Illinois to Georgia [Archive]

SHUNK

11-08-2005, 09:06 AM

Like others, I am trying to get in a nice tour before the really cold stuff sets in. (Rounders - I will still be riding, just not really long distance :D )

I will be leaving from south of Chicago (Champaign, IL) and heading to Atlanta to visit an old friend. It will be a relatively short trip - 3 or 4 days round trip - but if there is something that others feel is worth seeing, I would like to give it a shot.

This will also be my first overnight trip on a bike, so is there anything that people can't live without while touring? i.e. tools, spare etc... I have no intention of packing every spare part that BMW offers for my bike, and I don't have the packing space for an entire rolling tool box. I do plan to take the BMW anonymous, a credit card and cell phone.

So, for you touring people that don't pack a lot of bike stuff, what do you find that you can't live without? :stick

Visian

11-08-2005, 09:35 AM

So, for you touring people that don't pack a lot of bike stuff, what do you find that you can't live without? :stick

My Anonymous Book, (http://www.bmwmoa.org/membership/membership.htm) which you mentioned. Don't leave home without it.

Seriously, unless you're riding an older bike, you don't need any spare parts.

Sure, I have an emergency kit, but it's mostly related to flat tires (good plugs and tire tools, Cycle Guard pump), spare bulbs and that sort of thing. Stuff to get you off the side of the road.

Your R1100R should do just fine.

Ian

kbasa

11-08-2005, 09:53 AM

If you're on a trip like this, I like to carry some stuff like glove liners, a Buff to seal up my neck, some lip goo like Carmex, spare glasses, my camera, my iPod and a book. It's nice to have something to read when you stop for meals.

And Ian is right on the Anonymous Book.

jdiaz

11-08-2005, 09:57 AM

Clutch cable! And don't stay at the Motel 6 in Evansville. :)

Visian

11-08-2005, 10:09 AM

Clutch cable! And don't stay at the Motel 6 in Evansville. :)

Hydraulic clutch on these? You'd know.... there's one on my oilhead GS.

Ian

Visian

11-08-2005, 10:13 AM

It will be a relatively short trip - 3 or 4 days round trip - but if there is something that others feel is worth seeing, I would like to give it a shot.

One thing that you might like to see if you are at all interested in the Civil War is the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. (http://www.nps.gov/chch)

It's very easy to get to from I-75, and a nice little day-ride from Atlanta.

Too bad you're not going to stay longer... I'd love to show you around the roads in these parts.

Ian

JohnHall

11-08-2005, 10:47 AM

I don't know your route but if you get off of the highway anywhere east of I-65 in KY and you should find some good roads. There are several small towns easily identifiable as they will have a Church, Liquor Store and Gunshop. It's perfectly safe. We haven't shot at Yankees in years. :laugh

jdiaz

11-08-2005, 10:55 AM

Hydraulic clutch on these? You'd know.... there's one on my oilhead GS.

He's riding an 1100 with a mechanical clutch mechanism. Please don't make me slap you around in front of these people.....oops, is this thing on? :D

Visian

11-08-2005, 11:04 AM

.....oops, is this thing on? :D

See...? I said you'd know. *1100* :doh I had an 1100GS, it had a mechanical clutch.

They say the memory is the first thing to go. Thank goodness there are young smart-a... to keep us old farts honest. :p

Ian

bmdubyou

11-08-2005, 11:58 AM

"....This will also be my first overnight trip on a bike, so is there anything that people can't live without while touring? i.e. tools, spare etc... I have no intention of packing every spare part that BMW offers for my bike, and I don't have the packing space for an entire rolling tool box. I do plan to take the BMW anonymous, a credit card and cell phone."

Definately be prepared! Charger for the phone, flashlite, change for tolls, glove liners would be good (I stopped & found some at a Menards on my trip...check my report for the Lake Michigan Tour) maybe even some wool socks...my Wigwam hiking socks kept me pretty warm. I'm SO glad I had my electric vest...it allowed me to go a lot further than I wouldve if I was shivering the whole time. Luckily you're heading south but who knows!

BradfordBenn

11-08-2005, 09:16 PM

Batteries for the electronic doodads. Cell Phone. Calling card. Sense of humor. Camera for pictures....

SHUNK

11-18-2005, 09:20 AM

Visian

11-18-2005, 10:32 AM

It looked like the trip was cancelled due to scheduling problems. But with a little luck, I will be heading out on December 7 to go to Atlanta. I plan to be there by Wednesday night and head back on Saturday morning. The friend I am staying with will probably be working, so I will should have Thursday and Friday to myself to do some sight seeing and riding.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I will finally be making the trip.

If any Atlanta residents are planning to be around on that Thursday or Friday, let me know!

:thumb

Nuts... I am going to be out of the country on business. Let me know if you would like to hook up with a Georgia Club member for some guided touring and I will see what I can set up.

