AAR

This is the after action report (AAR) for my trip, there (East Coast) and back again (West Coast).

You may recall from my Wyoming stretch there is a severe lack of proper rest areas. The US highway system is an impressive feat, at least if you are near my age. As far as I have known, it has always been readily available. However, it requires ongoing support, attention to detail, and maintenance for future generations. I still cannot fathom the journey across the sea by ship or across land on foot/horse.

Welcome to the brief analysis and post trip thoughts. I am sure of one thing for a trip of this magnitude, I need more time.

Here is the cost breakdown for the actual trip minus expenses when friends/family covered my food/lodging.

Grand total of $3,707.33 USD.

*misc is a dual pack for the Sena 50S

I paid for (6) six nights of lodging and all nights were at different locations. Fuel cost breakdown available as a CSV file.

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Route recording courtesy of Garmin zūmo® XT and map overlay generated by GPXSee.

Now I would be remiss if I did not thank the people who made this trip possible. The entire list would be too long to include here and reveal more information than I would like so it will be quite vague, you know who you are, I hope. I may have another post with inventory breakdown and associated costs. Maybe.

Lessons learned/known:

• Avoid riding after sunset especially in unknown areas for safety
  • Be aware of mile markers in the dark in the event you need to call for assistance on a long stretch, assuming you have cellular service
• Be aware of repair/dealer locations along potential route(s)
  • Have some form of roadside assistance
• Do not reserve a (h|m)otel room if possible as unforeseen circumstances can lead to thrown away money
  • Due to weather, traffic, or other adventure related fun
• I knowingly overpacked
  • I would rather have it and not need it than need it than not have it
• I should get heated grips

You may also be wondering why my gear and motorcycle is black. Obviously if you cannot see me then you cannot hit me. Flawlessed logic.

Some other things I recall:

• A person in Las Cruces saying they have seen better days
• An adult store that appeared to be in the middle of nowhere, but was next door to a recreational vehicle park
• An assignment to eat (2) two cookies
• I spent a good amount of time riding away from cicadas and fortunately avoided Brood X

This post is certainly shorter than I initially planned and it is because I got lazy. A cycling hobby consumed my time shortly after my return and writing can be a chore at times. Some things I may have wrote about are now lost to my faulty memory, but at least I have my mostly documented experience. I may get around to compiling a more thorough photo album of the trip with some video footage as well to share at a later date. I have (10) ten more states left to visit. In no particular order, but perhaps I can make another road trip out of it: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa.

The key take away is YMMV (your mileage my vary) on a trip of this caliber with cost and/or experience. I know many supportive people that made this trip possible.

It is done.