How many miles per day did I ride?

The longest day was 424 miles and that day was all interstate. The shortest day was 70 miles from Oakland to Santa Cruz. Not counting days I didn’t ride, I averaged 246 miles. Even throwing out the high and low mileage day, the average is still pretty much the same.

How does that compare to past rides?

To answer that, I pulled up the miles per day chart for my 2019 trip across Canada.

On that trip, the riding from Maine to Ohio is the best comparison. The roads were generally two lane and curvy with small towns along the way. The mileage is pretty similar. On that trip, from Ohio to Seattle was generally interstates and my 424 mile day is similar to the days on the interstate back then.

My record day is 542 miles (or 553 according to Google), from the 2019 trip across Canada. That was from Ogden, Utah to Hermiston, Oregon. I noted in the blog that the speed limits were 80 mph most of the way on those roads.

I would say my capacity to ride distance has diminished some but I never was an iron butt rider (those that ride more than 1,000 miles in 24 hours).

What were the highlights of the trip?

Catching up with friends, especially those I haven’t seen in the 10 years since my last visit is the first thing I think of as a highlight. Finding that I still really enjoy traveling on the bike was another big one. It encouraged me to start planning a few trips for 2026. Rediscovering some favorite west coast roads that seem perfect when on two wheels. Having, for the most part, perfect weather was a bonus.

Is it time to buy some new gear?

Most definitely a new helmet. New boots, riding pants and jacket are something to definitely consider.

How did packing light turn out?

What do I mean by packing light? I pulled up a photo of my 2018 Western Vistas Tour. On this ride, I carried both a top case on the back of the bike and a tank bag in addition to the panniers. I found the top case would fit all the camping gear and use it on rides when I know I’m going to be camping. The tank bag was used most often for camera gear, so it would be convenient to pull over and take a quick picture, often without getting off the bike.

If I’m not camping, such as my trip across Canada, I leave the top case at home. I can’t recall ever leaving the tank bag at home before this trip.

This trip was without a tank bag. I put the DSLR in one of the panniers. All the photos on this trip were taken with the camera on my phone as an experiment. However, I keep the phone in a pocket that is difficult to get at without getting off the bike. I’ll consider putting it in a more accessible pocket next time.

I think the results were fine but I also found that I feel a little more creative when I use the DSLR. I have lens choices and can frame photos a bit more precisely through a view finder. I’ll decide on a trip by trip basis whether to bring a full size camera and to pack it in the tank bag.

Also, without the tank bag, I didn’t take the GoPro or the 360 degree camera. If I had the GoPro, I would put it on my helmet and have it take a photo every few seconds while on some of the curvy roads. Often that is the only way to get the curviest part of the road in pictures where there is no shoulder.

The tank bag also has the advantage of having a map pocket with a clear window so I can always quickly reference a physical map. Cell signals are not always a given, even in 2025.

Packing light also meant not bringing a few tools. I left the jumper cables, the 12 volt air pump, a USB battery, paper maps for each state I’m traveling and the rain suit. I guess I’ll double my effort to fit a rain suit on future trips, even those with predictions of dry weather each day LOL.

How much $$ did I spend?

Motels costs for five nights was $457.32 total. Food (and misc.) costs totaled about $751.92. Fuel for the bike ran $127.65. The grand total was roughly $1,336.89.

What was the theme of this ride?

Trips are always an excuse to travel, and always fun. On one trip, the 2018 Western Vistas Tour, the theme of vistas emerged from my photos. For this ride, the motivation was to renew my connection with friends and my connection with traveling on the motorcycle.

Renewal was the theme this time. The trip was motivated by the death of a friend from Santa Cruz. Brad was a teacher of mine, a professor of mathematics and chair of the department – also a juggler, good friend and Santa Cruz house mate for a time. I will miss him.

In reconnecting with others there, and by reminding myself how good traveling by bike is, the trip has been wonderful and I’m really glad I went. A trip down to Santa Cruz at least every other year is not only possible but worth it. I plan to make that happen.

A huge thank you goes to my hosts; Craig and Scott and Jeff.

Until the next trip!