Long Distance Motorcycle Ride
I just completed the third day of my ride from Florida back to Minnesota on our Gold Wing. Overall, it’s been a great trip. I rode through a little rain on the first day, but I saw it coming in time to pull over and put on my rain gear, so it turned into nothing more than a short delay.
The trip home is about 1,750 miles, and covering that distance in four days is definitely taking its toll. I’ve ridden a lot of long-distance trips over the years, usually with at least one other rider and often with a group. I’ve been to California, the Carolinas, Florida, and parts of Canada. Despite all those miles, this is the first extended trip I’ve done completely on my own.
When I left Florida, my plan was to avoid the Interstate whenever possible. I’ve always preferred the back roads. Unfortunately, after the first day I realized that if I wanted to make it home in four days, that simply wasn’t realistic. I’m not as young as I used to be, and 400 to 450 miles a day is about my limit.
The slower speeds on two-lane highways, along with passing through small towns, make the miles add up much more slowly. I also realized that some of the things I enjoy most about riding the back roads lose a little of their magic when you’re traveling alone. There isn’t anyone beside you to share the scenery, the smells of freshly cut hay or campfires, or the wave from someone sitting on their front porch. Those are some of the little things that make motorcycle travel so enjoyable.
On the second day, I split the ride between back roads and the Interstate. I covered nearly two-thirds of the day’s mileage on the freeway in the same amount of time it took to ride the remaining third on secondary roads. Today I stayed on the Interstate all day, which allowed me to stop earlier and get some much-needed rest before tomorrow’s final leg home.
Over the years I’ve been pretty critical of people who choose the Interstate over scenic roads. I always wondered why anyone would pass up the opportunity to enjoy the quieter routes. This trip gave me a different perspective.
When time matters, the Interstate has its advantages.
The biggest difference, however, isn’t the scenery. It’s the traffic and the stress that comes with it.
On many back roads I can ride for miles without another vehicle in sight. On the Interstate, there is almost always someone beside me, behind me, or passing me. Today I rode for long stretches with another vehicle within a hundred yards of me almost constantly.
That creates stress and increases the chances of something going wrong.
I’ve had three close calls on this trip, and every one of them happened on the Interstate when another vehicle drifted into my lane. Each time I had to react quickly to avoid a collision. So far, I haven’t had a single close call on the back roads, and tomorrow’s route home will once again take me off the freeway.
This trip also reminded me how important it is to prepare yourself physically before a long ride. Comfortable riding gear and a good seat make a tremendous difference. A small annoyance in the morning can turn into an aching back or sore muscles by the end of the day. Taking a few extra minutes before leaving each morning is well worth the effort.
This ride also happens to fall over Memorial Day weekend.
As I rode through the small towns today, I saw people mowing their lawns, putting up American flags, and decorating for Memorial Day ceremonies. In one town I passed a group practicing for their community’s Memorial Day program. Seeing those displays of pride in their communities and respect for those who served was a reminder of what the weekend is really about.
Sometimes the destination isn’t the only thing that makes a trip memorable. It’s the things you experience along the way that stay with you long after the ride is over.