Turd on the Run

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Well folks, I am doing it. I've been fantasizing about quitting my job and hitting the road on two wheels for quite some time now, and come August that dream will become a reality. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the implications of this decision, doing a lot of second-guessing, but more than anything following my heart and soul and forging ahead with the plan. This thread will be my proverbial thought bubble for the months to come (sorry in advance), there will be lots of questions, concerns, inquiries, random musings, scattered ideas flowing into it.

I hope to learn a great deal from this amazing forum. I am confident that I will because I already owe so much of what I know to the wise and humble members of it. In return, I will try to drag y'all along on this ride of a lifetime and maybe impart some wisdom of my own by the end of it. Things are still in the pre-planning stages but here is how I have things arranged in my mind so far:

Leave Springfield, Missouri the first week of August. Very likely will be hauling my bike to New Mexico to start the trip proper. A friend who is very familiar with the same route strongly discouraged me from riding across Kansas/Oklahoma that time of year. Two to three loooong days of flat, hot, uninspiring riding to start the trip off are one thing, doing the same thing at the END of a multi-week/month trip to get back home are the other. I have a truck, I'm not too proud to use it in this instance, it'll save me a handful of miserable riding days, it'll be much closer to the bike out west say something should happen, and literally no-one is going to downgrade my trip by saying "aww man, shoulda ridden from your doorstep, woulda been so much cooler..."

From New Mexico, the world is my oyster... Well, the western half of the country at least. My sister lives in Taos, very well may leave my truck with her. Northern NM is supposed to have some great riding which I intend to explore first and foremost.

From there, Colorado. Southwest part of the state is also supposed to contain some killer roads and attractions that I definitely want to hit. From there, start making my way up north. I am thinking and hoping that August will be a good time to ensure safe passage through the numerous high passes, hopefully, some natives will direct me in this area as I am as green as they come to this sort of travel. If you haven't been able to guess so far, I am biting off a lot on this trip, hopefully not more than I am able to chew. Worst case scenario I hightail it back home and lick my wounds/ego. Best case scenario I have the experience of a lifetime and come back a new man with the confidence to tackle challenges I never thought were possible before. We shall see.

From Colorado, I would prob keep heading north into Wyoming where my uncle lives. Maybe ride through Yellowstone, maybe not. Into Montana from there, west into Idaho where I definitely want to hit some of the Sawtooth range as I visited there some years back and was blown away. From there into Oregon where my grandfather and a friend live, hopefully making it all the way to the coast. That's more or less my 'big goal' of the whole trip, is to make it to the coast in one piece.

My return route back to Taos is not as clear in my mind yet, would love some feedback on that. I would really like to get over to Utah to explore that amazing state, but unsure if riding through Nevada or Arizona in late August/early September is an awful idea or not. I suppose I could head back to Idaho from the Oregon coast and drop down into Utah from there.

As far as time goes, that's the best part of this whole trip. I will probably put some feelers out for my next job, but I am purposefully not wanting to set any sort of deadline on when I need to be back home or a start date for employment. I very well may find a prospective job out on the road, who knows. My girlfriend and I are looking to relocate somewhere new and this could be a very good scouting opportunity for just that.

I have the number of 4-6 weeks in my head, but that's a pretty rough estimate. Could take less time, could take more.

Oh, I guess it's worth mentioning what I will be riding. LOL. My trusty '13 CB is hopefully up to the challenge, tough luck if not cause it's all i got! Accordingly, interstates/major highways will be avoided like the plague, though I am aware they will be necessary at times.

I am beyond excited/nervous/scared/eager to embark on this crazy trip, to be molded by it into something new and better. I have felt a very strong pull to do something "big", something that thrusts me out into the unknown that gets me out of my comfort zone and forces me to really look inward. I hope that this is that "big thing", and that I don't die/go crazy in the process.

I look forward to hearing y'alls input in the coming months.

[pdedse]

Well folks, I am doing it. I've been fantasizing about quitting my job and hitting the road on two wheels for quite some time now, and come August that dream will become a reality. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the implications of this decision, doing a lot of second-guessing, but more than anything following my heart and soul and forging ahead with the plan. This thread will be my proverbial thought bubble for the months to come (sorry in advance), there will be lots of questions, concerns, inquiries, random musings, scattered ideas flowing into it.

