J.,

I have made the ride between Portland, OR and San Fransicso many times. Most of the trips were on PCH. That is a trip of around 700-800 miles. I was always able to make it in 2 days with no major problems. A couple of times, I took I-5 headed south (~650 miles) and was able to do it in 1 long day.

I have also made the trip from LA to Seattle on I-5 a couple of times on a bike and a couple of times in a cage. Like you said, it is around 1200 miles, maybe a little more. I drove it nearly straight through in a cage one time. It took me 23 hours, but the speed limit was only 55 at the time. I was also stupid and pulled out from downtown LA at 4:00 PM on a Friday. I was only about 50 miles down the road by 6:00. That included gas and food stops, and a couple of hours in a rest area, taking a nap. That was a pretty rough trip.

On a bike, I ended up stopping 2 nights on the road. My long trips at that time were on a bike without a windshield, and the hammering of the wind took it's toll on my neck and upper body. It will certainly be easier with most of the wind being routed around you.

The main problem you face is fatigue. Once you start to lose focus, you are in serious danger. The scenery is pretty bland for almost half your trip along I-5. Until you get to Redding when you will start into the mountains. Before that, it is mostly long, straight, hot, and boring. Fortunately, most of I-5 in California is top notch. You will probably be able to run 75-80 (or more) easily, for hour after hour.

If you make it with only 1 stop, it will probably be pretty late on Saturday before you get there.

Watch out for the dragonflies in California. They seem to like playing chicken with bikes, and some of them are almost as big as bikes. It hurts to get hit.

Watch your speed when you cross into Washington. The police are notorious for nailing "out of state" drivers that come blowing in from Oregon and California. They don't always wait by the bridge, sometimes they are a few miles up the road.

Good luck on your first long trip. Be sure and let us know how it goes.

Putz