7500 miles across America on a Honda Rebel 250

[Andrewsyc]

7500 miles across North America on a Honda Rebel 250




Most people thought being on a road trip across America for a month was brave. At twenty-three years of age I hadn’t worked for almost a year. There was no specific reason to take a trip, no motive at all. I simply wanted to do it.
I had been planning my trip for almost a year. The passion for this ignited after quitting work. What started out as a vague idea eventually became more elaborate and refined. An entire folder of information was dedicated to planning this trip. On weekends, hours were set aside to plan. As months passed the folder became thicker and the assignments more ambitious.
The motorcycle I would be using is a Honda Rebel 250. The 250cc engine on a Rebel produces only twenty horsepower. No one ever encouraged cross country riding on such a small bike, only rebukes were given. I had only been riding motorcycles on the street for just a year. What meager monetary assets that could be summoned were from family members. Clearly I was out of my mind under these circumstances taking a Honda Rebel across country.




The original course is outlined in black any modifications are denoted in red.





Day 1; July 2nd

Destination: Sister in Pennsylvania

The Odyssey began. The starting location is Peoria, Illinois. Everything needed for the trip is being upheld on two wheels. Two saddlebags are full, one with clothing the other with just rain gear; a leather bag; a bag full of bathroom supplies; and a spare gas can. The most important asset is a wallet full of cash and a credit card.
The only goal today is to reach the destination. Stopping would only be permitted to take pictures of state lines, notable cities, and landmarks. 500 miles lie between Peoria and Pittsburgh. Limited to 70 mph, the drive would last over 10 hours.
At the end of the day the odometer read 562 miles.

[Andrewsyc]

Day 2; July 3rd

Destination: Get as close as I can to Atlanta, Georgia.

My uncle lives 700 miles away from Pittsburgh. In a car that is an eleven hour drive. Any time spent in a car took 25-30% longer on a motorcycle. Pennsylvania to Atlanta would take 15 hours.

Cheap lodging sounded like a good idea. I began posting on craigslist for free places to stay. Imposing a budget was very important if this trip was going to last. The response rate was surprising; five calls in one hour from just one posting in Houston, Texas.

Back on the road, I-79 south toward Georgia offered vast mountain ranges and endless hills. West Virginia, Virginia, North and South Carolina, then Georgia; these are all the states I would be in today.
As I made my way through the hilly terrain I fell into a pattern of fifty-five seventy-five. Going up some of the steep hills the bike crept at fifty-five, down steep grades I managed seventy-five and even eighty mph. As long as disgruntled drivers could pass me I was happy.
Even with permitting weather I didn’t feel like camping out for the night. Around midnight, upon entering Charlotte, North Carolina a hotel sounded safest; no cheap hotels were available at the time. In commerce, Georgia there was a Motel 6, after checking in and unpacking gear it was 4 am. 687 miles had been traveled today.







Day 3; July 4th

Destination: Uncle’s home

My Uncle’s house was less than 100 miles away.
After arriving all of us jetted off to Stone Mountain for hiking, fireworks, and a laser show.



Day 4; July 5th

Destination: Uncle’s home

Nothing eventful occurred today. I changed oil, got some additional bags and straps for my bike, bought a Harley shirt, and saw a movie.

[Andrewsyc]

Day 5; July 6th

Destination: New Orleans

An older woman had responded to one of the craiglist ads and offered free lodging in New Orleans. Over 500 miles would be traveled going through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and finally into Louisiana.
After meeting Lola the two of us had dinner, which I paid for, and later had a beer at a local tap. Even in the absence of Mardi Gras New Orleans is still worth visiting. It seems from just the experience of one evening that New Orleans is a great place to live for a townie or a musician.












Day 6; July 7th

Destination: New Orleans

I had a whole day to do what I wanted. In the morning two hours were spent touring New Orleans on the bike. After getting a $20 parking ticket, walking sounded like a better alternative. From the French quarters, downtown was less than a mile away. Walking allowed for better photographs.
It’s still easy to get into trouble away from home; walking into a club I found myself getting a lap dance in a gentlemen’s club at high noon on a weekday, oh brother. Being thrifty was the objective but…
Later in the evening Lola gave a tour of the city to me

[Andrewsyc]

Day 7; July 8th

Destination: Missouri city (20 or so miles south of Houston, TX)

