(June 1st to Sept 1st) Around Canada and the USA Trip Planning.
 

Hello everyone,

I’ve been fantasizing off and on about this trip for almost 5 years now, maybe 6. I’m 31, love my job, I’m in a good relationship, and I live within my means… but I feel lost. I’m unsure of what the next steps in my life should be and I believe that the only way to figure out my life, and myself out, is to take some time to myself and go on this trip. This isn’t just a YAAY I’m on a motorcycle trip, but rather a coming of age and growing up experience for me.

The plan is to leave Montreal on June 1st, and return by September 1st(3 months). I have a rough idea of the route I want to take, and I’ll adjust it depending on the schedule and stops. The entire trip is about 20,000 kms and I have 3 months to do it. First step will be to bee line it for Toronto, and then start making my way West across Canada.

I’ll be leaving home with my only by bike and riding gear. Everything else will be loaded on the bike in Toronto or bought last minute.

I have doubts. I think I wouldn’t be ready for the June 1st departure date, that gives me about 4 months maybe less with all the other commitments in my life.. There’s a lot of planning still left to do.

Proposed Route

Toronto to Banff to Vancouver, then down to Seattle, Salt Lake city, San Francisco, Vegas, Death Valley, down to San Jose, then east to Texas, via New Orleans, to Orlando, then up to NYC and back to Montreal. There are several small towns that I will stop and see on the way.

**If you can recommend a MUST TAKE route, with landscapes or breath taking views, in or near those areas PLEASE tell me. I would be more than happy to experience it.**

Gear and Bike

I’ve picked out all the gear that I want for this trip, from sleeping bag to helmet to USB charging mod. However, it’s currently a list and I still have to order everything. I know which bike I want( even the color) and am shopping for the right price. Hoping more used bikes will be posted for sale as the weather gets warmer.

Experience

I have no idea what I’m getting into that’s why it’s an adventure. The experience that I do have is 6 months of daily riding a 1100cc cruiser to and from work, every day, rain or shine, ~ 7 km one way. And I took a 4 day trip to Quebec City where I made several mistakes and learned a few lessons. My motorcycle maintenance skills are beginner. I can do an oil change, change a battery, do a rectifier replacement. I do have the user manual for the bike that I want and have I read through it.

Lodging

Planning to camp out as much as I can, using sites like hipcamp .etc. Still in the Planning phase.

Advice and Guidance?

From your experience, what do you think? Any advice you guys can give me? Too ambitious? Recommend anything I should see in the US or Canada? Avoid anything?

Let me know, I 'm open to anything.