Thoughts on my first road trip

[TaylorMcStrat]

I finally had time to take the TG out for its first long-distance foray. I rode 300-hundred miles from NC to northern VA. Starting mileage on the TG was just under 500. Instead of the quickest route via I-85 and I-95, I planned a route through central VA that avoided Richmond and the rolling nightmare that is I-95.

Here are some random scribbles in no specific order and without any real purpose. Just my thoughts:

- the few times I was thrown onto the interstate or other high-speed highway for a twelve mile stretch were uncomfortable and definitely not fun. Too much noisy traffic, huge trucks flying by like the driver thought he had a Ferrari. It feels different on the trike than in a car.

- when I got out on the state routes, the speed limit was normally 55 mph between towns. This is what riding is all about. I caught myself with a big grin as I barreled along at 60 mph seeing the tobacco crops, lakes, old farms, etc. I would then drive through small towns with a 25 mph speed limit and enjoy seeing the Victorian-era buildings.

- When I was on the state routes, listening to XM Channel 70 (Bluesville) was awesome.

The H-K radio feature of turning up the volume as I gained speed worked very well. On the freeways - not so much. Turned off the radio or turned it way down. With all the traffic, certain radio sounds like guitar riffs and drum beats sounded like the trike having "issues".

- got nervous about gas twice. I am learning that when the needle is just above empty, she needs about 4 gallons to fill her up. I must have at least 1.5 gallons in reserve - I hope.

- I stopped at a roadside roach coach (mobile kitchen) for lunch in some tiny town off the beaten track. Enjoyed my chicken sandwich and fries sitting outside. I sat staring at the trike.

- I passed a guy riding a Gold Wing trike. He gave me a huge wave, and a 300-watt grin.

- this trip usually takes me 4.5 hours (ideally) when using the interstates when traffic is not an issue (rare). This trip took just over 6.5 hours.

I'll give up the two hours to take this route next time. So much easier.

- I am planning to go farther west to the Blue Ridge Mountains (Skyline Drive) for the ride home. I'll be well past my 1000-miles for my first service, but I think I'll be fine.

- It was a hot day but heat was not an issue from the engine. I had a couple times I needed to wait for lights or road repair crews. Love my Perfect Storm kit.

- I need a damn jacket of some kind. Still haven't found one I like. I wore two t-shirts, and was cool in the morning, and felt a bit exposed all day. I had something hit my knee and splash my arm with wet bug guts. Ugh.

- Had several people smile, wave, or give me a thumbs up. A middle-aged woman working a gas station where I stopped said she wants one.

She said her husband had an EG, and she had a Dyna Low-rider.

- I love my TG.

- one last thing: I know of a local cigar shop near my destination, and they have motorcycle parking out front. I parked the trike there, got a stogie, and sat on a bench across the street enjoying the warm afternoon with my cigar. Three teenagers walked past the trike, and one says, "Those things look so gay, I wonder if they're fast, at least." The female in the group said, "Nah - they're just too damn heavy." I got a chuckle out of that. At least the chick had a clue.

No offense meant to any of our gay trikers - simply the kid's use of the term "gay" I assumed.....

[jimmy]

glad you had a nice ride. i like you avoid the interstates whenever i can. the secondary roads are the best part of ridding.

[Ironhorsepilot]

Taylor, what route did you take to Reston that had light traffic and few trucks?

The trucks find the back roads around here!!! Nothing worse then getting behind one of those suckers on a two lane highway.

[Boom]

Rt. 15 is a great ride from Durham area all the way to N. Va. Less traffic/less stress.

[TaylorMcStrat]

Rt. 15 is a great ride from Durham area all the way to N. Va. Less traffic/less stress.

That was my route!

[msocko3]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>TaylorMcStrat</strong>
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<div class="message">- the few times I was thrown onto the interstate or other high-speed highway for a twelve mile stretch were uncomfortable and definitely not fun. Too much noisy traffic, huge trucks flying by like the driver thought he had a Ferrari. It feels different on the trike than in a car.</div>

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</div>Spend enough time running the freeway and you'll get used to it. Its amazing the junk you can get hit with while riding. Right now I'm on a trip with the wife to Nashville, on the way here I had some big bug hit my left foot and explode. The bug hit hard enough it made my foot move and shot guts up onto my face and helmet. While on a trip with the wife in 07 I watched a golf ball sized rock drop off a dump truck and strike my left knee, I was going 60 mph at the time, the sucker swelled up like a grapefruit. In 08 while out west with my dad and some friends, one of the tour pak latches broke on my dads bike and part of the metal bounced off the road and hit me below the left eye leaving a small cut.

