My August Bike Trip

tyusha · January 7th, 2009, 09:18 PM

Hello! I am new here and was invited over here by kkim. I am loving this forum so far.

I decided to tell you guys and gals about the ride i took this past summer at the end of August. I was planning this trip all summer long. I rode from Newton MA to Durham North Carolina and back. It was a BLAST!!!
When discussing my trip with my friend David (he was the friend i was visiting in Durham) he suggested that i avoid route 95 at all costs. So we created a map that went through Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway/Skyline Drive. On the way there i was supposed to stay overnight in Roanoke VA. Which would mean that i would complete the major part of my trip in one day. Ambitious plan to say the least.
Before the trip i acquired Garmin Zumo 550 GPS and Scala Rider FM bluetooth headset for my helmet. I also purchased Nelson-Rigg Saddle bags and tail bag. All of the equipment worked flawlessly, and made my trip trouble free and very enjoyable.

Chapter1 - long but very entertaining. At least for me.

I left Newton MA on August 21 at 7:30 in the morning, hoping to make it to Roanoke VA by the everning.

However by the time i approached the beginning of blue ridge mountain parkway/skyline drive it was 6:15 and sun was getting ready to set. i decided to risk it and go through with it.
And it was beautiful!!! Until it got dark. And there I was in the middle of nowhere. My bike as the only source of light and more that 40 miles of just the skyline/blue ridge left. That and then highway to Roanoke.
I panicked a little. I had to go no faster than 30/35 mph and even slower than that at times, as countless dear and raccoons crossed my path. I was getting tired and had to stop a couple of times to rest and calm myself down. at one of the stops i got to experience a beautiful view - pitch dark mountains, sky full of stars (no light pollution there) and shimmering lights of some small town underneath.
At that point i went into my GPS and looked for the nearest motel. It was 25 miles away and i would have to "climb down" for the night. But i had no choice. So i ended up staying at Days Inn in Waynesboro VA.
Bed has never looked so good in my life. i was sore all over and could not feel my legs or my arms. But i was happy!
Next morning i woke up and continued trough blue ridge/skyline drive. i altered the route in the GPS to avoid Roanoke and go straight to Durham. This ride was trouble/surprise free and i was safe at David's house by 12:30 that afternoon. that was awesome!!!

Pics:

Chapter2 - reasonably short and with a lesson to be learned!

I left David's house on Tuesday August 26 around 8:30 in the morning. it was raining slightly so i had to zip the rain gear lining in my pants and jacket, as well as rain guards on my luggage. As i made my way north though it cleared up (as expected) and it was smooth sailing weather wise until the end of the trip. David suggested once again that i should avoid route 95 at all costs. Which i did. We "cooked up" a new route for me to follow back home, this time avoiding blue ridge/skyline drive, and sticking to highway. To avoid 95 through DC and most of VA i had to do the following: i followed 95 until Richmond VA, where i jumped on route 64 and went west until intersection with route 81 which i followed 'till Route 84 that took me trough New York and Connecticut until Mass Turnpike (route 90). My plan was to stay overnight somewhere in PA. I was making very decent time cruising at 75 - 80 miles per hour (speed based on GPS). When i got to PA it was still fairly early and bright out, so i decided what the heck, i will try to make it in one shot. BIG mistake. I overestimated myself. I did make it home by 10:30 (that's right 14.5 hour ride in one day on a little ninja 250 is possible despite what the naysayers tell us) but i was dead tired and partially lost feeling in one of my hands, and even though it went back to normal in a couple of days it was still unnecessary. Most people that heard about my 14.5 hour ride told me that i was nuts for doing that, and i agree with them. I think i will avoid such long rides in one day from now on.

MOAR Pics

That concludes my story and i hope you guys enjoyed it despite its length.

Once again awesome forum and i am glad to be a part of it!

Alex · January 7th, 2009, 10:50 PM

Great thread! Congrats on the ride...

tyusha · January 7th, 2009, 11:09 PM

thanks Alex!

Ananda · January 8th, 2009, 12:04 AM

awesome! i've heard good things about the zumo. is that the one that comes with a motorcycle mount and is waterproof?

