IF IF IF my state of employment hasn't changed by the summer - ROAD TRIP!

[..]

I'm taking a road trip. Then I'll be doing CDL A training and getting a truck driving job. Gotta earn some $$$. School bus driving 25 hours a week doesn't pay a lot.

I've been to the Grand Canyon and most of the riding areas in CO and UT.

I will not have time to ride much of the Pacific Highway.

Here's my proposed route.

Any suggestions as to what I may be missing en route?

[JimmyG]

Sorry about your job status. CDL training????? How old are you?  I went through the something similar a few years ago. I did the CDL training and drove a short period of time before returning to my profession. I declared that I would never again be in a situation where I could not work, after all, truck drivers are in demand and will be it seem until they figure out how to get stuff from point a to point b without trucks. Long story short, fell out of employment again almost two years ago, and when I talked trucking, the wife said, NO!!!! I don't want you gone all the time. Luckily, I was 62 a month after I lost my job and could start drawing SS. So that's my story on it, I could go to work tomorrow driving if my wife would let me. 

Now as to your route, are the numbers your stops? You are missing the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, Jackson Hole, Bryce Canyon, the Tetons, ........... Oh, you are taking the desert scenic route. Actually, looks like a good route managing to miss the big cities is the way I like it. 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Just a heads up my friend when and if you go to get that trucking job and you go to terminal and see tire chains hangin' anywhere on ANY trucks .....RUN.

Also remember that every trucking company out there will lie to you like a dog with promise's of big money and home-time some even will tell you home every weekend <----Biggest line of horses**t ever.Over the road trucking in a word SUCKS unless you luck out and get a decent employer and that not likely to someone just starting out.The reason the paper and internet is full of trucking jobs is because it sucks and the company's with ad's in eveything from local newspaper,billboards and internet are the worse they can't keep drivers cause they lie like dogs and damn near starve you to death keeping you on the road......Back to the trip....I'm also planning a out west ride in 2013 but I plan to hang alittle more north than you as I cross America.

[VALKIFIED]

Just a heads up my friend when and if you go to get that trucking job and you go to terminal and see tire chains hangin' anywhere on ANY trucks .....RUN.

Also remember that every trucking company out there will lie to you like a dog with promise's of big money and home-time some even will tell you home every weekend <----Biggest line of horses**t ever.Over the road trucking in a word SUCKS unless you luck out and get a decent employer and that not likely to someone just starting out.The reason the paper and internet is full of trucking jobs is because it sucks and the company's with ad's in eveything from local newspaper,billboards and internet are the worse they can't keep drivers cause they lie like dogs and damn near starve you to death keeping you on the road......Back to the trip....I'm also planning a out west ride in 2013 but I plan to hang alittle more north than you as I cross America.

I can't argue with that. My last year with Werner( big blue, promised every other weekend home) I was home for 17 days that year. Good luck with whatever you decide but Joe is spot on.

[Westernbiker]

I guess you will be pressed for time cause I would never take I-40 all the way through Arizona. So many very cool roads here, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Have fun! 

[ChromeDome]

Not clear on when you plan on going but once you get out west make sure you have lots of water and don't push yourself. You may want to even plan on some shorter days across Utah, Nevada, Arizona and eastern California.

[Jess Tolbirt]

if you drive a school bus you already have a cdl...dont you?

[old2soon]

What Joe said in spades. As a retired an ex over the road trucker-try to steer clear of the really big ones J B Hunt-Werner-Schneider-Swift. A dispatchers main and only job is to lie to you the driver. A dispatcher only cares about moving the freight. Your home life your plans your wife and kids your car and house payments DO NOT mean a frikkin thing to him or her or the company. You WILL become an extension of the machine. I retired from Heartland Express. The one and only reason i stayed with them was the pay. I left 3 years ago at .50 cents a mile. Getting the experience to drive for a decent outfit takes time. Keep yer record clean at a $hit outfit for at least two years than go look for a GOOD driving job. The ONLY thing you have is a good record to sell to another outfit. Good luck with it an i truly hope you come up with a decent job. Better start gettin used to truck stop food and nights and days swapping ends and T/S hookers and no parking and lies lies lies. Sounds like a fun life-don't it?? RIDE SAFE.

