RE: [ST] Upcoming Trip

["Dan Wallander" <triumph99@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Have fun exploring the T in ST.  I've been on some long trips with the ST
and haven't found much to complain about.

The Canadian route is most likely your most interesting route.  Canada
doesn't have the superslab like we do down here in most places.  Once you
get near lake Superior, Canada 17 is a very nice way to go.  It is two lane
with a third passing lane on most up hills.  Others will have more
experience with routes East of there.  

You are most likely automatically covered in Canada with your current
insurance policy.  The last time I went, I asked my insurance company for a
Canada specific card, which they sent without extra charge.  If you get
into an accident it will be helpful to have the Canada card.

Border crossings are a bit different if you haven't been up there in the
last couple of years.  You will most likely be stopped on the US side going
and coming.  Make sure you have current insurance proof, Drivers license,
and current registration for your bike.  I have never had any trouble with
the Canadian border personnel, but it took some convincing on the US side
of  International Falls, Minnesota that New Mexico is one of the 50 US
states (and this was 2 days BEFORE 9/11) and that I was indeed a US citizen.

My first big trip, I took everything in my tool cabinet, barely had enough
room for clothing.  That list has shrunk considerably over the last few
years.  I do take a tire kit with air pump, tire gage, spare headlight and
turn signals, tail lights, the socket and breaker bar for the rear wheel
nut, some bits of wire, fuses, a small tool kit with wire cutters, screw
drivers set, needle nose pliers and a couple of other non-common tools that
the stock tool kit doesn't provide.  To date, the only thing I have used is
the socket and breaker bar.

AAA Trip tiks are a good way to start, I haven't used them for awhile, so
don't know how customizable they are.  A good map of the area you are going
to should suffice.  I use a GPS to tell me where I am and a map to tell me
how to get to where I'm going.

I've never had any trouble finding hotels on the open road.  I do start
riding early so I can knock off early.  The larger cities are going to have
the name brand hotels, but I've had good luck staying at the 'Route 66'
type motor hotels, which Canada has in fair abundance, at least West of
Sault Ste Marie.  I have had trouble getting non-smoking rooms in Canada as
there are fewer non-smokers in Canada.  Just remember that towns are
further apart in Canada and the small towns tend to roll up the sidewalks
around dark in the summer time so plan accordingly.

Have fun on your trip and take the bike, you'll have more fun.

Dan Wallander
Albuquerque, New Mexico
www.danwallander.com 
Triumph Sprint ST :: BMW R90/6
TSRA-VP, ABC, IBA, AMA,HSTA


> [Original Message]
> From: Kevin Dicks <rawsonboy@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 5/4/2004 4:03:05 PM
> Subject: [ST] Upcoming Trip
>
> I have to be in Minnesota in a couple of weeks for business and I am
> seriously thinking or riding there and back to explore more of the "T"
> in "ST".  This will easily be the longest trip I have ever undertaken on
> a bike and part of me says you must be mad and the other part says
> bollocks to it, "Just Do It" - that would make a good catchphrase for
> someone BTW....
>  
> I am thinking of going partly via Canada (I live in Framingham, MA) and
> I was hoping someone may have answers to the following (just a small
> selection of a shite load I have going through my head right now):
>  
> Am I covered for travel in Canada with regards to bike insurance - if
> not what do I have to do to get coverage?
> Does anyone know some good roads to take - or know where I can find out
> some.  Rather not have to slab it if I can help it - I am planning on
> doing about 4/500 miles a day (its about 1,400 miles total) ?  I am in
> AAA and I have used their Trip-Tiks before but not sure if you can
> specify the type of route there (i.e. not slab it but take a more scenic
> route) - is this indeed possible.
> Is there any alternative to the AMA roadside help - I really don't want
> to get stuck in the mid-west without some form of assistance at the end
> of a phone ?
> What are the kinds of things I should take to help ensure I get there (I
> am thinking tire plugger kit, compressor etc.) ?
> I am planning on staying in cheap motels both there and back - any
> recommendations on the best national chain - I would rather book it
> before I go to ensure I can get somewhere to lay my weary head ??
>  
> I have lots of questions and right now I am not 100% sure I am going to
> ride but any help/advice/routes etc. would be very welcome.
>  
> Thanks,
>  
> Kevin
>
> __________________
> Kevin J. Dicks
> Framingham, MA
> '02 BRG ST - DB's
>
>  
>
>
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