Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Road Trip Soon

I am about to have some time off soon. (quitting the insurance gig, opening a restaurant) I think will take a week or 10 days to do a trip. I live in South Eastern VA and would like to make it to Maine. I have family in Princeton NJ, Lititz PA, and Wesley MA. I want to hit all 3 places sometime on the trip. That said, I would appreciate any advice at all, as this will be my first long trip on the BA. It’s an 05 and has a little over 3,000 mi. on it. 1,500 of those are mine, done over the last 2 months. Is there anything special that I should to do the bike to prepare for a long trip? Any roads or places I should see on the way. I have absolutely no route in mind and no exact destination. My only requirements are that I need to see the above mentioned family, some cool sights, stay off the interstates as much as possible, and not spend much $$. (I plan on camping) Thanks in advance for any suggestions. PS: I should be leaving somewhere around the middle of July.

Oh yeah, I love good beer, so any local breweries would be a plus!

John,
Nice!
Give a holler if you'd like some ideas about MA scenic roads. Coastal Maine is stunning- how far noth are you hoping to get?

Make sure you have a seat that will be comfortable for several hours a day. If you haven't taken longer trips before now you will soon discover that the stock seat is only good for a few hours at best. There are several alternatives that range greatly in cost.

Acadia National Park maybe??

Acadia, absolutely.

Here's the first thing I learned driving my BSA around Europe in 1965 and camping. Don't pitch your tent at the bottom of a hill facing uphill. You will awaken in a shallow pool when it rains.

The upside was the cute girl I met at the laundramat while she tried to help me dry my sleeping bag.

plastic garbage bags take up little room, can be used for trash after camp setup, using new ones in the morn. Small inflatable mattress or pool floating mattress keeps you better rested. Take a length of cord or light rope, lower dead tree branches pulled down make great firewood if it's been raining, use for line to dry bedding and clothes + more. A good sheath knife. Soft sided cooler, use to store cooking supplies, ice and drink/food after camp set.
I'll think some more...done this lots. Have fun!

later, Tom.

Definitely avoid roads like the NJ Turnpike and other congested areas, especially during rush hours.

Make sure you bring a small can of chain wax, have a fresh oil change, and think about a sheepskin butt pad to keep you cool, dry & comfortable.

Have a great trip & ride safe!

I never knew that was there, and I practically grew up in Princeton!!

Erwin, wasn't that on our RAT Pack's list of places to ride, along with Yuengling?
I think there's a Victory brewery in PA someplace too.

John

If you are planning on camping and want to go a bit more "up market" than state or national parks (nothing wrong with them though) I would suggest joining the KOA and getting a value card.

Each site has to meet minimun standards for layout, cleanliness etc, and most have other facilities on site, whereas some state/national parks can be a bit basic to say the least!

Other than that, get a good map, stay off the slab and enjoy!

Shaun

Sounds great! Maine is beautiful. I've just been there once.

Thanks guys!

IF you want to do decent time in CT, 15 is a much better choice than I 95. It'll take you about half way thru the state before you hit lights. Then its smaller roads from there or the Interstate.

If you have the time, consider a Blue Ridge Parkway / Skyline Drive route. It's slow going, but very scenic. A little off route, but the back roads of Western Mass are beautiful too. Route 2 east of Adams, route 20, route 8 north of Winsted, and so on.

As far as the restaurant business goes, how about something easier, like dairy farming or working in a foundry? (Ha ha) Just kidding - best of luck to you. I recently left a job of 30 years, as enough was enough. I like that old saying about if you love what you're doing, it isn't work or a job.

Enjoy your trip and when you get back and open your Resturant let us know the name and town in HR . My In-laws live in Smithfield so I came down that way several times a year. Later Tim