Hello all!

My name is Lucas, and taking inspiration from Wan, Tae, Ryan, and others, I have decided to head out on a long trip myself. A school deciding to open up for kindergarten-5th grade about 15 feet from my bedroom window also sped the decision along. I will be leaving Portland, Oregon at the end of August, and hopefully arriving in Syracuse, NY (where I grew up, and my folks still live) about 2 months later.

I love the community here, and would totally like to meet up with any of you that are into it. My tentative plans take me from Oregon to California, then across to Florida, and up the east coast. There are some things I definitely want to see (Crater Lake, Redwoods, Grand Canyon etc..) but for the most part, the route is really flexible.

2008 Honda Ruckus! I'm excited

I'll keep this updated as things happen, and of course lots of pictures!

Hit up the Ocean City Maryland crew when you get here! Good luck on the ride.

Dothan, AL

I'm just north of the FL line. If you can make it would live to meet you. Pm me if you're interested.

Awesome!

I can give you lots of advice about what to see and where to stay in New Mexico and Texas. Definitely give me a heads up before getting anywhere near Albuquerque.

Also, how exact is your route? I can tell you about road conditions in New Mexico and offer some suggestions. And why aren't you going to Austin, Texas??!!?

just like thelma and louise, he doesn't want to go to texas because something terrible happen in texas

I definitely will, thanks!



That sounds excellent, I will!



That would be really helpful, I appreciate it! I'm assuming local knowledge will be invaluable on this trip. I cut out pretty much all of Texas and Florida so I can (maybe, hopefully) fit the whole trip into two months. My bosses are totally cool and understanding of my wanderlust, but I think much more than that would be pushing it...


Thanks for the well wishes folks

You should definatly come down to So Calf.

Keep us informed.

Too each his own. The Black Mesa area of OK is stunningly empty and maybe you've got many other good reasons to visit Oklahoma, but I find your choice to drive the entirety of Oklahoma to be less desirable than driving the entirety of Texas. I can't say enough good things about Austin and the general Texas Ruckus riders and their hospitality. And you don't have to skip Arkansas and the Ozarks if you do Austin to Dallas into AR.

You map's kind of small, so I can't figure your exact route in New Mexico. Are you coming in South of I-40 via Zuni to Grants? That's a decent ride and you'll get to see the volcanic flows of El Malpais and the ice caves near Grants. But you look far enough South in Arizona that you could also enter NM via Reserve, to Pie Town or Datil, then Magdalena to Socorro and up side roads in Belen and Los Lunas to Albuquerque. That route would let you catch some of the stunning Gila Wilderness, the VLA in Magdalena and some nicely treed roads along the Rio Grande River into Albuquerque. The only downside of this route is that you have to ride the shoulder of I-25 for a couple miles over the Rio Salado between San Acaia and Bernardo. A way around this would be Reserve to Quemado to Grants on 117. You'll see the Gila Wilderness and the El Malpais. But bring extra gas as this isn't a real populated area.

From Albuquerque it looks like you're doing Hwy 14 (the Turquoise Trail) to Santa Fe. That's a good choice and a classic scooter/motorcycle ride. Plus you can ride a paved road to the top of the Sandia Mountains (10,678 ft) and likely reach the highest point of your whole trip.

Then it looks like you're planning on Taos and across to Clayton at the Texas border. The plains of Eastern New Mexico can be nice and lonely. But you might also consider a route through Raton instead. Leave Raton through Folsom or Capulin (visit the crazy volcano) and then take little ridden State Hwy 456 along the Cimarron River through the Raton Mesas and into Oklahoma with a stop in Black Mesa (the highest point in OK).

Anyway, ask me anymore specifics and stop by Albuquerque for a drink and ride with the locals.

The OK blue laws are enough reason to bypass the state entirely. He's right, that's a long leg of your trip dedicated to one of the most boring stretches of land in the country. Tulsa is not too bad of a town, but the rest pretty much blows. Sorry if I offend anyone, but half of my family is from OK...specifically Wewoka (near Shawnee), Edmond, Norman, and Enid. I just don't care for the area.

Even Kansas is better...they do prairie fires.

Lukebunny, I am trying to figure out the final parts of a trip myself, and as it stands it ties in with what could be a huge chunk of yours. We should meet up, and do some of the country together.

What kind of preparations have you made?
What paperwork are you taking with you?
How much did you pay for your ruck? insurance?

I'll be following you pretty carefully to see how you go, mate, good luck!

nuevomexicano - You make some excellent points about Oklahoma vs. Texas. Austin has always been a city I've wanted to see, but I was pretty excited about riding the Natchez Trace...so many choices! You've pretty much got my NM route right. My southern most point in AZ is Eager, then go north and come into NM around Zuni Pueblo. I appreciate all the tips, I will definitely want to get together in Albuquerque!

BCjona - I would totally be into riding together! Where abouts are you thinking we would intersect?

I paid around $1900 for my 2008 ruck with some accessories (Helmet, rain cover, storage rack). I think my insurance was $70 for a full year. I've got a valid Oregon DL, tags through 2011, registration etc.

If all goes according to plan, on Wednesday I will change the oil, spark plug, air filter, and variator. Then on Thursday I will take a ride to Timberline Lodge, about 120 miles round trip and 6,000 feet elevation to see how the scoot does!

http://www.timberlinelodge.com

sitting at the timberline lodge bar having a coffee as I type. scoot did excellent. slowed down pretty good when we went up 4500 feet over 10 miles or so, but did real well overall. gonna soak in the view, and some more coffee, then head home. pictures later!

So my first long (ish) ride went really well. Did about 115 miles, got a sunburn, got to run around the hotel they used as the exterior in the Shining, and got to play on a mountain. No major (or even minor really) problems with the ruck. I think I may be able to pull this trip off

Once I got out of town and could see Mt. Hood clearly


Highway 26 in Oregon


Rucking up a mountain










Beautiful mountain!


Bat-Ruck+Shining=AWESOME


I approve!


Awesome weird Oregon roadside