@Amos_Umwhat said:
yeah, you've got a back rest, and a good sized duffel will hold more than a tour-pack anyway. I put my sleeping bag between my tour pack and me on the pillion, then bungee my sheepskin across it and down onto my seat so that it's like a chair.
I highly recommend the sheepskin. First time I rode from Tennessee to Sturgis SD and back, when I got home I ordered the sheepskin. They send you the whole thing, and you cut it to fit. That was 30 years ago, and I'm still using it now. It's seen me through 3 motorcycles. Well worth the money. I think it cost $90 back then, probably closer to $200 now, thanks to our glorious leaders injudicious use of their printing press. But, that's a rant for a different thread.
Yeah I've already got an Airhawk seat cushion from my last bike because that seat was incredibly uncomfortable, but there's no need for it on this one at least as of yet (I'll still pack it just in case). Corbin seats are worth every penny.
True, Corbin is great. Pack the air hawk is a good idea. I have one of those too, but use it on the tractor more often than the bike. We had a Corbin on the wife’s Sportster, excellent choice
WARNING: The above post may contain thoughts or ideas known to the State of Caliphornia to cause seething rage, confusion, distemper, nausea, perspiration, sphincter release, or cranial implosion to persons who implicitly trust only one news source, or find themselves at either the left or right political extreme. Proceed at your own risk.
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
@CalvinAndHobo said:
I leave from home July 3rd. Google won't let me add all the waypoints and backroads that I plan on taking, since I plan to avoid interstates as much as possible, but this is a close enough outline of what the trip will be, unless something throws a wrench into my plans. It'll be the southern part first, then going north and back east along the Canadian border on the farm roads. The total trip should be somewhere between 20-25 days. It would be very cool to do what Davis did and meet up with anyone who lives along the route, but I can't give exact dates for when I'll be at a location, because of things like rain, or cool places that I want to spend extra time at.
Ahem....if you need a bunk for a night....I might be on your route.
I debated starting a new thread, but I think Davis would have enjoyed the idea of others going on bike trips and using his thread to share their experiences, so that's what I'm going to do as I travel.
This is going to be my updated route after doing a bunch of research and trying to get the most beautiful roads into it, while also avoiding any sort of populated areas. (I won't actually be passing through Denver, Google just won't let me modify my route any further.) I'll be going counter clockwise, so that if I'm running ahead of schedule, I can spend more time getting lost when something catches my eye in the mountains of Utah and Colorado, which is what I'm most excited to be seeing. I'll be leaving Monday July 3rd, and getting back sometime around July 25th, and I'm very excited.
I’m glad you modified your route from West Glacier south to take you through the Swan Valley. Prepare to be gob smacked. From there down through the Gallatin valley (Bozeman) and through Yellowstone and Teton National Parks will be unbelievable as well. Looks like a fantastic journey-I’m sure Davis would have loved to ride along. Safe travels!
@CalvinAndHobo said:
I debated starting a new thread, but I think Davis would have enjoyed the idea of others going on bike trips and using his thread to share their experiences, so that's what I'm going to do as I travel.
This is going to be my updated route after doing a bunch of research and trying to get the most beautiful roads into it, while also avoiding any sort of populated areas. (I won't actually be passing through Denver, Google just won't let me modify my route any further.) I'll be going counter clockwise, so that if I'm running ahead of schedule, I can spend more time getting lost when something catches my eye in the mountains of Utah and Colorado, which is what I'm most excited to be seeing. I'll be leaving Monday July 3rd, and getting back sometime around July 25th, and I'm very excited.
Absolutely awesome! I've ridden about half those roads, and look forward to riding the rest. Safe travels, try and keep us informed when you can.
WARNING: The above post may contain thoughts or ideas known to the State of Caliphornia to cause seething rage, confusion, distemper, nausea, perspiration, sphincter release, or cranial implosion to persons who implicitly trust only one news source, or find themselves at either the left or right political extreme. Proceed at your own risk.
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
Someone just offered to sell me meth here in North Dakota. May need to rethink my plan of staying at the cheapest hotel in the area when I’m ready to stop for the day. Maybe we’ll go second cheapest from now on.
@CalvinAndHobo said:
Someone just offered to sell me meth here in North Dakota. May need to rethink my plan of staying at the cheapest hotel in the area when I’m ready to stop for the day. Maybe we’ll go second cheapest from now on.
That crap is everywhere! 50, 60, 70 years ago, we didn't know better. "It's not a drug, it's a super-vitamin!" they said. Now? Who's stupid enough to start doing that stuff? Is there anyone left in the country who doesn't know someone who's life, or family has been destroyed by it? Good grief. OK, off my soapbox.
True, cheapest hotel doesn't count if you don't wake up in the morning.
Oh, and are you going counter-clockwise?
WARNING: The above post may contain thoughts or ideas known to the State of Caliphornia to cause seething rage, confusion, distemper, nausea, perspiration, sphincter release, or cranial implosion to persons who implicitly trust only one news source, or find themselves at either the left or right political extreme. Proceed at your own risk.