I hope to learn a great deal from this amazing forum. I am confident that I will because I already owe so much of what I know to the wise and humble members of it. In return, I will try to drag y'all along on this ride of a lifetime and maybe impart some wisdom of my own by the end of it. Things are still in the pre-planning stages but here is how I have things arranged in my mind so far:

Leave Springfield, Missouri the first week of August. Very likely will be hauling my bike to New Mexico to start the trip proper. A friend who is very familiar with the same route strongly discouraged me from riding across Kansas/Oklahoma that time of year. Two to three loooong days of flat, hot, uninspiring riding to start the trip off are one thing, doing the same thing at the END of a multi-week/month trip to get back home are the other. I have a truck, I'm not too proud to use it in this instance, it'll save me a handful of miserable riding days, it'll be much closer to the bike out west say something should happen, and literally no-one is going to downgrade my trip by saying "aww man, shoulda ridden from your doorstep, woulda been so much cooler..."

From New Mexico, the world is my oyster... Well, the western half of the country at least. My sister lives in Taos, very well may leave my truck with her. Northern NM is supposed to have some great riding which I intend to explore first and foremost.

From there, Colorado. Southwest part of the state is also supposed to contain some killer roads and attractions that I definitely want to hit. From there, start making my way up north. I am thinking and hoping that August will be a good time to ensure safe passage through the numerous high passes, hopefully, some natives will direct me in this area as I am as green as they come to this sort of travel. If you haven't been able to guess so far, I am biting off a lot on this trip, hopefully not more than I am able to chew. Worst case scenario I hightail it back home and lick my wounds/ego. Best case scenario I have the experience of a lifetime and come back a new man with the confidence to tackle challenges I never thought were possible before. We shall see.

From Colorado, I would prob keep heading north into Wyoming where my uncle lives. Maybe ride through Yellowstone, maybe not. Into Montana from there, west into Idaho where I definitely want to hit some of the Sawtooth range as I visited there some years back and was blown away. From there into Oregon where my grandfather and a friend live, hopefully making it all the way to the coast. That's more or less my 'big goal' of the whole trip, is to make it to the coast in one piece.

My return route back to Taos is not as clear in my mind yet, would love some feedback on that. I would really like to get over to Utah to explore that amazing state, but unsure if riding through Nevada or Arizona in late August/early September is an awful idea or not. I suppose I could head back to Idaho from the Oregon coast and drop down into Utah from there.

As far as time goes, that's the best part of this whole trip. I will probably put some feelers out for my next job, but I am purposefully not wanting to set any sort of deadline on when I need to be back home or a start date for employment. I very well may find a prospective job out on the road, who knows. My girlfriend and I are looking to relocate somewhere new and this could be a very good scouting opportunity for just that.

I have the number of 4-6 weeks in my head, but that's a pretty rough estimate. Could take less time, could take more.

Oh, I guess it's worth mentioning what I will be riding. LOL. My trusty '13 CB is hopefully up to the challenge, tough luck if not cause it's all i got! Accordingly, interstates/major highways will be avoided like the plague, though I am aware they will be necessary at times.

I am beyond excited/nervous/scared/eager to embark on this crazy trip, to be molded by it into something new and better. I have felt a very strong pull to do something "big", something that thrusts me out into the unknown that gets me out of my comfort zone and forces me to really look inward. I hope that this is that "big thing", and that I don't die/go crazy in the process.

I look forward to hearing y'alls input in the coming months.

Holy moley, the energy bounces off the paragraphs!! Sounds like a wonderful trip.

If you need a place to stay in the Portland, Oregon (Gresham), let me know, I'd think it fun to help out a long distance rider.

[LongRanger_imp]

Fabulous adventure! There is a lot of not-to-be-missed riding in the region you'll be traveling. Hopefully CO 145 (Lizard Head Pass) will be reopened by the time you make it to SW Colorado. Right now it's closed due to a rather massive rock slide. If you find yourself nearing Denver, look me up. I've got a garage, a bed, and plenty of hospitality to share (though I'll be out of the country the last week of August).

[Ben70_imp]

Congratulations! Once the germ of this idea of yours took hold, you would regret not taking the chance at it. Sounds exciting, looking forward to following along, possibly our paths will cross when you get near northern CA.

Ben

[GoldOxide_imp]

Daniel, I sincerely wish you well. The journey sounds to me less about the bike and the routes and really about you. I hope you find it.

Truly, Happy Trails!

