Count down to a major road trip...

I would give some advice, but you have been riding longer then me and probable already know everything thier is to know.

I made a trip with a few buddy's from Tucson to LaPaz, MX on my XR600. Alot of it was off-road. It was one of the best experience's of my life.

I wish a safe and fun ride for you Joe. Be careful, look out for the idiot's!

Good Luck Joe

It was about 1300 mile's, no where near your planned trip but I'd say about 40% of that was off-road in the desert. I rode a 1993 Honda XR600, it's a enduro (on and off-road bike).

This trip was in 1997, and credit card's espeacially in Mexico were no good. I can imagine even today there are some place's that credit cards wont do. So dont rely just on cards, carry some cash.

Take lot's of break's, help's keep you alert. And get off and move around to get the blood flowing. My leg's from the knee's down swelled up from sitting so long and never seemed to get better. This also helps avoid arm pump or hand pump, lack of blood to the hands and arm. Thier where times were I could not even pull the clutch in.

A kindney belt will help you ride longer, just like a boxer who keep's jabing his oponents kidney's it wear's them down. Every jolt, every bump, every pot hole bounce's your kidney's and wears you out faster. A kidney belt will help with that.

Be sure to let someone know of your progress at least every few day's, especially when you ride alone. I know you said Mrs. Joe just said Goodbye, but you know as well as I do she will be worried. And if you are worried that she is worried it will only take attention away from you from paying attention to the rode.

You seem to have your route planned out, that's good. But just as you noted about the flood's, thing's change. You can't alway's count on your plan, you have to be flexiable. You have to be prepared to change your plan on a instant. Every time we changed or route or something did not go right one of my buddies would freak out. It takes the enjoyment away from the trip. Just go with the flow and dont stress the small stuff.

Never ride beyond your mean's, and what I mean by that is how many mile's a day will you ride? The most important part is to stay alert, as you know you have to ride VERY defensively on a motorcycle and if you over do it, your defensive driving suffer's.

And of course plan for evey weather, from rain to high temp's to even snow. Nothing suck's more then not having the right riding gear. It's hard to pack everyhting you need, water some food, tools, you know the usually stuff. But find the space, thier will alway's be something you wish you had.

And dont forget about other states helmet laws, it's a good ideal to wear one anyway's

Well I can go on and on but I already made myself sound like a idiot. It's just like riding around town but much much longer. Alway's be alert, never assome a driver is going to do what they are suposed to do because they wont. Always be awear of what's around you. The most important is to enjoy the ride.

I told you, you already know everything. That's why you are Godfather

C50, that's the Boulevard right? Nice

I had a 86 Honda Rebel 250 for a short time. No where near the machine you have. I liked it though, it was a little sucker but alot of fun. That's the closest thing I had to a cruiser.

This was back in the early 90's in high school, it wasn't cool enough so I got rid of it. I had to have a enduro or sport bike to be cool, what a idiot I was. I'm more of a off-roader type.

Boy has time's changed, I'll take the Rebel now

Have you consider route 66 ? I've alway's wanted to, I'm young thier is still time I hope.
It's probably all been commercialized but I saw a TV show about it the other day and still seem's like alot of fun and cool thing's to see. They where showing a bike club that made the run. Just a thought

I wish you well Joe, be safe, be careful, and enjoy the ride.

Joe if you take 66 you'll come real close to me. Holler if you take it and I'll feed you a free meal.....................