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
This is Webmost’s thread, and I can’t think of a better way to keep his forum legacy alive than by derailing a thread, so let’s keep them coming. Some random derailments of my own:
The scale of generational wealth here in northern North Dakota along route 2 is incredible, and completely different from Northern Minnesota. In Minnesota it was a lot of undeveloped land, with a small town thrown in every 10 miles or so surrounded by trailers, and an occasional farm thrown in between towns. Here in North Dakota it’s just 10,000 acre farm after 10,000 acre farm, with either soybeans or canola growing on every acre, aside from some cattle and hay every now and then, but rarely. I’ve been wondering about why that is for the past couple hours while riding, since the land itself is basically the same. I’ll probably look into that when I get home. It makes me wonder about things like the average amount of wealth per family here in the north above hwy 94 where cities basically don’t exist. (not yearly income, but wealth, not sure if that’s a researchable thing).
There’s a train line that runs next to route 2, I don’t know what line it is, but it’s shipping a hell of a lot of those oil carrying train cab things. Fracking is alive and well here it appears.
I haven’t seen a single homeless person in this state, including in the bigger towns, like the one I’m in now, Minot. I can’t imagine it would be fun to be homeless in ND though, given the winters. If I was a drug addict or mentally ill, I’d hop a train south.
Every person I’ve seen here is overweight, without exception. I literally have seen over 100 people minimum, not a single skinny person. I’m the skinniest person in this northern part of the state it seems. This was a small side of fried okra, for perspective.
I’m wondering how many of my observations are also true in ND’s southern half and central half, where the population centers are.
My grandparents were from there, about 10 miles south of the Canadian border up in the north east corner.
Farmers, mostly.
None of them were fat, but it was the mid 60's when I remember going there, and nobody was fat in the 60's. For verification of that statement, watch the movie Midnight Cowboy. Shot in NY, they just filmed it out in the street, everyday people walking by in the background.
Look at them.
No fatties.
WARNING: The above post may contain thoughts or ideas known to the State of Caliphornia to cause seething rage, confusion, distemper, nausea, perspiration, sphincter release, or cranial implosion to persons who implicitly trust only one news source, or find themselves at either the left or right political extreme. Proceed at your own risk.
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
That reminds me, the photos that is, one of the uncles or older cousins asked us kids if we wanted to see the forest nearby?
Well, of course we did.
So, we all climbed into the back of the pick-up so we could stand up and look over the cab as we rattled down the road for 20 miles or so until we came to a hill with a tree at the top. He pointed up at the tree and told us "Well, there it is!" And then he laughed, a lot, and all us kids just stared at him.
Then, 20 happy miles home standing up in the back of the truck. Yay.
(I was 8)
WARNING: The above post may contain thoughts or ideas known to the State of Caliphornia to cause seething rage, confusion, distemper, nausea, perspiration, sphincter release, or cranial implosion to persons who implicitly trust only one news source, or find themselves at either the left or right political extreme. Proceed at your own risk.
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
Impressive farms with massive acreage and lots of big shiny equipment on display does not make me think they are worth millions. I just assume the bank owns all of it.
Also, The difference in land use between Minnesota and North Dakota is probably regulatory. Has Minnesota been a democrat run state for a while? I don’t know. I’m just asking. Perhaps while ND is more likely to push their bank-owned farming businesses to thrive, MN is more likely to just choke the life out of anything they can get their hands on. Just a wild guess. I might be wrong.
Have a fantastic trip Calvin! Keep posting us up on everything. Be safe!
Comments
Yeah I've already got an Airhawk seat cushion from my last bike because that seat was incredibly uncomfortable, but there's no need for it on this one at least as of yet (I'll still pack it just in case). Corbin seats are worth every penny.
True, Corbin is great. Pack the air hawk is a good idea. I have one of those too, but use it on the tractor more often than the bike. We had a Corbin on the wife’s Sportster, excellent choice
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
Ahem....if you need a bunk for a night....I might be on your route.
Looks fun, Calvin. I'm glad you are going clockwise.
Calvin looks like an awesome trip. Good luck. @CalvinAndHobo
You better stop in Davenport for Taco Dreams
I debated starting a new thread, but I think Davis would have enjoyed the idea of others going on bike trips and using his thread to share their experiences, so that's what I'm going to do as I travel.
This is going to be my updated route after doing a bunch of research and trying to get the most beautiful roads into it, while also avoiding any sort of populated areas. (I won't actually be passing through Denver, Google just won't let me modify my route any further.) I'll be going counter clockwise, so that if I'm running ahead of schedule, I can spend more time getting lost when something catches my eye in the mountains of Utah and Colorado, which is what I'm most excited to be seeing. I'll be leaving Monday July 3rd, and getting back sometime around July 25th, and I'm very excited.
Also, I had to make sure to avoid Las Vegas so I didn't have to see @VegasFrank .
I’m glad you modified your route from West Glacier south to take you through the Swan Valley. Prepare to be gob smacked. From there down through the Gallatin valley (Bozeman) and through Yellowstone and Teton National Parks will be unbelievable as well. Looks like a fantastic journey-I’m sure Davis would have loved to ride along. Safe travels!
