Need advise on riding the east coast

[chuck peterson]

Only 21 days? Oh, intestate then

[Texas Turnip]

Only 21 days? Oh, intestate then

 Sorry, Chuck. It is easy to do riding lots of secondary roads.
Ror example I diid a saddlesore 1000 in January in Texas and never used the freeway. The roads west of the Mighty Miss are nothing like Boston.

You know Randy Tefft. We are sitting here drinking coffee a number of years ago and he sez in 500 miles I'll have 100K on the Quota.. I sez, "let's go," "REALLY" no one from New England would say that. We left here a little after 8 AM and put on 500 miles by 6 PM and never hit the freeway.

Tex

Tex

[Tim Henry]

A1a from Daytona up to Fernandina is not bad get to see the ocean some of the way then take us 17 to savanna. I live 20 miles north of st augustine off a1a I can maybe arrange my schedule to run part of that section if you choose okeefenokee swamp  isn't too far west of Fernandina

[guzzitime]

If at all possible, a visit to Gettysburg should be included. Especially since it is in Amish territory; that means good food.

[Lannis]

I think that most of the responders are missing is that the Four Corners Tour is a timed event - 21 days or less to complete it. 

I forgot about that ... mainly because a timed long-distance event like the IBR or Four Corners would be (TO ME) a nightmarish abuse of what should be a pleasurable activity, like a double Marathon or one of those things from the 20's where couples would dance until their feet bled and they collapsed, or trying to eat 50 hot dogs in 5 minutes and then spend the rest of the day getting your stomach pumped.  Running or dancing or eating should be a pleasure, not the Bataan Death March, wondering when it will be over.

(ME) I just can't relate using my bike to burn up tires and look at the whole country as one interstate with white lines flashing by and gas stations to run in and out of, when there's so much to see and people to meet and things to do! 

So hopefully it won't be that bad, and there will be time to smell a few roses, and not much of sitting in traffic looking at the clock and recalculating how hard you'll have to go to make the next checkpoint on time!

Lannis 

[JohninVT]

Harpers Ferry
North in central pa
North into the Adirondacks
Back south east a bit to western mass
Angle N through VT, especially rt 100, 108
Exit Vt via the NorthEast kingdom at the Canadian border
Hustle the four Ct lakes in most Northern NH
South to Mt Washington, White Mts
East to Rangely ME, where the best view is the grocery store and moose will eat you
Southeast to the Maine Coast, forget the crowded parking lot that is Acadia
Go to the Deer Isle peninsula and Stonington ME instead
Day trip to the Canada border on rt1
Rent the lighthouse in Isle Au Haut
Eat lobster
Reverse course to come home!

Here's is general map if I had time energy money. Yes there are shorter faster quicker, but New England ain't fast...you get into the woods of west mass and vt, 250 miles on those little roads will wear you out

http://bit.ly/2GFvKsj

One really awesome day ride I would pick if I had one choice?

See Motorcycle Journeys through New England...in the Vermont section the author puts you through five gaps in the high hills, turns you around and does the whole thing in the other direction...a stunning day

The five gap ride in VT is one of the best rides in all of New England from a technical perspective.  It was originally a popular cyclocross Route because one of the gaps was unpaved(Lincoln?  I can’t remember).  You want to avoid it on a weekend in June because the Appalachian Gap is flooded with squids.  Same with the Kancamangus.  Avoid it on weekends because it’s Wall to Wall RV’s going 25mph.  The ride East from the NEK to Rangely is gorgeous.  Even better is the ride past Lake Mooselookmaguntic. 

[webmost]

I forgot about that ... mainly because a timed long-distance event like the IBR or Four Corners would be (TO ME) a nightmarish abuse of what should be a pleasurable activity, like a double Marathon or one of those things from the 20's where couples would dance until their feet bled and they collapsed, or trying to eat 50 hot dogs in 5 minutes and then spend the rest of the day getting your stomach pumped.  Running or dancing or eating should be a pleasure, not the Bataan Death March, wondering when it will be over.

(ME) I just can't relate using my bike to burn up tires and look at the whole country as one interstate with white lines flashing by and gas stations to run in and out of, when there's so much to see and people to meet and things to do! 

So hopefully it won't be that bad, and there will be time to smell a few roses, and not much of sitting in traffic looking at the clock and recalculating how hard you'll have to go to make the next checkpoint on time!

Lannis

Aptly put.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If at all possible, a visit to Gettysburg should be included. Especially since it is in Amish territory; that means good food.

Gettysburg, the battlefield yes. Gettysburg the town - I avoid it if at all possible. The only reason I will venture in is to go to the Lincoln Diner. Amish territory is really about 50 miles east - Lancaster area.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

An earlier post indicated that it runs from Tennessee to Virginia.   Actually it doesn't - it starts in Asheville NC Cherokee, NC/Great Smoky Mountains National Park and runs to Afton, VA, where the Skyline Drive starts and runs to Front Royal, VA.   

