I'm starting here in Wichita, KS
The plan is to either ride through New Mexico or Colorado on my way to Phoenix, AZ to see my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. I really like New Mexico but I would like to ride the mountains and get some photos in Colorado. I may ride through New Mexico on the way there and come back through Colorado.
From Phoenix I'm going to Los Angeles, CA to see my sister. There are all sorts of places I want to ride to in California. Many people have told me to ride to Big bear through the mountains, as well as various Beach towns.
From there I think I'm going to ride to San Fransisco just because I've never been there and think I would really enjoy the ride up along the Pacific coast on the 1 and the 101. I would then go back to Arizona one way or another and then come back through Colorado (probably) on my way home.
EDIT: It might make more sense to ride directly back to Kansas from San Fran. I've never seen the Grand Canyon and I do want to at least ride through Colorado on the way back.
Can you guys recommend destinations or routes? I'm looking for scenery or twistys.
I'm looking at luggage and I don't really want to spend the money on hard bags. I've been looking at Nelson Riggs because the saddle bags mount to the tail bag to make a full 3 piece set.
Anybody want to mention something else I should look into? I'm going to camp quite a bit of the trip. I've got a really compact single person tent and a sleeping bag which will both probably be able to fit into the tail bag or maybe just strap on top of the bag.
Any tools you swear by on a long trip? Duct tape, WD40, tire pressure gauge and a multi-tool of some sort are definitely on the list. I'll bring the stuff to adjust and clean the chain. I'm also going to get some kind of cheap compact air compressor that runs off 12 volts and a tire plug kit, any recommendations there? I've got a tire warranty on my new bike with 100 mile tow coverage but you never know if the cell phone is going to get reception.
When I leave the bike will have approximately 1,000 miles total, and I'm going to change the oil and filter the week before I leave. Anything else to check? I'm doing the first break in service at 600 miles probably this upcoming weekend. The next scheduled service is at 4,000 miles, which will be when I get back.
Any guidance? A biker buddy swears that Midol is a Biker's best friend (for cramping and pain), so I'll be taking that along with a complete first aid kit.
What am I forgetting
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