Motorcycling to the Total Eclipse

[MotoChuck250]

I am thinking about riding about 400 miles round trip on Aug 21 to the little town of Fairmount, Ne. so I can be in the path of the total eclipse. 

This site has some great tools to find out the path of Totality and can tell you if there are any cities or towns near you where you can watch the total eclipse. Check out the Google interactive map under the heading of "Path of Totality" heading. 

Post up if you are riding to see the eclipse and where you are thinking about going to.

[MotoChuck250]

Map shows the path of Totality across the US.  There are much better maps for fine tuning your chosen viewing location.

[daytonars97]

You may want to keep your location options open.  It would seem overcast/rain conditions would impair the viewing.  Would like to make a run for it but have made no plans yet.

Map shows the path of Totality across the US.  There are much better maps for fine tuning your chosen viewing location.

[Caffeineo]

Just starting to plan for my viewing. I am about an hour drive from the path in Idaho but am also concerned about the traffic predictions. Local schools and Boise State University will be closed so students can go. Thinking of trucking my plated dirt bike to a dirt road and heading out to someplace that , hopefully, will not have too many tourist there. But I will get there early and it would be nice to have a chair, cold water and cigar to make the wait more enjoyable so the truck would be good. I know this will be a "once in a lifetime" event and am looking forward to going. Just dreading the traffic afterwards.    

[Guzzistajohn]

I'm gonna flog the old LMIII 240 miles north to st. Joe where my brother Charlie lives. Meet me in joe town<shrug> lowriter (john L) is camping @ smithville lake just to the south of st jo should be cosmic☪️♈️⛎♌️♋️☮️

[Lannis]

Just starting to plan for my viewing. I am about an hour drive from the path in Idaho but am also concerned about the traffic predictions. Local schools and Boise State University will be closed so students can go. Thinking of trucking my plated dirt bike to a dirt road and heading out to someplace that , hopefully, will not have too many tourist there. But I will get there early and it would be nice to have a chair, cold water and cigar to make the wait more enjoyable so the truck would be good. I know this will be a "once in a lifetime" event and am looking forward to going. Just dreading the traffic afterwards.    

Idaho is so big and wide open ... do you really think that there will be fierce traffic anywhere on the way back?    On a dirt bike, you ought to be able to get out where you wouldn't see ANYone, and if you take a leisurely ride back, it's hard to imagine any significant traffic.   

I'm not thinking that I'm going to get caught in any traffic even in South Carolina .... ?

Lannis

[Lee Davis]

I am going to the Guzzi rally in Datil, New Mexico, then doing a 700+ mile ride to Glendo Lake in Wyoming. I cannot miss it! Even if it is overcast, it will still get dark!

[LowRyter]

I'm gonna flog the old LMIII 240 miles north to st. Joe where my brother Charlie lives. Meet me in joe town<shrug> lowriter (john L) is camping @ smithville lake just to the south of st jo should be cosmic☪️♈️⛎♌️♋️☮️

yep.  we have another thread. ... see you all at smithville lake or St jo ... or wherever the path and beer carry us.

[MotoChuck250]

You may want to keep your location options open.  It would seem overcast/rain conditions would impair the viewing.  Would like to make a run for it but have made no plans yet.

Yeah, I have already thought about that.  Any point on the path of totality between Fairmont, Ne and St Joseph, Mo. would be about the same distance ride for me.  That means I have about 200 miles of path to choose from without extending my ride too much. 

Still having spent a lifetime on the plains of Kansas I know that cloudy August are somewhat rare and usually a welcome relief from the heat. 

[Guzzistajohn]

yep.  we have another thread. ... see you all at smithville lake or St jo ... or wherever the path and beer carry us.

Just a little run down 169. Hey John you know there's a place on smithville named paradise, mo. To camp in paradise would be some braggin' rights

[Triple Jim]

I haven't ruled out somewhere around the Deals Gap area.  I have a couple friends planning to be in WNC for the event.

[Guzzistajohn]

Yeah, I have already thought about that.  Any point on the path of totality between Fairmont, Ne and St Joseph, Mo. would be about the same distance ride for me.  That means I have about 200 miles of path to choose from without extending my ride too much. 

Still having spent a lifetime on the plains of Kansas I know that cloudy August are somewhat rare and usually a welcome relief from the heat.

You have to go. Clouds don't hang out long on the plains in August

I've ridden further for raisin pie😁

[fatbob]

I'm going to walk out my back door to see it. Casper, WY

[screamday]

Gonna be a direct hit here in Columbia, SC. But I might leave to avoid all the insanity. Of course, it's only for a couple of minutes so I may just go to the bar for a beer. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Idaho is so big and wide open ... do you really think that there will be fierce traffic anywhere on the way back?    On a dirt bike, you ought to be able to get out where you wouldn't see ANYone, and if you take a leisurely ride back, it's hard to imagine any significant traffic.   

I'm not thinking that I'm going to get caught in any traffic even in South Carolina .... ?

Lannis

A lot of traffic will mean something totally different between someone that lives in Idaho compared to someone that lives in LA.  But I agree, as nearly as I can tell, much of Idaho is uninhabited.

[Caffeineo]

Idaho is so big and wide open ... do you really think that there will be fierce traffic anywhere on the way back?    On a dirt bike, you ought to be able to get out where you wouldn't see ANYone, and if you take a leisurely ride back, it's hard to imagine any significant traffic.   

I'm not thinking that I'm going to get caught in any traffic even in South Carolina .... ?