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Well folks, I am doing it. I've been fantasizing about quitting my job and hitting the road on two wheels for quite some time now, and come August that dream will become a reality. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the implications of this decision, doing a lot of second-guessing, but more than anything following my heart and soul and forging ahead with the plan. This thread will be my proverbial thought bubble for the months to come (sorry in advance), there will be lots of questions, concerns, inquiries, random musings, scattered ideas flowing into it.

I hope to learn a great deal from this amazing forum. I am confident that I will because I already owe so much of what I know to the wise and humble members of it. In return, I will try to drag y'all along on this ride of a lifetime and maybe impart some wisdom of my own by the end of it. Things are still in the pre-planning stages but here is how I have things arranged in my mind so far:

Leave Springfield, Missouri the first week of August. Very likely will be hauling my bike to New Mexico to start the trip proper. A friend who is very familiar with the same route strongly discouraged me from riding across Kansas/Oklahoma that time of year. Two to three loooong days of flat, hot, uninspiring riding to start the trip off are one thing, doing the same thing at the END of a multi-week/month trip to get back home are the other. I have a truck, I'm not too proud to use it in this instance, it'll save me a handful of miserable riding days, it'll be much closer to the bike out west say something should happen, and literally no-one is going to downgrade my trip by saying "aww man, shoulda ridden from your doorstep, woulda been so much cooler..."

From New Mexico, the world is my oyster... Well, the western half of the country at least. My sister lives in Taos, very well may leave my truck with her. Northern NM is supposed to have some great riding which I intend to explore first and foremost.

From there, Colorado. Southwest part of the state is also supposed to contain some killer roads and attractions that I definitely want to hit. From there, start making my way up north. I am thinking and hoping that August will be a good time to ensure safe passage through the numerous high passes, hopefully, some natives will direct me in this area as I am as green as they come to this sort of travel. If you haven't been able to guess so far, I am biting off a lot on this trip, hopefully not more than I am able to chew. Worst case scenario I hightail it back home and lick my wounds/ego. Best case scenario I have the experience of a lifetime and come back a new man with the confidence to tackle challenges I never thought were possible before. We shall see.

From Colorado, I would prob keep heading north into Wyoming where my uncle lives. Maybe ride through Yellowstone, maybe not. Into Montana from there, west into Idaho where I definitely want to hit some of the Sawtooth range as I visited there some years back and was blown away. From there into Oregon where my grandfather and a friend live, hopefully making it all the way to the coast. That's more or less my 'big goal' of the whole trip, is to make it to the coast in one piece.

My return route back to Taos is not as clear in my mind yet, would love some feedback on that. I would really like to get over to Utah to explore that amazing state, but unsure if riding through Nevada or Arizona in late August/early September is an awful idea or not. I suppose I could head back to Idaho from the Oregon coast and drop down into Utah from there.

As far as time goes, that's the best part of this whole trip. I will probably put some feelers out for my next job, but I am purposefully not wanting to set any sort of deadline on when I need to be back home or a start date for employment. I very well may find a prospective job out on the road, who knows. My girlfriend and I are looking to relocate somewhere new and this could be a very good scouting opportunity for just that.

I have the number of 4-6 weeks in my head, but that's a pretty rough estimate. Could take less time, could take more.

Oh, I guess it's worth mentioning what I will be riding. LOL. My trusty '13 CB is hopefully up to the challenge, tough luck if not cause it's all i got! Accordingly, interstates/major highways will be avoided like the plague, though I am aware they will be necessary at times.

I am beyond excited/nervous/scared/eager to embark on this crazy trip, to be molded by it into something new and better. I have felt a very strong pull to do something "big", something that thrusts me out into the unknown that gets me out of my comfort zone and forces me to really look inward. I hope that this is that "big thing", and that I don't die/go crazy in the process.

I look forward to hearing y'alls input in the coming months.

Holy moley, the energy bounces off the paragraphs!! Sounds like a wonderful trip.

If you need a place to stay in the Portland, Oregon (Gresham), let me know, I'd think it fun to help out a long distance rider.

Holy moley, the energy bounces off the paragraphs!! Sounds like a wonderful trip.

If you need a place to stay in the Portland, Oregon (Gresham), let me know, I'd think it fun to help out a long distance rider.
The energy is always there, focusing it in the proper direction is the challenge for me! Hoping this trip helps me with that.