Before leaving for good I gave Lola a hug, it was the least that could be done for free lodging and a pleasant experience. Another woman offered me lodging at her place just south of Houston. Today only a short trip lay ahead, just under 400 miles for the day. A hellish 400 miles it would be. Immediately after crossing the Texas border the heat became apparent. The leather jacket I was wearing was inducing heat stroke. Only a long sleeved shirt could be worn in this weather. Ungodly heat would only be exacerbated by the voluminous traffic. Houston Rush Hour traffic, which I drove through, was the most dangerous part of my trip. After experimentation, traveling through dense traffic in the passing lane proved safest with the 250 engine screaming at 80 mph. With dense traffic the bike was able to cruise at faster speeds because of drift.
Bonnie was surprising, she was 64 yrs old. A large woman but even at her age and size she was still pretty. Out of mutual understanding, she offered water immediately upon arrival.
Bonnie had a daughter who had run for Miss Texas and sons in the service, all away from home. I wondered if I was a mothers attempt to fill the empty nest void. Every woman who had responded to the ad had had kids my age. Bonnie coddled all of her sons friends who were still in the neighborhood. Bonnie exemplified the role of surrogate mother.
We ate at a Mexican restaurant. Josh, a boy Bonnie looked after, attended. As I sat across from them, her and Josh rehashed on old stories, stories that had been told many times; my presence seemed to give them new life. Even as a silent observer who had never partaken in their lives I listened and relished everything the two of them had to say.
Bonnie’s house was very restful, it was good to be out of the heat and have a place to sleep.








Day 8; July 9th

Destination: Travel as far as I can on Highway 10

Initially it wasn’t personally acknowledged that driving through Texas meant adding nearly 1000 miles to the bike’s odometer. Everyone mentioning Texas said it would be a three day journey. Miles piled up on the odometer passing through San Antonio, Fort Stockton, and other notable cities. Miles passed as well as time but Texas didn’t pass.
Driving at night is dangerous but it was welcomed because of the heat, sometimes this meant driving until 2 or 3 am.
Wanting to get as far as possible I just kept driving. Van Horn was far enough. The odometer had 640 miles on it. The only better thing than finding a place to stay was finding one under $30







Day 9; July 10th

Destination: Pete’s place (Los Alamos, NM)

I ate a hearty breakfast and cleared out of Van Horn by 9 am. Los Alamos lay 500 miles ahead. Even though at times not the shortest path, following the interstate proved much more convenient than taking back road shortcuts. I didn’t digress from interstate 10 or 25 on my way to Los Alamos. On approaching Los Alamos I rode through a severe downpour. Rain gear did the job but many items in the saddlebags got saturated with water. In dessert areas they often warn about flash floods, it’s understandable, I rode through a small flood induced landside. The day ended at 8pm at an elevation of 7500 ft. Los Alamos, New Mexico where my friend greeted me.

[Andrewsyc]

Day 10; July 11th

Destination: Los Alamos, NM

Today was a chore day. I changed oil, did laundry, checked specs on the bike, and caught up on emails at the local library. I visited the Bradbury museum, a museum themed off of the Manhattan Project and the first nuclear bombs.




Day 11; July 12th

Destination: Sun City (Phoenix, AZ)

A 75 year old man, named Jerry, in Arizona offered free lodging. Jerry lived in Sun City, a division of Phoenix.

Travel would be along highway I-40 and then down I-17, taking me into Sun City, AZ.

Jerry lived in a well maintained retirement community. When a visitor wasn’t there he had two dogs and three parakeets to keep him company. In his house was a very large collection of keyboards (nearly 100). The most impressive thing about him was his hospitality. Jerry had won me over when he paid for dinner at Red Lobster.
I’ve met talkers in my life and Jerry earned at least a top three finish. For every three words I said the man countered with one hundred. Lengthy and absurdly detailed emails foreshadowed his gabby nature. The first time I called him to discuss details our conversation lasted twenty-four minutes. Listening to Jerry was entertaining and the reason he had contacted me is because he was a motorcycle enthusiast himself. The man had driven BMWs across the United States and even parts of Mexico and Canada. A retired police officer, Jerry spent his retirement conducting and even directing philanthropic events.






Day 12; July 13th

Destination: attractions of phoenix

The only relief in the blistering heat in the desert is lack of humidity.
Three things were on my agenda for the day; Scottsdale, a Science museum, and Arizona State.
In Scottsdale I wanted to see the things money could buy; Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche.
The science museum proved a disaster. Nothing intrigued me, it was a child’s museum.
Arizona State was dull because class is currently not in session. I had to do my best to make it eventful taking pictures of the stadium.
Once back at my starting point the bike had traveled 110 miles viewing a fraction of Phoenix. Jerry took me to Bill Johnson’s for another paid meal. He talked my ear off again.









