Cross Country Tour

[rcomito]

After forty years of short rides, the time has come for a long awaited cross country trip on my '03 1150 RT. I'll be joined by my long time riding buddy who has recently purchased an '04 1150 RT. Our plan is to leave LA in late May for San Antonio, riding through the south, up the Blue Ridge Parkway with visits to the Civil War battlefields. Our return route will take us through WV, KY. the Ozarks, OK, Interstate 40 back to the LA area. Any suggestions or recommendations as to stops, attractions, etc?

:type

[BubbaZanetti]

i have one recomendation:

DON'T stop at "the thing" roadside attraction on rt 10 near the NM/AZ border, its totally not cool............

DO treat yourself to a ride on RT 152 through the Gila National Forrest between Silver City and Truth Or Consequences NM, seriously one of the coolest roads i've ever been on.............

[BradfordBenn]

I would say pack a sense of humor and a sense of adventure. When I did my three week tour the best parts were the unplanned parts.

[Chacifer]

I may get my ass kicked for sharing this info, but Rt. 311 in WV/Virginny is a pretty nice, twisty, empty road. There is this one general store/gas station thing on it, in the middle of nowhere (might be a Texaco). I recommend stopping there to get a beverage/snack and sitting on one of the rocking chairs they have on the porch. If you turn off of Rt. 311 next to the store, you will come to a Buffalo and Beefalo farm.

http://acw.smugmug.com/photos/9104912-M.jpg

Buffalos are awesome.

[RTRandy]

Obviously you can ride the big slab from Dallas /Fort Worth on I-35 to San Antonio, however if you need some suggestions for some good back roads west of DFW and down to San Antonio, I'd be happy to help in the Texas department.

[manicmechanic]

Just a bit of advice - divide your itinerary into several groups, such as must-see/do, would like to if possible, well, maybe if there's time. Then add one more group - that which will wait for the next trip. Enjoy the trip, but don't get too concerned if you didn't get to .... this time around. Gives you something to anticipate.

[screamin eagle]

After forty years of short rides, the time has come for a long awaited cross country trip on my '03 1150 RT. I'll be joined by my long time riding buddy who has recently purchased an '04 1150 RT. Our plan is to leave LA in late May for San Antonio, riding through the south, up the Blue Ridge Parkway with visits to the Civil War battlefields. Our return route will take us through WV, KY. the Ozarks, OK, Interstate 40 back to the LA area. Any suggestions or recommendations as to stops, attractions, etc?

:type

Since it would seem that you like the civil war, don't miss Gettysburg. Plan on staying there a couple of days, it is well worth it. If you do go to Gettysburg from the Blue Ridge Pkwy you will be in the neighborhood of Antedam.

[SweetT]

If you can avoid I40 do it, cause its really not all that great. When I take trips like this I only travel on interstates as a last resort. If you're in OK I reccomend roads in the SE portion of the state. The talimina drive (from talahina, OK to Mina, AR) is especially nice. If I remember right OK has more intact miles of Route 66 than any other state. Route 66 pretty much paralells I 40 in a lot of places so it wouldn't be out of your way to take it instead. The Route 66 museum in Clinton OK is pretty good too.

[tnk12lt]

As you get to the southeast, there's Chickamauga Battlefield near Chattanooga. Then, don't miss the Cherohala Skyway(good sweepers w/a view) and The Dragon/Hwy.129.(ultimate twisties w/no view) www.tailofthedragon.com. has all the info on both

Doug
99 K1200LT
03 M800
Manchester,TN

[lorazepam]

I would try to get Greenville SC worked in to the trip. The folks sure seem friendly there.