Thank you so much for the offer. When the time comes closer I will definitely let you know, never been to Portland and would love to check it out. Grandparents in Eugene, been a long time since I was there though.

[flynrider]

Quitting the job to go on a motorcycle ride? Sounds great! I did the same thing way back in 1987. Quit my job in June and figured I'd find something when I got around to coming home (which I did).

I also started in New Mexico and followed the Rockies all the way up to Banff/Jasper Nat'l Parks up in Canada. From there I headed west and followed the coast back down. Visited friends and family along the way and never regretted a minute of the trip. As I recall, it was about 5,500 miles over the course of six weeks.

Snow shouldn't be an issue in August (forest fires are the usual concern), but after the first or second week in Sept., all bets are off in the high country. Could be great biking weather, or it could be snowing.

One thing I'd encourage you not to miss is US Hwy 12 from Lolo, MT to Kooskia, ID. One of the finest motorcycle roads I've ever ridden.

From there you could head south through Hell's Canyon, past McCall and almost to Banks, then cut east on State routes 17 and 21 (also a great motorcycle route) to Stanley, which is at the north end of the Sawtooth Valley. That'll give you a good taste of some of Idaho's best roads.

Keep us posted on your plans. I'm sure a lot of other western forum members will be able to feed you some gems.

I usually ride my CB11 back from Idaho to Phoenix sometime in Sept. Maybe our paths will coincide at some point.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Fabulous adventure! There is a lot of not-to-be-missed riding in the region you'll be traveling. Hopefully CO 145 (Lizard Head Pass) will be reopened by the time you make it to SW Colorado. Right now it's closed due to a rather massive rock slide. If you find yourself nearing Denver, look me up. I've got a garage, a bed, and plenty of hospitality to share (though I'll be out of the country the last week of August).

Thank you very much for the offer LR, I will probably take you up on it if I get there before you're gone. I hope it works out, I am eager to put a name to the face!

Congratulations! Once the germ of this idea of yours took hold, you would regret not taking the chance at it. Sounds exciting, looking forward to following along, possibly our paths will cross when you get near northern CA.

Ben

Oh, it's taken hold all right! My biggest enemy is myself now. I won't back out though, all the best pleasures in life lie on the other side of fear. Or something like that...

I hope that they do cross paths, I would really like to see the redwoods while I'm all the way over there, might not ever be that far west again.

Daniel, I sincerely wish you well. The journey sounds to me less about the bike and the routes and really about you. I hope you find it.

Truly, Happy Trails!

You nailed it on the head GO. I hope that I do, too. Thank you

Quitting the job to go on a motorcycle ride? Sounds great! I did the same thing way back in 1987. Quit my job in June and figured I'd find something when I got around to coming home (which I did).

I also started in New Mexico and followed the Rockies all the way up to Banff/Jasper Nat'l Parks up in Canada. From there I headed west and followed the coast back down. Visited friends and family along the way and never regretted a minute of the trip. As I recall, it was about 5,500 miles over the course of six weeks.

Snow shouldn't be an issue in August (forest fires are the usual concern), but after the first or second week in Sept., all bets are off in the high country. Could be great biking weather, or it could be snowing.

One thing I'd encourage you not to miss is US Hwy 12 from Lolo, MT to Kooskia, ID. One of the finest motorcycle roads I've ever ridden.

From there you could head south through Hell's Canyon, past McCall and almost to Banks, then cut east on State routes 17 and 21 (also a great motorcycle route) to Stanley, which is at the north end of the Sawtooth Valley. That'll give you a good taste of some of Idaho's best roads.

Keep us posted on your plans. I'm sure a lot of other western forum members will be able to feed you some gems.

I usually ride my CB11 back from Idaho to Phoenix sometime in Sept. Maybe our paths will coincide at some point.

Great minds think alike! Sounds like we had the same idea, only about 32 years apart (I will turn 30 in July, I feel like it's now or never)

5,500 miles, six weeks.....I would be A-okay with those numbers on my trip. I should be knocking the high passes out all in early August, I don't think I'd be going back over them on my return route.

I'll take all the recommendations you got for Idaho. I visited Stanley and did some hiking around the Sawtooths with family 4-5 years back, can't wait to ride through that incredible area.

If our paths cross that'd be icing on the cake!

[Rocky_imp]

All I can say is "WOW" good for you

[emptysea]

Looking forward to the reports.

Safe travels.