Since I'm starting to plan my spring-fall trips (while I save up for my sidecar), what software does everyone use? I was told that specific bike software is "supposed" to take into account that we can only go between 100-150miles on a tank. Right now I usually use my auto Garmin GPS and follow up with MapQuest and an actual paper map to plan the trips and then check into stops around the low fuel time.
I'm curious since I'm planning a trip starting in Quakertown, PA going up to Manchester, NH (5.5hrs in a car on the highway) to see family then over to Old Saybrook, CT to see family, and looking for an easier way to plan bike trips.
Thanks
Ray
If you want the shortest fastest route, what you are doing is fine. If you are looking for interesting side trip, sights to see, etc, try RoadTrippers
https://roadtrippers.com
If ride a Harley and want a list of all HD dealers as well as things to see along your planned route, download the H-D Ride Planner for your smartphone.
There is also an app from BMW called The Ultimate Drive.
I have had some nice experiences with the site wikiloc.com...
here my own recomendations for around here and in the North.
http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/user.do?name=Peter+Pan+CR&id=1167767
Sometimes a bit frustrating to use the site as a lot of garbage town riding is included, once sorted out, there are beauties to explore (no coordinates supplied though)
Sven
Sven, thanks for posting that link. Have not used them but plan to on my upcoming South America ride.
Gracias Amigo
CCjon
Hello Jan,
You know where to pass by then in CR. And if you think about selling a KLR rig in CR we might put it under the care of Wild Rider so others can rent it.
I would call that a kind of social service...
Today came in a PM for a rig transport to CR. Who knows how that will turn out, I am total ear.
Sven
I like to play with charts and maps, so this may not work for you, but I went back and forth between google maps and garmin base camp (we have a garmin gps) when planning our trip to the states last year.
I learned to love google earth, as I'd plan on a fire service road, then I'd 'drive' the road with google earth to find if it was do-able with our rig (ie, some sort of an improved road with our low ground clearance).
The coolest part is I was quite worried about the transit over the Golden Gate Bridge and San Fran traffic, so I 'drove' it on Google Earth a number of times.
I had just gassed up again, and my wife said that the GPS was giving her confusing info, then I looked up and saw one of the landmarks that I had identified on Google Earth, chortled, said 'f**k the GPS, I know where I'm going!', and took off, driving just like I had done it a dozen times before, which I had, just not in person.
(There must have been a minor mechanical with the sidecar, as there were strange, loud sounds, intersperced with might have been whimpering, emenating from the tub, starting from when we entered the freeway, continuing across the bridge, and then not stopping until we got out of San Fran traffic and back over to the coast. Weirdest thing, actual! 🙂 🙂 ).
I used MapQuest to identify places to lodge, and a nice program 'maps with me' that I downloaded to the Kindle, since we'd be out of the cell phone nets. The program also has places of interest (ie; fuel stations) that I used to plan with as well.
San Francisco was even a stranger place then LA for me too...get out of here, and get out of here fast!
Was my only concern...
It was surely a pure unculture shock!
In contrast, how nice had been the coast road 1 coming from North!
LA... was just stress. All I can remember: As soon I sat in the plane I fell asleep until home. Didn't even note the take off.
Sven
Yes, the same mechanical problem (loud noises/whimpering sounds) occured when we needed to use the freeway to travel between my niece's house (Orange County) and my sister's (LA county).
I used to commute on that same section of road every day, knew which lane to be in when, so it wasn't that bad for me, but wife unit was pale afterwards.
I am using this one often: http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/owners/plan-your-ride/hd-ride-planner-overview.html
BUT!! I live in San Francisco and love it!!!
