500 mile slog.... - Ducati.ms

heffergm · Aug 7th, 2009, 5:51 pm

So I'm moving back to MA from VA. It's roughly 500 miles. The thought of loading the bike on a movers truck makes me ill. I'm tempted to just ride. Should I shoot myself now or let the ride kill me?

I can probably handle 100 mile stretches without too much trouble, which works out given the gas tank.

MarksFriggin · Aug 7th, 2009, 5:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by heffergm

So I'm moving back to MA from VA. It's roughly 500 miles. The thought of loading the bike on a movers truck makes me ill. I'm tempted to just ride. Should I shoot myself now or let the ride kill me?

I can probably handle 100 mile stretches without too much trouble, which works out given the gas tank.

You can do it. I'm not a long distance rider myself so 500 would probably kill me too but I'd do it to avoid putting it on a moving truck... either that or I'd just put it on my trailer and tow it.

Martyn · Aug 7th, 2009, 7:34 pm

why not do an overnight and break it up into two days? Pick a back road route, eat some good food at a nice sit down place, have a martini or a nice glass of wine at dinnertime - if you want to kill yourself just getting from point A to point B - it may take away a little of the magic of the bike. Sometimes you need to stop and smell the exhaust fumes mate!
cheers, Martyn

heffergm · Aug 7th, 2009, 7:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martyn

why not do an overnight and break it up into two days? Pick a back road route, eat some good food at a nice sit down place, have a martini or a nice glass of wine at dinnertime - if you want to kill yourself just getting from point A to point B - it may take away a little of the magic of the bike. Sometimes you need to stop and smell the exhaust fumes mate!
cheers, Martyn

It's a thought, I've just got a wife and two kids and a whole lot of shit to unpack, so I don't want to dally. That said, I'm sure they'd prefer I arrive alive and in semi-decent condition, so it may be a fair compromise

BigMac038 · Aug 7th, 2009, 8:49 pm

Going from VA to MA sucks, there's no way around it. God knows, I've done that more times than I'd like because of work....... and that's just driving.....80 miles an hour if traffic flows............ in a CVPI.......and it still rots.......

Riding, I'm guessing approx six stops at 10-15 minutes a whack, That's an hour plus to that 6-8 hour ride. Not really far enough to break it into two days unless you drink alot, or like hanging out. Because if you want to sight see, why not just drive home. Once you leave VA, all you'll want to do is get home.

When you get up here and get her off the truck, take her out for a spin..............What part of MA are you settling in?

heffergm · Aug 7th, 2009, 8:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMac038

Going from VA to MA sucks, there's no way around it. God knows, I've done that more times than I'd like because of work....... and that's just driving.....80 miles an hour if traffic flows............ in a CVPI.......and it still rots.......

Riding, I'm guessing approx six stops at 10-15 minutes a whack, That's an hour plus to that 6-8 hour ride. Not really far enough to break it into two days unless you drink alot, or like hanging out. Because if you want to sight see, why not just drive home. Once you leave VA, all you'll want to do is get home.

When you get up here and get her off the truck, take her out for a spin..............What part of MA are you settling in?

Yeah i know it sucks, I've been doing it for 10 years. I grew up in MA and ended up in VA after layovers in Cali, Italy and Ireland. So I'm finally going home, which is Wrentham. Think Foxboro stadium or gillette or whatever they call it these days (I still call it Sullivan!)

GMP · Aug 7th, 2009, 9:01 pm

Very doable. I've done up to 413 mi. in one day now. Plan a backroad trip to avoid the slab especially New England slab, take a little more time and enjoy it. PA has some great roads, then cut east across NY and into New England. We will be doing another 3 day trip from NJ through NYS and maybe into VT before the season is out.

BigMac038 · Aug 7th, 2009, 9:50 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by heffergm

Yeah i know it sucks, I've been doing it for 10 years. I grew up in MA and ended up in VA after layovers in Cali, Italy and Ireland. So I'm finally going home, which is Wrentham. Think Foxboro stadium or gillette or whatever they call it these days (I still call it Sullivan!)

It's always nice to get home after some travellin'. My Dad grew up in Plainville, though he moved from there when he was young.

Do you mean Shaefer Stadium??

The site has now become Patriot's Place. and it's former parking lot is now Gillette Stadium.........

BigJoe · Aug 8th, 2009, 6:39 am

Greetings!

You did not mention which day of the week (Or I did not see it) you will be travelling back to New England.

I just did the NJ/Long Island trip for work and if your trip takes you though NYC I can speak first hand that the Hutch and the Merit were in great shape and there was little construction.

Plenty of gas stops on the merit (1 on the hutch) and nice roads on a weekend.

If you are looking for a more laid back route the saw mill or the taconic are usually good roads for a hyper, but I can not speak to the road conditions.

As for the PA Del/Mar/VA portion of the route, I am not that familiar with the roads, but from my experience, unless you are by the water gap the roads in jersey are pretty straight and flat.

If you are transiting the west part of jersey, I think the roads are spectacular in that neck of the woods.

I do a couple hundred miles on each saturday that I am not riding the XR in the woods and I have no issues except, wear good undergarments that do no pinch off or collect moisture. Riding posture is easily adjusted every 5 to 10 minutes and that makes my trips more pleasant and seems to prevent fatigue in my case

Have a safe trip.

Best regards,

Joe

MTScott2 · Aug 8th, 2009, 7:52 am

Ask the Wifey and kids (how old) I think it is about the frame of mind more than anything.
Is there tension because of the move?
Are the kids excited about dad riding ?
What does the Wifey think ? Can she handle things without you?
Can you leave early and meet them there ready to unpack? And tell them to take their time and enjoy the ride?
Or is the move a big PITA and just get it over with?
Hope this helps .From an outsider looking in..
I say make it an Adventure all around for all... Good luck!!