Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Rides, Rallies, & Events CROOOOOOSSSSSS COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!! NJ TO LA

Hey everyone. Im about to take my journey from New Jersey to California. this is definitely a last minute post, as I am leaving on Saturday afternoon.
This is my route (give or take a few detours!):
NJ to Bedford, PA
Bedford PA to Stanton, Mo
Stanton, MO to Amarillo, TX
Amarillo, TX to Grand Canyon, AZ
and then on to Vegas,
and then on to Long Beach!!
San Diego! Santa BArbara! Maybe Big Sur!!

I am psyched.
I have packed only 1 spare pair of pants. A lot of room is taken by warm socks, and cold weather stuff. I have Tools, but only a limited amount. Are any of you guys near my route? I would love to meet up for a ride, provided its going my way (loosely)! I would also like to be able to call someone if I get in a jam. If anybody wants to meet up send me a message and I will give my phone# out. I am on a time constraint, I need to meet my Girlfriend in Las Vegas by Thursday afternoon. I may spend 2 days in AZ. THere's a place there Called Jerome that I have been told to go to. The ride down 89a is supposed to be fantastic.
- I will be camping all the way. I am watching Survivorman and trying to figure out how not to freeze to death in the Grand Canyon!
My friend told me to stay the ****** out of Amarillo. is it bad?
Hope to hear from you guys. And I hope I see you on the road!
ps I think I am going to go back the same route, but stop in different states.

Stanton MO is right down the highway (about an hour) from me. Are you going to Meramec Caverns? Thats where Jesse James hid out. I would meet up and ride with you, but I'm going to Disney World with the family next week. Maybe on the way back? Sounds like an awesome trip!

yes! I will be on this forum posting pics and stuff throughout. I will contact you on my way back!

where in NJ are you leaving from?

I will be leaving from Rockaway, and then Stanhope

eh, if you were a little more south I woulda rode out west a little ways with you.

Wow, that sounds great. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times.
Ride on!

Have a great time - lots to see. Sounds like you're pushing it a bit for timing though. Too bad you couldn't take another few days. The museum of westward expansion in st louis is worth a look while you're passing.

I've never heard anything bad about Amarillo in the summer except it is awful vacant out there. It can be really bad in the winter. Don't judge all of Texas geography by the pan handle. I would meet you but I'm 700 miles away in the middle of the state. Have a good safe trip.

I hope you have a Goldwing

Very cool!

Have a good and safe journey Tikiman!

I do not have a Gold wing.... why?

oh man you guys are makin me nervous. Last minute trip jitters. My bike is tip top. I should be good to ride a few 10 -12 hour days I hope.

Broken fixed I wish I wasnt on such a tight schedule. I would love to have some company!

Keep posted. When you get to Vegas there are a couple of us here. Depends on the day though.

We were just at Jerome during the Southwest Triumph Fest last Sunday. We seem to get there every year, and yes the ride down (or up for that matter) 89A is very cool, it can definitely test your skills. The road surface is a bit rough in spots though.

Watch the weather and the asshats, rest when you need to and drink plenty of water.

I have it on good authority that this is the stuff for monkey butt and prevention thereof.

Butt Paste

When ya get to SoCal look me up, dude!

(PM sent)

And yeah, like Bill said, the SWTF crew were just in Jerome. It's a cool little ex-mining and now artist colony town situated on the side of a mountain overlooking Arizona's Verde Valley with the red rock cliffs of Sedona in the distance, which actually you should be riding through before you hit Jerome if you're going to take AZ Hwy-89A off Interstate 40 at Flagstaff.

Yep! The High Country of Northern Arizona is often a surprise to many folks who only think of Arizona as a vast desert.

Ride safe and have fun! Slab estimate

ok now I get the Goldwing joke. That was tough! But fun. Im in Long Beach now recharging. probably be back on the road going east in a day or 2. I am EXHAUSTED! Not what I expected. Amazing countryside. I have a few pics, so I will post them when I get situated. Anyone wanting to take this trip as desperately a I did should heed these words :

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!!

- I pushed it too hard and I suffered for it. The trip was as rough as it was awesome. ROUGH I tell ya.
stop, smell the roses. dont ride too far at night. I was told all of this, but tucked it away in the "learn the hard way" section. I might even trailer it back half way if I can afford it. Im pretty weary right now, so I'll see how I feel after sleeping for like 20 hours.
Stay cool everybody.

told ya so.

Just remember... this too shall pass (all the pain and suffering). But you got a good story now so well worth it!

I did 7500mile long trip. Once u get on I40 somewhere in Oklahoma, i would think you will hit head winds so gas often, even to top off. Past Am. Tx. the bike will run much hotter. Take it slow and don't push the bike. air is hotter and thinner. Ride in the mornings and cooler times during the days. @ night 95 100 degrees may be the coolest. I live on the Oregon coast and my bike may be jetted close to yours depending on how close to the sea, mountains, & sea level. Not arid enviroment. Not 2 worry just don't expect to rip it up in west OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA.
Also bring clear packing tape. Protect your head light lens. waiting for a replacement is like waiting FOREVER! don't ask me to explain that one! Good luck!
ps I would take the northen route!