glenfiddich
TravelsWithBarley.com
Our Vermont winters are long and harsh. I typically spend my winters tearing down my bikes, cleaning each part meticulously, and reassembling them. The rest of the time I figure out where I want to go when the snow and ice retreats in late April or early May. In this post I'll share how I do it and open it up to how others plan so we can all take home a few good tips.
I start with a map of the US and Canada, identify the end point (in this case the rally at Great Falls MT) as well as places I'd like to see along the way, and highlight a rough route. It looks something like this:
From that beginning I divide the route into geographical segments, then drill down into each area using ride reports, magazines, online resources and Butler Maps to identify points of interest. On the map I use US-50 as a baseline to cross from Maryland to Missouri, but as those aforementioned resources yield results I vary from the baseline and the route becomes a meandering adventure. Based on research so far that segment will likely find us in the Hocking Hills of OH, across backroads of northern KY, the national forests of extreme southern IN and IL and the Mark Twain NF in MO before dropping down to northwest AR. I'll do that with each segment of the map.
When all segments are fleshed out, I start a rough draft of a calendar showing about where I'll be at a particular point in time. Working backwards from the end point (since the rally dates are fixed) tells me how much riding time to allow. I enter riding time and miles onto the calendar, adjusting daily endpoints to less than 300 miles to allow plenty of time for Glenlivet and me to take breaks for play or rest. If the calendar shows a stretch of 2-3 longer days I mark at least one down day where we can stay put and he can enjoy being a dog. The calendar draft looks something like this:
Lastly, I look for places to stay. Often they are campsites which is why I pass through national forests. Every few days we get a hotel for a soft bed and hot shower. It's often difficult to find accommodations some areas, so we book them early. For example, we already have a place to stay in Monument Valley - two days of early morning and late afternoon sunlight to bring out the colors for my camera! And of course we love staying with other like-minded people so often accept offers from others in the golden retriever and riding communities. I use the Tent Space Map on ADVRider.com a bit but thus far have not used the Anonymous Book as the code for spare room isn't quite as welcoming as the "We love visitors and want to hear your stories" entries on ADVRider.
You may have noticed that our return trip is sadly lacking in the meandering department. From personal experience I know that once the rig is pointed in the general direction of home gravity takes over and I'm pulled back to Vermont. This return leg will include Beartooth Pass and the Bighorns (snow level permitting), the Black Hills and Badlands. Each was among Barley's favorite places and I hope to spread some of his ashes along the way...
So, how do you plan?
Pete and Glenlivet.
I start with a map of the US and Canada, identify the end point (in this case the rally at Great Falls MT) as well as places I'd like to see along the way, and highlight a rough route. It looks something like this:
From that beginning I divide the route into geographical segments, then drill down into each area using ride reports, magazines, online resources and Butler Maps to identify points of interest. On the map I use US-50 as a baseline to cross from Maryland to Missouri, but as those aforementioned resources yield results I vary from the baseline and the route becomes a meandering adventure. Based on research so far that segment will likely find us in the Hocking Hills of OH, across backroads of northern KY, the national forests of extreme southern IN and IL and the Mark Twain NF in MO before dropping down to northwest AR. I'll do that with each segment of the map.
When all segments are fleshed out, I start a rough draft of a calendar showing about where I'll be at a particular point in time. Working backwards from the end point (since the rally dates are fixed) tells me how much riding time to allow. I enter riding time and miles onto the calendar, adjusting daily endpoints to less than 300 miles to allow plenty of time for Glenlivet and me to take breaks for play or rest. If the calendar shows a stretch of 2-3 longer days I mark at least one down day where we can stay put and he can enjoy being a dog. The calendar draft looks something like this:
Lastly, I look for places to stay. Often they are campsites which is why I pass through national forests. Every few days we get a hotel for a soft bed and hot shower. It's often difficult to find accommodations some areas, so we book them early. For example, we already have a place to stay in Monument Valley - two days of early morning and late afternoon sunlight to bring out the colors for my camera! And of course we love staying with other like-minded people so often accept offers from others in the golden retriever and riding communities. I use the Tent Space Map on ADVRider.com a bit but thus far have not used the Anonymous Book as the code for spare room isn't quite as welcoming as the "We love visitors and want to hear your stories" entries on ADVRider.
You may have noticed that our return trip is sadly lacking in the meandering department. From personal experience I know that once the rig is pointed in the general direction of home gravity takes over and I'm pulled back to Vermont. This return leg will include Beartooth Pass and the Bighorns (snow level permitting), the Black Hills and Badlands. Each was among Barley's favorite places and I hope to spread some of his ashes along the way...
So, how do you plan?
Pete and Glenlivet.