Road Trip - Help me get Miss Venture home!

[GaThumper]

Well now, I'm going to be flying up to Cleveland OH Friday and picking up a 2001 Venture.

 

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/Yamaha%20Venture/CarMotorcycleOct2008032.jpg

 

So I want to take a pretty direct route from Chardon OH to Cleveland GA, but I want to avoid the interstates and enjoy some nice roads. I'll be nursing a bad shock, so I'm not looking for the best twisty roads, just some nice backroads, small towns, and scenic byways.

 

I haven't started looking at details for this part of the route yet, but it looks like I'll probably leave Cleveland OH on 42 through Mansfield and skirt west of Columbus. When I get to London take 56 across I-71 to Mt Sterling and pick up 62 skirting east of Dayton and Cincinatti to head for Lexington KY. I'm hoping to get on the road Friday afternoon and ride for a while and find a room somewhere between Cincinatti and Lexington. If I get an early enoug start I'd like to make it to Lexington, but I know that's going to be a stretch.

 

Saturday I'm thinking maybe leave Lexington on 27 south to Somerset and then on into Tennessee and all the way to cross I40 at Harriman TN. Then maybe scoot over to Lenoir City and Sweetwater where I can pick up 68 and head back through Tellico Plains and around Pine Ridge pick up 294 to 64 where I can catch 129 back down to Blairesville and on home to Cleveland GA.

 

I'm open to suggestions for roads to avoiv or roads you recommend. Unfortunately I won't be able to stop and smell the roses and I'll need to be on time to meet a couple of my riding buddies who are going to head north Saturday morning and meet me somewhere around Sweetwater TN and escort me home.

 

Thanks again to Freebird for checking out the bike and everyone who has posted here sharing your experiences and knowledge. You really helped me out and I look forward to meeting you on the road one day soon.

 

James

Edited May 5, 2009 by GaThumper

[markellis]

Just stay on 27 south of Harriman to Spring City. South of Spring City just as it becomes a 4 lane, 68 east goes off to the left. Stay on that through Tellico Plains and on to the Cherohala (sp?) Skyway into North Carolina to hwy 129 home. I wouldn't ever miss the chance to be that close and not ride the Skyway. Have a great, fun and safe trip however you get there. Just get there!

[halfwitt]

Here is info on Cherohala...Shouldn't miss it!

 

http://www.cherohala.com/

[slick97spirit]

That's Purdy!!!!!

[loehring]

She's a beauty Thumper. I can't wait to see her in person. If Don gave the ok you're getting a great bike. Ride safe.

[hillrider]

South of Oneida Tn you might want to take 63 over to 75. 27 gets twisty just south of there.

[GaThumper]

Just stay on 27 south of Harriman to Spring City. South of Spring City just as it becomes a 4 lane, 68 east goes off to the left. Stay on that through Tellico Plains and on to the Cherohala (sp?) Skyway into North Carolina to hwy 129 home. I wouldn't ever miss the chance to be that close and not ride the Skyway. Have a great, fun and safe trip however you get there. Just get there!

 

Great advice! But, I get up to the Cherahola and 129 several times each year and I may pass this time since I'll be on the tail end of two days riding and nursing the blown shock. I all depends on how I feel and how the bike is handling. I'm not sure what to expect.

 

We'll make the call when I meet my friends at Sweetwater. And, the ride from Tellico down 68 is a nice ride, too!

 

Thanks,

James

[GaThumper]

Here is info on Cherohala...Shouldn't miss it!

 

http://www.cherohala.com/

 

Absoulutely agree, the Skyway is one of my favorites! I'll be camping at the Cherahola Motorcycle Resort along with 100 or more of my closest friends the weekend after!

 

http://www.cycleresort.com/

 

Mark and Renee (the owners) are awesome and we have a great time there every year!

 

Great place for a rally and the southeast gang from klrworld.com and klr650.net will be holding the TDT-IV, the fourth annual Tour de Tellico KLR rally. This is a dual sport ride with multiple rides each day for hard core dirt to all pavement. Not limited to KLRs, there will be a good many other small dual sports.

 

Last year's line up, not all bikes were present!

 

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/jbmaynard/Tour%20de%20Tellico%20III/DSCN3377.jpg

[GaThumper]

South of Oneida Tn you might want to take 63 over to 75. 27 gets twisty just south of there.

 

taken under advisement... I'll see how she's handling at that point!

