Vegas to Panama City, FL

[MinnesotaGS]

Hi,

Not sure if there is any interest in this at all, but I wrote down some details when I was riding so I might as well share them.

Background story: Moved to Florida a few months back and had to leave my motorcycles back in MN. With the job I have I end up having lots of free time and I decided I really want a bike so I can utilize this free time in one of my favorite fashions. Started scouring eBay, craigslist, forums, etc. Found a 2004 DL650 V-Strom on a forum, contacted the owner, made arrangements and found myself flying from Florida to Las Vegas.

I apologize in advance for my less than stellar writing skills. Went to school for fisheries biology, sort of forgot how to write...

[tkent02]

That's OK, fish don't read so well either.

Got pics?

[MinnesotaGS]

Day 1 - 01/27/2012

Woke up around 0800. Roommate volunteered to drive me from Panama City, FL to Pensacola, FL for my flight. Arrived at the airport around noon. Departed on first leg of the flight bound for Dallas, TX. Flight went smoothly and arrived on time. Next flight left bound for Las Vegas at 1715. Had a great seat, sat next to a lady who used to be a Miami Heat dancer. She informed the Shaq is a bit of a jerk. Arrived in Las Vegas a few minutes late and was picked up at the airport by Neil, the owner of the V-Strom. Grabbed a bite to eat and headed over to Neil's to check out the bike. It was everything I expected and then some. After explaining the features of the bike Neil drove me to a nearby hotel/casino, the Sante Fe Station. Check in, drop off my bags in room, and head downstairs for a couple drinks. Notice a guy at the bar with a University of Minnesota sweatshirt so naturally I bring up the topic of college hockey. Turns out the guy went to the U of M and is from a town not too far from where I grew up. Told me all kinds of stories about his time in Minnesota. Somehow, all his stories ended with him ordering/eating ridiculous quantities of White Castle. Went back to my room after a couple gin and tonics and hit the sack. Didn't spend a dime gambling, works for me...

[7981GS]

Cool. Looking forward to following along with this cross-country journey.
Be safe and above all, have FUN!!!

Daniel

[MinnesotaGS]

Day 2 - 01/28/2012

Photo of bike from forum 'for sale' posting


Neil picked me up at the hotel at 0800. Proceeded to his house and filled out paperwork and got the bike ready for the 2,000 mile plus trip. I was planning on mounting some new tires, but no shops in Vegas had any in stock. It was wearing Bridgestone Battlewings with around 12k miles on them, so they were pretty shot. Decided I could probably make it back to FL (in retrospect maybe a dumb decision). Headed over to the DMV and received a 15-day drive-way permit. Around 1030 I hit the road. Headed south out of Vegas to Boulder City, NV. Grabbed some bad food fast and continued on until Kingman, AZ. From there I convoyed with a Hells Angel rider on Interstate 40. Ended up driving pretty fast and getting less than stellar MPG, oh well. Arrived at my destination for the night, Williams, AZ. Found a room at the Econo Lodge and settled in. Walked around town for a bit to get some blood flowing. Ate some dinner at the Pizza Factory and decided to grab a few brews at The Canyon Club. Walked in and got that classic look from the regulars conveying, "Who the $%#$ are you?" Pretty used to that look at this point, so I took a seat and ordered up a Budweiser. After a few the bartender asked me, "So...who are you?" Explained my scenario and she immediately became super friendly. Told her I wanted to check out the Grand Canyon while I was out this way and she diagrammed for me where to go. Left after another beer and walked back to the motel. Packed all my gear up for an early exit, watched some TV and was sleeping by 2230.

Where to go according to the bartender:

[MinnesotaGS]

@7981GS

Where in Northern Nevada are you located? I spent some time in Wells, NV a few years back. Sweet area.

