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Road Trippin' USA 2012

Another thing you might want to get is MicroSoft's Streets and Trips mapping program. They have a free trial version here: http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/default.aspx
Fully functional but only works for a limited time - 60 days. Buying a copy of it is cheap, too.

Works great for estimating mileages, riding times, etc without having to be connected to the internet. Can also save routes and have people email their routes to you.

I keep a copy on my mini notebook for use while traveling. For the money, it's a decent program.
 
Mike: The overall route you're planning is very good, from a temperature perspective. THat is, doing the northern tier first in July, then going down to the southern tier later in the summer. I did Nova Scotia last July, and the temperature was beautiful (while NJ was in the mid-90s.) In early October, I rode down to LA & FL, and temps were also comfortable.

BTW, IndyCar is running in early September in downtown Baltimore. NASCAR runs about the same time at Dover (DE) Downs Raceway.
 
Another thing you might want to get is MicroSoft's Streets and Trips mapping program. They have a free trial version here: http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/default.aspx
Fully functional but only works for a limited time - 60 days. Buying a copy of it is cheap, too.

Works great for estimating mileages, riding times, etc without having to be connected to the internet. Can also save routes and have people email their routes to you.

I keep a copy on my mini notebook for use while traveling. For the money, it's a decent program.

set your designated speed at 40-45 mph at the most on the program. We have had some unexpected long days when I overlooked that in some of my planning :doh. In Nova Scotia make that 30 mph if you are on the coastal roads..... maps of Nova Scotia can be misleading in that the twists, turns and village speed limits can take you a very long time when riding most secondary roads. The highways are bleak and you are happiest when you stop and get off them. - Bob
- Bob
 
Hi, Mike,
I live in El Paso, Texas. If you come this way and if I am home that day/night, we have some great steakhouses and I am always looking for an excuse to go to one. Some of my late wife's ancestry is Dutch, from Noord Holland, and we went there in 2003 and had a wonderful time. I hope you have a wonderful time here in the USA when you again visit.
 
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Mike:

As was already suggested, there's not much to see in The Hamptons. In fact, it'll be very congested with traffic in July. If you must do it, Bill Joel has a small motorcycle museum on the north shore of Long Island. Might want to consider that.

Also, if you do decide to go out to LI, you can continue from the east end to New England via the Orient Point ferry to New London, CT. Will save you a bunch of time & aggravation. Reservations will be a must though.

Never been there, but the mansions along the coast at Newport RI are supposedly amazing.

I'll also second the recommendation to somehow work the Blue Ridge Parkway into your return leg to NJ. That would probably mean eliminating the eastern coastline from Georgia to NJ, but I think it would be worth it.

I agree with John that cruising north through the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the Appalachian trail will be unforgettable... forget the coast line from Georgia to NJ and that nasty interstate 95 (hell on earth). Not that there isn't cool spots along the coastal route its just not as twisty and lovely as the blue ridge parkway.

When you start out, if you want to see a Northern Atlantic beach from this side of the pond, by pass Long Island and come up through the Hudson Valley of NY state and then straight across Massachusetts to Cape Cod, all the way to the end in Provincetown. Go on a whale watch and then head down to eat some raw briny oysters at Mac's Shack in the beautiful town of Wellfleet. Cape Cod is one of the few places in this country where you can walk on miles of protected pristine sand beach that isn't molested with over populated commercialism. Find one of the many naturally occurring crystal clear glacial fresh water ponds for a refreshing dip before you leave.

Man.... I wish i could tag along :violin
 

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As mentioned before, screw the east coast.

Here's where the riding is...
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OcIOJKLcFCj8nrthlBh0MQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TWgnoJOQfdI/AAAAAAAACsc/cWAnS-KrDIc/s800/MAP.jpg" height="457" width="702" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Stuff?feat=embedwebsite">Stuff</a></td></tr></table>

Enjoy the States!
 
As mentioned before, screw the east coast.

Here's where the riding is...
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OcIOJKLcFCj8nrthlBh0MQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TWgnoJOQfdI/AAAAAAAACsc/cWAnS-KrDIc/s800/MAP.jpg" height="457" width="702" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Stuff?feat=embedwebsite">Stuff</a></td></tr></table>

+1
As far as roads go, probably the best riding in the USA - no question.
I'd also avoid the coast like the plague.

