Am I crazy or what?

[Toocold]

omegajim - Again thanks for your concern. I'm trying to have a plan for as many situations as I can think of. I didn't spend 21 years in the Army, 7 years as a hunting guide in Alaska, and 30 months in Vietnam without knowing the importance of planning. This is a lot of miles. While I take it seriously - I plan to have fun and to finish the trip. I would not start it if I did not think I could do it. I get your point and I'm training to make sure I'm up to the task as well as my bike.

I may live in Alaska but I have friends/family in Seattle, St. Paul, St Louis, Texas, New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Idaho. If push comes to shove I have a safe haven.

Like my sig says: When your dumb, you gotta be tough. When I was young I did dumb stuff. It hurt then and it still hurts now. Being a bit older and wiser I know I can't do dumb stuff anymore. I'm not ready for the rocking chair yet either.

Thanks again.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Toocold

I'm retiring next year and want to take my C50 from Anchorage, AK to Birmingham, AL over to Albuquerque, NM and back to Anchorage this summer. That's about 7200 miles and I have a month (or more) to make the trip. The C50 has a windshield, highway bars, and a Mustang seat. The bike has about 2700 miles on it now. I'm a born again and just started riding again last year with a break of nearly 30 years. I'll be alone. I plan to camp where I can and hotel when I stink too bad. I'll have the dealer get it ready and change oil in route when it's time.

Would you do it?

Would I YES! You are retiring, it is your life. You did your tour. And if you have fun doing that, do it again and go to another place.

[tallannie]

I say "ABSOLUTELY* ! go for it.
From reading back on this thread I would say expecting 10 hr days is unrealistic and no fun! stop and see everything !
I also dont see that you have saddlebags?
I would recommend installing a throttle lock for occasional back / hand relief. The worst thing of a very long ride is not being able to let go of the &%$# right grip....at least a throttle boss so you can relax the grip. I would also consider a backrest (did you get that with the Mustang?)
Have a WONDERFUL time !

Originally Posted by Toocold

omegajim - Again thanks for your concern. I'm trying to have a plan for as many situations as I can think of. I didn't spend 21 years in the Army, 7 years as a hunting guide in Alaska, and 30 months in Vietnam without knowing the importance of planning. This is a lot of miles. While I take it seriously - I plan to have fun and to finish the trip. I would not start it if I did not think I could do it. I get your point and I'm training to make sure I'm up to the task as well as my bike.

I may live in Alaska but I have friends/family in Seattle, St. Paul, St Louis, Texas, New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Idaho. If push comes to shove I have a safe haven.

Like my sig says: When your dumb, you gotta be tough. When I was young I did dumb stuff. It hurt then and it still hurts now. Being a bit older and wiser I know I can't do dumb stuff anymore. I'm not ready for the rocking chair yet either.

Thanks again.

[Toocold]

Hi Annie/Jammer - I have the added a Mustang seat, saddle bags, National Cycle windshield, Memphis Shades lowers, Cobra luggage rack and sissy bar and some pretty good luggage. Also a windshield bag, grip buster and a cup holder. Garmin GPS.

Good sleeping bag, tent and ground pad. March Brown 5 wt fly rod (gotta fish!).

I've recomputed the milage to a more realistic 300-350 miles a day. Added three days to the trip. That's all flexable.

I still need to pick up a light laptop so I can journel the trip and send pictures.

No backrest. That would be nice.

[omegajim]

Putting myself in your shoes, I just couldn't see driving the AlCan highway twice in just over a month's time.

survived 30 months in Vietnam?

wow.

I've recomputed the milage to a more realistic 300-350 miles a day. Added three days to the trip. That's all flexable.

while this number is realistic - I would plan on driving just over 400 miles / day and every 5th day drive about 100.

After cranking out 400 mile days, 100 miles will be cake.

Keeping in mind on the West coast the weather should be clear sailing, but as you head towards the Mississippi river basin, plan on riding through at least some rain.

[DNW VZ800]

Get out and do it.....ride and enjoy the time....no rush.....take it as you please.....ride safe and take lots of pictures to share....

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Toocold

Hi Annie/Jammer - I have the added a Mustang seat, saddle bags, National Cycle windshield, Memphis Shades lowers, Cobra luggage rack and sissy bar and some pretty good luggage. Also a windshield bag, grip buster and a cup holder. Garmin GPS.

Well don't forget while on the road to toast one to us workin' stiffs that haven't retired yet. Sucks to be you on the road right?

Best wishes on your trip.

[Toocold]

Thank O. I'll keep that in mind. I do plan on some weather days. The ALCAN part was planned based gas stations. I've got 6 or 7 trips on that road. Twice I've had to sit in the car and wait on a station to open. Often 80 to 100 miles between stations and they close at night. Last trip was July 2005. (Yep - I push when I have to be somewhere - I'm working on that.)

The road between Whitehorse and Ft Nelson is beautiful. You have to watch out for buffalo of all things. Also the caravans of motor homes will test your patience. There were other areas where I spent a lot of time at 70 on CC. Not a lot to see but wilderness.

The 400/100 sounds fun once in the states. I think the second day of my trip is planned for 112 miles. The road between Tok and Beaver Creek has been under construction for the last 25 years. Lots of gravel. I figured that would be a good day. If I feel like it there is another town about 85 miles further down the road.

I’ve lived in Alaska since 1972 and there is a lot in the lower 48 I would like to see. My trips back have always been business. Heck - between Sturgis and the PGR Gathering of the Guard in Ogden, Utah the week before, I may have to visit my sisters on the second trip or beg my wife for more time. I keep wanting to wander some place else.

I'll think of you working stiffs every time I get off the bike at the end of the day with a backache and sunburn. A wonderful backache and sunburn.