Logistics

Several people have asked me to comment on the equipment I have and how I am doing the trip. I will attempt to answer as much of that  as I can.

I purchased a custom made luggagge rack from Lazarus, a fellow Chromehead at www.chromeheads.org, he did an excellent job building this accessory so essential to my journey. I then bought a Kuriyakin Ultra Tour bag which is very similar to the T-BAG LONESTAR but at a fraction of the price $246 vs $135 for the Kuriyakin. They both have more or less the same dimensions but the Kuriyakin is a bit deeper.
For guys like me who don't have the deep pockets of Rocketman, this bag is perfect.

 Bare in mind that all my clothes are XL and I still have a lot of space to use. The side pockets expand out for a few more inches of extra space. In there you see my laptop, my beauty bag, two pairs of jeans, 7 T-shirts, underwear and socks. I also have some moon shine that I have purchased along the away and my jacket liner, which is a new addition to the bag, as the weather is a lot warmer in this latitudes. The two bottom pockets are pretty much empty one  has my belt and the other some loose nick-nacks. The top ones I am filling with my dirty laundry :)
After I close the bag I put on the rain cover that comes with it, it doesn't matter if its sunny out, this will protect my bag from dust and crud from the road and I will not open it until I get to the next hotel.

In the picture below is how I set up my bike for travel.The small bag on the passenger seat carries the stuff I need access quickly while on the road. Maps, fruits, water, nuts.
The saddle on the left of the bike is the one carrying my tool bag, one pair of shoes and a pair of flip flops or chancletas. I still have more space there left.
The bag on the right, the one you can't see in this shot carries all my rain gear, frogg togs, rain gloves and some things I need quick access when I stop at a gas station like a rag or water.

With this nice set up, I have space for all my XL stuff and still have more space for the stuff I am collecting while travelling.
In terms of gas, I am filling up my tank every 120 to 130 miles. That is half a tank more or less. I don't want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere because of gas. Not that it has being a issue for me to find it. I just want to be on the safe side.
Planing my route.
I grab my laptop and check out "The Googles". I take note of possible roads I want to take. I then aim for the West and try to avoid Interstates. If I see a national park or a scenic route, I then head towards it and try to cross it. It paid off nicely yesterday when I travel along the Ouachita National Forest. I also use the Welcome Centers at the entrance of each state. There you can always score a map, coffee and advise from the locals. The GPS I use when I am lost or need to get my bearings locally ( no more than a 60 miles radius). This GPS has proven unreliable and always gives me the worst route to destination.
In conclusion I just make a cocktail of notes from Welcome Centers and Google, mental maps and the GPS. It works for me.
If you have more questions feel free to ask.