Scooting through Southern California from Tucson?

ravenridesacoyote · Post by **ravenridesacoyote** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 4:51 pm

Some travel tips needed for riding through Southern California on a Hooligan 170i. I am mainly staying in KOA's and hostels.

I am planning on leaving Tucson the end of February and heading to either San Diego, Ventura, or San Luis Obiso. I will be doing short day rides, like 150 miles per day only. I do not even know if that is short, so let me know.

So far I am fine from the Salome KOA in Arizona but I am kind of stuck on which way to go from there. I am afraid if I go north to San Luis Obisbo it will be to cold to camp that time of year, but going south to San Diego means hotels.

I am eyeing heading to Vetura but my only concern is route 62 north of Johsua Tree since it seems pretty desolate and I have no idea of the weather that time of year.

So yeah, pretty vague, but just looking for tips from any locals or anyone who rode through the area.

I am also thinking of just shipping the bike to San Luis Obispo as well.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 5:38 pm

In my experience, 150-200 miles a day is a modest pace and does not wear you out. It is only 400 miles from Tucson to San Diego, so I'm not sure why you would fall back on shipping the scooter. Just pick routes that are off the heavily traveled highways so you will enjoy the trip.

ravenridesacoyote · Post by **ravenridesacoyote** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 6:11 pm

Dooglas wrote:In my experience, 150-200 miles a day is a modest pace and does not wear you out. It is only 400 miles from Tucson to San Diego, so I'm not sure why you would fall back on shipping the scooter. Just pick routes that are off the heavily traveled highways so you will enjoy the trip.

Yeah, that is what I want to avoid, stress and fatigue. I am not in a rush, plus I will probably be stopping a lot to take photos.

It is 400 miles if I drive on I8 which I do not know if I would like to do in a Hoolligan. Otherwise it is 500 miles if I avoid highways to the north other than a short ride on I10.

I am trying to plan my stops out where I will sleep every night just on this leg of the trip to ease my anxiety about it.

So far I have Tucson to Gila Bend, then Gila Bend to Salome.

https://goo.gl/maps/ktAbTCSYz7F2

Any thoughts on this route from Salome, AZ to San Diego?

https://goo.gl/maps/tUK51Qf5VLR2

Also thinking of this route to Ventura because I do not know if I want to bother with San Diego and driving up through Los Angeles.

https://goo.gl/maps/iFkoKszKqhG2

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Sun Jul 24, 2016 2:29 am

I'd also consider the 347 north from Maricopa to Riggs/Beltline Rd. Calm traffic and not quite as far out as Gila Bend, unless you want to visit. Plus, if you go along I-10, you could visit Quartzite and join the yacht club! (Seriously!)

I-8 on a Hooligan would be less than fun. I've made that run from Gila Bend to the old Highway 80 junction near Mohawk on my Yager. Peope are hauling ass and you'll be struggling to keep between 65 and 70. I was nailed to the rev limiter at 74 and wishing for another 5mph!

You could take Palomas Rd to keep a few more miles off the superslab and ride through a ghost town, but that strip is an 11-mile detour just to get to Palomas Rd and then another 11-miles to get back to the slab.

RoaringTodd · Post by **RoaringTodd** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 11:01 am

One way to prepare for a long trip would be to practice a long day trip on your own before you set out. You could go 100, 150 miles in a day and come back home. The next time - do 200... etc.

This conditions your body to the distance, you become more confident in your machine, and you learn what works and doesn't before you set out.