Lannis

Lots of locals have the same idea. I avoid going dirt biking on the weekends to avoid the crowds. But, I have the option to go any day so I pick the days things will be less crowded. We do have a lot of wide open space here but only a couple of main roads to get there. My wife works at 1:30 and my real concern is the traffic on the main roads getting home. Maybe just covering all their bases but there was mention of the fire service concerned about wildfires started by a car parked off road in the weeds. Also as we are a smaller city, all the gas at stations being sold to tourist. Might just be overblown but the cities are trying to be prepared for the worst....

[Caffeineo]

A lot of traffic will mean something totally different between someone that lives in Idaho compared to someone that lives in LA.  But I agree, as nearly as I can tell, much of Idaho is uninhabited.

Absolutely. Since living in small town the past 10 years I have really gotten used to little to no traffic. Of course working from home keeps me out of all commute traffic. I really like going to the bank and post office and if there is a line it is only a couple of people. I can't stand the traffic when we head into the "big city" of Boise. Nothing like the traffic I was used to in southern California but much more than I am now used to. I know it is all relative or perspective but my tolerance for crowds and traffic has decreased as my age has increased. 

[Lannis]

We do have a lot of wide open space here but only a couple of main roads to get there. My wife works at 1:30 and my real concern is the traffic on the main roads getting home.

That could be a concern in areas with not many roads.

I'm just going to predict, however, that very few of us, except for those headed to "Eclipse Parties" in larger cities, are going to find any eclipse-related traffic tie-ups ..... I'm certainly not expecting any in Greenwood SC, even though it's near a major interstate and right in the middle of the track ...

BUT we will see!!

Lannis

[LowRyter]

Just a little run down 169. Hey John you know there's a place on smithville named paradise, mo. To camp in paradise would be some braggin' rights

we'll have to meet up somewhere in the area for a cold one.

[redhawk47]

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1lf1zQElZCKW8f0gTbY_b06wIfA4&hl=en_US&ll=39.243509402199116%2C-101.53097025&z=4

Google Maps Solar Eclipse Highway Traffic prediction.

[oldbike54]

Just a little run down 169. Hey John you know there's a place on smithville named paradise, mo. To camp in paradise would be some braggin' rights

 You boys cooking cheeseburgers ?

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

cheeseburgers or better.

whatever Bev plans out. 

[Caffeineo]

Yea it may be I am expecting the worst and it may not be too bad at all. The city and state are just planning for worst case scenarios.....wildf ire with a lot of people trying to escape. I still need to go and scout an area and get familiar with the roads.
 https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/idaho/ It does look like Idaho has the least number of expected tourist. But if a lot of people here go that will be enough to create "Idaho traffic" 

[MotoChuck250]

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1lf1zQElZCKW8f0gTbY_b06wIfA4&hl=en_US&ll=39.243509402199116%2C-101.53097025&z=4

Google Maps Solar Eclipse Highway Traffic prediction.

Great!!  My two prime locations are both low traffic areas.  Fairmont, Ne and Reserve, Ks.  I heard the other day that St Joseph is predicting as many as two hundred thousand people comming into town for the eclipse. That seems quite high but could possibly be right as they are close to Kansas City and are dead center in the path of totality.

[oldbike54]

Great!!  My two prime locations are both low traffic areas.  Fairmont, Ne and Reserve, Ks.  I heard the other day that St Joseph is predicting as many as two hundred thousand people comming into town for the eclipse. That seems quite high but could possibly be right as they are close to Kansas City and are dead center in the path of totality.

 Chuck , betting that Fairmont NE will be the less crowded of the two , Reserve is close to KC . If everyone within 200 miles of Fairmont shows up that will be like 5,000 folks 

 Dusty

[tazio]

Crossing right over the Cherohala Skyway 
Brang it!

[LowRyter]

Crossing right over the Cherohala Skyway 
Brang it!

wow.  I wouldn't swap my plans with family but as a rider this + Deal's Gap would be quite a deal. 

OTOH it might a total ass zoo!

[MotoChuck250]

Chuck , betting that Fairmont NE will be the less crowded of the two , Reserve is close to KC . If everyone within 200 miles of Fairmont shows up that will be like 5,000 folks 

 Dusty

Well, Reserve, Ks is a town of 84 people and does not appear to have any efforts being put forward to capitalize on the eclipse.  It's only claim to fame is that it is the location of the Sac and Fox tribal offices.  There are a number of other Ks. towns that are having organized celebrations closer to KC that hopefully will draw KC folks.   

The town of Troy, Ks is right between Reserve and KC and is having a large promoted celebration so they should draw off a lot of folks coming from the KC area.

[Moto]

I had a very good time at an earlier total eclipse, which leads to a suggestion for this one. Try to see it away from crowds, in a natural setting. In my earlier experience I was on a beach at the sea shore, and remember birds swooping low all around us, a breeze coming up due to the cooling in the shadow of the moon, and a mock-sunset extending 360 degrees around the horizon. All this was much more impressive than the actual occlusion of the sun's disk. If I'd been in a crowd I'd have missed most of what was memorable.

I'd particularly recommend seeing it on a shore, but won't be able to do better than a riverbank this time.

If you need hotel reservations it's getting pretty late to fine them, I found.

[LowRyter]

Moto,  the occlusion could be considerably more exciting this time than what you observed since the moon will be at optimal distance to view the sun's corona. 

I can remember a partial eclipse in the mid 1990s that covered perhaps half the sun and I could feel a definite cooling due to the shade.