It was a cool late summer morning, the temp was around 65 degrees. It was one of those morning where you peer out the window and see a heavy dew on the ground and cars in the driveways. You soak in the aroma of your first cup of coffee and wonder if the light mist will burn off soon.
As a biker you say the hell with it and get your ride and gear final checks and packed. A cool crisp morning is a great way to start a road trip, cleans out the head and gets the blood flowing. Being a Sunday morning I wasn't worried about traffic, here in the Atlanta area traffic can be horrendous and on a weekday it can be even worse. I double check everything, say goodbye to the wife (first road trip without her in a long time) and start the bike. I already have a full tank of gas and check the tire pressure so all that is left is to tape the directions to the tank and get going. Hint for those of you who are riding in unfamiliar areas and don't want/have a GPS mounted on your handlebars. Print a set of directions and tape them to your tank/console. Be brief so you don't spend a lot of time looking at them while riding.
I head out for the Interstate as most of my ride today is going to be Interstate travels heading north. Not much going on but still must keep an eye on those cages and trucks whom I am sharing the road with. I much rather watch them then expect them to watch me, matter of fact I try to ensure I don't ride right next to anyone for an extended period of time if I can help it.
This road trip had a purpose, to visit with family on the east coast. I took the opportunity to make it a bike road trip as I got off the Interstate when possible and road the smaller roads. All in all the eastern shore of DELMARVA is a cool place to check out. All kinds of little towns and roads to check out.
5 days later I was heading back down US-13 and saw all kinds of bikes out and about, asked a fellow biker at a gas station what the deal was. Turns out Ocean City, MD was having a bike fest, being only 30 miles off my path I had to go check it out. Bikes all over the place, riding the strip and parked along the roads with the riders just hanging out watching bikes go by. They had multiple large vendor areas setup, which I tend to stay out of. Not really interested in going to an event to shop, I will if I want to take a break or need something but this time no real interest. It was a little cool and overcast, but that doesn't usually dampen the spirit of a true biker.
After that it was back to the task at hand. All in all I spent 6 days on the road and traveled 1888 miles up/down the east coast and across the Carolinas. The only rain I encountered was on the last day, leaving VA and into NC, just kept it slow and cautious.
Preparation is a great tool for when you are taking a road trip. Not necessarily having a route planned or even motels reserved, but check your bike (tires, fluids, nuts, lights and so forth). If you have a specific route make sure you've reviewed it prior to starting. How long will you go in between stops? If you are smart and checked the weather then you'll know if you should put either the sun screen or rain gear on top of the packed items. If you have luggage on the outside of the bike double check it and make sure it is secure.
For me I find a good travel amount is 120-150 miles, as long as traffic is flowing easily. If traffic is heavy then you'll get less miles in a longer period of time. When you do stop, get gas, take a good 15 minute break. Stretch out your back and legs, get a drink or something to eat if you need it, don't get dehydrated.
When you do take your breaks talk to people, we have met some of the nicest people while taking a quick break. One ride we took, we had no plans, no route just took off. We ended up 700 miles away in 2.5 days. Talked with people, found out some interesting tidbits about the towns we stopped in. What is a person's favorite subject? Themselves and their lives.
On another trip here in the Atlanta area we were just riding around one day on the backroads east of town and ended up in Monticello, GA. While eating lunch in a quant little restaurant in the town square we found out that is where they filmed “My Cousin Vinny”. Almost the whole movie was filmed there, we never would have found out if we hadn't been just riding around the back roads of America with no particular destination, stopped for a break/meal and chatted with the restaurant server and owner.
It isn't just meeting the nicest people on a Honda, it is meeting the nicest people by getting off the rushed roads (Interstates) and stopping in the small towns of america.
Get out on the back roads, see the country, stop and talk to the people. Visit the little towns where most people are down to earth and life moves at a little slower pace. Disclaimer: Not all little towns or big cities fit this example, there are always exceptions.
The open road to most bikers is a form of therapy, the daily grind and regular stresses associated with life are swept away by the winds as one sails down a highway. Add in a good dose of vitamin D from the sunshine (which isn't available in a cage) and spirits are lifted.
Take it easy.
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