Monday 11 October 2010

20,000 Miles?

When I planned my tour, I calculated I would do about 15,000 miles in total.

As I have already done that amount, I guess I have taken a few too many detours, side trips and back roads! It is all too tempting to just turn off and go and explore!

I have looked again at what the mileage might be when I finish and I now think it will be close to 20,000 miles in 5 months.  I think I will have to stop then....

18 comments:

Roger said...

I think we'd all be happy if you stayed !

Mike said...

20,000 miles in 4 months is quite an accomplishment Gary. That should count for some sort of iron butt award. The bonus is seeing all the sights. Congratulations, well done!

Geoff James said...

That's bl**dy impressive Gary and I hope that you convert your blog into a book/e-book as it's thoroughly entertaining following your travels.

Look forward to seeing a similar one in NZ at some stage :-).

FLHX_Dave said...

Man...what you are doing is the one thing I want to do before I get taken of this rock. There is no stopping Gary. This thing you are doing will never end! It's going to be with you for all time...that is what is really impressive here. Thanks for helping me at least touch my dream. Rock on!

SonjaM said...

I have gotten used to your road reports, and I am afraid that the end of your voyage will leave me somewhat empty. So, as a remedy, I will probably have to read your blog all over again from the beginning. You are riding a two-wheeled dream, so keep on rolling and writing, wherever the road might take you.

Jerry said...

I certainly agree with everyone else. It's been a pleasure following along in the most exciting trip any of us would ever be able to take. I was a little worried about you not seeing a post for a few days and said a little prayer for you and Jackie.
The book idea is certainly a good one. I think most of us would agree that it would be a great read and addition to anyones library.
My friend and I was able to spend an evening and the next morning at the Grand Canyon the summer of 2009 and really enjoyed the sights. Wish we had the time to take the trip down into the canyone but we were behind schedule as it was.
Keep up the great work your doing. Looking forward to the 25000 mile shot!

Oz said...

I see no need for you to stop at 20,000 miles. Just head south and head back east and visit the southern states! Maybe that will be a future trip. Great reports, really enjoying them.

Anonymous said...

The trip across America in it's self is awesome!
But the detours kind of show your commitment
to wing it, and really go 'see' America!
Nicely done..!
-Sully

Bluekat said...

Yep, what Sonja said...gonna miss the ride reports. You should just keep riding and posting. Yeah, that's the ticket! :)

Axel said...

still some miles till the fat lady sings... :)

Beck said...

Gary,

I have to agree with all of the above. Your trip has been awesome and we are so lucky to have shared it with you. I wish it did not have to end. I look forward everyday to reading your stories and seeing your pictures and videos. We are going to miss you! It would be nice to see pictures of where you live, so maybe you can continue your post once you return home. If you do decide to return and go through the other states one day, be sure to include a stop in LA. It would be an honor to meet you.

As always, stay safe!

My Bikers World said...

Wow! I see it is really great, when you ride more than you predict! Your tour is great fun and it is excellent, when you have much fun!

Gary France said...

Roger – Thanks, but I don’t think my wife would be!

Mike – To be honest, I haven’t found the riding too tiring. I try to take a day off from riding each week and that helps.

Geoff – About the book – watch this space! About NZ – that’s a yes!

Dave – I guess you are right, in that it will be with me forever. I am pleased I can share this ride with everyone that reads my blog.

Gary France said...

Sonja – Sorry that you might feel empty. I haven’t yet decided what I will do about the blog when the tour finishes. Maybe I will keep posting, but less often!

Jerry – Thanks for your kind words. It seems funny that people worry about me when I don’t post anything for a while. Funny isn’t the right word I guess, but it is good that you care. Sometimes I just need a break from posting if I have had a long day, or in this case, if I am spending a few days with Jackie. The more I think about a book, the more I like the idea, but I worry about how long it might take, if it would be any good and more importantly if I have the skills to convert my daily blog posts into a full blown book. I am glad you got to see the Grand Canyon for yourself.

Oz – Tempting. Very tempting!

Sully – Winging it is fun. You never know what you will find on the back roads. Right now I am seeing many great National Parks and these are tremendous, but they are also predictable, in that I know where I am going to ride to tomorrow, the next day and the day after that. There are so many great things where I am now, the route sort of plans itself. It is actually more fun to not really know what you are going to find on the back roads and detours.

Gary France said...

bluekat – I will have to stop riding in about mid November when this tour comes to an end. Quite what i will write about after that I don’t know. We will see!

Axel – Very true.

Beck – I will do some posts from home for sure. I might need to start a new blog though as it would be strange writing about rides in Europe under the title USA Tour on a Harley-Davidson. Or would it? It is not my readers who are the lucky ones – it is me, for being able to do this ride! I think I will have to do a second tour one year, to see all the states I wasn’t able to include this time.

MBW – My first estimate was 13,000 miles, then it went up to 15,000, now I reckon 20,000. But, who knows by the time I finish what the total will be. I am certain it will be higher than 20k though!

Eve said...

NOOOOO!!!

Angel Garcia said...

First time I took a look at the blog and I think is just amazing the adventure that you are going through, keep safe and enjoy the RIDE !!!!

Gary France said...

Eve - Sorry!

Angel - Thats for looking at my blog. You are right, it is amazing - I am having a fantastic time. Let's meet up when I am next in Spain and I can tell you a little more about it.