The route - more or less.

Ok, we have a basic route planned out. With the understanding that each of will have differing points of interest along the way, and that there's absolutely way we can fully plan the route out ahead of time, we decided on basic points along the way and will plan on doing a budgeted 300 miles per day. This will allow us to hit twisties, see sights, perhaps visit with people along the way and, of course, leave ample time for meal breaks and opportunities to arrange a day or two of lodging along the way for the next stops.

The bikes arrive in Portland on the 12th-14th, being trucked in by Federal.

The first couple of days on the road have us riding thru' some mountain areas in Oregon, eventually winding our way to Crescent City, CA. The midway point in that is Eugene, OR in which we'll likely overnight. That really comes down to the quality of the roads and the weather. We're planning on 300 miles of twisties being a full riding day, off the road and settled in by dinner time. We all agree that running from early morning to late afternoon, off the road before sunset is the best and safest option all around.

Days 3 and 4 take us down the coastal highway and back up into the hills, then back towards the coast, tentatively arriving in San Francisco at the end of day 4. Again, weather depending, this may turn in to day 5. It is in San Francisco that I intend to take a day off, regardless of the rest of the group's plans. There are mixed feelings about taking a day off this (apparently) early in the trip, but I want to remain fresh and comfortable through as much of the trip as possible, and that means ample time off bike and with my head clear of constant riding. While in San Francisco, I'm still set to meet up with author Scott Sigler, swap stories, visit a bit and get to know the man behind the words a little. I continue to consider that a highlight of the trip. And hey... micro-brews and jazz clubs, here I come! San Francisco is a beautiful city, and I've been looking forward to getting back there.

After some amount of down time in and around San Fran, it's stands up and wheels rolling on to the next port of call. This will have us traveling from San Francisco to Las Vegas. This part of the route will likely be some of the more interesting, great mountain roads aside. On this leg of the trip, we're riding through Yosemite National Park and through Death Valley National Park. We're also planning on some down time in Vegas because - well, it's Vegas. A day at the most, with the most likely option being hanging a little later on the night of the arrival, then hanging out a bit longer than normal in the morning to sleep in, grab some Vegas breakfast, etc. It's Vegas, baby!

Now from Vegas, we have several options, and this may be the most stressful part of the trip: (insert DUM DUM DUM music here) Major Decision Time. You see, from here we can head North and enjoy some desert riding in Nevada then head East and go up to Moab, Utah which, by all accounts, is motorcycle riding Nirvana come to Earth. Or, we can head South and East, through the desert, down towards Tuscon, and seeing Tombstone before heading East to Roswell. Me? I'm personally looking forward to heading South and East. Seriously, how often can you say you saw San Fran, Vegas, Tombstone and Roswell in the same trip? If I were the sole guy making the decision, this is where I'd go. We'll either vote on it, or break into two groups, one going to each of those destinations. I know at least one of the other guys is interested in the Southeast run.

After the Major Decision Time (I'm not spelling out the music again) part of the trip, then we head to Durango, Colorado. Again, we're looking forward to some great mountain riding in Colorado, and beginning our trek East towards home. From Durango, the original plan included Birmingham, Alabama to spend a day at the Barber Motorsports Park and Museum. Race cars, bikes and cool stuff, and a day off.

Once we're in the East, we figure we're a long day-ride to home from most of the reasonable destinations, so we'll buzz across the farm states and if time allows, spend some time riding the Eastern mountains for a day or so before finishing up at home.

This is the plan, more or less. 2 1/2 weeks of riding, sight seeing and camaraderie. Once in a lifetime. Here we go... 39 days and counting.