Instead of riding I81 next time consider riding through Shenandoah Natl Park Skyline Drive. You can pickup Skyline Drive in Front Royal, VA and it dumps you off in Waynesboro on I64. A much slower pace but less traffic than I81 and more scenic. When I travel on my bike the max number of miles I'll ride is between 300 and 350 a day which gives me plenty of time to ride at a relaxed pace, enjoy the scenery and checkout poi's along my route.

Awesome ride!

Yes, I certainly get it about taking the scenic lower traffic density roads. That is my/our usual plan.
In this particular case for the upstate NY to Charleston, SC motorcycle trip and back, it was all about maximizing the time in Charleston with my brother.
The unfortunate part was having to ride I-81 for time expediency.
Harrisburg, PA and somewhat north & south of the city being the exact reason.
I-95 was much nicer riding than I-81.

When we do motorcycle trips with my girlfriend on the back of the Road king, we do take the scenic routes.

I will be paying the price for being away on the motorcycle trip tomorrow.
I'm all caught up now on grass mowing at the house, but the cabin/recreational property was mowed last on May 26th, and tomorrow will be the 16th day.
Anybody have a small hay baler they can lend me for the day?

Regarding riding motorcycles and mowers. With all the rain this spring it has been difficult to get on either one for me. The ground is so saturated that after it stops raining I need at least 3 sunny days before the ground's firm enough to mow on the 4th. Except we've only had 3+ days in a row w/o rain a few times this year. The grass/weeds need cut but it's been raining for days and heavy last night with just sprinkles today.

Supposedly little chance of rain the next 3 days but I'm leaving in the morning on my Guzzi Stelvio for Meadows of Dan VA which'll be a long day, but pretty nice riding on 2-lane roads down the middle of WV into VA. I'll be staying 2 nights at Willville motorcycle campground then riding back Friday. Then rain predicted for the next 6 days, I'm just giving up on mowing until at least late June maybe not until July.

Awesome!

I'm a bit jealous. I LOVE long MC trips. I've been itching for another bike and an excuse to hit the road again.

I'm secretly hoping my son will get into riding so we can ride together. Currently, he's at the age where anything that is my idea, is not something he wants to do.

Congratulations on a very cool trip and thank you for sharing.

Approaching my mid 60's, I am starting to think of bucket list trips.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:

it's REALLY hard to find that perfect group size and personality mix.

Back in the early 1980s, I rode with the perfect group. Two of us. My wife and I were both BMW riders. We took a vacation trip every year. Two motorcycles, loaded with one tent, two sleeping bags, cooking and camping gear, rain suits, etc.

We lived just west of Chicago and took vacation rides to Nova Scotia, to New Jersey, to Florida, to Colorado, Tennessee, etc. -- one long trip per year, and one or two weekend camping trips each month during the warmer weather.