Toledo Mark
Member
Posts: 609
Formerly Zeus661
Rossford, Ohio
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« on: May 25, 2011, 02:38:17 PM » |
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The question is: Should I make hotel reservations or will I be able to find a place to sleep while on my trip?
Details:
I will be leaving Toledo Ohio on Friday July 8th and heading to Toronto Ontario then north to Barrie, Ontario where I plan to stay the night.
Barrie, Ontario to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, Ontario
Thunder Bay to Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire, Wisconsin to somewhere in Indiana
Somewhere in Indiana back to Toledo, Ohio
I am hoping to find places to spend the night while traveling incase I plan on staying longer or riding longer. My stops above are approximate locations.
All Right Gang, I am looking for pointers here as this is my first trip with multiple stops and I will be traveling alone.
Thanks for your input.
Mark
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 ************************************************************** Dropbox is a neat app I found that I use to store files and pictures of my Valk. ** |
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2011, 02:53:43 PM » |
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I wouldn't make reservations. Just find someplace when you need to.
If you are on a leg that gets gnarly for some reason, and you get bone tired, do you want to ride that next 100 miles to make your reservation or kick back at the local Mom and Pop Inn?
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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Toledo Mark
Member
Posts: 609
Formerly Zeus661
Rossford, Ohio
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« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2011, 03:06:21 PM » |
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Local mom and pop places are what I want put they are hard to find on the internet. I will be using a GPS and hopefully they will be listed.
Anyone know of a specific website that specializes in Mom and Pop hotels?
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************************************************************** Dropbox is a neat app I found that I use to store files and pictures of my Valk. ** |
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« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2011, 03:11:46 PM » |
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Sourdough
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« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2011, 05:33:41 PM » |
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I have traveled solo quite a bit and never make reservations. I have always been
able to find a room. Maybe not the perfect room; but always good enough for a night.
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01 I/S Black/Beige
97 Standard Bumblebee
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Valkahuna
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« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2011, 05:34:02 PM » |
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+1  On the "NO" reservations. I find that very often the times to get there by mapping the route are not that accurate, and then you have to push to get there. Also, you really can't tell if the place is neat, secure, has restaurants near, etc., when you make reservations in advance. Hey, JMHO.  I wouldn't make reservations. Just find someplace when you need to.
If you are on a leg that gets gnarly for some reason, and you get bone tired, do you want to ride that next 100 miles to make your reservation or kick back at the local Mom and Pop Inn?
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The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
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2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16642
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2011, 05:50:47 PM » |
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One reason I travel by motorcycle is that I enjoy the freedom and flexibility. Reservations would interfere with my travel practices.
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B
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« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2011, 06:12:46 PM » |
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I never do reservations unless the I'm in a group needing more than a couple rooms. My2cents.  |
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"if I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me." TLB-Ps.139:9-10
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2011, 06:14:35 PM » |
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I don't make 'em for the route. There's always something around.
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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Michael K (Az.)
Member
Posts: 2471
"You have to admire a healthy tomatillo!"
Glendale, AZ
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« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2011, 06:45:47 PM » |
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I never make reservations, but I occasionally have reservations.  |
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"I'd never join a club that would have me as a member!" G.Marx  |
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Medic
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« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2011, 07:01:08 PM » |
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Ditto on NO reservations..Never made one through a 23 state cross country trip, always able to find a local motel when needed (like when I got tired). Making reservations puts you on a daily schedule thats unflexible.
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Lyn-Del
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« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2011, 07:13:38 PM » |
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I only make reservations for "destinations" not for the route. For example, I have reservations for Inzane, but not for the trip up there.
Even on a trip where I was on the road for 9 weeks, my only reservations were made at the official destinations along the way. No way I want to "guess" which way I want to go, where I want to stop for meals, sightseeing, how long I'll feel like riding on any given day, etc., before I hit the road for a day or a month.
If I want to be definite on those things in advance, I'll fly.
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 If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. ― Benjamin Franklin |
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ptgb
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« Reply #12 on: May 25, 2011, 07:25:47 PM » |
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Nope... no reservations on any of our trips. We have not once had a problem getting a room for the night anywhere.
Another plus is you can negotiate prices with them a bit more this way. If I pull up to a half empty motel, many times if you ask for a better rate, they will give it to you. Sometimes they will knock $20-$40 off by just simply asking.
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 Lower Lakes 1000 - 07/07 & 09/10 * Bun Burner GOLD - 09/10 Lake Superior 1000 - 07/11 * Lake Michigan 1000 - 09/11 * Lake Huron 1000 - 09/11 Saddlesore 2000 - 09/11 * Ohio 1000 - 07/13 |
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Red Diamond
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« Reply #13 on: May 25, 2011, 07:39:34 PM » |
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A good habit to get into, is don't stay out to late before you look for a room. You will be traveling in the beginning of the summer travel frenzy, try to get in early, especially in high tourist areas. You should be OK. Ride Safely.
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fudgie
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Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2011, 02:24:28 PM » |
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Since your not, I assume, going to some big rally, I wouldnt make any resv. I usually make some 300 miles outta Sturgis 8-9 months ahead of time cause they fill up fast. You will be fine in Ind. It will be a tad pricey along the toll road tho.
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 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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T-Bird
Member
Posts: 2487
A friend is one who takes me for what I am.
Cleveland, Tennessee
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« Reply #15 on: May 26, 2011, 06:11:46 PM » |
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One piece of advise....look for a room early. don't wait till dark. Most people traveling get a room after stopping to eat for the evening, and if you wait too long, they tend to get booked up.
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