The Long Way Home. Huntsville to Cleveland on a 250.

[klaviator]

Originally Posted by BlueLghtning

My wife and I have the REI Trekker 1.75" sleeping pads. They seemed to be the best compromise on size, but still be comfortable. I'm able to get a fairly good night rest with those. We can fit both sleeping pads and both our sleeping bags in a 20L Dry bag that one of us carries behind us on our seat. The other person carries the tent although we just upgraded to a Kelty Gunnison 3.1 and it packs pretty small compared to our old cheapy tent we had. We also bought a Kelty Gunnison 2.1 for when either of us go solo camping and it really packs light and small. When we do that, one of us can get the tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag all in 1 dry bag.

We recently had some guests from Washington State spend the evening with us and they had a queen size air mattress that I was amazed at how small it folded down to. It even had a rechargeable pump that pumped it up and deflated it and it was pretty small too. I would say it took up less room than our 2 sleeping pads did. He was able to store their tent, air mattress, sheet for the air mattress and 1 sleeping bag that they opened up all in 1 side case on his BMW 1200.

You guys got me thinking. I got out my air mattress and compared it to my ground pad. It doesn't take up that much room when folded. I took a pic of both and a rechargeable pump. I added a size 12 boot for reference.



The air mattress can be folded one more time and end up close to the same size as the ground pad. I may just take it along next time.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[BlueLghtning]

The only thing to be aware of is air mattresses don't work so well when its cold out. They often allow the cold air to come through them. Although in the summer, you might be thankful for that.

[Davidc83]

Bowling Green rush hour is busy but not bad (unless there is an accident)-3 lanes on each side of I-65 and Bowling Green isnt really that big. Now Nashville, rush hour sucks. I live in Indiana and my wife lives in Florida (work related) and I travel down a few times each year. I have been stopped in stop-go traffic from 20-30 miles north of Nashville to past Murpheesboro (sp?).
Back in 07, I took by little gz250 I had at the time on a 2500 mile trip to Florida and came back up 231 thru Alabama, Tennesee and KY, not too bad of a road except going thru towns and cities with a stop light every block.
Anytime anyone is in southern Indiana (Louisville Ky) area and need a place to pitch a tent let me know. I have 10 acres out in the country surrounded by hundreds of acres of a state forest; no neighbors except for deer, turkey, possums, etc...

[klaviator]

Originally Posted by BlueLghtning

The only thing to be aware of is air mattresses don't work so well when its cold out. They often allow the cold air to come through them. Although in the summer, you might be thankful for that.

A warmer sleeping bag and/or mattress cover can take care of that.

Originally Posted by Davidc83

Bowling Green rush hour is busy but not bad (unless there is an accident)-3 lanes on each side of I-65 and Bowling Green isnt really that big. Now Nashville, rush hour sucks. I live in Indiana and my wife lives in Florida (work related) and I travel down a few times each year. I have been stopped in stop-go traffic from 20-30 miles north of Nashville to past Murpheesboro (sp?).
Back in 07, I took by little gz250 I had at the time on a 2500 mile trip to Florida and came back up 231 thru Alabama, Tennesee and KY, not too bad of a road except going thru towns and cities with a stop light every block.
Anytime anyone is in southern Indiana (Louisville Ky) area and need a place to pitch a tent let me know. I have 10 acres out in the country surrounded by hundreds of acres of a state forest; no neighbors except for deer, turkey, possums, etc...

You live in Indiana and your wife in Florida? And I thought I had it bad being separated from my wife part of each week by a 175 mile drive.

[EdM]

I suspect many who have followed this thread have mixed feelings at this point: pleased you had a safe and enjoyable trip and sad to see your well written and entertaining report coming to an end.

Hoping you have many more such rides.

Ned

[jeff_connors]

Originally Posted by BlueLghtning

The only thing to be aware of is air mattresses don't work so well when its cold out. They often allow the cold air to come through them. Although in the summer, you might be thankful for that.

Or you can take your wife along to keep you warm. Or your G/F. Or your wanna-be G/F. Or find a girl on the Net...or find....

[klaviator]

Originally Posted by EdM

I suspect many who have followed this thread have mixed feelings at this point: pleased you had a safe and enjoyable trip and sad to see your well written and entertaining report coming to an end.

Hoping you have many more such rides.

Ned

Thanks for the compliment. I can assure you I was much more sad than you are when my trip ended and I had to go back to work

I am also hoping for even better rides in the future.

Originally Posted by jeff_connors

Or you can take your wife along to keep you warm. Or your G/F. Or your wanna-be G/F. Or find a girl on the Net...or find....

Great Idea but I can't fit my wife and camping gear on the scooter at the same time.

[dpippin]

Originally Posted by klaviator

The Route: I had also wanted to ride North East West Virginia but ended up staying on 16 all the way. 16 was a great ride but the best part was between Marion, VA and Beckley, WV.

Win

Haven't seen you in ages. I stumbled onto your ride report and followed it.
When I go up to Parkersburg WV I take 16 from Marion to Beckley.
From Beckley I take a combination of 19, 16 through Gauley Bridge, pick up 36 at Clay Junction, then 14 at Spencer which brings me out to I77 at Mineral Wells. Then it's just a few miles of interstate into Parkersburg.
If you use a GPS I can send you the route.
One word of caution, Gauley Bridge is a speed trap. Be very careful if you ride through there. They will even make up things to give you a ticket.

