Sailariel:
Sorry to here that, as I am amazed at how many miles people here rack up.
Where I live, any road trip other than heading north, is superslab straight and mostly flat, with the only good thing being it only rains a few days a year.
Throw in the high winds and heat and I'll opt for plan B.
I have found having a trailer and something to tow it with for a plan B has it's advantages.
That and most "trips" are with my son, who has limited vacation time, and we cannot wait a week for the rain to pass.
I try not to ride in the rain and park it if caught, get a room, or camp until it passes, if need be.
I guess I could be considered a wimp and my bikes trailer queens, but my riding is mostly putting around looking at stuff I want to see, riding roads that are interesting, not on a death march trying to get someplace on a schedule.
But that's just me, I am not a high mileage road warrior, and admire those who are.
I most likely will be trailering to Spearfish, even though it's only 800+ miles, and look forward to meeting all the good people who will be there.
Ken
Edited to add:
Oh, yeh, it's been over 100 degrees here for a week, with new fires started every night via dry lightening!
I never ridden thru smoke, except on a bicycle in florida...not fun.
. I have spent quite a few days in the saddle and covered 2900 miles so far. More direct routes from home are less than 900 miles but do not include Ruedi, Moab, Yosemite, and riding up the California coast on highway 1.