Final bike prep for Inzane

[Alien]

I swear, as the day draws closer all I can think about is getting on the road.  The bike is in good shape, just need to do an oil change later today and a little fiddling with one of the saddlebags.  This trip has turned into much more than just Inzane for me.  I'm going to be gone for 3 weeks visiting old friends all over the country, many of whom I haven't seen in years.  I'll be taking my time and enjoying myself.

I put the tailbag on the Mothership yesterday and I swear she perked up just like one of my dogs when they see the leash come out.

Below is my route, does anyone have any input on I-80?

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1fCcbE61WoOGUHeHglWUqgezjP3E" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Alien]

I swear, as the day draws closer all I can think about is getting on the road.  The bike is in good shape, just need to do an oil change later today and a little fiddling with one of the saddlebags.  This trip has turned into much more than just Inzane for me.  I'm going to be gone for 3 weeks visiting old friends all over the country, many of whom I haven't seen in years.  I'll be taking my time and enjoying myself.

I put the tailbag on the Mothership yesterday and I swear she perked up just like one of my dogs when they see the leash come out.

Below is my route, does anyone have any input on I-80?

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1fCcbE61WoOGUHeHglWUqgezjP3E" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Oss]

are going south 1st?
from phoenix consider 60 to 88 thru tortilla flats then 188 south  to 77 if you are staying in Tuscon

Big BF is in Phoenix but I dont know when he is heading out to IZ

10 was HOT   There was a great caverns east of Tuscon  Karchner or something like that there is also a great mountain road, Leaving Tuscon going east I wish I took the northern route thru the mountains and passing Carlsbad as 10 was just terribly windy and hot all the way from thousand oaks

Check your radar often in the afternoon as sandstorms come on you quick  3 weeks  thats awesome !

As for 80, its fast but thats all you can say for it  70 sucks worse
You will love Utah, bring lots of fluids and sunscreen

[Alien]

I'm going east first, 15 north out of Los Angeles to the 80 east.  I've done the 10 and the 40 before...hated them both but the 80 works for me as I have a friend to visit in Omaha.

[Oss]

if it was me I would go thru Hurricane on 9 to do Zion again then up 89 by Bryce to 62 and 24 to meet 70 and spend some time on those smaller roads in Colorado that take your breath away
Heck I would consider riding down 550 to 160 and NW on 149 to Gunnison then 50 east just because it is so awesome

you can always take 25 or 71 north to hook up with 76 to 80 later

Of course I dont know what your meet up schedule is.....

[DenverDave]

I-80, lots of semi truck traffic in the warmer (less snowy) months, windy through Wyoming and deer after dark in Nebraska

Safe Journey

Dave

[Roidfingers]

Alien, be safe. I see your coming through Tuscaloosa Alabama. If you have any problems or need to overnight it, here's my number. 205-657-1797. Again be safe.

[Firefighter]

Hey Alien, in Texas there are some good riding areas south of 10 which it looks like you are using. Davis mountains, I like Fort Davis to Alpine not very far but pretty, Mc Donald's Observatory, etc. and of course Big bend area. 10 is wide open and long, night time deer every mile.

Also west of San Antonio the Texas Hill country, these roads where built with motorcycles in mind "Twisted Sisters" in Kerrville area every Valkyrie should get the chance, and Fredericksburg with tons of motorcycle roads. Get a Butler map of the area, you could ride there for a month!

                                                                    Have fun, be safe.

[Bighead]

I-80 places to stay are few and far between compared to the southern routes plan ahead.

[Crackerborn]

I-80 from west of Chicago into Indiana has the most commercial traffic per mile of any road in the USA. Read that as lots of big trucks in every lane. Not to mention that this is orange barrel season and I-80 always seems to get a fair share of those. Unless you need to travel through Chicago-land, I would recommend trying to travel a bit below that area. 8 million people in Chicago all seem to get stuck on the Interstates during rush hour and rush hour starts around 6 am and wraps up after the bars close. Sometimes weekends are worse. Looking at your planned route, I do not have any good alternatives to suggest.

[Danny McMillin]

Looks like you be comin' through Hattiesburg, MS also. 601-310-4695

[Alien]

Well, you've all got me thinking that 80 might not be the best bet.  I would love to do secondary roads but I don't have the time, so I guess it's 40 to 44 to 79 for me.  Thanks for the heads up and all the offers of help.  I'll see you in Morgantown!

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Rams]

Personally, I'd try to find a way to get south of 80 at the earliest opportunity.   I know 70 sucks from KS City to St. Louis but, IMHO, it beats the hell out of 80 from Omaha to Chicago and beyond.

[Willow]

Well, you've all got me thinking that 80 might not be the best bet.  I would love to do secondary roads but I don't have the time, so I guess it's 40 to 44 to 79 for me.  Thanks for the heads up and all the offers of help.  I'll see you in Morgantown!

Ride Safe,

Alien

US 36 parallels I-80 just to the south.  It is mostly four lane and a nice ride.  Going east it ultimately becomes I-72 and passes well south of the Chicago traffic mess (well, it actually gives you a chance to pick up I-74 and misss Chicago to the south).

[Pete]

Based on your time and route.
Your going PAY in sweat for the return part of you trip once past Tennessee.

Suggestion at Chattanooga take US 72/I565/72A (4 lane) to the Natchez Trace to Jackson MS or Natchez, MS. Yhen southwest to Alexandria or west to Dallas.

[DK]

Alien,

Avoid I-80 west of Lincoln whatever you do. I made the mistake of taking it from Lincoln to Grand Isle going to InZane last year.

It's the Wild West reincarnated, bumper to bumper 18 wheelers 90 mph ten feet off the bumper in front. Just like the 1970's, only more crowded.

It's so bad that you rarely see a 4 wheel vehicle.

It is not safe for a bike.

[henry 008]

Personally, I'd try to find a way to get south of 80 at the earliest opportunity.   I know 70 sucks from KS City to St. Louis but, IMHO, it beats the hell out of 80 from Omaha to Chicago and beyond.

when I visit my son in south Chicago, I'll take 65 south out of Gary Ind to rt 30. 30 is a nice 4 lane (for the most part) with very little traffic. its kinda boring, just like the turnpike, only without tolls. plenty of places to stop, eat, sleep along the way. 30 will take you all the way to Pittsburgh and you can pick up your original route there.

[fudgie]

80 sucks. 

Swing a little further north and take US 20 from WY thru NE & IA. 20 thru Iowa is mostly 4 lane and 65 mph. Swing down to Peoria IL from Davenport IA and take US 24 across. Great way to see America.  Its how we go to SD every yr.

Any chance your passing thru northern Ind? 

[ksmith50229]

Only 2 lanes