VA to FL trip. Looking for support on the way

[chrisgreer23]

I plan to fly from Melbourne Int. Airport to Richmond Int. Airport on Monday the 13th. ctandc will meet me there and take me to his house to pick up my new ride. I'll then head to Virginia Beach on the bike to stay a night or two with some friends. Then I'll make my way to Melbourne Florida to my parents house.

I will probably stop at Shaw AFB in South Carolina for the night and finnish the trip the following day.

I've read http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.php?t=69418. CP's touring guide and have purchased a few things for the road.

The bike has:
A tall touring shield.
Throttelmeisters bar ends.
A tire repair kit with CO2.
A tool kit with correct sockets to fit the kat.
Basic first aid kit.

I have:
A good skid lid with both tinted and non tinted shield.
Basic, but waterproof and very warm, jacket with matching pants.
Pair of Gortex leather boots. They are waterproof and steal toed.
A kind of neck scarf.
Good pair of gloves. Only problem is they are medium to light weight.

Some things I'm considering buying:
Electric heated vest.
A wiring kit to connect my cell phone to the battery.

I'll have a backpack and/or a duffel bag strapped to the rear of the bike that will have a change of clothes or two, clean socks, and anything else I might need to carry.

Any thoughts/comments/concerns regarding my my travel plans?

[dianhsuhe]

...

Sounds like a blast! Have fun on your new ride!

Sounds like you have the basics covered....Well prepared it seems!

Keep us posted. Wish I was in between your destinations and I would invite you and your KAT over for a Margarita and a soft bed. Unfortunately I am in Southern CA.

[chrisgreer23]

Yeah thats a bit of a detour.

One of CP's many pieces of advice was to get a list of KR members that live along my planned rout in case I need help or anything. I'm surprised more people haven't spoken up.

[steves]

Er, you posted at 10pm last night, and then again at 6am. Give them some time to get some coffee and take a look at the posts

[diavolo]

You are starting your journey about 7 hours south of me - but my door is open, if you are heading up to NJ.

[sonosam]

I live in VA beach right off of 64, so you can hit me up when you're in the area. I may have to work some chitty hours, but we can play it by ear I guess. Let me know.

[thetable]

13th? Like 13th of december? Really? You're just a glutton for punishment, aren't you? Looked at the weather forecast?

I have:
A good skid lid with both tinted and non tinted shield.
Basic, but waterproof and very warm, jacket with matching pants.
Pair of Gortex leather boots. They are waterproof and steal toed.
A kind of neck scarf.
Good pair of gloves. Only problem is they are medium to light weight.

I question how warm anything is at 75MPH. Layers!!! I'm taking it you are military, got access to the ECWCS?
Gloves, medium weight is not going to cut it unless you have Hippo Hands, or the like installed. That is probably the route I would go. Heated gloves or heated grips are another option.
Carry some tape to seal up the vents in the helmet, they all leak air, and that makes for one cold face.
Pick up some type of anti fog solution. I really like the Pinlock system if your helmet is compatible. I'm currently using the FogCity Hyperoptiks insert in my Arai, and it is nice for not having to carry a clear shield, as it changes tint with the amount of light it sees, much like Transition lenses, but it still is fairly prone to fogging, in comparison to the Pinlock setup. Last case fogging solution, would be Fogtech from Moto Solutions. In cold climates, faceshields fog quickly, even when moving.

Some things I'm considering buying:
Electric heated vest.
A wiring kit to connect my cell phone to the battery.

With proper layering, you can get away without the vest, but you will still feel like the kid from "A Christmas Story" who is so bundled up, he can't put his arms down by his sides. A heated vest will eleminate several layers, and pack much easier when you get down to the warmer climates. My usual cold weather riding gear is, base shirt, heated vest, sweater, and riding suit. Bottom is long johns, pants, and riding suit. Heated gloves, and neckwarmer.
Wouldn't sweat the charger, you can usually find enough places to plug in, between rest areas, restaurants, and gas stations. I think you'll have enough else to worry about going over the bike that you won't want to spend too much time adding to it.

I'll have a backpack and/or a duffel bag strapped to the rear of the bike that will have a change of clothes or two, clean socks, and anything else I might need to carry.

Also carry a piece of tool box liner or drawer liner, like this: http://www.buy.com/prod/20-x-5-open-...213448100.html Available nearly everywhere, no need to order it. Put it between the seat and the bag to keep the bag from sliding around. I've also become a huge fan of the Rok Straps for tying down loads. Much more secure and adjustable than bungee cords or nets.
In packing light, realize that unless you are trying to impress someone, you only really need to change the bottom layers to stay hygenic.

Alright, the last thing I have to add, is make sure you have no exposed skin. It will suck the heat right out of your system.

[Scout]

Good luck bro, and If you ever find yourself in PA, let me know. Marine Corps veteran here, with active duty Marine Corps wife. Military is welcome in our house anytime, relatives by appointment only.

[scottysags]

Temps this week in NC are in the low 30's and that is the high for the days this week. Next week will be in the 40's so a little better. Depending on where you come out on 95 from VA. Beach, I would highly suggest taking 295 around Richmond, less traffic and higher speeds.

If you are passing thru the Wilson, NC (I say this because it is close to 95) area and need a place to crash I am about 20 miles off 95 in Clayton/Wendell area and I can offer you a hot shower and warm bed and a zoo of animals (four dogs, a cat and a kitten). I leave the house @ 6am and get home @ 10pm, but if you want we can work it out.

