Run what you brung, minimalist touring, with pics.

Ogier le Danois · Nov 30, 2008

I moved out to the bay area in 05/2004. I was in law school at the time. I didn't have a dime to my name. Bought a little nighthawk 250 with part of my student loans. :thumbup

I came to SF to volunteer at legal aid for a summer internship, and to stay with family. I didn't go back to NC to finish law school, best decision I ever made.

1. Packed up and ready to go.

2. Blue ridge parkway.

3. Deals gap

4. abandoned building

5. Montana is used to name all kinds of places (even in Tennessee.

Ogier le Danois · Nov 30, 2008

I was cold the whole time, poor gear, no money, it was awful, I spent one morning hiding in a mcdonalds to warm up.

The stockyards were in Garden City Kansas. An old guy told me it was the smell of money.

Ogier le Danois · Nov 30, 2008

The nighthawk struggled up the mountains in colorado. had to use the shoulder as it slowed to 20 mph. I was cold and wet. Check out the quality cold weather gear. :wtf

Ogier le Danois · Nov 30, 2008

Highway 50 was quiet, I met about 3 cars along the way.

Karbon · Nov 30, 2008

AWESOME!

Ogier le Danois · Nov 30, 2008

I would guess most folks have been to this area, I can't recall if it is in CA or NV, but it is full of rocks arranged by travelers.

I lost a chain in Reno, on the freeway with no shoulder. Donners pass was a bit of a trial, heavy traffic and an anemic bike.

Valgar · Nov 30, 2008

Somebody is feeling the itch for another long-haul ride.

Ogier le Danois · Nov 30, 2008

I don't seem to have any CA pictures from the trip. Not entirely sure why.

I have done two long trips, this one was about 2800 miles, and I did alaska in 2007 which was 7500 miles. I loved both of them.

A rider doesn't need the best or biggest bike to have a good time. I won't tour anymore without heated grips and good gear, but sometimes you have to run what your brung. I think the whole trip cost about $350, maybe a little less. Can't beat the miles and smiles per $.

Ogier le Danois · Nov 30, 2008

Some more pictures of the blue ridge.

I recommend it as a must ride. There are literally hundreds of miles around and off it that are equal to the dragon, without the traffic and enforcement.

Skidmarx · Nov 30, 2008

I realize that this is a motorcycle forum, but I've got to ask...did you finish law school?

Zerox · Nov 30, 2008

Woot, I have been to that one overlook pic on the top left. :thumbup

(my home county in NC has access to the Blue Ridge Parkway)

What a story, a 250 Nighthawk. Wow.

Edit..Found it after a search, this is me at the same overlook in 2006. I think this is near another overlook where some douche pushed a couple family members over the side and claimed they commited suicide...he went to jail.

I sure wasn't expecting somebody to post a pic of that overlook today, zounds.

Ogier le Danois · Nov 30, 2008

Skidmarx said:
I realize that this is a motorcycle forum, but I've got to ask...did you finish law school?

Nope. Got into software development, gained 50lbs, quit in 2007, went home to Montana, took off for Alaska then started working for the feds, back to being healthy.

The legal profession wasn't for me.

hayabusafiend · Nov 30, 2008

My hat's off to you. I had that much gear for only a 1200 winding mile trip through VA and NC.

Well done!

ob1ventura · Dec 1, 2008

Meter Man said:
Nope. Got into software development, gained 50lbs, quit in 2007, went home to Montana, took off for Alaska then started working for the feds, back to being healthy.

The legal profession wasn't for me.

Smart move :thumbup

wazzuFreddo · Dec 1, 2008

Ohio to SF on a borrowed VTX1300. I was joking with my coworker not to ship his bike out, just buy me a ticket on Southwest and I'll get it out here. So he did. Did it in an easy 6 days, heavy rain for about 45 minutes in Nebraska allong with snow and hail over one pass in Wyoming. All I had was a bag of clothes on the back seat and some supplies in a tankbag. :teeth

auntiebling · Dec 1, 2008

Valgar said:
Somebody is feeling the itch for another long-haul ride.

the itch is crabs, i think there is a soap at the pharmacy that will get rid of them

Nemo Brinker · Dec 1, 2008

Damn. The whole continent on a NIGHTHAWK 250.
That, sir, is bad ass. :thumbup

And here I was feeling all studly for riding a Nighthawk 750 to Montana and riding through a snowstorm up 80 out of Reno. OH NO.

rbm · Dec 1, 2008

Carlo · Dec 1, 2008

I remember you. You posted this somewhere else not long after you did the trip.

I admire your willingness to take what you have available, and make it work.
Too many folks nowdays think they need a big touring bike to make long trips.
There was a time, when there was no such thing as a "big" touring bike (if you think I'm wrong, you haven't had a close look at a 1965 Harley Electaglide recently; they're small compared to new Harleys). People used to tour on anything. Hell, my cousin took two trips from Pasadena to Seattle and back on a Honda step-through 90!

soggy · Dec 1, 2008

I rode my Ninja 250 to Cabo San Lucas at the tip of Baja, Mexico and back. Awesome experience. I wish I could put up pictures but the my imac is broken right now.

Run what you brung, minimalist touring, with pics.

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