[Thespian]

 Cant tell what road you have chosen through the Sierra Nevada range. I took the 120 west and there were some great views but a bit congested. Also $10 to drive through the park, but some great twisty's. I headed north and road back across on  Hy, 4. The top 10 mi, is a lane and a half of switchbacks, your bike will love it. There is two way traffic and no center line so it could be better. Road around lake Tahoe and took Hy, 50 back across and headed for the coast. Can't wait to do it again now that I have the Valk.  

[..]

if you drive a school bus you already have a cdl...dont you?

I have a B.

[..]

Not clear on when you plan on going but once you get out west make sure you have lots of water and don't push yourself. You may want to even plan on some shorter days across Utah, Nevada, Arizona and eastern California.

Yep I drink like a thirsty fish. Lots of it and at frequent intervals.

[..]

Sorry about your job status. CDL training????? How old are you?  I went through the something similar a few years ago. I did the CDL training and drove a short period of time before returning to my profession. I declared that I would never again be in a situation where I could not work, after all, truck drivers are in demand and will be it seem until they figure out how to get stuff from point a to point b without trucks. Long story short, fell out of employment again almost two years ago, and when I talked trucking, the wife said, NO!!!! I don't want you gone all the time. Luckily, I was 62 a month after I lost my job and could start drawing SS. So that's my story on it, I could go to work tomorrow driving if my wife would let me.  

Now as to your route, are the numbers your stops? You are missing the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, Jackson Hole, Bryce Canyon, the Tetons, ........... Oh, you are taking the desert scenic route. Actually, looks like a good route managing to miss the big cities is the way I like it.  

Bumping up to 60 years old. I'm too young to look this darn old. 

The numbers are just way points. I stop wherever I am and when I need to.

Visited these on previous trips

Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, Jackson Hole, Bryce Canyon, the Tetons.

And the Icefield Parkway in Canada.

[..]

I guess you will be pressed for time cause I would never take I-40 all the way through Arizona. So many very cool roads here, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
Have fun! 

I've ben north of I40. What's south without going too far south?

[..]

Just a heads up my friend when and if you go to get that trucking job and you go to terminal and see tire chains hangin' anywhere on ANY trucks .....RUN.

Also remember that every trucking company out there will lie to you like a dog with promise's of big money and home-time some even will tell you home every weekend <----Biggest line of horses**t ever.Over the road trucking in a word SUCKS unless you luck out and get a decent employer and that not likely to someone just starting out.The reason the paper and internet is full of trucking jobs is because it sucks and the company's with ad's in eveything from local newspaper,billboards and internet are the worse they can't keep drivers cause they lie like dogs and damn near starve you to death keeping you on the road......Back to the trip....I'm also planning a out west ride in 2013 but I plan to hang alittle more north than you as I cross America.

I belong to a couple of forums so I am going in semi prepared.

[LandElephant]

Britman,
Unless you are a masocist I would for go Death Valley that time of year. The park is open but they shut down most of the services because of the heat.  And once through Death Valley going west there's another one after crossing Imigrant Pass. Temps are known to be in the mis 105's to mid 115's during the day.  Although after dark (10ish) it starts to cool a bit and other that when I was on deployment in the middle of the Pacific Ocen, the most beautiful starry sky I've ever seen.

I'd suck the bullet and head straight down I-15 to Barstow then cut over to Rt 58 to Lake Isabella and then head north following the bakroads to Sequioa, Kings Canyon, Yosemite, then cut over Tioga Pass to either Rt 108 or Rt 4 back over the Sierras.  108 has a section that matches the dragon and then some.

Then I'd loop my way to San Jose and catch the PCH down to San Luis Obispo.  Then Rt 78 to McKitrick and then south on Rt 33 to  west 166 and then south on 33 to Ojai. Graet place to eat on 33 just outside Ojai called Deer Lodge.

I'll add more later.  I know you love the twisties and this would get you a trip full.

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

[Thunderbolt]

near Mancos Co. is Mesa Verde Park.  You want a day to tour it.  Cliff dwelling Indians and you can walk down into the canyon and go into the cliff dwellings.

[..]

near Mancos Co. is Mesa Verde Park.  You want a day to tour it.  Cliff dwelling Indians and you can walk down into the canyon and go into the cliff dwellings.

I've been there thank you.

From my diary early June 2004

Packing once again I decide that part of my days ride will be to Mesa Verde http://www.nps.gov/meve whilst the others ride the Million Dollar Highway.