If you are going counter clockwise make sure to wear your watch on the other arm!
I thought you could only go counter-clockwise south of the equater?
Trapped in the People's Communits Republic of Massachusetts.
Is it spelled equater if you live on a flat eath?
Got me. Didn't realize I misspelled it.
Trapped in the People's Communits Republic of Massachusetts.
Absolutely awesome! I've ridden about half those roads, and look forward to riding the rest. Safe travels, try and keep us informed when you can.
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
Learned an obvious lesson about washing my hands and washing the sunscreen off when I do that.
This might be the dumbest sport to ever exist, but it was fun.
Someone just offered to sell me meth here in North Dakota. May need to rethink my plan of staying at the cheapest hotel in the area when I’m ready to stop for the day. Maybe we’ll go second cheapest from now on.
Even in the middle of summer down here I wear long sleeves, gloves and a hat. Gotta keep the sun off you, sunscreen will only carry you so far.
Edit, have a good ride
That crap is everywhere! 50, 60, 70 years ago, we didn't know better. "It's not a drug, it's a super-vitamin!" they said. Now? Who's stupid enough to start doing that stuff? Is there anyone left in the country who doesn't know someone who's life, or family has been destroyed by it? Good grief. OK, off my soapbox.
True, cheapest hotel doesn't count if you don't wake up in the morning.
Oh, and are you going counter-clockwise?
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
My adoptive father, was prescribed meth and quaaludes back in the '60s to control his manic/depressive symptoms. It did not go well.
All things in moderation.
Edit: I don't really believe that but wanted to derail Calvin's thread a bit more.
This is Webmost’s thread, and I can’t think of a better way to keep his forum legacy alive than by derailing a thread, so let’s keep them coming. Some random derailments of my own:
The scale of generational wealth here in northern North Dakota along route 2 is incredible, and completely different from Northern Minnesota. In Minnesota it was a lot of undeveloped land, with a small town thrown in every 10 miles or so surrounded by trailers, and an occasional farm thrown in between towns. Here in North Dakota it’s just 10,000 acre farm after 10,000 acre farm, with either soybeans or canola growing on every acre, aside from some cattle and hay every now and then, but rarely. I’ve been wondering about why that is for the past couple hours while riding, since the land itself is basically the same. I’ll probably look into that when I get home. It makes me wonder about things like the average amount of wealth per family here in the north above hwy 94 where cities basically don’t exist. (not yearly income, but wealth, not sure if that’s a researchable thing).
There’s a train line that runs next to route 2, I don’t know what line it is, but it’s shipping a hell of a lot of those oil carrying train cab things. Fracking is alive and well here it appears.
I haven’t seen a single homeless person in this state, including in the bigger towns, like the one I’m in now, Minot. I can’t imagine it would be fun to be homeless in ND though, given the winters. If I was a drug addict or mentally ill, I’d hop a train south.
Every person I’ve seen here is overweight, without exception. I literally have seen over 100 people minimum, not a single skinny person. I’m the skinniest person in this northern part of the state it seems. This was a small side of fried okra, for perspective.
I’m wondering how many of my observations are also true in ND’s southern half and central half, where the population centers are.
If anyone wants to google any of that, feel free. All I’ve got is my phone and googling stuff that isn’t just a basic question is too big a hassle.
Interesting post, Calvin, especially your observations that aren't just pics of tourist sights. Thanks, and keep them coming.
This is a pretty good representation of most of the state.
My grandparents were from there, about 10 miles south of the Canadian border up in the north east corner.
Farmers, mostly.
None of them were fat, but it was the mid 60's when I remember going there, and nobody was fat in the 60's. For verification of that statement, watch the movie Midnight Cowboy. Shot in NY, they just filmed it out in the street, everyday people walking by in the background.
Look at them.
No fatties.
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
That reminds me, the photos that is, one of the uncles or older cousins asked us kids if we wanted to see the forest nearby?
Well, of course we did.
So, we all climbed into the back of the pick-up so we could stand up and look over the cab as we rattled down the road for 20 miles or so until we came to a hill with a tree at the top. He pointed up at the tree and told us "Well, there it is!" And then he laughed, a lot, and all us kids just stared at him.
Then, 20 happy miles home standing up in the back of the truck. Yay.
(I was 8)
"If you do not read the newspapers you're uninformed. If you do read the newspapers, you're misinformed." -- Mark Twain
Impressive farms with massive acreage and lots of big shiny equipment on display does not make me think they are worth millions. I just assume the bank owns all of it.
Also, The difference in land use between Minnesota and North Dakota is probably regulatory. Has Minnesota been a democrat run state for a while? I don’t know. I’m just asking. Perhaps while ND is more likely to push their bank-owned farming businesses to thrive, MN is more likely to just choke the life out of anything they can get their hands on. Just a wild guess. I might be wrong.
Have a fantastic trip Calvin! Keep posting us up on everything. Be safe!
Yeah I don’t know either, all I know is canola is an incredibly beautiful crop.