I'll be heading out tomorrow morning under threat of heavy rain (and potentially some snow in the local mountain passes above 3,500') for an autumn roadtrip to M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I. 

The purpose is to visit an ailing elderly uncle (and life-long rider), the last of his generation of my dad's side of the family. 

Right now, the weather report suggests 9c/48f degrees here when I depart, and 2c/36f over Snoqualmie Pass, at about 915m/3,200'. The other local mountain passes are higher and there will be snow up there. Another option is to head south into Oregon and California, under all rain to avoid any chance of snow, but it adds a great deal of time and distance to the ride since I'd have to travel the spine of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, essentially most of the length of California, then head east across Arizona and New Mexico. It's a much warmer forecast once I clear Idaho and get down into Utah, and more direct. The California bit can wait 'til my return.

I'm trying for the Deep South by the end of the coming weekend. It's 4,400km/2,700 miles and 38-1/2 hours all up, broken down into as many days as I need. Currently, daylight hours are basically eight AM to six PM with variations for time zones and latitude.

Travellin' light, is the only way to fly.

Which bike?

Looking forward to reading of your travels TWB, stay warm!

Dai wrote:Which bike?

The red GT with new tyres, a cushy seat, adjustable windscreen and cruise control for endless interstate travel.

Woodie wrote:Looking forward to reading of your travels TWB, stay warm!

Thanks, Woodie. My trusty heated Atomic Skin by Powerlet will be coming along, and I'm trying the new Tour Shell jacket which I bought (BMW dealer employee closeout price) several years ago and stored for such a trip. 

It's in the 30/80s down south. It's the coming and the going that this cozy kit is for.

Another option to avoid the passes is to head south and go inland along The Columbia River.

But you knew that already.

duck wrote:Another option to avoid the passes is to head south and go inland along The Columbia River.

But you knew that already.

It is indeed a viable option by itself, but when I checked the conditions for later today atop Emigrant Pass in Oregon and over to La Grande I doubted my choices. Press on regardless.

Would imagine you'll be passing though some beautiful country. I would not mind doing a trip like that!!

What speed do you travel at and besides the weather, what are the road conditions like?

What a trip! I wish I could ride one day in this area...

jbt wrote:What a trip! I wish I could ride one day in this area...

same with me.

TWB, wishing you a pleasant trip.

I got to the Oregon/Idaho border the first day out - Wednesday - but had to do an unplanned overnighter there. The weather held off during the day and the passes which were forecast to be wet and/or icy were not. It was cool but sunny. Thursday morning I got rolling early in the dark across Idaho, increasing elevation and the steady rainfall with every hundredth mile covered. Utah disappeared quickly. 

By Wyoming, late arvo, but still light, I saw 25°f and old crusty snow from a previous storm at the roadside. I pressed on and by the very black of night I was in Nebraska. I did do a picnic table kip inside of my best sleeping bag for two hours from two AM. The "fork" mounted Motolights are amazing in the pitch black of night on a mostly empty interstate highway. The truckers blazing their lights coming the other way saw me dutifully dip mine as we passed. Dawn saw the sun coming up over Iowa, and the temps hover nearer 70° as the day progressed. I was never truly too cold.

I rolled on into Missouri and Arkansas, trying to reach Little Rock by Friday dark. I just made it, but could go no further. I got a room and had my first real feed at Sam's Southen Eatery. Excellent catfish steaks, hushpuppies (look 'em up), red beans and rice, and corn, sated my appetite. I slept ten solid hours.

Saturday morning away at dawn, with 400+ miles to go I settled on rural state highways that meandered along the ancient courses the Mighty Mississippi once took, all lakes now. I arrived in the Biloxi, Mississippi area by about three o'clock in the arvo, 85° sunshine and humidity greeting me. It was very nice.

The past two days I've been spending many hours visiting my uncle in a local hospital. The many cousins, second cousins, nieces and daughters have all come out. It is quite emotional when these lovely southern girls line up to kiss their ailing "papaw" on the forehead and tell him they love him as they file out. It brings a tear to us all. 

My two younger brothers arrive by Friday from afar.  One of them has not seen his uncle in decades, nor knows his second cousins at all. Pity the family didn’t have that extra bit of time together. Write to your loved ones and tell 'em how much you miss them.