He man flees NYC....sort of!

[He Man]

well its been decided. I'm riding.

my dad rescinded the offer to loan me the van for whatever reason. I just said okay and left.

Hopefully I won't get face palmed by bad weather or mechanical problems!

Hows the weather en route there? Im assuming its going to get pretty cold somewhere along the route so ill need to gear for both cold and hot conditions?

Heres the planned route.

NYC-> Colombus OH
Route Time: 9:15 via Google Maps
Expected TIme: 11 Hours
Depart NYC 5am- Arrive 4pm.


Colombus OH -> St. Louis MI
Route Time: 7:45 via Google Maps
Expected Time: 10 Hours
Depart 6am- Arrive 4pm

St. Louis MI -> Somewhere after Kansas city
Route Time: I dont want to ride more than 8 total hours this day.

Somewhere in Kansas to Denver CO
Route Time: Under 10 hours hopefully.

Denver CO to Grand Junction
Route time: whatever i need to get there!

[Jarvicious]

You meant St. Louis, Missouri, right?  St. Louis Michigan is practically straight north of Columbus and Google says the drive is 7 hours (or more by two wheel).  I'm off that weekend and have been spending most weekends in St. Louis with friends anyway, so let me know if you want a caravan/lodging.

As far as weather is concerned in the midwest, just wait 5 minutes.  It will change.  Most of the really nasty shit should be done by end of may, but you never know.  Just pack your rain gear

[Monsterlover]

He man, maybe you should just build a shell to cover you bike like this



It will protect you from harsh weather AND solve your parking problems

[He Man]

Yup Missouri. The St. Louis with the arch.

I signed up for Coughsurfing.com and someone was kind enough to accept my newbie request there.

Im hoping to check out the city a bit because Next stop after michigan is Kansas city then im going to make the 1 day trek to Denver unless i can find a place in between, then ill skip kansas city and shoot for somewhere midway between denver and kansas city.

If you want to meet up for some lunch/dinner that would be cool.

Ill be coming in with rain gear then!

[Bladecutter]

well its been decided. I'm riding.

Hopefully I won't get face palmed by bad weather or mechanical problems!

Now you've done it.
Buy a spare bike, and tow it behind you the whole route. 

The weather is going to be what the weather is going to be.
There's not a damned thing you're going to be able to do about it.

If its too hot to ride, pull into a rest stop, and ride at night.
If its rainy, just watch the storm clouds, put on extra layers of rain riding gear, and ride only during the day.
If you see a supercell form on the horizon, pull over, turn around, and go back the way you came, and head north at the first crossing road. For some reason, super cells tend to turn south more often than not in the spring.
If there's hail, get off the road, and under something. Overpasses are your only friend in the middle of nowhere.

But most importantly, when you get to Denver, don't park next to my bikes, because I don't want my bikes to have whatever disaster happens to yours happen to them, too. 

I know the ride you're going to do very well, I've done it quite a few times over the years, both on bikes, and in cars.
Whatever you can do to your bike before the trip, do it.
Valve adjustment, new tires, new brake pads, chain, sprocket, whatever is currently questionable. Get it done, and out of the way NOW. Don't try to work on your bike in the 3 days before the trip, you will only risk breaking something that needs 5 days to get to you.
Every gas fill up, lube and check the tension on your chain. If it needs to be adjusted, do it.
Bring real tools to do the adjustment, too.

And the most important thing, don't risk running out of gas.
If you can plot out your fuel stops ahead of time, that works really, really well.
That way you never have to wonder if there's going to be a gas station or if you're going to have to push for 10 miles.
That feeling really sucks.

BC.

[He Man]

But most importantly, when you get to Denver, don't park next to my bikes, because I don't want my bikes to have whatever disaster happens to yours happen to them, too. 

ahahhaahh 


Seriously though.... so far this is the check list.
Goretex jacket
goretex pants
goretex boots
goretex gloves

Sockets + socket wrench
Allenkeys ball end Metric
Chain Adjuster
Chain Lube
1 quart of oil

And i usually carry a steel canister with 1 Liter of gas for long trips, 1 liter should get me far enough to the next gas station...i hope.


Now i have to ask. what hte hell is a supercell?

[Jarvicious]

When you see it, you'll know.  It's like Satan's asshole opening op directly over which ever city he wants to anger that particular day.  Nasty storms, these.

[Duchess]

me, I'd be renting a UHaul and doing the trip in comfort ...

[Buckethead]

me, I'd be renting a UHaul and doing the trip in comfort ...

Yes, but He Man's young and still needs bar stories. 

[ducpainter]

Yes, but He Man's young and still needs bar stories.  

Yes he is... 

[He Man]

Yes, but He Man's young and still needs bar stories. 

this^^

besides. Ill be updating from my phone to let you guys know if im in shit. maybe i should get someone who posts often to text and post updates to let people know im okay... supercell..damn that shit looks scary.

[Duchess]

Bed for you here if you get blown off course going through  Ohio and end up in Cincinnati - I have enough bar stories for both of us and I'm willing to share ...

[NAKID]

Sorry you forced into that decision, but I think it's for the best. Whatever happens, the stories will be worth it!

[mysticbluex3]

I am doing a similar trip but in the other direction.  From Phoenix to Boston.  Also for an internship, hahaha.  When you leaving?  Maybe we can meet in the middle for lunch, haha.

[He Man]

nice! Whats ur route?