Day 13; July 14th


Destination: Temecula, CA

In the morning before departure, Jerry donated two bags and an assortment of bungee cords. As the trip furthered so did the absurdity of the bike from the amount of luggage being carried on it. After exchanging goodbyes I shook Jerry’s hand and was on my way.
Driving to California was uneventful, nothing but desert. The heat still forced only being able to wear a T-shirt.
I got as far as Temecula, California for the night.

[Andrewsyc]

Day 14; July 15th

Destination: San Diego Zoo, as far up highway 1 as permissible.

The San Diego Zoo was good, not impressive. The zoo’s audience demographic was aimed at children, not scientific adults.
During this time something unsettling started to happen; the clutch began to slip. After racing motocross for years it was easy knowing what a burnt clutch felt like. It was best to stay in Newport Beach for the night. Finding a dealership to fix the bike would have to wait until tomorrow.









Day 15; July 16th

Destination: Anywhere I can fix my bike

It was wearisome not knowing where and when the bike would be repaired. Research is always best done in libraries with internet access; Newport Beach had an ample library. I had to sift through dozens of dealers. After contacting and calling ten or so repair shops by phone, Orange Honda offered next day service.
I spent the rest of the day reading in the motel and then later roaming the beach.
Even with my clutch giving signs of burning up at any moment I wanted to experience Newport nightlife. Within five minutes of sitting at the first bar for the night a woman approached me. Pretty and in her early thirties she had made attention along with others in the bar. Surely she couldn’t be any trouble, she’s just talking funny because she’s drunk. After a half hour she asked if I wanted to hit the next venue and dance. Dancing is a favorite pastime from back home and it brought a lot of luck. After talking for a couple of hours her stories began to have many contradictions. I became suspicious but continued because I had already invested some time into her. Leaving my bike in the parking lot of the strip, the two of us headed to the motel in her car. She immediately took a shower and mentioned how she would like to go to bed. I don’t consider myself a rake but neither will I stand for a shelter for the homeless while on vacation. She had to go. I dropped her back at the parking lot of the bar.
The bike felt like it would barely make it back. I drove back angry at myself for being so foolish. It was upsetting seeing girls my age partying in bars and patios. It was 1:30 am, too late to restart. I went to bed.


Day 16; July 17th

Destination: Orange (Honda Dealership), Pacific Coast

The bike was scheduled to be repaired for noon. The clutch continued slipping while driving to Orange Honda. Costs were estimated to be as high as $250, a price worth paying for the expediency for which they repaired it. At 2 pm after the bike was repaired progress could be made once again. Travel would commence on 1 until 1 am. After experiencing heavy fog and two deer crossing in front of me I setup camp for the night. Camp was setup at Ragged Point.

[Andrewsyc]

Day 17; July 18th

Destination: Stanford University, Reno Nevada

I had slept with all of my gear (including my helmet) on last night. I was surprised I had slept for 8 hours, it was 9 am. In the morning, most of the vehicles passing my camp were motorcycles. Times like these were depressing because nobody wanted to ride with a meek Honda rebel. The scenery made up for any contentions, it was unparalleled to anything I had ever seen.
At Half Moon Bay I headeded east on 92 onto I-280. I drove south and into Stanford University. Stanford was one of several Ivy League schools I had seen this year. I had also visited Yale, Harvard, and MIT when I was in Boston in June. I gave my dad a call at Stanford. I had called home everyday to let my parents know that I was still alive. My mom hated my trip and had cried when we had talked back in Newport Beach.
I got onto I-280 north past through San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge.
Once across the river I continued north onto I-80 and got as far as Reno, Nevada for the night.

[Andrewsyc]

Day 18; July 19th

Destination: As close to Yellow Stone National park as I can get.

Mile after mile the Honda Rebel did as best it could do at 65 mph. From Reno I would travel east to Salt Lake City, and then North and stop for the night in Brigham City. This would be the second and last night of camping on the trip.

[Andrewsyc]

Day 19; July 20th

Destination: Yellowstone National Park

From Brigham City to Yellowstone one of the most scenic views of my life would unfold. My trek up to Yellowstone provided scenery that rivaled the Pacific Coast.
From the Teton mountain range to the geothermal activity in Yellowstone, I couldn’t take enough pictures.

I left the park at 7pm following highway 20 east to Cody, Wyoming. I grew upset because of the clouds that lay ahead in the valley. Because of the geography the weather remained in the valley the road was in. I grew weary when I looked ahead and behind and all I saw was thunder. I managed to find a place in Wapiti for $90 along with some other bikers.

[bosozoku]

Wow...I bet the rest of this epic is as good as the first. Great pics!.

Texas in July?.