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Message started by Oldfeller on 10/07/17 at 21:48:40

Title: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/07/17 at 21:48:40

Several of our senior members are barreling down on retirement or have already left the work force for medical reasons.

We have popped off for years about this trip or that trip "needing to wait until we are retired" and we actually had the time to do them.

All we discovered in the intervening years is that constantly rising INSURANCE costs were keeping us from retiring and that our bodies were getting funkier and funkier and less able to do the classic long long motorcycle trip. Several of us have bought/custom built "distance rigs" for this very reason.

We have also seen older couples riding together at Kickstand, and we see the much more casual rate at which they ride. To them it is all about the journey, not the whacking of Hurleys and dipping of Crumpits and the plucking of Ducs.

==================================================

Proposed easy trips

These trips have no reason other than we've never been there/done that. These are the easy trips, ones that could fit in a lengthened weekend or stretched to a lazy week's worth.

TRIP #1 --- Run the Natchez Trace Parkway all the way from top to the bottom, stop by Stone Mountain Georgia and see the mountain side Confederate sculpture before it gets defaced, screw around in New Orleans or the gulf areas for a little bit then break up and head for home. 444+ miles one way supposedly and that doubled if we ride back up it again. Speed limit is 50 with some short sections lower because of animal life issues. Lazy rate is a day and a half down and a day and a half back == long weekend. It gets longer though due to travel time to get to MM's place, our logical start point.

TRIP #2 --- Run the Blue Ridge Parkway and whatever they call the various sections of the Virginia Skyline parkway all the way up to Washington area. Dave's steam museum is up at the top of this run and that would make for a nice turn around point. This trip is LONGER, about 650 miles one way and the speed limits range somewhat lower too. This smells more like a full week trip. Start point would be Kickstand Lodge for this one with people breaking off on the return trip as they go by the turn offs to go home.

LOTSA LITTLE TRIPS Simply ride to go see something or go to a major bike show. These come up all the time, and some of us go and some do not.

MEGA TRIPS Do these after at least one of the shorter trips above, breaking in the bikers and bikes to longer duty trips.

Start point would be MM's place, then heading out on secondary roads to Lancer's then going up to see Mount Rushmore and then going on over to see the giant Yellowstone caldera first hand, that huge beautiful scenic thing that will end us all eventually. Dodge buffalo and elk crossing the road, stuff like that. This would be a 2-3 week trip if done on bikes at a secondary road pace.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by LANCER on 10/08/17 at 05:16:57

Interested.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by pg on 10/08/17 at 05:32:44

If you are interested in the Trace it always takes a lot longer than expected going 50 mph. Also, the LEOs are relentless and speeding is not recommended. I would recommended fitting it a portion of it to supplement a trip.

Best regards,

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/17 at 09:02:54

What I have been expecting is non-bashful folks here on the list to chip in with "HECK, THIS IS A MUCH BETTER TRIP THAN THAT BORING THING".

One medley trip I can think of is BEST OF THE BEST, to simply go from ONE best camping ground, best riding area to the next.

This would be start out in Georgia, run up to Kickstand, run over to Blue Ridge Campground (doing all the favorite riding roads in the area as we will stay a few days each.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Dave on 10/08/17 at 13:16:37

I really don't see any mega-trip in my immediate future. I do however see the ability to take long weekends more often, and the ability to do it with very little advanced warning. The trips where I leave on Wednesday night and ride all day Thur/Fri/Sat & a bit of Sunday will likely happen once a month if I can make it work.

I do want to drag the gang down to Suches, GA for a couple of days, we could begin at the Kick Stand Lodge, then go down to the Two Wheels of Suches and spend a night there and do some riding and Stewmills could meet us there - as he is only a few hours away. They have great meals on Friday and Saturday night, good breakfast on the weekends.

Stewmills and I rode the Natchez Trace this summer and it was very pretty and it appeared to have a lot of primitive camping areas along the way that were dedicated to bicycle riders - we might be able to push the motorcycles out of sight and get away with it......or just go to the dedicated campgrounds/hotels/cabins. The ride was very relaxing and pretty - it was not "technical" and riders of any skill level could do the trip easily.

I really don't see any Black Hills or Texas trip in my 2018 - but you never know for sure what the future holds.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by MMRanch on 10/08/17 at 13:48:48

I'm not much of a trip planner , but I sure like to Ride ! You know the Trace runs from Nashville to Natchez .
From my house Nashville is about 70-75 miles . So if "we" need to use my place as a Staging place , lets do it ! :)

There are three FREE Campground along the trace , I've seen two of them (middle+southern) and they are nice , clean , and friendly .

