I originally had this ride planned for 2010, but the money just wasn't there. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=593556 Fast forward to 2011 and the money still wasn't there, but a couple things prompted me to make the trip. This summer I watched a friend die of cancer. I have to say it boosted my faith as well as at times question it. Life doesn't go on forever and you aren't guaranteed "next year" is an option. Then some management decisions at work have taken a job that for the last 6 years I never thought of leaving and turned it into "I don't want to be here." This year I at least have the time, next year I may not have the time or the money. For me riding isn't just about the external things. It is therapy for the mind and soul. In short "I'm going for a ride" or maybe i should say "I need to go for a ride". Here is the basic plan. Head west (from PA) and go up through Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks then run route 2 back east. I am not sure how much Internet access I will have during the trip, so there may not be much on here till I get back. I tend to camp as much as possible. I will try to update the RR via my phone in case anyone has any suggestions for places to see/stay in the area I am in traveling on any given day. I should be starting no later than Saturday, but I am thinking Friday Sept 2nd.
Good Luck!!!! Sounds like you've put things in perspective as far as taking the trip when you are able,,, and not waiting for the 'perfect time'. I'll be watching and waiting.
Well I am on my way. Left pa around 9 am and am I am now in a koa in Holly Michigan. 41 bucks for a tent spot yikes,,but I had had enough for the day the temps hit 98 in Michigan and I was wishing I had my mesh gear. Getting the "you came from where on that thing and are going where?" from the neighbors. Haha ...well I asked myself that today as I was rehidrating at a rest stop, so I can't blame them. The bike loaded and ready to go. Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
Holly Michigan to Greenbay Wisconsin. I left Hollly after a quick breakfast at McDs around 9 AM. After running I80 and I74 route 2, around Lake Michigan, was a welcomed change of pace. Although it was hard to only go 55MPH and Michigan had cops out everywhere. It was beautiful out when I left Holly, but that soon changed. I ran into some serious thunderstorms and ended up holding up in a rest stop for quite a while waiting on the them to pass. I have no written directions for this trip, so after crossing the Mackinaw bridge, I plugged Badlands National Park into my GPS. When I saw signs saying Greenbay I realized this wasn't the route I had planned (in my head) It was getting late and I was a little worried I was getting off track. I decided to get a room at the Super 8 so that I would have wifi to do a little route checking, wash up some stinking clothes, and catch up on the RR. No pics from day 2 as aside from gas stops I was busy making up for the rain delay.
I've done this trip before from Va,and loved it. My advice is take your time once you're out there, it's so beautiful enjoy it while you can and take lots of pics. Be careful, Bob
Thanks Bob... it sure is a long ride getting there though Lol. Today I went across the southern end of Minnesota, man the wind blew me right into the other lane a couple of times! I am currently at a campground so No wifi, but only a couple of pics from today as it was about getting miles in. I was on the road for about 9 hours and. Covered about 517 miles In South Dakota Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
Sounds like you're making good time! So you can slow down and take more pics once you get there,,,, right?!?!?! Yes, the wind will be with you for a long time now,,, as too will be the absence of shade!!! You doing slab across SD? Guess it doesn't matter too much, about the only difference would be by HOW MUCH you exceed the speed limit! Enjoy,,,, and ride safe!!!
Yea I90 most of the way across. I was on route 18 this evening, it was over 100 miles of just grass land and ranches... all you could see where the signs not the ranches themselves. But I did see 2 cops with people pulled over. It is very hard to go 65 on a road that is straight and has no signs of human life for a hundred miles.
Day 3 was from Green Bay to just past Sioux Falls South Dakota. I was driving through flat farm land and boom there in the middle was "Ship Rock"
The storms that went through Michigan had caused a lot more damage in Wisconsin. For about 40 miles I was seeing scenes like this.
Finally, day 4 and I start to visit some of the sites I came to see. This was a bonus. Apparently the area around here had several missiles aimed at Russia during the cold war.
NOW you're getting to the good parts!!! +1 on the part about holding it to 65 on f l a t and straight roads,,,,DAMHIK!!!
I am in mamoth springs wyoming it looks like beartooth takes me away from glacier not sure about chief josesph recommendations? Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
So is Beartooth highway route 212 between Mammoth and Red Lodge? Just double checking. Edit..Some folks just told me there is a forest fire on route 212 making it hard to see..I will have to see if I can find road condtions to see if it is open.