[Papa Zook]

M3=Mr Missile Magnet

[Ironhorsepilot]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Boom</strong>
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<div class="message">Rt. 15 is a great ride from Durham area all the way to N. Va. Less traffic/less stress.</div>

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</div>I found 15 between Warrenton and 66 to be a bottle neck. Beautiful ride, though.<br />
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Have they finally changed it to a four lane from Warrenton? Haven't traveled it in a couple of years.

[Boom]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Ironhorsepilot</strong>
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<div class="message">I found 15 between Warrenton and 66 to be a bottle neck. Beautiful ride, though.<br />
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Have they finally changed it to a four lane from Warrenton? Haven't traveled it in a couple of years.</div>

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</div>My memory is foggy at best, lol, and I just took that ride this past July! I'm going to say 'yes'. Taylor may be able to verify this.

[TaylorMcStrat]

I believe it is. I tend to just follow my Garmin, and don't pay much attention to the bigger picture of where I am. There was lots of four-lane travel once I got north of Orange.

[rmrc51]

I also agree about RT 15 in VA. Relaxing ride and for the most part, nice scenery.

I usually stay local as I've never become comfortable riding the Interstates along with the higher speeds. Not for me!

[msocko3]

M3=Mr Missile Magnet

There are days I feel like that, I'm wondering if it has anything to do with my wife being with me. The last trip both of us took together at the end of July I was hammered by some nasty bug which smacked my mic and splattered all over my face, some made it into my mouth and it wasn't tasty.

[Bikerbozo]

I've taken Rt. 15 in VA from DC on down to get to a customer. Nice route.
And, hey, Msocko3. I had a bat (flying, not baseball) hit me in the leg once. It bounced off and I found the body wrapped around my fuel line.

[wonderment]

I was worried about driving on the interstate, but after I did it (helmet on) it wasn't too bad. Better than I thought. It actually seemed "safer" to me, because you can see all around very well, and my car has a number of problematic blind spots.

[Nana]

I actually love riding the interstate --- if I have an important destination and time constraint. Yes the speeds are much higher, but I can see where everyone is, they are all pretty much staying at a similar speed to me, and there is no one running stop signs, pulling out of parking spaces without looking, or opening doors just as I pull up beside them! Besides I kinda enjoy the speed.... LOL!


Of course for pure riding pleasure there is nothing better than a quiet, winding country road!

[Ironhorsepilot]

I like the interstate except when it is extremely hot out. Also, don't care for interstate through the cities or cluster of cities, like where we live. Will need to do the dreaded one in a few weeks to get to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to get to the Eastern Shore. I am dreading it! Crazy people around here and crazy engineering.

[eagle1]

if you get wind buffeting, use a face shield. that helps a-lot. enjoy and ride-on

[wonderment]

I enjoyed reading your article. Our experiences are similar. We like to stop at Starbucks and stare at the trike. As noobs, we always learn something. "Oh, look! THERE's where the oil filter is!" LOL.

[TaylorMcStrat]

I like the interstate except when it is extremely hot out. Also, don't care for interstate through the cities or cluster of cities, like where we live. Will need to do the dreaded one in a few weeks to get to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to get to the Eastern Shore. I am dreading it! Crazy people around here and crazy engineering.

I hate to drive in/around/through Norfolk in a car. Whoever designed that system should be made into a speed bump, and left to feel the wheels of every car that passes over him/her. Dorks.

Just got back from the return trip. Note to self: the Garmin Road Tech 665 is NOT intuitive, and I likely need to spend more time learning it than the radio. I asked for a reverse trip, and it sent me down I-95. Had to veer off at Fredricksburg and head west to catch back up with Rt 15. Six and half hours going up, and seven hours coming home.

My butt = sore.

[Ironhorsepilot]

I have the Garmin Road Tech, also! You better know where you are going first, or at least have an idea. I always do the google maps first so I at least have an idea when that thing is taking me into parts unknown. Usually a downtown area.