AN ODYSSEY OF ADVENTURE AND DISCOVERY
by Joseph Notovitz
Prologue
Starting in August 2022, I embarked on an epic cross-country motorcycle trip, to meet fellow motorcycle riders at the annual Ride to Remember event, which took place in San Diego, CA. Spanning more than 7,230 miles and taking me through Canada, 18 states, and parts of Northern Mexico, it was an adventure of a lifetime, filled with unforgettable experiences.
Armed with a full tank, Google Navigation and Kurviger (my go-to road planning applications), 742 pounds of bike, and belongings, I set out from Great Neck, New York, on my 1200 GS Adventure, aiming for a wedding stop in Canada, and ready to tackle whatever the open road had in store for me.
The vast fields of corn in Ontario and Iowa, the endless number of wind turbines in Nebraska, the majestic mountains of Utah, South Dakota, and Montana, the towering cliffs of the Pacific Coast Highway, salt flats, and wildfires — were truly a testament to the astounding beauty of our country. As I wound my way through mountains and flatlands, I encountered some of the most scenic roads I have ever seen — roads that snaked through forests and along rivers, canyons, farmlands, and prairies — revealing stunning views at every turn. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I also encountered a fair share of unpaved roads, heavy rain, searing hot temperatures, and gale force winds, all of which put my riding and mental discipline skills to the test.
But despite some challenges, I was always struck by the beauty of everything around me, with landscapes that changed dramatically from one mile to the next. In Iowa, Nebraska, and Utah, I found myself surrounded by flat corn fields at one moment, and then a conversion to otherworldly rock formations, seeming like a moment later. Prairies turned into cities, buildings turned into badlands — faster than a passing storm.
In this series of upcoming articles, I will share some of the most memorable moments and experiences from this trip, plus some long-distance riding and safety tips I live by, and discovered during the trip.  From the challenges and triumphs of the road, to the people and places that made this journey so special, I hope to provide you with a glimpse into some incredible places you can one day visit yourself.
Stay tuned. In the next installment of this series we will ride along with Joseph on days 1 & 2 of this epic journey. Be sure to subscribe to Roadcraft USA to be notified when new features are published.
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