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/17 at 14:34:59

Natchez trace trip has one good potential, and that is for being first trip of the year because you are riding dead south at a very low altitude you will find that the weather will tend to get warmer as you go.

Doable weather starting in Lynchburg Tenn. starts in the month of MAY, with barely tolerable lower 70's for a high and 50's for the low night temps on first week of May getting up to the 80's / 60's by the end of the month. Early spring rains cropping up without warning is a thing with early spring, so LATER IN MAY would likely be somewhat more stable weather wise.

===================================================

A trip running straight up north running up on the very tops of the Blue Ridge mountains on the Parkway needs to key off of it being warm enough way way up on the North end of things to make it pleasant once you get there.

Having gone and looked, later on in the month of JUNE is the very earliest you would want to be riding up in Fort Royal Virginia area or higher. You would start out balmy in NC and roll back 2 months temp wise as you rolled on up further North.

Later in June would be relatively better than earlier.

MM, have you started a ride calendar for 2018 yet?

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by MMRanch on 10/08/17 at 14:58:46

Not yet :-/

be back in a few hours ...

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by pg on 10/08/17 at 15:00:26

Here are some pics from the Trace.

http://i65.tinypic.com/2vt14rd.jpg

http://i64.tinypic.com/ix4kde.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/2rd7ply.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/2uruxe8.jpg

http://i64.tinypic.com/2hs56w7.jpg

Best regards,

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/17 at 15:12:43

Yep, youse guys all need to go get you a freebie drugstore or realtor or insurance person calendar and use it to plot your rides month on month. They are free for the asking right now.

Dave wants to do lots of little trips (which is fine) but the longer ones need to be fitted in earlier and have camping spots laid in and known ahead of time.

Mine is a Norman Rockwell calendar from Cape Fear Discount Drugs. Purty. Traditional. Nice.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/17 at 18:48:04

Lancer, you said "Interested", but interested in which ones?

If it was starting out at your house and going to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills then continuing on to Yellowstone Cauldera to meet up with the buffalo and the elk then maybe swinging down south a bit to do somewhere else interesting (or 3 or 4 interesting things) before going home to your house -- then PM me your phone number so we can talk. We are the creaky ones, so we gotta plan to support each other's needs.

You see, this trip might pick up some more people on the way and mate up with Verslagen et al around wherever we actually camp at night.

You see, I have never ever gone "blubber bobbling" with the ladies in the Great Salt Lake nor have I ever been to Denver or gone deep into Mormon country. I also got me a bit of an itch to ride my bike up Pike's Peak while we are in the neighborhood. And I am sure there are LOTS of other things we might wanna look at or go do, but we need somebody local in the area to point them out to us.

Bucket Lists are real, and now is the time to tick us off some list items ....

Lancer, one thing right off the bat, when does it start to get miserable hot during the day in your neck of the woods? We should go well before then, don't you think?

Use the free camping tool to click on wherever you plan to stop at and you will see free places and cheap places to stay pop up like mushrooms all around it .... neat ain't it?

https://freecampsites.net

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by MMRanch on 10/08/17 at 19:18:31

I also got me a bit of an itch to ride my bike up Pike's Peak

Me too ! ;)

Seems like we would have a few members in the area don't it ... ::)

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/08/17 at 19:39:10

Mike, just use the camping tool .... https://freecampsites.net/

We can get free stays just about anywhere, but what we really need the local Savager for is spotting all the neatest local things to do in the areas.

Lancer is gonna tell us when it starts to get hot and we are gonna go well before then, right?

Dave isn't going (unless he changes his mind) and it is you and me for right now, so the planning is kinda easy. We get the "hot" word from Lancer, we aim about a month earlier and I show up at your house the day before we leave, or perhaps a little earlier so I can recover better from the trip to your house.

Once we get to Lancer's we rest for a day, then we roll on, catering to a pace that is comfy for old men to do (includes me of course, so I can use that term loosely) and we try to stay for free or for cheap everywhere we go.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by zipidachimp on 10/08/17 at 21:05:57

Calgary to Banff, Yoho, Glacier to Whistler via Hwy 1/99. Staggeringly beautiful. Hwy 99 Cache Creek to Whistler will have you wetting yourself from the challenge! 8-)
(Most of it is on u-tube)
(snow tires required Oct1 to May1 !!!)