[Lannis]

If you do have some wiggle room on time, the one "don't miss" route I'd suggest is taking the Blue Ridge Parkway for a half-day or so - it parallels I-81 closely for most of it's route and is an easy on - easy off alternative to the super-slab.  Do that on a non-holiday weekday, because it gets congested on weekends and invariably if you're in a hurry you will get behind someone who just pokes along & won't pull over to let you pass.  Be aware that although there usually isn't a high police presence, when they are around they generally are pretty anal about the speed limits - the Parkway limit is 40 or 45 in most spots, and although a bike can easily cruise safely and comfortably at 60 most of the time it could get expensive if you're stopped.

A couple of specifics there ...

1) Speed limit on the entire Parkway is 45 (Smokeys to Afton), and 35 on the entire Skyline Drive (Afton to Front Royal).

2) The entire route is a National Park and thus subject to Park Police jurisdiction, not state or local rules.   The Park Police have determined that the BRP/SLD will NOT become a track-bike destination like the various Dragon tails and backs and serpents of various kinds, and at intervals they will "get the message" to people who don't seem to have understood.   Even if you're just "easing over" the limit at the time, you could get caught at 52 in a 45; OR you might do the whole thing at 58 or 60 and nobody says nothing.

And the ticket is a Federal one.   No sending the summons into the courthouse with a check for the fine.   46 in a 45 is a $500 fine, and you have to show up in person at the Federal courthouse in Asheville, NC to pay it ... 

So take your time!

Lannis

[Lannis]

Well, sort of like Gettysburg the town vs. Gettysburg the battlefield;  Asheville's pretty close.   To be exact on the other end, Afton is just the nearest town to the upper end of the BRP too ... it's actually Rockfish Gap where the transition goes ....

Lannis

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Well, sort of like Gettysburg the town vs. Gettysburg the battlefield;  Asheville's pretty close.   

Your definition of "close" must be different than mine.  Asheville is 50 miles from Cherokee, Gettysburg National Military Park surrounds the town of Gettysburg.

[Testarossa]

I-95 thru NYC is doable late at night or mid-day on weekends, but if you can't time it that way I'd strongly suggest bypassing NYC and Boston as follows:

From Wilmington DE leave I-95 for I-295, cross the Delaware River and take the NJ Turnpike.
At Exit 11 get on the Garden State Parkway N
I-287 across the Hudson
Connecticut Route 15 -- high speed limited-access and no trucks (Hutchinson, Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways)
I-91
I-84
I-90 and I-290
I-495 around Boston
Rejoin I-95

[Lannis]

Your definition of "close" must be different than mine. 

Dang I hope so.   Otherwise there's going to be an almighty rattling coming out from the crank bearings and pistons of the V700 that's coming out of your shop to mine one of these days .... !!! 

Lannis

[egschade]

I forgot about that ... mainly because a timed long-distance event like the IBR or Four Corners would be (TO ME) a nightmarish abuse of what should be a pleasurable activity, like a double Marathon or one of those things from the 20's where couples would dance until their feet bled and they collapsed, or trying to eat 50 hot dogs in 5 minutes and then spend the rest of the day getting your stomach pumped.  Running or dancing or eating should be a pleasure, not the Bataan Death March, wondering when it will be over.

(ME) I just can't relate using my bike to burn up tires and look at the whole country as one interstate with white lines flashing by and gas stations to run in and out of, when there's so much to see and people to meet and things to do! 

So hopefully it won't be that bad, and there will be time to smell a few roses, and not much of sitting in traffic looking at the clock and recalculating how hard you'll have to go to make the next checkpoint on time!

Lannis

I also graduated from your school of thought. While I appreciate the planning, endurance and commitment of those doing timed long-distance events I can't ever see myself doing one. For me it's about the journey, not the destination. 

[sidecarnutz]

If you ride Rt. 301 to avoid I 95, be prepared for economic devastation. There is enough distance between towns that you may run out of gas! MANY out of business and abandoned motels and truck stops along the way. I drove up from central Florida to Va. on 301 back in January. I usually take Rt. 17. (I am an anti interstate kinda guy) There were a couple times I slowed the van down to 45 mph in 55 zones to conserve gas not knowing if the next town would have a station open! Often, the few stations that were open were really sketchy looking places with high prices. They could have high prices knowing they were the only deal in town. Along parts of 301 in Ga. you can look to one side and see the old sections of 301 that were built on timber pilings to keep the road bed up out of the swamp. Interesting from an engineering and archeology standpoint on road history.
Couple things I noted.
You often won't see signs telling you that you've entered a new county in Ga. But you will see an abandoned Pit-bull at all the county lines. At least I did. A bright spot on 301 is Smithfield NC! A nice place to stop and try their signature Bar b que!

[groundhog105]

Good advise here guys. Especially the routes around DC.  Once we complete the ride we will be visiting historic sites including Gettysburg.   I am going to be looking for a shop to replace the rear tire on the Cal 1400 somewhere around Maine after the last checkpoint.   The only one I have seen is Seacoast sport cycle in Derry NH.  Does anyone know of a place close to Boston?  We will be staying in Boston for a couple days. 