Couple of pics from Tennessee and North Carolina...
IMG_3829Medium.jpg

IMG_3188Medium.jpg

IMG_8985Medium.jpg

IMG_8956Medium.jpg
 
A great website for you (for all of you really) is www.roadsideamerica.com

This site will tell you of attractions and oddities around America that might be worth visiting. Find Carhenge in NW Nebraska, or Ozymandias's legs outside of Amarillo, Tx. If you're looking for Americana kitch, this is the place to start.

Since I travel a lot for work (and in fact, being from Holland, you might be familiar with TomTom), I use this site for each trip I take. Good luck! :lurk
 
As mentioned before, screw the east coast.

Here's where the riding is...
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OcIOJKLcFCj8nrthlBh0MQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_QUlLxCsQNp0/TWgnoJOQfdI/AAAAAAAACsc/cWAnS-KrDIc/s800/MAP.jpg" height="457" width="702" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/houstonmcintyre/Stuff?feat=embedwebsite">Stuff</a></td></tr></table>

Enjoy the States!

riding sure. Additionally though, both Canada and the United States have people and while riding an interesting ride may be a draw card (as if his proximity to some very fine European venues were not enough), it is the people that make a nation and give the visitor a flavor of culture and social discourse. Our part of the world has much to offer which is unique in many ways but we have met so many, many fine folks throughout our travels in both the United States and Canada who have helped us understand a bit more how they see the world and their place in it. If all one sees is the road then maybe you miss an opportunity to (try to) understand a new part of the world for yourself, as a traveller. Enjoy the States and Canada eh.... you will not be disappointed! - Bob
 
I'm with tourunigo

riding sure. Additionally though, both Canada and the United States have people and while riding an interesting ride may be a draw card (as if his proximity to some very fine European venues were not enough), it is the people that make a nation and give the visitor a flavor of culture and social discourse. Our part of the world has much to offer which is unique in many ways but we have met so many, many fine folks throughout our travels in both the United States and Canada who have helped us understand a bit more how they see the world and their place in it. If all one sees is the road then maybe you miss an opportunity to (try to) understand a new part of the world for yourself, as a traveller. Enjoy the States and Canada eh.... you will not be disappointed! - Bob

Skip a large porton of the East coast and head for the mountains, the hills, and the hillbillies. :usa
 
Don't worry, I'll go into towns and meet people. In between the twisties, I'll cross some towns. I won't avoid cities, but I won't go for all the big cities as I don't like them when I'm on the bike. This trip will be a good mix. I'll use some interstates to make some distance and then relax in a national park or rural area. It'll be great fun!

Even at this point I'm overwhelmed already by the kind reactions, invitations to stay over, tips and even maps...I feel at home already. Maybe I won't return home ;)
 
Mike like Helmut said
Skip a large porton of the East coast and head for the mountains, the hills, and the hillbillies. /QUOTE]

That would be the Rockies for me both sides of the border, I can't say much for the US side but if you get the chance to ride to Jasper, Canada then ride south thought the Rockies in Alberta and BC then the US you not be disappointed, a must see.

Columbia Ice fields


On the Ferry


These are but a few photos, see the rest at gajo.smugmug.com (motorcycle trips 2010)

Garry
Edmonton AB
 
riding sure. Additionally though, both Canada and the United States have people and while riding an interesting ride may be a draw card (as if his proximity to some very fine European venues were not enough), it is the people that make a nation and give the visitor a flavor of culture and social discourse. Our part of the world has much to offer which is unique in many ways but we have met so many, many fine folks throughout our travels in both the United States and Canada who have helped us understand a bit more how they see the world and their place in it. If all one sees is the road then maybe you miss an opportunity to (try to) understand a new part of the world for yourself, as a traveller. Enjoy the States and Canada eh.... you will not be disappointed! - Bob

Not knocking on the people/area by any means and maybe I came across a tad harsh, but going through the trouble of shipping a bike and flying across an ocean to travel this land of ours, I think it would be rude not to point out the better spots for a motorcycle trip, especially that area.

I would recommend the same thing even if traveling by automobile.
 