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/08/17 at 22:03:07

The idea of
Retirement Trips
Is a
Theoretically good post.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/09/17 at 01:04:06

6D7E677E7376747F7E7A67170 wrote:

OK, what part of our extended trip are these jewels found within? And since they are so very very highly recommended, would you like to go do it with us as a repeat visit?

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by mpescatori on 10/09/17 at 02:40:06

My two cents...

1) In the US, I would want to do THIS ride:

https://www.google.it/maps/dir/Great+Falls,+Montana,+Stati+Uniti/Fairbanks,+Alaska,+Stati+Uniti/Deadhorse,+Prudhoe+Bay,+Alaska,+Stati+Uniti/@57.6292585,-148.7277531,4z/am=t/data=!4m21!4m20!1m5!1m1!1s0x5342378d658cb83b:0xd6de56b18e5945a8!2m2!1d-111.2833449!2d47.4941836!1m5!1m1!1s0x5132454f67fd65a9:0xb3d805e009fef73a!2m2!1d-147.7163888!2d64.8377778!1m5!1m1!1s0x512077009926947f:0x1d228d1ae7281c59!2m2!1d-148.4597191!2d70.2001996!3e0!4e1

2800 miles from Great Falls, Montana, and just as many back to Great Falls.

OR...
...if you like it "easy peasy"...

2) In EUROPE (which, to you guys, is only an overnight flight away from home):

https://www.google.it/maps/dir/Amsterdam,+Paesi+Bassi/Copenaghen,+Danimarca/Oslo,+Norvegia/Trondheim,+Norvegia/Mo+i+Rana,+Norvegia/Narvik,+Norvegia/Nordkapp,+Norvegia/@60.5204236,-2.2057465,4z/am=t/data=!4m45!4m44!1m5!1m1!1s0x47c63fb5949a7755:0x6600fd4cb7c0af8d!2m2!1d4.8951679!2d52.3702157!1m5!1m1!1s0x4652533c5c803d23:0x4dd7edde69467b8!2m2!1d12.5683372!2d55.6760968!1m5!1m1!1s0x46416e61f267f039:0x7e92605fd3231e9a!2m2!1d10.7522454!2d59.9138688!1m5!1m1!1s0x466d319747037e53:0xbf7c8288f3cf3d4!2m2!1d10.3950528!2d63.4305149!1m5!1m1!1s0x4675c1be4c1df7a9:0xf0c8f537397d4821!2m2!1d14.141975!2d66.3137122!1m5!1m1!1s0x45db9587c5e41fff:0x7c38e735ee9ff68d!2m2!1d17.4272613!2d68.4384984!1m5!1m1!1s0x45c9ac1de7e8bee7:0xef6625f3cd0ce069!2m2!1d25.7831639!2d71.169493!3e0!4e1

2200 miles from Amsterdam (which is perhaps your best bet as N.Europe airline hub; Amsterdam or Frankfurt but I really do recommend Amsterdam)

Rent a car and live the life ! (No you can't rent a motorcycle unless you find a willing Harley or BMW dealer)

8-)

BUT THEN... why miss out on these beauties ?

http://www.mondointasca.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Paesaggio-Toscana-con-Agriturismo.jpg
http://https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRoB-UBU9L1jBAnP27oYQT9mYvspfc8-x3S1lUCecQ8Vsc9uKBxhttp://blog.filippogalluzzi.it/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/monteriggioni-panorama.jpg
http://www.ilcomuneinforma.it/viaggi/wp-content/uploads/lucca.jpg
http://www.dianahotel.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/vacanze-al-lago-di-Misurina.jpg
http://zumhirschen.com/images/cms/1394726055.jpg

Afterall... it's the trip of a lifetime, right ? :)

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by LANCER on 10/09/17 at 02:58:05

Nice houses, how many bedrooms ? [ch128513][ch128513][ch128513]

I would like to come some day.
Hope so.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by pg on 10/09/17 at 07:51:19

If you're serious about that kind of trip this is the forum for you.

http://advrider.com/index.php?forums/ride-reports-epic-rides.99/

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/motorcycle-photography-post-your-best.30379/page-396#post-33392218

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/bikes-n-mountains.686801/page-137

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/lets-see-a-picture-of-your-camping-setup-and-how-it-all-fits-on-your-bike-please.237723/

Best regards,

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by springman on 10/09/17 at 14:13:09

Pikes Peak, huh? That has actually crossed my mind a few times. I think I could be persuaded to make that trip.

