my trip to Cali/AZ and back to COLD Iowa...

racrx451 · 01-21-2012, 02:54 PM

well, we set off for California Jan. 5th from Iowa. 26 hours later.. we were in Fontana, CA. we didn't get very good fuel mileage to say the least.. 8-10mpg the whole way.. sad but when you weigh 9500lbs (weighed at a scale when we left).. it's expected.

went to Supercross in Anaheim and Phoenix.. rode 2 mx tracks in socal and also practiced roadracing at Fontana. mountain biked at McDowell park outside Fountain Hill, AZ for 2 days and much more. wanted to take the van off roading but didn't as the upgraded tires are just too big for the fenders so I need to do some trimming and with all the bikes that were packed in/on the van I didn't want them moving around a lot. all in all, we had 3 motorcycles (2 dirt and 1 street/race bike), 2 mountain bikes, generator, norcold fridge, 2 snowboards, all the gear to race/bike/board, ramp, spare tire, race tires, tool box and clothes... before we left I had another battery installed behind the drivers side between the frame and body with a Blue Sea charging relay which ran a 3500 watt inverter.. it worked great! we took 3 days to arrive back in Iowa with stops in Sante Fe, NM, Pagosa Springs, CO, Denver, CO and finally home...about 3500 total miles. with all the gear inside we weren't able to sleep inside the van but next time we will be "camping" in the van. Im going to get a 2 bike hauler instead of a single. all in all, a great trip that I won't forget.

Ford_6L_E350 · 01-21-2012, 03:11 PM

Where in Iowa?

I'm from Iowa, moved to CA in 74. Go back every year to visit family - my dad's 90th birthday will be on Jun 8th, and I will be there. Elberon, kind of east central Iowa. Also stop in Nebraska to visit my brother and in Tipton, IA to visit another brother.

Maybe we can hookup while I am out there.

Mike

racrx451 · 01-21-2012, 06:55 PM

hi. I live right outside of Des Moines, real close to I-80. you are more than welcome to look me up on your way through. safe travels

Ford_6L_E350 · 01-22-2012, 10:19 AM

Usually I'm on 80 from Nebraska through Des Moines. I'll drop you a PM when I get closer to leaving.

Mike

OttoVolcomSMB · 01-23-2012, 03:54 AM

Racrx451 how do you get the gear up and down from your roof?

racrx451 · 01-25-2012, 12:03 PM

good question.. my buddy built the roof rack for $400 and he was suppose to build me a ladder too but that didn't happen so we either used the curved ramp to climb up and down or I would just open the front door and step on the seat and door to get up there... I need to get the ladder done.