[MinnesotaGS]

Day 3 - 01/29/2012

Freaking cold! Woke up to below 20 degree F (-7 C) temperatures in Williams, AZ. Ate a bowl of cereal and navigated out of the icy parking lot by 0715. Unfortunately, the roads were also iced up. I slipped and slidded my way down the on-ramp to Interstate 40. Making what I still think is a good decision I skipped the trip to the Grand Canyon. Now I have an excuse to head back that way this summer. Kept on I-40 until Flagstaff, AZ. Headed south on Interstate 17 until Phoenix. Thankfully the elevation dropped a few thousand feet and the temperature skyrocketed to beautiful upper 60's. From I-17 the next move was boosting over to Interstate 10 east. Not the most scenic or interesting route, but with the 75 mph speed limit I was able to make great time. Helpful forum members mentioned El Paso, TX traffic being awful, so I decided to make it through New Mexico and call it a night east of El Paso in Fabens, TX. Looks like tomorrow will be all Texas driving. Oh boy.

Shot at a scenic overlook somewhere between Flagstaff and Phoenix:

[cowboyup3371]

Looking forward to more of the story.

What were the 2 liter bottles for under the boxes?

[MinnesotaGS]

The 2L bottles are used to hold water. The previous owner used the bike for desert camping trips and was not satisfied with the amount of space he had to use in the Pelican Cases in order to bring an appropriate amount of water. He told me he got the inspirations for the 2L bottles from a History Channel show on bomber aircraft. The mounting system is simple, but pretty slick. Just a couple hose clamps, a piece of ABS at the rear and a bungee cord that goes around of the neck of the bottle.

[MinnesotaGS]

Day 4 - 01/30/2012

East through Texas - what a freaking huge state. Headed east on I-10 for what seemed like forever. After I think a few hundred miles I took US-290E to skip going through San Antonio, TX. Went fine until Fredericksburg, TX where it started to rain. By the time I was outside of Austin, TX it was pouring and rush hour traffic was in full effect. I was getting stressed and grumpy when I had a 'zen' moment and realized how fortunate I am to be able to be driving a new bike across the country. It was like a 2nd wind from that point on. Cruised through Austin right into Giddings, TX where I stopped to dry up and grab some grub. Called a buddy back home and consulted with him whether or not I should continue on to Houston. We decided I should in order to avoid morning traffic in Houston. Drove another couple hours and ended up east of Houston in Baytown, TX. Grabbed a room at the Motel 6 and crashed.

[cowboyup3371]

How was that drive across West Texas?

[7981GS]

@7981GS

Where in Northern Nevada are you located? I spent some time in Wells, NV a few years back. Sweet area.

250 miles northwest, closer to California. (20 mile ride)
Flagstaff, is gorgeous!

Daniel

[MinnesotaGS]

Day 5 - 01/31/2012

Forgot to set an alarm on my phone and woke up a bit later than planned. Hit the road around 0900. No traffic though, so I was very pleased. All in all a very uneventful day. Made it through the remained of Texas and cruised into Louisiana. I've always enjoyed driving over the bayous in Lousiana so I made sure to take my time and soak in the scenery. Went through Mississippi and Alabama like they were nothing (compared to Texas every other state felt like a city). Made it into Pensacola, FL and stopped to get some lunch with a friend. Made the mistake of taking a terrible route back to Panama City, FL and got lost about 20 miles from home. Bike was running more or less like garbage at this point so I was not entirely excited. Chain was pretty shot before the trip and by this point it was not exactly helping to create a smooth ride. Finally found my way to some roads I knew and had about 10 miles to go. Heading down Hwy 79 into Panama City Beach when three deer decided to make me slam on the brakes. Pretty happy I was able to avoid them, would have been a shame to make it 2,000 some miles and wipe out jogging distance from my house. Made it home by around 2000 and proceeded to drink some quality Grain Belt Premium, Leinenkugels and Michelob Golden Light that I had brought down from Minnesota a couple months back. Only the best beer after a ride of that distance.

[7981GS]

Great job on making it home unscathed!
Waiting on those pic's/video's of this epic journey.

Daniel

[MinnesotaGS]

West Texas was pretty cool. Never been there before, 80 mph speed limits sure allow for some rapid travel. US Customs rightfully gave me a bit of a hard time outside El Paso. Travelling without license plates and looking a bit like a Chechnyan Rebel I can understand the concern.