Natchez Trace sounds cool also. If y'all did that I would probably try to ride up and meet you half way and then ride back into Nawlins witcha.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/09/17 at 14:40:22

Good, Springman you can play the local guide guy for the group on the Natchez Trace New Orleans portion.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by pg on 10/09/17 at 18:52:50

It appears everyone is interested in the Trace. I have gone through some it and I'll pass on the little bit I am familiar with. Jeff Busby Park is roughly in the middle of the Trace and looked nice enough. It had camping; although, I'm not sure what kind of facilities. As you travel south there is a little place called French Camp. It has a nice restaurant with real home cooking. It would be a good place to get a lunch, stretch, and look at a map. When you get to Jackson you'll go through Ridgeland. You'll know your getting close when you see the reservoir on the left. IIRC Natchez is roughly 100 miles south. Downtown Natchez is genteel; however, there is a lot of ghetto that is not far away. I've been to New Orleans once and I wasn't impressed. Don't go out by yourself after dark even in the decent areas.

Best regards,

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/09/17 at 21:41:04

OK, Lancer can't go if it is HOT. He needs cool riding / sleeping weather and an electrical socket everywhere we stay or he simply can't go.

I need a full night's sleep. Whether or not I get to sleep it is up to my insomnia, but that goes along with being old, I think.

Understanding that we are a bunch of old men, let's roll the trips and dates around according to the weather.

OK, Main Megatrip needs to come off in the Third Week of May, to the First Week of June time frame to avoid being steadily too cold or too hot. Considering elevations, we will be colder sometimes up high and drive through some warmer down in the flatlands. We will be taking layered clothes and jackets on and off accordingly. Big weather pattern changes roll through the center of the US all the time and we will see some abrupt colder weather occasionally.

Do Natchez Trace trip the first / second week in May and plan to start the Mega Trip on the last week in May to the first week of June.

Bike prep must include a set of GOOD TIRES, GOOD BATTERY and good Brake Pads. I would recommend running Rotella Synthetic 5w40 simply because we aren't doing oil changes on the trip, just adding oil as needed.

Packing Full Rain gear is a must -- you cannot plan to avoid all rain when you are covering WEEKS and over half the geography in the nation.

LETS HEAR FROM THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING TO GO ON THESE TRIPS AS WE NEED TO KNOW WHO IS GOING WHERE.

THE MAIN MEGA TRIP IS 2 WEEKS LONG, PLANNING TIME FOR BREAK DOWNS AND PEOPLE NEEDING OCCASIONAL REST STOPS SOMETIMES.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/11/17 at 11:19:24

Whupps, two weeks long? I can't be gone for two weeks ..... eeek!

Well, that last one sure lost them.

We'll try again next year in January / February time frame.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by MMRanch on 10/11/17 at 16:35:46

The first half of May is great for Natchez trace ride. I've seen all three free campgrounds and they all are as nice as the Dragon Central camp.
Speed limit is 50mph so plan on a "relaxing ride". (Federal park).

I'll volunteer my place as a starting \ parking trailers / etc. . There is a stretch of parkway in the southern half where you may want an extra 2000mls of gas.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/11/17 at 21:52:09

Natchez Trace trip Starts second week of May at MM's House.

50 mph leisurely trip, day and a half down, 1-2 days kicking around Louisiana, break up and run for home.

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by MMRanch on 10/12/17 at 07:49:48

OldFeller

Anybody that left their truck or tow vehicle at my house will need to run right back up the parkway to southern Tn. One of the entrances to the parkway is an hour and a half west of here. (Hwy US-64).

I suggest we wait to set the date till right before May . We all know " if ya want rain , all ya got to do is set a firm date on an event ya want to do " .

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by Oldfeller on 10/12/17 at 09:54:35

;)

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by MMRanch on 10/12/17 at 20:22:57

:o

O-Yea , another way to make it rain is to cut hay ! ;D

-------------------------

Don't worry : I'm bring my rain suit just to make sure it don't rain !! ;D

Title: Re: Theoretically good post retirement trips
Post by old.indian on 10/13/17 at 09:37:22

On my way home this summer from Bedford, PA. 220 south to US 50 west into Ohio. Would be a great motorcycle ride and I didn't encounter much traffic.