree of adaptability to different motorcycles, riding styles, and conditions, the Roadtec 01 provides modern solutions to past and future needs."
I would like to publicly thank a great friend who helped me to prepare my bike for this ride. When my normal mechanic (my father) decides to take a 3 week vacation starting 2 weeks before I launch- that leaves me scrambling for someone to help change tires and oil on the FJR. Thanks to extrememarine, Wayne, and the super awesome wife, Annette. I owe you big time.
Quick summary:
1 2012 FJR 1300.
1 female motorcyclist.
13 days.
About 7,000 miles.
19 states to travel through - 10 of which are new to my collection.
I will be launching from NW Ohio the evening of Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Just a short jaunt north to the next morning's launch point.
I'll have about 800 miles to get to Duluth, MN. Traveling via Michigan and the UP, instead of Chicago. Couple reasons for that, 1- skips Chicago. (I think that's a good enough reason, lol), 2- adds another state to the trip count (Michigan).
