Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events From Auburn, NH to Spanish Fort, AL

I'm posting it here to make it official. I've decided to plan a trip from Auburn, NH to Spanish Fort, AL and back in the early spring of 2013 to visit my Sister. It looks to be about 1500 miles each way so I'm guessing probably a three day trip one way. This will be the longest trip I've ever planned or ridden and I have the winter to get me and my bike ready. I may even be able to get my squid brother to join me . If anyone could chime in with tips or must do rides, I would be greatly appreciative.

Ed, I probably don't need to tell ya this, but seein' as how you'll be in Alabama, be sure to visit the Barber Motorsports Park right outside Birmingham.

http://barbermotorsports.com/park/

(...word is it has one of the best motorcycle museums in all the world)

Thanks for the reply, Dwight. Now that the bourbon has worn off since my declaration, I think that 3 days may be a little aggressive. Four is probably more realistic especially since I have a range of 140 miles at best on the Speedy. The museum looks pretty cool. I'll definitely check it out.

Ed, purchase a tire repair kit and some air cartridges. You can get a kit that has mushroom head shaped plugs.

First true road trek eh? Man my heart skips a beat for you! Wow! You are going to have the time of your life! Yes, three days at a minimum it will take for you to ride 1500 miles. Especially as hypothermia will bite you hard your first day or two. You'll need to have a bit of empty space in your saddle bags/sissy bar bag for the cold weather gear you'll be shedding as you arrive near the Crimson Tide.

Eat a hearty breakfast each day. Then eat a great big ole meal around 2 or 3pm. Why? Well roll into a town around 10pm and you'll know.

Yet, you won't be rolling into a hotel at 10pm if you are riding 500 miles a day. Heck you don't even have to get on the road till 9am or so and still you'll be off the bike almost before dark! That is if you roll the slabs. Roll back roads and 500 miles takes 12 hours. Look into routing on the slab as you drop out of the North. Then look for some side roads (US highways that parallel slabs) as you get into warmer climates. Treat yourself to a bit of Americana.

Heck, plan your trip to match the way our bodies kick our butt. Huh? Ride 600 miles the first day. The second day ride 550. Third day is now an easy ride day of 350 miles. Use it to ride rural twisty roads, see sights that you have researched, and kick back at a small town diner and enjoy life.

Carry: tools to remove the tank, a cell phone, that tire repair kit. (With the tank off you have access to the relays, coils and CDI is all.) Might want to carry the tools to change a spark plug as well as a plug too.

Keep us abreast of your pending ride!

North Georgia is a must.

Six Gap Website



Let us know when and there may be a few of us that will join you.

Also consider the Cherohala Skyway

Thanks for the advice, still planning. Need to do some much needed maintenance and then start buying additional gear. Now, I have to figure out a way to incorporate Colorado into the trip.

After looking through the Six Gap web site, I agree. Northern GA is going to be a part of this trip. Thanks!

You're certain to come right by me, maybe you should stop and visit...

Be very carefull of the mushroom head shaped plugs. We put 3 into a rear tire just to get the bike home. 2 of the heads sheared off in the tire. The 3rd held till we got home.

Sounds good to me Ed. I'd love to hear some roadie stories and I can talk about guitars for hours.

Spanish Fort, eh? I grew up in Pensacola and lived there about 30yrs total, I'll move back as soon as I find job there.
I've got no advice for the ride, but enjoy the bay and the gulf once you arrive. I'll be green with envy o'er here in Arizona!