[Nighthawk II]

Hwy 27 from Stearns, Ky. to Lancing,Tn. is my work shop. I drive that road every day. If you take it easy and not get too frisky on the straights, sharp turns at the ends of most of them, you can run the road in 3rd and 4th gears easily. The pavement is good and the curves are slightly banked but not enough for speeds much greater than the speed limits.There's some more twists between Wartburg and Harriman, but not any worse than the rest. Going to Spring City will keep you out of the heavier traffic that you will have in Lenoir City and all of it's red lights. 68 from Spring City will take you right to the center of Sweetwater where all the resturants are if you are ready for a stop. Then on to Tellico Plains.

I live in Oneida,Tn. and my phone # is on the assistance list and my profile.

Ride Safely

[Venturous Randy]

The last I heard for this weekend here in east Tennessee, you better have some good rain gear.

Good luck.

RandyA

[GaThumper]

Hwy 27 from Stearns, Ky. to Lancing,Tn. is my work shop. I drive that road every day. If you take it easy and not get too frisky on the straights, sharp turns at the ends of most of them, you can run the road in 3rd and 4th gears easily. The pavement is good and the curves are slightly banked but not enough for speeds much greater than the speed limits.There's some more twists between Wartburg and Harriman, but not any worse than the rest. Going to Spring City will keep you out of the heavier traffic that you will have in Lenoir City and all of it's red lights. 68 from Spring City will take you right to the center of Sweetwater where all the resturants are if you are ready for a stop. Then on to Tellico Plains.

I live in Oneida,Tn. and my phone # is on the assistance list and my profile.

Ride Safely

 

Thanks for the advice! I'm planning to stick with 27 and just take it easy. And based on what you said about Lenoir City, I've just modified my route to stay on 27 all the way to Spring City and then pick up 68 there to Sweetwater. Looks like a better route!

[Midrsv]

Too bad I'm leaving on Thursday for SC. I would ride with you from Lexington to Somerset. I have family there I could visit. Anyway, once you get south of Columbus pick up 62 and follow it to Ripley. Then take 52 to Aberdeen and cross the river into Maysville. From Maysville take 68 through Paris where you will pick up 27 on into Lexington. All of the KY roads are good and the last time I rode those parts of Ohio I think they were too. 27 south to Somerset is a good ride too with several sections of it 4-lane.

 

Have fun, sorry I missed you.

 

Dennis

[Bob Myers]

I live in Paris, Ky, which is on the path(US 68) that Dennis has just indicated. If you want or need any thing don't hesitate to call, my number is in the assistance log, I have truck, trailer, tools, etc. I may even get lucky and be able to ride with you to the Tennessee line, won't know that until Friday eve.

[GaThumper]

Too bad I'm leaving on Thursday for SC. I would ride with you from Lexington to Somerset. I have family there I could visit. Anyway, once you get south of Columbus pick up 62 and follow it to Ripley. Then take 52 to Aberdeen and cross the river into Maysville. From Maysville take 68 through Paris where you will pick up 27 on into Lexington. All of the KY roads are good and the last time I rode those parts of Ohio I think they were too. 27 south to Somerset is a good ride too with several sections of it 4-lane.

 

Have fun, sorry I missed you.

 

Dennis

 

Thanks Dennis! Sorry I'll miss you, but I appreciate you pitching in. The route you suggested is what I currently have programmed into Google maps. It looks like a good one. I just hope the weather co-operates!

[GaThumper]

I live in Paris, Ky, which is on the path(US 68) that Dennis has just indicated. If you want or need any thing don't hesitate to call, my number is in the assistance log, I have truck, trailer, tools, etc. I may even get lucky and be able to ride with you to the Tennessee line, won't know that until Friday eve.

 

Thank You Bob! I'm going to carry a list of venturerider.org assistance contacts with me just in case. I'll be glad to have you there to back me up. I'll also be glad to give you a call Friday night, or you can call me. My cell number is in vr assistance. I hope my AT&T phone will work there! I'll have my laptop with me too, so I should be able to get wifi somewhere and check in here Friday night.

[GaThumper]

The last I heard for this weekend here in east Tennessee, you better have some good rain gear.

Good luck.

RandyA

 

I rebuke that! but I do have a waterproof jacket and a good rain suit. I'll be prepared! Thanks, James

[Bob Myers]

Thank You Bob! I'm going to carry a list of venturerider.org assistance contacts with me just in case. I'll be glad to have you there to back me up. I'll also be glad to give you a call Friday night, or you can call me. My cell number is in vr assistance. I hope my AT&T phone will work there! I'll have my laptop with me too, so I should be able to get wifi somewhere and check in here Friday night.

