OP
@lostboy avatar
UTC

Hooked
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
 
Hooked
@lostboy avatar
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
UTC quote
Tomorrow evening I'm launching my first ever PTW road trip, from Seattle to SoCal and back home, about 2,800 miles round trip.

I'm planning a day and a half for the first leg (Google Maps link) to the Bay Area--I'll ride tomorrow until I need to stop for sleep and then finish Thursday--and one day for the second leg to Moreno Valley.  It's a route I've driven many times by car, but I expect it to take significantly longer by bike.

I've checked my tires for wear and gotten a second opinion at the local Vespa shop.  Windy will be due for a service and new rear tire when I get home but should be fine for the trip.  This afternoon, I pre-packed and went for a test ride fully loaded.  I strapped my duffel to the rear seat with a bungee net and a pair of Rok Straps.  It felt good and stable and made a nice backrest.  (If anyone knows of a better way to strap it down, though, I'm all ears!)

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text


I'm carrying rain liners for jacket and pants along with winter gloves and a fleece layer in case of unexpected weather.  I have my tire pressure guage and cleaner for my helmet visor.  Still I have the feeling that I'm overlooking some important thing to pack or prepare.  I'll most likely think of it about half way through Oregon. 

The reason for the trip: Going out with friends on Saturday to see the new Harry Potter movie.  Razz emoticon  (Well, that and I haven't actually seen my CA friends in several years.)

Wish me luck!
⚠️ Last edited by lostboy on UTC; edited 2 times
@reno_bob avatar
UTC

Addicted
mp3 250 & MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 691
Location: reno nv
 
Addicted
@reno_bob avatar
mp3 250 & MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 691
Location: reno nv
UTC quote


I hope you have a good trip. Sounds like fun. Here are a few things that I take with me on extended trips.

A spare key to your MP3. Could come in handy

A tire repair kit. Green Slime Tire sealant. Air compressor.

Spare fuses.

A gas can with gas in it.

Water.

I try to have all these on extended trips if I can. Have a safe trip. Let us know how it went when you get back.

R.B.
OP
@lostboy avatar
UTC

Hooked
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
 
Hooked
@lostboy avatar
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
UTC quote
Ah, water!  I forgot to include my Camelbak in today's test load.  I'll wash out the bladder and make sure it fits under the seat tomorrow morning.

I carry a spare key every day because I'm more prone than most to locking keys inside vehicles. 

Not sure I have time, money, or trunk space to add an air compressor.  I may have to rely on AAA to rescue me from any tire troubles.  Picking up spare fuses will be easy, though.  Oh, and I should load the service manual onto a thumb drive.

Reno Bob, thanks very much for the tips!  It's reassuring to hear from people who've BTDTGTTS.
@bravotwofour avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
 
Ossessionato
@bravotwofour avatar
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
UTC quote
Have a great trip lostboy, I'm jealous! Weather looks to be perfect coming thru Oregon the next few days, downright hot once you get thru the valley, as you probably know.

That's a long time in the seat - are you using and AirRider or any other cushion?

If your return trip puts you back thru the Portland area next weekend, consider the North American Brewer's Festival will be in full swing downtown - largest beer fest in North America, and Portland definitely has the best beer IN THE WORLD - and well worth an extra night's visit!
OP
@lostboy avatar
UTC

Hooked
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
 
Hooked
@lostboy avatar
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
UTC quote
BravoTwoFour wrote:
That's a long time in the seat - are you using and AirRider or any other cushion?
No cushion, just the stock seat.  I've had a couple of 8-hour days on the bike on local rides without any ill effect (and have several 12-15 hour driving days to my record in the not exactly plush seat of a Honda del Sol), so I'm not too worried about sore bottom.  One comfort issue I have noticed is lower back fatigue, so I'm interested what effect the duffel bag backrest will have over distance.

And yeah, I expect I'll be soaking my t-shirt every stop once I hit the Central Valley.

The Brewers Festival sounds like a great time, but alas I don't drink.  Still Portland's worth a stop anytime, I think.  Beautiful city.
@reno_bob avatar
UTC

Addicted
mp3 250 & MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 691
Location: reno nv
 
Addicted
@reno_bob avatar
mp3 250 & MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 691
Location: reno nv
UTC quote
8) lostboy..... Have a good and safe trip. When you get back let us know how it went.

R.B.
UTC

Addicted
MP3-250 Tiger 1050 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
Joined: UTC
Posts: 862
Location: Central Coast, California
 
Addicted
MP3-250 Tiger 1050 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
Joined: UTC
Posts: 862
Location: Central Coast, California
UTC quote
Have a great trip and do keep an eye on that rear tire, 2800 miles is pretty far for a new one to go and I'm not sure how high mileage days will affect wear.
OP
@lostboy avatar
UTC

Hooked
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
 
Hooked
@lostboy avatar
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
UTC quote
Well, the trip south was a fun ride, and the mp3 performed wonderfully right up to the moment she stopped working altogetherCrying or Very sad emoticon
OP
@lostboy avatar
UTC

Hooked
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
 
Hooked
@lostboy avatar
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
UTC quote
Back Home
I'm back home in Seattle.  Lessons learned, mishaps, and assorted non sequiturs to follow tomorrow morning.
@robertredcap avatar
UTC

Hooked
MP3 400LT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 239
Location: Amsterdam
 
Hooked
@robertredcap avatar
MP3 400LT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 239
Location: Amsterdam
UTC quote
Re: Back Home
lostboy wrote:
I'm back home in Seattle.  Lessons learned, mishaps, and assorted non sequiturs to follow tomorrow morning.
Lost boy what did you learn? I will be leaving for france next week for a road trip through the mountains with the mp3 400.

I sure could use some advice
DoubleGood Design banner

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2025 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0159s ][ Queries: 3 (0.0049s) ][ live ][ 325 ][ ThingOne ]