Alex · January 8th, 2009, 12:21 AM

Yup, the Zumo rocks. We've got a GPS weenies thread going on right here with some decent information about the Zumo 550 and other moto-GPS's.

noche_caliente · January 8th, 2009, 08:09 AM

You went right past me on your trip! Thanks for posting about it

tyusha · January 8th, 2009, 01:52 PM

thanks for the comments guys. I love my zum0 550 and all it's features. It definately kept me outta trouble

BlueTyke · January 8th, 2009, 02:17 PM

Wow!! 14.5 hours!! You got me beat! And you passed me too! MD (I would avoid 95 at all costs myself!)

TnNinjaGirl · January 8th, 2009, 06:10 PM

That's an incredible ride. Such beautiful scenery up in those mountains. I'm glad you got to enjoy it. Thank you for sharing.

GreezMunky · January 8th, 2009, 06:32 PM

lmao you have the same exact luggage set up that I just bought, minus the tail bag.. Creeeeppyy. Very cool trip and pictures.

tyusha · January 8th, 2009, 06:42 PM

once again thanks guys

that was an awesome experience. I recommend the skyline drive/blue ridge mountain parkway. it's beautiful

Blue Monkey · February 1st, 2009, 12:00 AM

Cool ride. I don't think I would be able to walk after a 14.5 hour ride. That would be a fun ride in a group. You are a trooper.

Thanks for all the pictures.

noche_caliente · February 1st, 2009, 08:54 AM

welcome blue monkey!

00v_Lucky · February 15th, 2009, 10:28 PM

nice, gj with that endurance run! i remember after a straight 80 mile run on the pch, all parts of my body ached from the shoulders down. props

minizoom · February 18th, 2009, 12:37 AM

That is so cool! One day I'd like to take a long trip like that.

tyusha · February 18th, 2009, 06:35 AM

you definately should take a trip like that. it'll change your life

January 7th, 2009, 09:18 PM	#1
tyusha ninjette.org member Name: Viktor Location: Boston MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 14	My August Bike Trip Hello! I am new here and was invited over here by kkim. I am loving this forum so far. I decided to tell you guys and gals about the ride i took this past summer at the end of August. I was planning this trip all summer long. I rode from Newton MA to Durham North Carolina and back. It was a BLAST!!! When discussing my trip with my friend David (he was the friend i was visiting in Durham) he suggested that i avoid route 95 at all costs. So we created a map that went through Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway/Skyline Drive. On the way there i was supposed to stay overnight in Roanoke VA. Which would mean that i would complete the major part of my trip in one day. Ambitious plan to say the least. Before the trip i acquired Garmin Zumo 550 GPS and Scala Rider FM bluetooth headset for my helmet. I also purchased Nelson-Rigg Saddle bags and tail bag. All of the equipment worked flawlessly, and made my trip trouble free and very enjoyable. Chapter1 - long but very entertaining. At least for me. I left Newton MA on August 21 at 7:30 in the morning, hoping to make it to Roanoke VA by the everning. However by the time i approached the beginning of blue ridge mountain parkway/skyline drive it was 6:15 and sun was getting ready to set. i decided to risk it and go through with it. And it was beautiful!!! Until it got dark. And there I was in the middle of nowhere. My bike as the only source of light and more that 40 miles of just the skyline/blue ridge left. That and then highway to Roanoke. I panicked a little. I had to go no faster than 30/35 mph and even slower than that at times, as countless dear and raccoons crossed my path. I was getting tired and had to stop a couple of times to rest and calm myself down. at one of the stops i got to experience a beautiful view - pitch dark mountains, sky full of stars (no light pollution there) and shimmering lights of some small town underneath. At that point i went into my GPS and looked for the nearest motel. It was 25 miles away and i would have to "climb down" for the night. But i had no choice. So i ended up staying at Days Inn in Waynesboro VA. Bed has never looked so good in my life. i was sore all over and could not feel my legs or my arms. But i was happy! Next morning i woke up and continued trough blue ridge/skyline drive. i altered the route in the GPS to avoid Roanoke and go straight to Durham. This ride was trouble/surprise free and i was safe at David's house by 12:30 that afternoon. that was awesome!!! Pics: Chapter2 - reasonably short and with a lesson to be learned! I left David's house on Tuesday August 26 around 8:30 in the morning. it was raining slightly so i had to zip the rain gear lining in my pants and jacket, as well as rain guards on my luggage. As i made my way north though it cleared up (as expected) and it was smooth sailing weather wise until the end of the trip. David suggested once again that i should avoid route 95 at all costs. Which i did. We "cooked up" a new route for me to follow back home, this time avoiding blue ridge/skyline drive, and sticking to highway. To avoid 95 through DC and most of VA i had to do the following: i followed 95 until Richmond VA, where i jumped on route 64 and went west until intersection with route 81 which i followed 'till Route 84 that took me trough New York and Connecticut until Mass Turnpike (route 90). My plan was to stay overnight somewhere in PA. I was making very decent time cruising at 75 - 80 miles per hour (speed based on GPS). When i got to PA it was still fairly early and bright out, so i decided what the heck, i will try to make it in one shot. BIG mistake. I overestimated myself. I did make it home by 10:30 (that's right 14.5 hour ride in one day on a little ninja 250 is possible despite what the naysayers tell us) but i was dead tired and partially lost feeling in one of my hands, and even though it went back to normal in a couple of days it was still unnecessary. Most people that heard about my 14.5 hour ride told me that i was nuts for doing that, and i agree with them. I think i will avoid such long rides in one day from now on. MOAR Pics That concludes my story and i hope you guys enjoyed it despite its length. Once again awesome forum and i am glad to be a part of it!

