I’m in the process of planning a CC50 for myself and a couple fellow IBA riders this September (2018). Since we all live in Tampa, FL, we will do the JAX/FL-SD/CA route. I would appreciate any and all words of advice from any of the Old Salts on here. Specifically, I am concerned about:
1) ideal departure time from Jacksonville, FL to facilitate an acceptable checkin time at a hotel in Central Texas (thinking somewhere around Kerrville or Junction, TX as mid-point stop), in addition to a convenient arrival time in San Diego to facilitate End Point Certification. (Our son lives on Jacksonville Beach, so beginning certification will be no problem, despite start time).
2) we would really like to hear viewpoints on the two different strategies of distance riding... fast-paced versus slow-paced. Here in Florida, Interstate bumper-lane speeds seem to routinely run right at 80 mph, so it’s hard to run at 65-70 mph without practically becoming a road hazzard. But if there is a significant time savings because of fewer fuel stops running at a lower speed, then we would consider it.
3) regarding End Point Certification, what are your recommendations? Are there IBA members in San Diego who would be willing to meet us at Ocean Beach? Or do you recommend coordinating with a local Police/Sheriff’s department or Fire Station to have an on-duty member certify our End Time/Mileage. If so, do we go to the beach then backtrack, or how does that work?
We will all be riding large-model Harley’s (please don’t judge - lol) and each of us will have a one-gallon emergency fuel can onboard for the more desolate stretches of Arizona/New Mexico. In addition to that preparation, are there any other precautions we might take to guarantee our success (other than all getting BMW’s or GoldWings!)?
Obviously, any other pointers to make our trip easier and ensure our success will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your input.
Respectfully,
Ron Gettler, MSgt, USMC(Ret)
IBA #66132
1) ideal departure time from Jacksonville, FL to facilitate an acceptable checkin time at a hotel in Central Texas (thinking somewhere around Kerrville or Junction, TX as mid-point stop), in addition to a convenient arrival time in San Diego to facilitate End Point Certification. (Our son lives on Jacksonville Beach, so beginning certification will be no problem, despite start time).
2) we would really like to hear viewpoints on the two different strategies of distance riding... fast-paced versus slow-paced. Here in Florida, Interstate bumper-lane speeds seem to routinely run right at 80 mph, so it’s hard to run at 65-70 mph without practically becoming a road hazzard. But if there is a significant time savings because of fewer fuel stops running at a lower speed, then we would consider it.
3) regarding End Point Certification, what are your recommendations? Are there IBA members in San Diego who would be willing to meet us at Ocean Beach? Or do you recommend coordinating with a local Police/Sheriff’s department or Fire Station to have an on-duty member certify our End Time/Mileage. If so, do we go to the beach then backtrack, or how does that work?
We will all be riding large-model Harley’s (please don’t judge - lol) and each of us will have a one-gallon emergency fuel can onboard for the more desolate stretches of Arizona/New Mexico. In addition to that preparation, are there any other precautions we might take to guarantee our success (other than all getting BMW’s or GoldWings!)?
Obviously, any other pointers to make our trip easier and ensure our success will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your input.
Respectfully,
Ron Gettler, MSgt, USMC(Ret)
IBA #66132