[jumpmaster]

I also graduated from your school of thought. While I appreciate the planning, endurance and commitment of those doing timed long-distance events I can't ever see myself doing one. For me it's about the journey, not the destination.

While I agree with Lannis' and your perspectives, and I usually try to make it "the journey, not the destination," I also do some timed or semi-timed longer rides because for me, and many others, the journey to a specific point in a specific time period itself can be the destination - testing one's stamina, endurance and perseverance can be a legitimate destination in its own right.

[jumpmaster]

Good advise here guys. Especially the routes around DC.  Once we complete the ride we will be visiting historic sites including Gettysburg.   I am going to be looking for a shop to replace the rear tire on the Cal 1400 somewhere around Maine after the last checkpoint.   The only one I have seen is Seacoast sport cycle in Derry NH.  Does anyone know of a place close to Boston?  We will be staying in Boston for a couple days.

There's a Harley dealership just a mile (or less) from the picture-point for the Four Corners Tour in Maine (at least it was there 4 years ago).  I called them before my buddy & I rode up there to get some local info, & they were VERY friendly and accommodating - the whole town is apparently pretty Four Corners friendly.  I'd be willing to bet that if you asked,  they would arrange to have the proper sized tires for whatever you are riding waiting for you to come by & get them installed.  If you're not on a Harley, it might cost a bit to have the right size tires shipped to them, but I'd be surprised if they were reluctant to do that for you.

[JohninVT]

Good advise here guys. Especially the routes around DC.  Once we complete the ride we will be visiting historic sites including Gettysburg.   I am going to be looking for a shop to replace the rear tire on the Cal 1400 somewhere around Maine after the last checkpoint.   The only one I have seen is Seacoast sport cycle in Derry NH.  Does anyone know of a place close to Boston?  We will be staying in Boston for a couple days.

Seacoast is good.  They sell a TON of Ducati's but they've been a Guzzi/Aprilia dealer for a long time and have good service.  You should definitely call ahead a couple weeks out to schedule the tire change as they're the most popular shop in NH for the track junkies that ride at NH Speedway and they'll be out straight with service in June. 

[egschade]

Good advise here guys. Especially the routes around DC.  Once we complete the ride we will be visiting historic sites including Gettysburg.   I am going to be looking for a shop to replace the rear tire on the Cal 1400 somewhere around Maine after the last checkpoint.   The only one I have seen is Seacoast sport cycle in Derry NH.  Does anyone know of a place close to Boston?  We will be staying in Boston for a couple days.

Go with Jumpmaster's advice and call ahead to that Harley dealer. Another option is to find a BMW shop as they're familiar with shaft-drive bikes. Have had my MGs serviced at BMW places a couple times with good outcomes but again, I'd call ahead.

[screamday]

I'd like to make a correction or two to the thread regarding the Blue Ridge Parkway.

An earlier post indicated that it runs from Tennessee to Virginia.   Actually it doesn't - it starts in Asheville NC and runs to Afton, VA, where the Skyline Drive starts and runs to Front Royal, VA.   There are other nice mountain roads in Tennessee but they don't connect with the Parkway.

Lannis

Your right about not starting in TN, I was thinking it started just outside Gatlinburg TN, when it actually starts just outside Cherokee, NC.

[jumpmaster]

Go with Jumpmaster's advice and call ahead to that Harley dealer. Another option is to find a BMW shop as they're familiar with shaft-drive bikes. Have had my MGs serviced at BMW places a couple times with good outcomes but again, I'd call ahead.

 

[Thunderbutt]

There is a Harley Dealer in Portland, Maine.  We stopped in last May on our ride to Nova Scotia.
If I recall it was "Big Moose H/D.  Folks were very nice to us Florida boys.

[Lannis]

Seacoast is good.  They sell a TON of Ducati's but they've been a Guzzi/Aprilia dealer for a long time and have good service.  You should definitely call ahead a couple weeks out to schedule the tire change as they're the most popular shop in NH for the track junkies that ride at NH Speedway and they'll be out straight with service in June.

The only thing I know about Seacoast is that when we had the MGNOC National in New Hampshire a couple years ago, Seacoast brought a bunch of demonstrator bikes there, and let us all ride them, which is where I learned what a nice motorcycle the V7-II is.

They're bound to be good guys when they support us like that; I'd deal with them just on that basis!

Lannis

[wheaties]

Good advise here guys. Especially the routes around DC.  Once we complete the ride we will be visiting historic sites including Gettysburg.   I am going to be looking for a shop to replace the rear tire on the Cal 1400 somewhere around Maine after the last checkpoint.   The only one I have seen is Seacoast sport cycle in Derry NH.  Does anyone know of a place close to Boston?  We will be staying in Boston for a couple days.

Hamlin Cycles is just South of Danbury CT.  If you're on I-84, it's not much of a detour.