Doug

[klaviator]

Originally Posted by dpippin

Win

Haven't seen you in ages. I stumbled onto your ride report and followed it.
When I go up to Parkersburg WV I take 16 from Marion to Beckley.
From Beckley I take a combination of 19, 16 through Gauley Bridge, pick up 36 at Clay Junction, then 14 at Spencer which brings me out to I77 at Mineral Wells. Then it's just a few miles of interstate into Parkersburg.
If you use a GPS I can send you the route.
One word of caution, Gauley Bridge is a speed trap. Be very careful if you ride through there. They will even make up things to give you a ticket.

Doug

Hi Doug, It has been ages. How have you been doing?

I'm happy to report that I made it over the Gauley Bridge, and the rest of the trip with no "performance awards"
On advantage to my scooter is that I generally don't have a problem staying at or near the speed limit on straights or in town. In the curves, on the other hand.....

As for GPS, I'm one of those technologically handicapped people, no GPS, no smart phone, never been on twitter

Hoping to make it up in your direction this fall for some dual sport riding.

Win

[Riff]

I loved riding along [vicariously] on this thread! Very nice! I worked in Bluefield on the WV side for a little as a ... will save that for another story, and I drove all along that part of the state to just south of Charleston. Loved all those towns and the people! Great ride, pics and report! PLease keep em coming!

On another subject got me a new ride to go with Kira. I might be able to keep up with you now!

[Scootard]

Originally Posted by klaviator

First, what bike to take. I'm undecided between a slightly bigger scooter or a small Adventure bike. I guess I'll take what I happen to have at the time.
Second, I need to figure out how to camp better as already mentioned.
Third. I need to get a smart phone or small laptop so I can update my ride report as I go.
OK, that's about it. For everyone who followed along, I hope you enjoyed my report. To everyone who participated by responding, thanks and I hope to see you all on the road some time in the future.

Hey K:
I've heard "dance with the one what brung ya"" I'm guessing whatever you have that goes when you twist the gas will work. I don't think there is a perfect bike. Enjoy what you have works for me!!

Camping, stealth or glamping is an acquired activity, you will find what works for you. Practice makes if not perfect at least better.

A laptop worked well for us, and allowed me to carry on business as required. Another of Scooterchick's great suggestions.

Oh and by the way. you can grow up without growing old. Never grow old, you're too much fun to hang with the way you are. Thanks again for taking us along, we really enjoyed the trip.....even meeting your relatives....haha

[Gabby]

Just found this RR. I really enjoyed it. 50% of my dna comes from RT 16 in Ritchie Co WV, and the other 50%, 5 miles from it. ( no jokes please...lol) Lots of familiar places.

[klaviator]

Originally Posted by Riff

I loved riding along [vicariously] on this thread! Very nice! I worked in Bluefield on the WV side for a little as a ... will save that for another story, and I drove all along that part of the state to just south of Charleston. Loved all those towns and the people! Great ride, pics and report! PLease keep em coming!

On another subject got me a new ride to go with Kira. I might be able to keep up with you now!

Congratulations on the new ride. I'm glad someone else besides me liked those small towns. They seem to be depressing to a lot of people.

Originally Posted by Scootard

Hey K:
I've heard "dance with the one what brung ya"" I'm guessing whatever you have that goes when you twist the gas will work. I don't think there is a perfect bike. Enjoy what you have works for me!!

Camping, stealth or glamping is an acquired activity, you will find what works for you. Practice makes if not perfect at least better.

A laptop worked well for us, and allowed me to carry on business as required. Another of Scooterchick's great suggestions.

Oh and by the way. you can grow up without growing old. Never grow old, you're too much fun to hang with the way you are. Thanks again for taking us along, we really enjoyed the trip.....even meeting your relatives....haha

I plan on doing more camping just for "practice". Of course I'll have to take some trips on my bike as well

I've always thought I would get a small laptop for traveling but todays smart phones do so much that I may go that way.

By the way, you have the growing old thing backwards. You have to grow old (or die), but you don't have to grow up. If you don't grow up then you won't act old. Also, there's often a big difference between being chronologically old, and being mentally and physically old.

Originally Posted by Gabby

Just found this RR. I really enjoyed it. 50% of my dna comes from RT 16 in Ritchie Co WV, and the other 50%, 5 miles from it. ( no jokes please...lol) Lots of familiar places.

Have you spent any time in any of those towns in W VA? I'd be curious to hear what it's like to live there. As for jokes, I can think of far worse places to be from. I lived in New Orleans for a year

[TrashCan]

Originally Posted by klaviator

By the way, you have the growing old thing backwards. You have to grow old (or die), but you don't have to grow up. If you don't grow up then you won't act old. Also, there's often a big difference between being chronologically old, and being mentally and physically old.

Tell it like it is, Brother.

[Scooterchick]

We just came back from buying a bunch of camping stuff. Settled on a Ozarka Trail 4 person tent with a full fly. We're going to set it up in our house first to see if we both fit comfortably in it before getting it all dirty and then trying to return it later. So, we will be sleeping in it tonight and I'm going to turn a large fan on it full blast to see how it does...haha.

We have NEVER done this before as we have only been on one trip so far. But, we are going to do a "practice" run too for our anniversary. Thinking about going to Whidbey Island and some other places. Also, being a Veteran, I can get a pass to all of the national parks for a discount.....

So, we are reading all of these reports with great interest and taking mental notes on what works for most in the way of gear and what doesn't. Still need to get a GPS for longer trips though or that "spot" thingee that we need to do more research on.

Really enjoying this report! Thanks for letting us come along.