Best Motorcycle Guide

By Carla Drake

Planning a vacation on a motorcycle is one thing, taking a 4000 mile spin in 10 days is a test of endurance. The right gear is necessary considering the amount of travel room you have on a bike. A good set of saddle bags should be sufficient to store everything needed.

This adventure started in July from the west coast of central Florida at 4:30 in the morning at a bar called "Peggy's Corral".

Day One: Having stopped at the gas station next to Peggy's we saw the owner "Rip" and told him we would see him on the next Saturday when we returned. Our plan was to be in Mass. in three days for a yearly bike club rally. The itinerary was to travel approximately 500 miles a day, camping in State Parks or campgrounds. The first day was great. We traveled nearly 800 miles found a campsite in South Carolina, pitched our tent, unrolled the sleeping bags and rested our weary bones.

Day two: Rising early, the day started out good but we ran into rain early. Slipping into our rain suits, we ended up wearing them all day. Blinding heavy rain slowed us down considerably. Not getting far we decided to hunker down in Hazelton, PA to and dry our gear.

Day three we made it to our destination by early afternoon and rode into a party going full swing. That night was the reason for the trip and we enjoyed it tremendously. We pitched our tent right there and rose early to continue our adventure.

Day four After we left our friends in mid northern Mass. we headed for Maine. That afternoon we had lobster on the docks in York Beach and continued Northwest. The White Mountains in New Hampshire has fantastic scenery and the views are breathtaking. Needing some rest we decided to take it easy and got a room in Conway New Hampshire. Staying at hotels started breaking into the cash so we were glad to have a credit card.

Day five We rode our bikes to the top of MT Washington (tallest in the NE). We traveled the breathtaking Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains into Vermont. That night we camped on the Canadian border at Lake Memphamagog in Newport Vermont.

Day Six the decision to cross over to Canada was made. Our destination, was Montreal Harley Davidson so we could acquire tee shirts. With our newly acquired shirts in the saddlebags we headed south back into the States and that night was spent at a campground on Lake George, New York.

Day seven we traveled all day and spent the night in a Hotel in Hazelton PA, again that credit card cam in handy.

Day Eight we traveled the Cherokee Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains and camped in Lynchburg Va.

Day nine was spent traveling through the Carolinas and spending the night at a campground in Savannah GA. Dinner at the Red Hot Blues Barbecue was the highlight of the evening.

Day ten was our final leg. Our goal was to be at "Peggy's Corral" in Palmetto, FL to support a fellow biker who had been in a life altering accident. We arrived around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday exhausted from our travels with stories to tell. The day ended with the acceptance of the "Iron Butt" award for coming full circle.

If you are considering a long tour the following are suggested items to pack on and in your saddlebags for the adventure of a lifetime.

1. Tent

2. sleeping bags (2)

3. air mattress (2)

4. rain suits (2)

5. leather jackets (2)

6. leather pants (2)

7. motorcycle clothes (shirts,pants,etc) 3 sets each (2)

8. motorcycle boots (2) sneakers (2)

9. personal hygiene kit (2)

10. camera

11. cell phone

12. maps

13. Triple A emergency road service membership

14. tire repair kit

15. small tool kit

16. cash and credit card