Maiden Voyage- Chicago to the Everglades!

[edirwin]

Did the 3,000 mile round trip at the end of March. The bugs were not bad as long as the wind was blowing- which it did like crazy for the first few days- making the canoeing idea not so great. The camp ground was pretty empty during the week, but the rangers kept making us move to the inner area (A circle) so they wouldn't have to clean the bathrooms in the more private (B & C) circle.
Amazing wildlife viewing- including the vultures in the camp ground! Pelicans, manatee, a shark bump while in the canoe! Gators, Egrets... so much more. Beautiful weather, but no beach. It is a fantastic landscape- but probably only for a few days- not a week.
A couple of trailer problems- like the bikes were a pain in the butt to have to keep in the trailer, and they did some damage bumping around. I have read the threads on where to keep them, but you see the canoe on top of the truck- so thats out...
Newly installed partitions need some tightening up, and the front gaucho definitely is not big enough for a 250# guy and a 140# gal!!! It is going to undoer go a renovation as described in very well done threads.

[bredlo]

That's quite a maiden voyage - thanks for posting photos! I'm sure there's a way to get those bikes to behave themselves in the trailer, but haven't had to come up with a solution myself.

[Snedwid]

Just a suggestion: Mount a trailer hitch reciever on the front of your tractor and use one of the bike carriers that are designed for it. IMHO, the bike on the front doesn't impare visibility or radiator cooling. The big caution is to be sure the bike's wheels are high enough to avoid hitting on curbs and dips.

[moosetags]

Congratulations on a successful maiden voyage. Great pictures. Thanx for sharing.

[Lily&Me]

Quite a trip! Glad it was successful.

We visited the Everglades for the first time in February, and found them beautiful and fascinating. Loved the cypress trees and so much wildlife----birds of all sizes, shapes and colors, and gators everywhere.

Now that you are home, there are rallies going on in Illinois here in the next month or so. You could come down and meet some fellow travelers. The Moraine View rally the second weekend in June will have a good group, a couple of hours south for you suburban Chicago folks. Would love to meet you.

Travel safe,

Maggie

[mojo]

This works for my muddy bikes. Google Top Pop Rails.

[RLS]

We just put an old folded up comforter over the front of couch (gaucho) and then lean the bikes over the front of the couch. Make sure the pedals are rotated right they do touch the couch or other bike. Bungee chord them together and also bungee the brakes locked. So far, this has worked very well. Have used this set-up for the past 2 yrs. with no problems other than making sure the bikes are clean before going in.

[AirsDream]

Ditto, except I don't bother with the brakes. Have never had a problem with bikes moving ... though they're in the way if I stop to eat along the way!

But I just (yesterday) got a Dahon folder, so that may be even a better answer.

[jonlopes]

congratulations! the trip sounds awesome. You should route it on a map and post it, for people who is interested in experiencing the same trip you did, like me!