Not knocking on the people/area by any means and maybe I came across a tad harsh, but going through the trouble of shipping a bike and flying across an ocean to travel this land of ours, I think it would be rude not to point out the better spots for a motorcycle trip, especially that area.

I would recommend the same thing even if traveling by automobile.

ya, the time and money invested in such a grand trip during our traditional tourist travel season will benefit from info regarding great places to be as well as those great but likely very congested areas which could be a waste of valuable time for this venture. It will be interesting to hear the (hopefully) subsequent travel report about the places visited and the people met. Maybe an Alex de Tocqueville on two wheels out to discover america. - Bob
 
ya, the time and money invested in such a grand trip during our traditional tourist travel season will benefit from info regarding great places to be as well as those great but likely very congested areas which could be a waste of valuable time for this venture.
That is something I worry/worried about. I usually go on holiday outside the period all the families are on vacation with kids/dogs. But since I go for a longer period, and considering the weather, I don't have much choice. If I go in May, it might be a bit chilly/rainy in the north and by the time I get to the south, it's July and very hot.
I'm open to sugestions for alternative periods to travel, with regards to my route and holiday factors included. It's not fixed yet, so I can change the schedule.
 
I think riding the south fork and north fork of Long Island is worth the trip...but I would take the ferry from Orient Point, Long Island to New London CT instead of riding around NYC and up the coast. You will miss nothing by taking this short ferry ride. The ferry way nicer way to get to New England from Long Island. Just a thought and as for the Hamptons, nice shops, quaint towns and if I were from another country I would want to just see eastern LI...it is beautiful and full of vineyards and just a nice pleasant ride if you have the time.
 
just a nice pleasant ride if you have the time.
Time is relative is something Einstein mentioned already ;)
While nothing is decided yet, planning a trip like this is an excercise in compromise. You can travel in one state for a month without seeing everything, and I want to cross the country in thee months. So I have to make decisions on where I go.
The Hamptons and Long Island was something that I 'heard about' and just thought of it as I nice destination. I'm still not 100% sure. I have some 1.5 year to make up my mind...when I fetch my bike from the docks, I have to be sure where I want to go first.

Having said that, the day that I spent driving down Long Island is not going to kill me I guess...
 
Been planning very similar trip for this summer. Most folks have already hit the main things I would have mentioned, but here are a few that are either new or bear repeating :)

Long Island: Last summer, the Verazano bridge was under heavy, heavy construction and it took forever to get across. Coming up from the south (or leaving south off the island) will most likely mean being in traffic that is moving 10-30 mph from 6am to 7pm. If you really want to hit the island, there is a ferry at the NE tip that will take you across the Sound to Connecticut. I really recommend that rather than dealing with bridge traffic twice in one day.

East Coast, NYC to the Maine state line: Prepare for heavy traffic along the coastal roads in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Take the trip out Route 6A to the tip of Cape Cod, park the bike, and take a walk on the dunes. It's unlike anything else you'll find on the East Coast.
The ride up towards Boston on 3A is a nice, lazy ride.
Unless you want to actually stop in Boston and see some sights (no slight intended to Boston, there are loads of fun things to do there!) go WAY around the city as the traffic is horrible with the construction downtown (at least it was last August when I rode through).

Yellowstone & Teton National Parks: Unless you plan on staying in/around the parks for a few days, I'd bypass it altogether. It'll run you $20 to get into the parks on a 7-day pass, and camping is another $12 (minimum) per night. Someone mentioned making reservations, but every designated campground I looked at did not accept reservations and was on a first-come first-serve basis. I really recommend looking this up on the Yellowstone site in case I am somehow talking out of my... well...you know :) Personally, I skipped it (was only planning on staying 1 night) and will go back when I can spend more time there (not an option for you, I know).

Moab/Southern Utah/Grand Canyon/Grand Staircase/etc: I would actually put these higher on a priority list than Yellowstone. It would be a shame to come all the way here and not see this area of the US.

Colorado: If you end up going through Colorado Springs, be sure to look into Garden of the Gods (although I still would bypass this for Utah and AZ).

Blue Ridge Parkway: Someone mentioned it already. It runs atop the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains (did I remember that right?) from eastern Tennessee/western North Carolina into Virgina. The road even has it's own official website: http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

Awesome trip you're planning!
 
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