Oh... and Thursday night is Bike Night at the Vortex (http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/TheVortex/index.htm), though... if it's not too cold, there's always a huge turnout.

http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/TheVortex/photos/makingcalendar/makingcalendar_01A.jpg

http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/TheVortex/photos/makingcalendar/makingcalendar_10A.jpg

http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/TheVortex/photos/makingcalendar/makingcalendar_31-A.jpg

oh... thought you'd like to know... these pics are from the photo shoot for the 2006 Vortex Calendar, shot at Blue Moon Cycles.

Ian

James.A

11-18-2005, 07:03 PM

Seriously, unless you're riding an older bike, you don't need any spare parts.

Ian

Because, if you find yourself broke down on the roadside...your'e screwed.
Your Annonymous book is your life.

BradfordBenn

11-18-2005, 11:41 PM

Oh... and Thursday night is Bike Night at the Vortex (http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/TheVortex/index.htm), though... if it's not too cold, there's always a huge turnout.
Ian

The Vortex is a fun place to go and get a good burger. Been there for a few bike nights. Friend of mine lives within walking distance. Highly recommend it, don't worry if you don't know anyone someone will show up and say howdy. All bikes and all types show up.
:buds

lorazepam

11-18-2005, 11:55 PM

Because, if you find yourself broke down on the roadside...your'e screwed.
Your Annonymous book is your life.

No fair, they are pretty trouble free. 30k on my 2004 and trouble free so far.

YB in IN

11-19-2005, 01:20 AM

No fair, they are pretty trouble free. 30k on my 2004 and trouble free so far.

Better knock on wood. I had that same conversation with Sir Colin at rehearsal right before my tranny conked out.

lorazepam

11-19-2005, 12:14 PM

(raps knuckles on head)

SHUNK

12-05-2005, 02:51 PM

bmdubyou

12-05-2005, 04:51 PM

"If anyone wants an excuse to go riding in the area on Friday or Saturday, let me know!!!"

Yeah, I'd like an excuse.... :laugh

Visian

12-05-2005, 09:25 PM

I will be heading out Thursday morning and plan to be in Atlanta all day Friday and Saturday. Actually, I hope to make it to the Vortex Thursday night. If anyone wants an excuse to go riding in the area on Friday or Saturday, let me know!!!

Shunk, if you are interested in meeting some of the locals, you can join the BMWMOGA Toy Ride (http://www.bmwmoga.info/06_toyride.htm) which leaves from Blue Moon Cycles (great vintage museum) and BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta on Saturday morning. It's a group ride up to the Towns County Sheriff, which is up in the mountains. While the ride up is on the expressway for the most part, there will be a bunch of people there who know the twisty way home.

As mentioned earlier, I am out of the country on biz (oh to have a scooter and a free day in Shanghai) otherwise I would love to join you.

Ian

SHUNK

12-06-2005, 01:55 AM

Shunk, if you are interested in meeting some of the locals, you can join the BMWMOGA Toy Ride (http://www.bmwmoga.info/06_toyride.htm) which leaves from Blue Moon Cycles (great vintage museum) and BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta on Saturday morning. It's a group ride up to the Towns County Sheriff, which is up in the mountains. While the ride up is on the expressway for the most part, there will be a bunch of people there who know the twisty way home.

As mentioned earlier, I am out of the country on biz (oh to have a scooter and a free day in Shanghai) otherwise I would love to join you.

Ian

I will definitely look into that. Thank You!

SHUNK

12-07-2005, 11:56 PM

Just a quick update...

I decided to get an early start on the Atlanta trip and have made it to Hopkinsville, KY. I am so glad the guy at Twin City talked me into an electric vest. I don't think I could have made it here without it. (I had a room temperature water bottle inside a backpack on the pillion seat - it was frozen less than 90 minutes into the trip.)

Just trying to stay ahead of the white stuff... They say it's supposed to warm up for the ride back home at the end of the weekend. Here's to hopin' they're right!

ponchsrtp

11-26-2006, 10:56 PM

visian...

when i was at ft. benning our company moto was "Rock of Chickamauga". i was from illinois and didn't have a damn clue what we were yalling until i got the balls to ask the drill sgt. about it. it cost me 100 pushups to find out but i thought i was worth it. if i ever come down that way i'd like to check out the battlefield....just a bit of history for ya'll. :gerg

BobMielke

11-27-2006, 04:17 AM

When traveling on an overnight trip I'd be sure to carry a half cover for the bike. They're about $40 and will keep the bike parts that come in contact with your body dry. It will also make brushing the snow off the bike easy. I was born & raised in St. Louis and have lived the past 15 years in SC near Augusta, GA. I think you're a bunch too late in the season to be sure of decent weather. Be careful out there and post a ride report when you return to let us know you survived.

cjack

11-27-2006, 08:42 AM

So, for you touring people that don't pack a lot of bike stuff, what do you find that you can't live without? :stick

Heated Gerbings liner. There's a dealer in your area.
Jack

wuli959

11-27-2006, 08:55 AM

funny how a thread gets reinvigorated when it's been dead for almost a year :D

SHUNK

11-27-2006, 11:28 AM

Heated Gerbings liner. There's a dealer in your area.
Jack

I know, Dave sold me a heated vest before I left!

cjack

11-27-2006, 11:35 AM

I know, Dave sold me a heated vest before I left!

Just checking.