USA Coast to Coast 2015

Where you've been and what you done
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Sgt Bilco
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USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

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I put together a trip in the summer of 2015 to ride from Norfolk Virginia across to Santa Rosa California.

I loaded 14 bikes onto the container a few weeks ago and true to form, the container arrived on time and no hassle's into Norfolk on 9th June. Everything was just where I bolted and strapped them down and it's always a relief when I open the doors and they are all in one piece. I've done it plenty of times now so I know what I'm doing but it's relief none the less.

The weather today in Norfolk is high 80's and very muggy so it was a bit warm in there unloading but all done in a couple of hours. All the wheel chocks, straps and bags will be shipped across to Santa Rosa for the trip back.

There is a real mix of bikes on this trip which is a nice change from the usual herd of GS's. we've got an FJR, Gold Wing, Transalp, Africa Twin, Tiger 800, KTM 1190R and of course 8 R1200GS's and GSA's.
Sgt Bilco
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Re: USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

Well folks, this adventure riding is all go go go. I always get in a few days early to unload the container so whilst waiting for everyone to show up and I'm all on my lonesome, it would be remiss of me not to go to Virginia Beach for a couple of hours. 90 degrees, warm sea and a brilliant lunch of crab, shrimp and advacado. It's hell I tell you..........
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Sgt Bilco
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Re: USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

Finally everyone has drifted into Virginia Beach. I was starting to feel like Alan Partridge holed up in the hotel on my own. All bikes sorted, fuelled and ready to rock and roll. 10-30am and the temperature is around 35 degrees with at least 90% humidity so uncomfortable at best.

A nice group picture of your adventure heroes before we depart and one of the cleaners wanted her picture taken with "Our Glorious Leader" as I like to be referred to before we left. The staff in the hotel were superb and really helpful ferrying us up to get the bikes and even to the bar up the road. You may reconise some of the motley crew....!!
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A short run today down to Kitty Hawk and Phil and Dave found a great place to cool down.....a beer fridge!!

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Sgt Bilco
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Re: USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

After a brief run in the 30 degree plus heat we arrived at Kitty Hawk which is a must visit. Really fascinating place and it's hard to believe how far we have come in air travel in a little over 100 years.


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Down to the hotel which is right on the beach front for a bit of tanning time and a swim in the warm Atlantic Ocean. This adventure riding is tough stuff and don't let anyone tell you different B)

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Sgt Bilco
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Re: USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

Just one more gratuitous picture of Kitty Hawk beach before we headed inland through North Carolina. Yep, I did have a swim in there at 6.00am. Admittedly, It's no Skegness but needs must and all that..... :P



After an uneventful fun across North Carolina, we ride onto the Blue Ridge Parkway which is a stunning ride. I think it's one of the prettiest places on any of my trips and we rode about 250 miles across the top of the Smoky Mountains accompanied by the odd slow Harley but a cracking day.

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Sgt Bilco
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Re: USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

We stopped at a brilliant motorcycle museum called Wheels Through Time www.wheelsthroughtime.com near Ashville and it had some brilliant stuff in there. It's a private collection but open to the public an the owner Dale is a real character. Everything in there starts and rides and he uses a lot of the stuff in there for his daily rides. It's all American stuff and some rare bikes and cars and you could easily lose yourself for a day and well worth a visit if you are close.

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Sgt Bilco
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Re: USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

Up bright and early next morning and off to Deals Gap or the Dragons Tail. Hard to explain what 318 curves in 11 miles looks or feels like but it's a shit load of corners in 2nd and 3rd gears tiring in the heat but well worth the ride. One or two had video cameras but I just aim and fire.
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The tree of shame tells it's stories at the cafe!!
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Had a nice milk shake with the Smoky Mountain Bear in Townsend to cool down after the ride. Got the get the priorities in order and anyone who rides with me knows I can sniff a good shake out from around 50 miles.........
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Sgt Bilco
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Re: USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

This is what some of the idiot Harley riders do out here on some great roads. They sit in staggered formation as they try to manhandle their barges around corners and rarely let you past without a bit of a struggle. I don't think they take too kindly to GS's or any other bikes riding on Harley Davidson sovereign territory!!

I've ridden all over the US and Canada and this is the one single thing that drives me nuts.




Sgt Bilco
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Re: USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

This is what some of the idiot Harley riders do out here on some great roads. They sit in staggered formation as they try to manhandle their barges around corners and rarely let you past without a bit of a struggle. I don't think they take too kindly to GS's or any other bikes riding on Harley Davidson sovereign territory!!

I've ridden all over the US and Canada and this is the one single thing that drives me nuts.






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Sgt Bilco
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Re: USA Coast to Coast 2015

Post by Sgt Bilco »

The weather was warming up nicely and some of the group relax on the porch in the rocking chairs. Some old enough to do it, some not and check out the small beer cooler and yes it was full. Cold and weak American beer at the end of the day is a must........!!
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