Expect no pressure, few plans, and many beautiful miles of relaxation.

For the second year in a row, Tad and Otter have put together these pages, creating the illusion that some extensive planning has gone into this.  It has not.  We prefer to make it up as we go, and we insist that timeframes and schedules will be left behind, which is where they should be.  A motorcycle trip, in our minds, should not be about routes, timeframes, and the like.  It should be about freedom, relaxation, and a peaceful easy feeling that remains fresh in your mind long after the trip has concluded.

However, with the number of people who are going on this trip, we need to get things straight in order to avoid any pitfalls. 

Each day is going to be a little different.  There will be times when we will have routes planned and will stick to them, although this will mostly be around larger cities and towns.  We are expecting a large group for this trip, somewhere in the 20-30 bike range.  It would be nearly impossible to keep 20 bikes together on the road, so we will most likely break up into smaller groups of 6-8 bikes for times when we need to keep together. There are certain basic rules that we follow such as staggered riding, and a leader-caboose formation.  It is the leader's responsibility to keep everyone on the right path (Otter rarely volunteers for this role) and the caboose's job to make sure that everyone keeps up and alert the leader to problems.  We also have a "no turns" rule that states you do not make a turn onto another road until you verify that everyone in your group is with you.  This keeps people from being left behind and getting separated.

At other times, such as Day 2 and Day 3 when there is one basic road that we will be traversing, people will be encouraged to go at it on their own.  We will probably not ride in big groups, as times like this are yours to enjoy the way you want.  A group of people may decide to ride together, or you may happen upon other riders along the road and ride for a bit, but at times like this, you should feel free to do what you want.   If the group is stopping too frequently, keep going.  If they're not stopping enough, stop.  We have found that days like this work very well and gives everyone a chance to enjoy the ride the way they want.

Nobody will be expected to "keep up" with the faster riders.  This is just plain stupid and can only lead to bad situations.  Everyone will be encouraged to ride at their own pace, and the general guidelines that we have setup for leading a group will keep everyone together.

Since we will have hotel reservations each night, there is a definite endpoint of each day.  We may have some places where we will try to get the entire group to meet up at, but this will be a luck of the draw thing.  Odds are we will all meet up on many occasions, and we may find that in certain areas we do ride as one big group.  We don't know - we've never done this before, and it will be fun to see how this turns out.

At night, we'll again play it by ear, but I'm sure we'll find that people will want to eat/drink together and share stories of the day.  Nighttime on trips like this can be almost as much fun as the riding itself.  After sharing an experience like this with friends, there's lots to talk about at night and we usually end up sitting outside shooting the breeze for some time before going to sleep.

Riding Expectations:

Do not be alarmed by the number of miles/day on these pages, unless of course your name is Kurt.  In the past, we have done this same trip in four days, and extending it by one day will make it much easier.  Plus, except for day 2 and 3, there are miles that could be cut out of each day if you are feeling tired. 

We try to get early starts each day, although that is sometimes limited by alcoholic consumption from the night before.  The earlier we start, the more time we have to enjoy the road and the sights.  8:00AM "stands-up" is not uncommon, but this is flexible in both directions depending on what you want to do.

Weather can play a factor in rides like this, as we found out in ATL2001.  A rainy first day slowed us down a bit, but did not ruin the day for many of us.  We are usually lucky when it comes to rain, and we've been performing nightly anti-rain dances in an effort to appease the motorcycle gods and persuade them to let sunshine prevail throughout the 2002 ATL.  Regardless of this hope,  if you don't have a riding suit, spend the $20 at Walmart, or a little more at a bike shop, and get some rain gear.  Not only will this keep you dry if it rains, but it does also work well as a windbreaker.  We will continue on if it rains.  Also, when the temperatures above Lake Superior drop into the 40s, your raingear will double nicely as a wind breaker.

Speaking of weather, temperatures will vary on this trip.  It's possible that we could see 80 degree weather in areas of Michigan and Wisconsin, and it's possible that along the Lake Superior shoreline, it could get down to 45 degrees at times.  Knowing this please schedule your Hotgrip and Electric Vest installation early with Otter and Tad.

There may be times when a bike has problems.  Many of the seasoned veterans carry tire repair kits, oil, and extra tools.  We're all in this together, and we'll never leave someone stranded. 

It doesn't matter what kind of bike you have.  This trip has been done on everything from Honda ST1100s with all the touring amenities, sport bikes of all sizes, dual-sport bikes, and old standards that barely run.  Both men and women have ridden on this trip.

Trip Expectations:

Nobody is going to stand here and tell you that this trip will change your life....but that possibility does exist.  We are going to hit some incredible roads and see some fantastic places.  It will be difficult to wipe the smile from your face at the end of the day.

The companionship of others on this trip will amaze you.  We will be sharing this experience with a lot of great people and long lasting friendships have been known to result from trips like this.

As many of your realized last year, each in your own way, the memories that you take with you will last forever.  Go in with an open mind and let the road surprise you again, just like it did last year.  Every year is different and unique, if you let it be.  You may have learned a thing or two last year that will help you to enjoy this year's trip a little more, but regardless of that, there will be things during this trip that will be much different from last year.  Even though the "planned route" is the same, the journey will take you to a different place this year.

If this is your first trip or your first ATL, you're likely to have some anxiety or questions about this trip.  Nothing that we write or speak about can really explain all of this.  You'll find out soon enough what this trip has in store for you. Again, go in with an open mind and just enjoy the experience.