Mesa Verde, Spanish for "green table", offers an unparalleled opportunity to see and experience a unique cultural and physical landscape. The culture represented at Mesa Verde reflects more than 700 years of history. From approximately A.D. 600 through A.D. 1300 people lived in communities throughout the area, eventually building elaborate stone villages in the sheltered alcoves of the canyon walls. These cliff dwellings represent the last 75 to 100 years of occupation at Mesa Verde. In the late 1200s within the span of one or two generations, the occupants left their homes and moved away.

The ride up to Mesa Verde is, to be repititous once again, stunning. The road quickly rises above 7,500 feet. From the Park entrance to the far tip of the park is 21 miles with other side blacktop roads to explore. On top of the mesa the road winds through the blackened stubs of trees left by a recent fire, which decimated most of the vegetation atop the mesa. The stubs are in vivid contrast to the bright yellow wild flowers that line the road. The deep blue sky lends almost a surreal quality to these sharply contrasting colors.

I decide that I have to climb down to see the Cliff Palace http://www.rockymtnrefl.com/cliffpalacehoriz.htm
I know from last years ride to Colorado my lungs don’t work too well at higher elevations so I offload my jacket and boots. Putting on pair of hiking boots I feel prepared for the eventual climb back up from the ruins below. The Cliff Palace has to be seen up close to appreciate the quality of the stonework.

The average life expectancy of a male was 35 and for a female 25years. Females were also reasoned to be of childbearing age by 12 years old. A harsh life in such beautiful surroundings.

The ride back through the park give my lungs time to suck in much needed oxygen and I’m ready for the downward swoop to rejoin Hwy 160 towards Durango. In Mancos I stop outside a convenience store to call the others. No reply so I leave a voice mail. Buying some fruit and cheese I sit on a shaded wall to enjoy a light lunch. Calling a few more times it’s obvious the others are still riding the Million Dollar Highway. I don’t want to ride all the way to Durango to just turn around and retrace the miles. After an hour and leaving a few more voice mails I realize that I’ve misheard whatever the arrangements were to join the others. My choices are to sit and continue to phone or to get back on the road and see what the rest of the day brings me. I knew that Mo’s route included Monument Valley so I head south on Hwy 160/666. Missing the turn west I continue into Shiprock, NM where both the bike and I take on much needed fluids. The wind is picking up strength and combined with the hot weather all moisture is being sucked out of my body very quickly. I ask if there are any motels between Kayenta and Tuba City. Emphatically I’m told there are none and so I decide Kayenta is to be where I rest my head. The wind blowing from the south is now battering me as I head west and I see numerous dust devils on which I keep a wary eye. These are more substantial than the one I encountered the previous day. As I approach Kayenta 3 dust devils converge on the road and I speed up to over 100mph to get past them. This strategy works and I see in the mirror that they cross the road about 100 yards behind me.

Kayenta appears to be getting rained on but there are no clouds in the sky. It’s a cloud of dust hanging in the air. A strange turbulence caused by the strong winds and a canyon wall is causing the dust to roll over and over without very much forward motion. Unfortunately there is enough dust in the air for the streets of Kayenta to be sand blasted and hurriedly gassing up I head north into Monument Valley. Leaving the dust storm behind the wind somehow manages to veer around to continue beating me on the left. El Capitan at over 7,000 feet tall dominates the landscape and once passed the other iconic rock formations of Monument Valley come slowly into view. A sign post for Gouldings Trading Post http://www.gouldings.com/english/index.htm comes into view and I remember that this is the very place John Ford and John Wayne stayed at when filming in Monument Valley. OK this is where I’m going to stay. A quote of $160 for 1 night makes me rethink my decision but I’m offered a $60 discount when I start to put my helmet and gloves back on. It’s worth the money just to be in the Valley.

