Pre-trip Stuff

I came to the realization that I am not getting any younger and need to start doing some of the my "bucket list" stuff. For the past couple of years I've been playing around, planning a month-long motorcycle trip into the Rockies and back, that I would like to do while I still can.

My plan covers approximately 13,600 kms (8,500 miles) over a 27 day span. So, it would be more or less a relaxed pace, with days ranging from 360-650 kms (225-400 miles), with the longest day being about 8 hours of saddle time. I also have a couple of shorter days in the plan around the Denver area so that we can get the bikes serviced along the way.

The trip plan avoids the interstates, with only about 1,500 kms on the 4 laners, most of those on the getaway and get-back days.

Some stats:
- total states to be travelled: 17 (quite a few - MI, IN, IL, CO, WY) we're into a couple of times
- total HD dealers on the planned route: 41
- total gas consumed (based on 30 miles/gal): ~ 285 US Gallons

Since we will be staying in motels for the duration of the trip, obviously this is not a cheap trip. But it is a "trip of a lifetime", at least for me, so it's definitely worth considering.

In putting together this plan, specifically in terms of when we arrive at

a destination, I generally start with a 7:30 am KSU. On a couple of days, I've made it an 8 am KSU and on a couple of others, I've based it on a 7 am start.

I've also scheduled stops (of at least 15 minutes, but most often of 30 minutes) at every hour to hour and a half intervals along the route.

I've include food stops (typically an hour long). sometimes incorporated into another stop (fuel, HD, sightseeing, etc.) into the plan as well.

It looks like I will have Brian and Jana joining me here from London, and then we will be meeting Dave and Bob from Delaware at the end of the first night in Indiana. Manny will also be coming all the way from Florida (via Delaware) to meet up with us in Indiana. Everywhere Joe was originally planning to join us, but had to bow out. We will hopefully create a bunch of memories, have some laughs, see some awesome scenery and re-energize friendships along the way.

I am looking forward to seeing how well Lady in Blue (LiB) handles

this trip. She has been a real trooper over the years and has always done well by me, so I hope she continues in the same way.

I truly consider this to be an opportunity for a trip of a lifetime. I hope in the end, it turns out as well as I imagine it to be!