requesting tips and opinions on our big USA trip

[oneup]

as mentioned elsewhere we have just bought a 2012 tri glide in the USA ( we are australians) and we will be touring your beautiful country in july /august 2013. our pland go a bit like this so far. Start north carolina as thats where the trike is.
ride the dragons tail . head to chattanooga TN head north through kentucky seeing daniel boone national forest... loved that tv show as a kid so have to have a look...
on to louisville, indianapolis, chicago, milwaukee, home of HD then Viola wisconsin Home of S and S my current bike is now s n s powered.
des moines, omaha, sioux city, and falls, rapid city SD for sturgis..
yellowstone park. see yogi..
grand tetons. bonniville salt flats( Fav movie is worlds fastest indian)
arches, canyon chelly, monument valley grand canyon flagstone and head west on 66.
vegas, death valley, yosemity, san fran, and the coast road back to LA.
If anyone knows of things that we should see along those routes, or any tips we would love to hear your stories and knowledge.
cheers
jeff

 

[Aussie Annie]

This Aussie did it last year ThumbUp
Don't forget the GPS!!! We used an IPad to look up accommodation, and book ahead.
Buy yourselves light weight wet weather suits when you get there, their storms are something!! :AGGHH:
Don't plan too far ahead....and have a great time. We might bump in to you, as we will be riding around again in 2013:wave4:

 

[kam582]

I have a suggestion, instead of Omaha to Sioux City and Sioux Falls, keep going west from Omaha to Grand Island Nebraska, then take Highway 2 northwest up through the Nebraska Sandhills to Highway 385, then north to the Black Hills and Sturgis. I have made the drive in a car, but not the trike yet, we just got our trike last summer. I can tell you that it will be a much more scenic drive than I29 and I90. We live just east of Omaha in Iowa, and have property in South Dakota. My brother lives in Grand Island, and we shoot prairie dogs north and west of Grand Island every summer. It will be much more isolated and you will have to watch your gas as the stations will be fewer and farther apart, but it is a nice ride. I guess it depends on your preferences, as I don't like to ride on the interstates, and prefer the back roads.

Oh, by the way, we spent 3 weeks in your country a couple of years ago. What a beautiful country, with very friendly people. I hope you enjoy our country as much as we enjoyed yours.

 

[GoSlo]

There are so many things to see, you just can't squeeze them all into one ride, even one that's going to last two months. My best advice for you is to talk to lots of people while you're riding and ask them what's "not to missed or best routes" and then decide if you have time for them. I crossed the US twice on a ride 5 years ago (The H.O.G. Posse Ride) and would have missed so much if not for all the helpful hints given to us by the "locals".

My brother has lived in Adelaide for about 15 years now and loves it over there. Enjoy yourselves and ride safe.

 

[skuuter]

You'll be starting Your Ride in "My Back Yard and Regularly Ridden Roads"...be sure to contact me when You get all of Your Dates and Details finalized. If at all possible, Mitzie and I will be happy to meet up, ride with You and show You the Area Highlights.....ThumbUp

 

[roadrunnerdavid]

If you'll be in NC in July, the motorcycle magazine I work for (RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel) will be having our annual Touring Weekend in Maggie Valley, NC (near Asheville, The Dragon, and many more of the best riding roads in the country). It's gonna be a blast, you'll meet all kinds of great people and ride some incredible roads (the food's pretty good too). Here's all the info you need: http://www.roadrunner.travel/events/touring-weekend/

 

[jkchipster]

Oneup if the timing works out this may be a once in a life time trip.

http://110.harley-davidson.com/en_U...source_cd=Email_121012_110ticGPHOG&camp_id=16

 

[eagle1]

the national parks in southern utah are excellent. lots of sandstone columns etc.

 

[FRR]

the national parks in southern utah are excellent. lots of sandstone columns etc.

I second the comment. Be sure to see Zion and Bryce since you are in the area. The West is beautiful country. The US can not be fairly judged when folks only see NYC and California. Glad you are visiting the heartland. It should be a great trip. Enjoy

 

[msocko3]

Buy yourselves light weight wet weather suits when you get there, their storms are something!! :AGGHH:

Especially in the areas of SD and west. The last 2 times I've been to the Sturgis area I've been caught in some nasty hail storms, they pop up out of nowhere.

 

[hdruss]

I agree that Maggie Valley, NC is worth a stopover. The "Wheels Thru Time" MC museum is great. If you want to overnight in Chicago, I'd be happy to give you a guided tour. I live in Little Italy, near Greek Town & Chinatown. You won't go away hungry!!

 

[Gorilla]

So much to see so little time enjoy your great trip

 

[oneup]

thanks folks, we havent finalised the dates yet but its getting closer. we would be honoured to meet some of you, and we will contact those who have offered when we get down to dates.
as for the events, both of which sound awesome, i think we may be too late for the ride group, and too early for the 110th.

 

[geol]

Stop at every Waffle House you pass and eat and eat.

 

[skuuter]

Stop at every Waffle House you pass and eat and eat.

.....and.....

Cracker Barrel

Cheddars

.....

 

[jackthemachinist]

....vegas, death valley, yosemity, san fran, and the coast road back to LA....

Wow, what an ambitious trip! What a blast. ThumbUp

A word of caution: July/Aug is way too hot in Death Valley. Temps run around 130F, no shade, no services (to speak of). (Remember, this is the middle of summer here.) I think you'll find Vegas plenty warm that time of year. Death Valley is way hotter! November thru April is probably about the best for Death Valley. I spent a night there in early June one time. Got clear down to about 80 around midnite. By the time the gas station in Furnace Creek opened at 7am, it getting pretty (too damn) warm!

Instead of Death Valley, maybe plan to ride thru Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks on your way to Yosemite. If you take the north gate out of Yosemite, (careful down Old Priest Grade) head up Highway 49 thru gold country, see some of the towns of the California gold rush, and beautiful twisty roads. (I even know where you can find a decent burger.)

 

[Bill Reber]

You'll be starting Your Ride in "My Back Yard and Regularly Ridden Roads"...be sure to contact me when You get all of Your Dates and Details finalized. If at all possible, Mitzie and I will be happy to meet up, ride with You and show You the Area Highlights.....ThumbUp

That is also not far from my home in SC let us know the dates and maybe we will ride a way with you folks.:wave4:

 

[JohnnyB]

We live in Chicago area both retired give a shout and let's ride

 

[viper]

I hope you enjoy our country as much as I did yours! I was there in 1968 and 1969. Stayed in Sydney at Kings Court for two weeks on R&R. People were great and was treated like a King! Thanks to all of your country men!

 

[oneup]

wel we finally have all of our trip booked and sorted, except the few days back at LA and San Diego before we fly home. just got around to messaging those we may well meet on the way, It will be awesome to meet fellow American riders. only problem is that July is going to take a long time to roll around. Im a bit like a 5 year old waiting for Christmas.

 

[Tinbasher]

I hope you have great trip and meet some real characters!

My wife and I visited Tennessee a couple of years back and the hospitality wa overwhelming.