USA Trip 2012.

[BaZa®]

You mean boutique
The real HD shop is Dudley Perkins near the airport now, oldest. HD dealer in US.

Dave get a credit card for backup it's a must.

[Foxster]

Originally Posted by BaZa®

You mean boutique
The real HD shop is Dudley Perkins near the airport now, oldest. HD dealer in US.

Dave get a credit card for backup it's a must.

Yup. Why I said 'shop' rather than 'dealer' . Still worth going tho cos every time I've been in they have tasty assistants in low tops .

[banquo]

If all else fails, you can get a Chinese fridge magnet...

[Airedale]

First post here, but I want to emphasize (I know, odd American spelling) that it will be HOT and humid on some parts of your trip. and HOT and dry in the rest. If you have experienced the pleasure(?) of 100F, 90% humidity, and strong sunshine, you know what I'm talking about. If not, you are in for a new experience.

I live in central Minnesota, one of the northern most states in the Union, and we get temperatures in the 90s routinely during the summer, and you are going to be in the central and southern part of the country, so be prepared... I know how this works for folks from moderate climates, my wife is a Norfolk girl, and has complained about the heat and the cold here for 30 years.

You might want to do your traveling in the early morning, and late afternoon, and stay out of the sun in the mid-day hours, for example. Also, once in the desert areas, the nights and mornings can be surprisingly cold, so dress in layers.

The other thing that you know from looking at the map is that the US is a big place. When you hit the Texas border, you ride for two or three days and your still in Texas, you will really understand it.

Having said all that, you will have a great time, people will be very friendly and helpful, particularly once they hear how funny you talk... "You ain't from around here, are you Boy?"

If you have any questions that are unanswered, ask, I'll try to answer them.

[FXSTC Dave]

Hi Everybody.

A couple of questions about plug adaptors and power converter.

The US has 2 types of plug; type A that has 2 blade like pins and
type B that has 2 blade pin and a 3rd round pin.

Now if I get a UK to US adaptor that has 2 UK plugs to 1 type B US plug.
What happens if the hotel I'm staying at only has a type A plug, the adaptor
can't be used, so should I get a couple of type A adaptors as well to cover
any plugs differences.

Also as the US voltage is 110 volts and we use 240 volts.
What about charging my netbook, phone and camera, will I need a
power converter that will step up the US voltage to suit my UK items.
Or will they work fine without one.

I don't want to get one and not need it or not get one and then need it.

[banquo]

You only need the 2 pin blade connector. The 3rd pin is earth, and you won't need that for a double insulated charger. It's not like the UK where the earth pin locks out the live conductors.
Check the spec on your chargers. Most work from 110V-250V. It will tell you on the plate.
My camera, phone, TomTom, laptop, etc. all work fine on 110V.

[billynick]

As Banquo says.

I used the 2 blade adapter everywhere we went last year, no problems.

All my chargers worked fine on 110v.

[Airedale]

Two blade or three bade with a ground will work anywhere the electrical system in a building is not really antiquated. All electrical construction since the 1970s at a guess, has 2 prong with ground outlets, that will take both the two or three prong plug. The only exception is cheap extension cords one can get here that are 2 prong and no ground. Hope this helps.

[FXSTC Dave]

Hi Everybody.

Many thanks for the replies.
So it look like I'll get some 2 blade plug adaptors.

I did see at a pound shop last week they had a set of 2 adaptors,
one for the US with 2 flat blades and the other with 2 round pins for europe.
But thought I'd ask the question about 2 or 3 pin US plugs before buying them.

So I might get 3 of them, giving me 3 US plug adaptors to take with
me.

I've just had a look on Ebay and the adaptors on there look the same
as the pound shop ones only varying in the prices for them.

[Mac1]

Hi dave, did a trip using eagle rider in october 2010 so a couple of tips.

Agree with everything said but personally would avoid sat nav. spoils the fun!

I am glad you have changed your route to take in monument valley. Like Ernie i think Utah is the business for riding and was the most cool part of our trip. From Grand Junction to Moab and south through Mexican Hat to Page on the border of Arizona is to die for. What no one seems to have mentioned is that fueling up is very important on these roads. You can go for very long distances without gas stations and we had to divert to an indian trading post at one point. Another great road is from the China lake weapons testing place, Ridgecrest to Bakersfield via Lake Issabella. When you have spent a few days in the desert coming west into California you get the massive hit from all the instant smells abd vegitation. It must have seemed like arriving in paradise for the eastern pioneers. I personally can't see the attraction in LA so avoided it.

Also worth checking out is Hirst Castle at st simeon on the coast highway 1 road which you will be travelling along.

Finally, once in Frisco if you like steak treat yourself at Izzys chop house inbetween chestnut and lombard up toward the bridge end of Lombard. Alcatraz is worth a visit and you can get tickets online before you go.

Good luck and enjoy. Oh and yes sierra nevada in bottles or draught!