Eastern Seaboard Ride(Pic Heavy)

Just returned a couple of days ago from my Eastern Seaboard trip. It was a great ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was a little worried about weather(Hurricanes Irma/Jose, but all worked out fine. I'll start by saying, I love being on a motorcycle, period. There is no better feeling than being a a bike, especially on back roads where I have never previously traveled. On long-distance trips, I almost feel like the bike is an appendage...almost part of me. Yup, I'm weird! I know that we all have our riding styles and preferences when on a long distance ride. My preference is to spend as many hours on the bike as possible during daylight hours. I do stop and take pictures when moved by a particular scene, however. I love capturing these moments and referring back to these pictures over time. It brings that excitement associated with being on the road. Generally speaking, I'm off the saddle at gas stops and for snacks(usually at the gas station quick-marts). My food cocktail usually consists of Snickers bars, Cliff Bars, Gatorade, water and the Starbucks (bottled) frappaccionos. Not a great road-diet, but that's how it is. I may have an occasional sit down meal at night, buts the eve's/nights are usually reserved for unpacking, sprucing up the bike, journaling my day and getting organized for the following day.

Anyway, I shoved off from Newburyport MA on Sunday, 9/17 and took the interstates to Front Royal VA. It threatened rain off/on for most of the day, but nothing materialzed.

 

Heading North to South

 

Just Prior to Leaving Home:

 

Budget Inn Front Roayl VA:

 

Under My Pillow at Budget Inn:

 

On My Night Stand Upon Awakeing the Next Day:

 

Skyline Drive:

 

Back Roads Through VA-NC-SC-GA to Northern Tip of FL:

 

"Scuffletown Road...Gotta Love it!:

Where I stopped After Being Stricken by Love Bugs!

 

No Statesboro Blues for Me!

 

A Stately Home For Sale in Statesboro:

 

Southeastern GA...Irma, I Suppose:

 

Just Over the RT 17 Brige in FL:

 

Heading Back North Again Via the COAST

 

A Bridge That I Believe Was in in FL?(picture taken from north side of bridge):

 

Port of Darien, GA:

 

Wormsloe Hisorical Site- Savannah(from the outside/closed):

 

My First Krispy Kreme(Savannah):

 

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist(Savannah):

 

Nice Street in Charleston SC:

 

Boone Hall Plantation/Gardens(Charleston):

 

Near Hertford NC(Looked like an Eagle from afar):

 

This (above) day, I rode from Wilmington NC to Wilmington DE. I crossed the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridge which was absolutely awesome! The following day, I took the inetrstates back to MA via NJ Tpk/NYC. I hit some rain (just sprinkles) during the last couple of hours of the ride(the only rain I hit during the entire trip!). Overall, the weather was VERY hot/muggy, especially in the south. With all of my gear on, I was sweltering. For a short period, I rode with just a t-shirt and it felt great! Heated gear- not needed at all. Although I have done numerous long distance trips, I have overpacked for every one of them! I promise, this will never happen again- yeah, right Also, I have brought camping gear on every trip and I've never camped once. Next(and subsequent) trips- no camping gear. It will lessen the load.

As far as the bike goes, this was the first test, given that it's a new 17' The RT can ride all day long, handles great and did excellent on interstates/back roads/twisties... The only negative (and I'm sure it's me) is that I can't get the RT to shift smoothly between 1st-2nd and 2nd-3rd gears. Just seems choppy and clunky. Add-ons that truly saved me were the Werks Quiet ride windshield(awesome), Aeroflow Aerowings wind deflectors, Ilium Highway Pegs(mounted to Ilium Bars) and switching between the Alaskan Sheep Skin Pad and Freedom Air Cushion. Despite using the sheep skin and air cushion, my rump roast was not a happy camper! Russel Day Long seat, here I come!My next trip (2018) will likely be San Diego to home (MA) via the Gulf Coast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great pics! Gross bug pics but the PSA about them is appreciated. If you don't mind, where are you uploading your pictures to show them here? Photobucket is being unreasonable IMO.

 

Pat

Next time give a shout if you need anything....at the south end of the bay bridge tunnel...

 

Nice pics

Pat, I agree that Photobucket is unreasonable but so far, they are the only place that I can actually posts pics from succesfully and easily. Dropbox just wouldn't work for me.

Next time give a shout if you need anything....at the south end of the bay bridge tunnel...

 

Nice pics

 

Thank you. You live in a nice area there!