[sheets]

The desert of eastern CA is hotter than the hubs of hell during the summer. Not till ya get west of Bakersfield will you find moderate climate. Death Valley . . . beautiful, in the winter months, when its only 90` out. You'll need one of them camel back things for water. Be prepared to fix a flat, cuz you will be miles from nowhere . . . with nothing in between. Might consider traveling by the light of the moon for a few miles to beat the heat. There is no wind-chill in the summer time. Speed only makes the furnace a blast furnace. A mishap can easily turn into an emergency situation, even a medical emergency. Sounds like a helluva trip. With your background on 2 wheels, likely be a breeze. Yrmv,   

[alph]

i was unemployed for ten months, went and got my CDL class B with P & S endorcements.  then got a job as a maintenance guy.  haven't used my CDL yet, but it's good to keep up to date with the requirements, never know when you're going to get fired around this place.....

sounds like a heck of a nice route.  you'll enjoy Kings Canyon in california, just make sure it's summer time.  we went in august several years ago and the lady at the entrance said we had to have snow tires.  i didn't believe her that we needed snow tires but when we got up to the top there was three inches of snow!!  i loved that area!!  beautiful,  you'll enjoy it!!  almost wish i could get fired so i can join you!!

[..]

The desert of eastern CA is hotter than the hubs of hell during the summer. Not till ya get west of Bakersfield will you find moderate climate. Death Valley . . . beautiful, in the winter months, when its only 90` out. You'll need one of them camel back things for water. Be prepared to fix a flat, cuz you will be miles from nowhere . . . with nothing in between. Might consider traveling by the light of the moon for a few miles to beat the heat. There is no wind-chill in the summer time. Speed only makes the furnace a blast furnace. A mishap can easily turn into an emergency situation, even a medical emergency. Sounds like a helluva trip. With your background on 2 wheels, likely be a breeze. Yrmv,    

Always carry a repair kit and electric air pump.

This product is excellent. Qucik and easy to use.
http://www.stopngo.com/products/Pocket-Tire-Plugger-%252d-For-All-Tubeless-Tires.html

Always have a 3 liter insulated water container in the right saddlebag. I freeze it overnight so it stays cold/cool most of the day.

If I make this ride I'll hit Death Valley in mid June . Avg daily temp over 100F  

Low humidity compared to Atlanta in summer  

[..]

Well bollocks.

The 2nd interview I was hoping for will not be happening.

On the positive side the road trip becomes one step closer.

[musclehead]

stay off the super slab, you'll see plenty of that as a trucker.

I'm unemployed right now just to get my wifey on here feet, I have an OTR gig waiting IF I want it.

I'm looking local if i find a suitable paying job I'll never go OTR again (unless I can take the wifey)

[winghot]

I see you have Cullman on your route. Make sure you come thru during my working hrs.. If not let me know when you come thru. Maybe i will get to ride with you before you go on the trip..

[..]

I see you have Cullman on your route. Make sure you come thru during my working hrs.. If not let me know when you come thru. Maybe i will get to ride with you before you go on the trip..

Darn it. No surprise now. 

[Valkhound]

Paul it looks to me like you left out Kansas 400  which is full of scenic views,wonderful olfactory experiences  and 2 curves. I'm sure you must of overlooked this in your route planning?   

[BigAl]

Just a heads up my friend when and if you go to get that trucking job and you go to terminal and see tire chains hangin' anywhere on ANY trucks .....RUN.

Also remember that every trucking company out there will lie to you like a dog with promise's of big money and home-time some even will tell you home every weekend <----Biggest line of horses**t ever.Over the road trucking in a word SUCKS unless you luck out and get a decent employer and that not likely to someone just starting out.The reason the paper and internet is full of trucking jobs is because it sucks and the company's with ad's in eveything from local newspaper,billboards and internet are the worse they can't keep drivers cause they lie like dogs and damn near starve you to death keeping you on the road......Back to the trip....I'm also planning a out west ride in 2013 but I plan to hang alittle more north than you as I cross America.

I have a CDL License and Joe is right, it ain't for everyone, but hell you might just like it. Or work in the Terminal as dispatcher or something like that, at least they are hiring.

While you are on the road making deliveries you can inquire about jobs where you go.

Paid job search of sorts.

Trucking is a rough way to earn a living but at least you will be eating.

[Paxton]

BRITMAN: "Any suggestions as to what I may be missing en route?"

I think your question relates to points of interests that others might suggest you visit. It looks as though you are getting good feedback.
It seems that you've done a lot of travel and that you are planning well for your next trek.

In my limited experience (twice coast to coast), my contribution to the topic is, make sure that you take lots of extra money for eventualities.  ???
I don't mean money to blow. Just money that would get you through situations out of your control.
Money that you intend to have in your pockets when you return home. 