January 7th, 2009, 10:50 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Great thread! Congrats on the ride... __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

January 8th, 2009, 12:21 AM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Yup, the Zumo rocks. We've got a GPS weenies thread going on right here with some decent information about the Zumo 550 and other moto-GPS's. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

January 8th, 2009, 02:17 PM	#8
BlueTyke So slow I'm first! Name: Sunny Location: San Jose, CA Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 10	Wow!! 14.5 hours!! You got me beat! And you passed me too! MD (I would avoid 95 at all costs myself!) __________________________________________________ Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn.

February 1st, 2009, 12:00 AM	#12
Blue Monkey ninjette.org member Name: Joel Location: Utah Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 ninja 250 Posts: 95	Cool ride. I don't think I would be able to walk after a 14.5 hour ride. That would be a fun ride in a group. You are a trooper. Thanks for all the pictures. Last futzed with by Blue Monkey; February 24th, 2009 at 04:56 PM.

January 7th, 2009, 11:09 PM	#3
tyusha ninjette.org member Name: Viktor Location: Boston MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 14	thanks Alex!

January 8th, 2009, 12:04 AM	#4
Ananda Bliss Name: Keryna Location: San Diego Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Own: 2001 SV650S Sold: 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 31	awesome! i've heard good things about the zumo. is that the one that comes with a motorcycle mount and is waterproof?

January 8th, 2009, 08:09 AM	#6
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	You went right past me on your trip! Thanks for posting about it

January 8th, 2009, 01:52 PM	#7
tyusha ninjette.org member Name: Viktor Location: Boston MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 14	thanks for the comments guys. I love my zum0 550 and all it's features. It definately kept me outta trouble

January 8th, 2009, 06:10 PM	#9
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	That's an incredible ride. Such beautiful scenery up in those mountains. I'm glad you got to enjoy it. Thank you for sharing.

January 8th, 2009, 06:32 PM	#10
GreezMunky ninjette.org guru Name: Tor Location: TX Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 09 250r (sold), 2010 Daytona 675 Posts: 301	lmao you have the same exact luggage set up that I just bought, minus the tail bag.. Creeeeppyy. Very cool trip and pictures.

January 8th, 2009, 06:42 PM	#11
tyusha ninjette.org member Name: Viktor Location: Boston MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 14	once again thanks guys that was an awesome experience. I recommend the skyline drive/blue ridge mountain parkway. it's beautiful

February 1st, 2009, 08:54 AM	#13
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	welcome blue monkey!

February 15th, 2009, 10:28 PM	#14
00v_Lucky ninjette.org sage Name: Howard Location: Cypress, So. Cal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618	nice, gj with that endurance run! i remember after a straight 80 mile run on the pch, all parts of my body ached from the shoulders down. props

February 18th, 2009, 12:37 AM	#15
minizoom ninjette.org member Name: Alvin Location: Yorba Linda CA - SoCal Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 09 ZX6R, previous bike owned 08 Ninja 250R Blue Posts: 133	That is so cool! One day I'd like to take a long trip like that.

February 18th, 2009, 06:35 AM	#16
tyusha ninjette.org member Name: Viktor Location: Boston MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 14	you definately should take a trip like that. it'll change your life

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