Riding partners unavailable (one no time off, others broken). Cannot ride until mid September (surgery recovery). So solo, unless there's a way to find someone (is there?)

Several aspects. Bike? Camp or motel? Danger of solo riding? Route of suitable kind?

BIKE I have two. Guzzi California Touring. Heavier, but great in general. Not particularly forgiving. Premium only. Clearly a long distance bike, great on highways, great on sweeping rolling stuff, not good on gravel, a bit of a pain on super tight pain in the ass roads (e.g., Dragon) but does fine. Doesn't wear me out.

BMW F700GS. Light, nimble, comfy. 87 octane. No cruise control. Not as protected a ride. I have not ridden it on a trip. My SO's bike. Seems really boring, does everything well, doesn't care about gravel.

Both have hard bags and are fully wired for heated gear & accessories.

I would normally take the BMW out for a few day trips and decide, but I can't ride right now. Sucks.

CAMP OR MOTEL

I kind of hate motels. I have compact camping gear. But it's a load. I worry about security. None is really worth that much. Likely be October. I can always pick a motel, so I'm thinking camping. Anything I should consider on this? Ties into route, I believe.

Cost is a big factor. Some events drained my travel fund.

SOLO RIDING

SO is very concerned about me by myself at my age. I don't really have any worries, but she's right that I'm not young. I am more concerned about getting run off the road and lying unconscious until I die.

Suggestions on safety systems? Worth getting an EPIRB? I will try to get some phone tracking system she can follow. Likely exists.

ROUTE

I'm in Chicago. My initial plan was to motorway it to eastern Tennessee, head south to N. Alabama, over to N GA (Six Gaps etc), then do nice zig zag up through my old stomping grounds (likely pass on the Dragon), maybe head over towards Brevard. Eventually wind up on the Blue Ridge Parkway (assuming not too chilly and not lethal levels of leaf peepers), visit family in N Virginia, then head back through either W Va or up to the big lakes and along the shores.

That's about 2000 miles in 2 weeks, very doable. I can easily do a loafing 250 miles of twisties and lunch stops in a day, and on the highway, I've done over 500 on the Guzzi.

But it's still a big trip.

October issue is northness of the route, why I was thinking south. Plus, that's an area I know.

Alternative 1 is to see family. N Va, Vermont, then back. I could loop through Canada. October & Canada. Hmm. Over 2000 miles. I haven't ridden any of that. Might this be too much? Just out & back touring backroads is under 2000 miles, and might be amazing. I don't know.

Alternative 2 is 1100 miles around the lake: http://www.lakemichigancircletour.com/

Are there ad hoc or formal groups worth riding with? I haven't looked into that at all.

Suggestions are eagerly awaited. I have nobody to ride with. I don't know this area. I've been very ill. I am getting better. I want to get out TODAY, but aren't allowed to pick up more than a 6 pack. So I'm going slowly stir crazy. From a place 40 miles from the Dragon to a lake bed. From great roads out the door to a big city. It's making me crazy!!!!!!