Also, make sure that you have an extra set of keys hidden somewhere on the bike.
In my case I am glad I did all those things... (long story). 
Oh, don't forget Bail Money too!

[..]

I take cash, credit cards, 2 extra keys.

I call the credit card companies to let them know I'm travelling and NOT to view the purchasing pattern as suspicous.

One spare key is always in the pocket of the jacket I'm wearing. The other is hidden on the bike. 

I take old clothes that can be left behind once worn.

I take laundry powder so I can always do laundry wherever I am.  do laundry every 5 or 6 days.

[NCGhostrider]

Looks like part of your proposed run is on U.S 70.  It parallels TX and OK for several miles before dropping into TX.   As a side note, you won't be terrible far from Daniels place down on US 82 in Clarksville, TX as you pass by. 

You also will be within 60 miles of me when you cross into TX near Waurika, OK.  BTW, there is a place near Waurika, OK that is a catfish dive that many locals eat at.  I drive there to eat on occasion.

The territory west of Wichita Falls is fairly barren, and is hot during the summer, and dangerous at night because of wild hogs and deer.

Keep us posted, I bet you might get a few Texans to meet you as pass by!!

Sounds like a fun ride!!

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[..]

Looks like part of your proposed run is on U.S 70.  It parallels TX and OK for several miles before dropping into TX.   As a side note, you won't be terrible far from Daniels place down on US 82 in Clarksville, TX as you pass by.  

You also will be within 60 miles of me when you cross into TX near Waurika, OK.  BTW, there is a place near Waurika, OK that is a catfish dive that many locals eat at.  I drive there to eat on occasion.

The territory west of Wichita Falls is fairly barren, and is hot during the summer, and dangerous at night because of wild hogs and deer.

Keep us posted, I bet you might get a few Texans to meet you as pass by!!

Sounds like a fun ride!!

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

I don't ride after dark. Too much crap one can't see.

As dusk starts to fall I'm stopped and holed up in a motel. Even if that means stopping earlier than I would normally.

Learnt my lesson years ago running over inanimate objects after dark. Scared the bejesus outta me.

Dawn to dusk makes for a good riding day.

[..]