If you come down US 68/US62, in Maysville at the intersection of hi ways 62 and the AA hi way there are a couple motels, if you turn left there and head towards Maysville there is a Super8 or Motel 6 behind the McDonalds at the second light. If you get away from Cleveland by lunch you'll be there just before dark, roughly 200 miles, maybe 7 hours if you hang all 2 lane

[Monty]

The last I heard for this weekend here in east Tennessee, you better have some good rain gear.

Good luck.

RandyA

 

 

I sure hope not!! I am riding down to Chattanooga Sunday. I am staying until Thursday afternoon, then high-tailing it back home. Anyone live in the Chatty area?

[GaThumper]

If you come down US 68/US62, in Maysville at the intersection of hi ways 62 and the AA hi way there are a couple motels, if you turn left there and head towards Maysville there is a Super8 or Motel 6 behind the McDonalds at the second light. If you get away from Cleveland by lunch you'll be there just before dark, roughly 200 miles, maybe 7 hours if you hang all 2 lane

 

That sounds like a plan to me... Thank You! I'm going to try and get headed south early afternoon, we'll see how it goes. I may decide to go ahead and hit the interstate for the first leg Friday if I get started later in the afternoon. According to Google maps I can make it from Chardon to Maysville in 5 hours by interstate and 7 hours if I take backroads. I really want to make Maysville Friday evening.

 

I would love to make it all the way to Lexington to make Saturdays ride a little shorter, but the extra mileage/time and preferring to stay in a smaller town makes me think that Maysville is a good target to shoot for!

 

I don't know where in Lexington I would stay and would wonder about safety (of the bike, of course) overnight in the larger city. I would want to get a good recommendation before I tried to make it on to Lexington.

 

Saturday I'm shooting to make it to Sweetwater by 1:00 or so and it looks like it will take 6 hours to get from Maysville KY to Sweetwater TN. I may have a couple of friends from Georgia using this as an excuse to ride up to Sweetwater and meet me for some BBQ at Bradley's Pit BBQ on 68/Lost Sea Pike just south of I-75. Join us there for some Q if you can or suggest a better BBQ joint if you know of one, we are planning to meet and eat in Sweetwater.

 

Thanks for all the help!

 

Now if you can put in a prayer for me to have a safe trip and good weather I'd appreciate it!

[GaThumper]

Starting to make a list and check it twice for the trip.

 

I want to take my Zumo with me. I believe their is a 12v power outlet (cig. lighter style)on the RSV? (Left side under the speaker?) Is there a flat space on the windshield I can use my suction mount on or is it all too curved? If not, I can remove the clamp on handlebar type motorcycle mount from another bike, but I'd rather stick it on the windshield for the trip home if possible.

 

I'm planning to take my laptop, too. What are the dimensions for the bags and tour pack? Wondering if a typical laptop carry bag will fit, or if I need to use a small laptop sleeve?

 

 

 

Thanks,

James

[Nighthawk II]

My laptop case is about 16.5 x14 and it lays flat in the bottom of the tour box on back with a little room to spare around the edges.

[Midrsv]

Since you're taking your GPS, go to the Harley ride planner and lay out your route and it will send it to your GPS. It is much easier than Mapsource or any other mapping programs that I have tried.

 

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Ride_Planner/Ride_Planner.jsp?locale=en_US

 

Dennis

[GaThumper]

My laptop case is about 16.5 x14 and it lays flat in the bottom of the tour box on back with a little room to spare around the edges.

 

Thanks! That sounds like it will work for me too. You guys rock!

[GaThumper]

Since you're taking your GPS, go to the Harley ride planner and lay out your route and it will send it to your GPS. It is much easier than Mapsource or any other mapping programs that I have tried.

 

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Ride_Planner/Ride_Planner.jsp?locale=en_US

 

Dennis

 

Thanks Dennis! I used the Harley ride planner to re-create my route last night and created a gpx file. Today I'll bring the Zumo in and connect to my laptop and see if it will transfer it directly. I really like the map detail they have there. The only problem I had was it didn't seem like the "avoid highways" option worked. But it was really easy just to drop waypoints along the way and add locations key places. I like the tool and will use it again.

Edited May 7, 2009 by GaThumper