Trip advise, please.
 

Hey Y'all-

I am changing jobs and will be taking about 5 weeks off in between. So, now is the time for that extended tour (by my standards) that I have been dreaming about. Now, if I could just get some input from the HUBB, I'll be set.

First, route and daily mileage. Here is my (totally) loose plan:

- Leaving Denver, CO, on November 24 and crossing into Mexico around southern Texas (Peidras Negras), 1100 miles
- The "Jungles, Veracruz, and Indian Villages" route from the book, Motorcycle Journeys through Northern Mexico, 1400 miles, ten to twelve days, exiting through Pharr, TX
- Pharr, TX to southern Florida, 1500 miles
- Southern Florida to my folks' home in West Virginia, 1000 miles
- West Virginia to Denver, 1300 miles
- Total mileage is about 6300 miles
- Assuming 25 travel days, 5 rest days, and 5 days back in Dever to transition, that is 250 miles per day on the bike

Questions. I know it is subjective, but is that a reasonable itinerary in terms of daily distance expectations? Would I be better off skipping southern Florida or Mexico and taking more time to smell the roses?

Second, weather considerations. I would be travelling between roughly November 25 and January 1. Is that unreasonable considering my route/itenerary? Would I be better off doing the route in reverse. I plan on buying the Olympia All Touring System jacket and pants. I could also install heated grips or buy heated clothing.

Well, I realize much of this is simply for me to decide, but since I only have one motorcycle tour under my belt (Copper Canyon) I thought I would solicit the advice of the old pros out there.

By theway, I'm on a Suzuki V-strom 650, like to tent camp, and really not too destination driven, for what that is worth.

Much Thanks.

Aaron

Can you say "Snow"
 

You live there so you should know what the weather will be like. I would think both Colorado and WV will both be a bit rough in December. If you are planning a straight shot across all the states in between could be a problem as well.

I would reverse course as you mentioned. I would also skip the Florida section unless there is something down there that really interests you. Use the time gained to avoid a straight across route (and the associated cold) from CO to WV. Swoop down through the Southern states.

Definetly go for the heated clothing. I would recomend the Gerbing jacket liner with controler. You might want a set of gloves as well considering the cold you are likely to run into. Heated grips s are OK, but gloves are great.

Yankee Dog

I'd say you'd be lucky to get out of CO.

Go south, young man...
 

If you can skip the US leg (recommended, as by others) and, if you can, extend south into Belize, Guatemala... this is the absolute best time of the year for those areas; later begins the more difficut seasonal cycles: Feb.- April, sweltering heat, May-July heavy rains (and major flooding), then hurricane season 'til about October...
but this time of year most of it is like the Garden of Eden and, if you have time and interest, check out the whole Maya thing; both the ruins and the people... they are wonderful, polite, curious and helpful.
I lived in Belize for a couple of years and loved it... true Carribean living on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and, within less than an hour, the raw beauty of deep jungle mountains, and the people, the villages, endless back roads... ahhh... note: the beer is horrible but the rum is heavenly ;)... all of this, of course, IMHO