Roswell to Pacific Ocean Loop – about 6,020 miles

Hwy 120 west Marietta     TR Hwy 278 to Cedartown CROSS AL State line
 
to Gadsden, Cullman, Hamilton     TR Hwy 78 CROSS MS State line to

Tupelo, Memphis     TL I 240 West to I 55 West Past W. Memphis     

CROSS AR State line     TL Hwy 64 to Wynne, Fair Oaks, Augusta, Bald

Knob TR Hwy 367 CROSS Hwy 67 becomes Hwy 167     TL Hwy 230 to

Locust Grove     TL Hwy 24  IMMEDIATELY TR Hwy 14 to Mountain View

becomes Hwy 66 to Alco, Oxley, Leslie     TR Hwy 65 to Marshall, St. Joe, 

becomes Hwy 52 / 412 to Bellefonte, Harrison     TR South Pine St

IMMEDIATELY TL Hwy 392 to Batavia     TL Peach Orchard Rd   

TL CR 917     TL Hwy 412 to Osage, Marble, Hindsville, Springdale

CROSS I 540 to Siloam Springs CROSS OK State line to Locust Grove,

Tulsa becomes I 244 to Glencoe CROSS I 35 to Enid, Woodward 

TR Hwy 183 to Fort Supply TL Hwy 270 to Guymon, Boise City, CROSS 

NM State line to Clayton TR Hwy 64 / 87 to Capulin     TR Hwy 325 to
 
Capulin Volcano     Continue north to Folsom     TL Hwy 72 / 456     

TL Hwy 551 towards Branson CO CROSS CO State line becomes Hwy 389

TL Hwy 160 to Beshoar     TL Hwy 160 / 350 to Trinidad     

TR North Animas St CROSS I 25      TL Prospect St becomes Hwy 12

Hwy of Legends to Valdez, Stonewall, Monument Lake, La Veta

TL West 2nd St     TL Hwy 160 to Fort Garland, Blanca, Alamosa, Del Norte,

South Fork     TR Hwy 149      TL Hwy 50 to Montrose     TL Hwy 550

to Durango     TR Hwy 160 to Four Corners, Teec Nos Pos AZ     

TR Hwy 160      TR Hwy 191 Mexican Water Rd     TL Hwy 163 towards

Mexican Hat     TR Hwy 261     TL Hwy 95 to Hanksville     TL Hwy 24

towards Torrey     TL Hwy 12 to Boulder, Escalante, Bryce Canyon

TL Hwy 89      TR Hwy 9 to Zion Park, Hurricane

TL I 15 towards Las Vegas     CROSS NV State line TR Hwy 215 North Las

Vegas     TR Hwy 159  to Red Rock Canyon     TR Hwy 160 to Pahrump     

TL Hwy 372 CROSS CA State Line becomes Hwy 178 to Shoshone TR

Hwy 127 / 178    TL Hwy 178 to Death Valley     TL Hwy 190     TR Hwy

136 to Lone Pine     TR Hwy 395 to Big Pine, Bishop    TL Hwy 158 to Juno

Lake     TL Hwy 395     TL Hwy 120     TL Big Oak Flat Rd     TR Yosemite

All Year Hwy     TR Hwy 41 Wewona Rd     TL Bass Lake Rd to Bass Lake

becomes Malam Ridge Rd      TL Auberry Rd becomes Power House Rd to

New Aubery becomes Hwy 168 towards Fresno     

TL North Academy Rd     TL Hwy 180 east to Kings Canyon Park becomes

Hwy 198 to Visalia, Lembore     CROSS Hwy 41     TL Avanal Cutoff Rd

TR Nevada Ave / West Jayne Ave CROSS I 6 to Coalinga     TL Hwy 198

to San Lucas     CROSS Hwy 101 becomes Lockwood San Lucas Rd

TR Oasis Rd     TL G14 Jolon Rd     TR Mission Rd     

TL Naclemento Ferguson Rd    TR PCH Hwy 1 towards Carmel

EASTWARD

Hwy G16 to Carmel Valley, Greenfield     TR Hwy 101 to Paso Robles

TL Hwy 46     TR I 5 South     TL Hwy 223     TR Hwy 58 to Barstow

TL I 15 East    TR I 40 East to Kingman, Ash Fork    TR Hwy 89 south

towards Prescott   TL Alt Hwy 89    7 miles   TR Fain Rd to Dewey

TL Hwy 169  TL  I17 North  TR South Access Rd / General Croock Trail     

TR Hwy 260      TR Hwy 87 to Payson     TL Hwy 260     TL Hwy 60 to

Springer ville  CROSS NM State Line to Quemado, Socorro     

TR I 25 South     TL Hwy 380 to Carrizo, Roswell, NM     

TL Hwy 70 to Flida, Portales towards Midway TR Hwy 202 east CROSS

TX State Line TR Hwy 70 to Mudshoe, Springlake, Plainview, Floydada     

TR Hwy 62 to Matador, Paducah, Vernon TR Hwy 183 to Oaklaunion

TL Hwy 183 to CROSS OK State Line becomes Hwy 70 to Grandfiled

CROSS I 44 towards Ardmore     TR I 35 South     TL Hwy 70 to Oakland,

Kingston, Durant, Hugo, Valiant, Broken Bow CROSS AR State Line to

De Queen, Dierks, Daisy, Kirby     TL Hwy 27 / 70 to Glenwood, Pearcy,
Hot Springs     TR Hwy 70 / 88     TR Hwy 270      TL I 30 north first exit

TR Hwy 270 to Poyen, Sheridan, Pine Bluff     TL Hwy Bus 65     

TL Hwy 63 / 79      TR Rob Roy Rd     TR Hwy 88 to Reydell     TL Hwy 11

TR Hwy 276     TL Hwy 1 / 165 to De Witt      TR Hwy 1 to Marvell     

TR Hwy 40 CROSS MS State Line     TL Hwy 61   4 miles 

TR Six Mile Lake Rd becomes Hwy 315 to Sledge, Sardis, Sardis Lake

TL Hwy 278 to Oxford, Tupelo, Mooreville      TR Hwy 78 to CROSS AL

State Line to TL Hwy 74 Hamilton becomes 278 / 74 to

Cullman, Gadsden, Cedartown, Dallas     TL Hwy 120 to Marietta, Roswell.

[..]

Fill up the evening you arrive so the bike is ready to roll in the morning.

Stay at a motel on the side of town you are leaving from so as not to get caught up in any local rush hour.

Check cold tire pressures every second day.