If you don't need a place to crash, but are looking to get out of the cold for a bit, Smithfield, NC has a bunch of restaraunts off 95 and there is a MC shop, Team-Powersports of Smithfield (http://www.team-powersports.com/) also right next to 95 if you run into any problems or again need to get warm.

And of course as you pass thru NC towards SC, you will see billboards about every 2 miles for South of the Border, just a stopping point at the border of NC/SC but geared to getting your money, never been there but see it everytime we drive to Florida.

[Sasquatch]

Im off I85/I40, (future I70), in Greensboro NC. If there is anything I can do, just let me know.

[chrisgreer23]

Er, you posted at 10pm last night, and then again at 6am. Give them some time to get some coffee and take a look at the posts

I guess I'm all high strung from the course I'm on.

13th? Like 13th of december? Really? You're just a glutton for punishment, aren't you? Looked at the weather forecast?


I question how warm anything is at 75MPH. Layers!!! I'm taking it you are military, got access to the ECWCS?
Gloves, medium weight is not going to cut it unless you have Hippo Hands, or the like installed. That is probably the route I would go. Heated gloves or heated grips are another option.
Carry some tape to seal up the vents in the helmet, they all leak air, and that makes for one cold face.
Pick up some type of anti fog solution. I really like the Pinlock system if your helmet is compatible. I'm currently using the FogCity Hyperoptiks insert in my Arai, and it is nice for not having to carry a clear shield, as it changes tint with the amount of light it sees, much like Transition lenses, but it still is fairly prone to fogging, in comparison to the Pinlock setup. Last case fogging solution, would be Fogtech from Moto Solutions. In cold climates, faceshields fog quickly, even when moving.


With proper layering, you can get away without the vest, but you will still feel like the kid from "A Christmas Story" who is so bundled up, he can't put his arms down by his sides. A heated vest will eleminate several layers, and pack much easier when you get down to the warmer climates. My usual cold weather riding gear is, base shirt, heated vest, sweater, and riding suit. Bottom is long johns, pants, and riding suit. Heated gloves, and neckwarmer.
Wouldn't sweat the charger, you can usually find enough places to plug in, between rest areas, restaurants, and gas stations. I think you'll have enough else to worry about going over the bike that you won't want to spend too much time adding to it.


Also carry a piece of tool box liner or drawer liner, like this: http://www.buy.com/prod/20-x-5-open-...213448100.html Available nearly everywhere, no need to order it. Put it between the seat and the bag to keep the bag from sliding around. I've also become a huge fan of the Rok Straps for tying down loads. Much more secure and adjustable than bungee cords or nets.
In packing light, realize that unless you are trying to impress someone, you only really need to change the bottom layers to stay hygenic.

Alright, the last thing I have to add, is make sure you have no exposed skin. It will suck the heat right out of your system.

Yes I am a glutten for punnishment. I've been trying to collect this bike for about 3 months now. ctandc is probably tiered of me changing my planns all the time. Nothing I can do. I love the bike so much that I am willing to do this trip despite of the weather.

Yes I will have layers, yes I will be getting some better gloves, yes I realize it's efin cold up north. I think I will use my helmate as it is and deal with the little bit of air that enters the shield. Worse comes to worse, I have time, transportation, and internet through my phone to find anything I might need. Pluss the friends I have in VA. Beach are very helpfull and inventfull when it comes solutions.

For the rest of you guys up north, I won't be riding any further north then I have to. That means I won't be going to any state north of VA. I do appreciate the invites though. I've never been up north much and don't realy have any planns to. My home is FL. I deffinatly plann on making it to the raly though. Maybe I'll see yall there.

[steves]

Rent a one way uhaul truck and truck it back

[thetable]

Rent a one way uhaul truck and truck it back

If you go that route, do NOT tell them what you are putting in it.

You will be cold on the bike, and to an extent I'm not fully sure you are aware of. Very few local shops sell winter gear that was actually meant for use.

[Psycho1]

Best solution I have found for visor fogging is the Respro Foggy mask. http://www.respro.com/products/racin...ng/foggy_mask/ You also may want to carry a microfiber rag or two to fill the gap between your face and helmet below your eyes. to keep the cold air from flowing up from under the helmet freezing your eyes and forehead, and wear a hoodie with the hood on to give your ears and the back of your neck a little more insulation. If you have enough time, as far as gloves go, it's hard to beat a good pair of full gauntlet snowmobile gloves, maybe you could order a pair online and have them shipped to your house or CT's and get them in time for your ride.

Unfortunately, I am a bit too far west of 95 to do you much good as a stop off point, but if for some unforseen reason you end up near Charlotte and need help let me know, will pm you my number just in case. We have a Cycle Gear in Charlotte, and Competition Accesories is right here in Rock Hill. Good luck and stay safe. Stop every 100-150 miles max and stretch the legs, drink some fluids, and eat some light snacks. Riding when it is extremely cold wears you out much faster than riding any other time, shivering burns energy trying to keep warm and muslce like to spasm. I actually fell asleep for around 30-40 miles on my cross country ride when temps dropped below 32 in the mountains/desert of NM, could have ended the trip very badly.

[chrisgreer23]

So my dad is trying to talk me out of the trip, or at least to get a rental truck for the return trip. Only thing I could find was a full size van for $34 a day.

Two questions:

1) Could the bike fit in a van? I'll have to move the bench seats to either side of the bike and use the bench hook points for strap points. But will the bike be too high?

2) Can anyone find a rental pickup truck or a small box van that is cheaper or around the same as $34 a day? It will be for the 13th-16th ish.