first long trip planning help

[seniorsgt]

Will be planning a may/jun or jun/jul(hell im retired maybe may/jul) solo trip to San Francisco area to visit son. Want to go out on I-90 to I-5 . Return Vegas, Four Corners and St Louis. Thanks in advantage for inputs. think my daily seat limit will be 350-450 miles and im open to side trips suggestions.

 

[MDO]

What are you riding? Your profile does not list a trike/bike.

 

[seniorsgt]

What are you riding? Your profile does not list a trike/bike.

sorry 2019 hd triglide

 

[Gorilla]

robert there is so much to see take the 3 months. do the pacific coast highway. i liked south bound because that is the oceanside.

 

[MDO]

Will be planning a may/jun or jun/jul(hell im retired maybe may/jul) solo trip to San Francisco area to visit son. Want to go out on I-90 to I-5 . Return Vegas, Four Corners and St Louis. Thanks in advantage for inputs. think my daily seat limit will be 350-450 miles and im open to side trips suggestions.

Sounds like a great trip. I just returned from a trip to the 4 Corners area & back to St. Louis. Many great rides/routes in Colorado.

 

[OLBLU]

Ditto on the Pacific Coast Highway. It's called "The Most Beautiful Highway On Earth " for good reason.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Will be planning a may/jun or jun/jul(hell im retired maybe may/jul) solo trip to San Francisco area to visit son. Want to go out on I-90 to I-5 . Return Vegas, Four Corners and St Louis. Thanks in advantage for inputs. think my daily seat limit will be 350-450 miles and im open to side trips suggestions.

Looks like you are in Michigan?

Like others have said, there are so many good road between you and SFO.

Definitely the northern Cali coast.

I would also suggest Beartooth Pass, the mountains in Idaho, and in Colorado. Some of the National Parks in Utah are stunning. Maybe before cutting up north on the way home, ride thru the Ozarks in Arkansas.

Here is a LINK to many of our Ride Reports. There are a lot of photo's, you may see some places you'd like to ride/visit.

Have fun planning!

Kevin

 

[Trail Blazer]

Hello Robert

welcome to trike talk from east Texas, Robert there are so many good riding roads, there is no way to do all of them in just 3 months, so build you a bucket list, and work down the list. I did this 8 years ago and am still working on it. there is so many good rides in these USA it would take a lifetime

Ride safe, take many picture & have fun

Ps we road up to the ( road to the sun ) in north Montana. was one day out and they had 3 & 4" of snow and was closed. just an excused to go back

 

[seniorsgt]

Looks like you are in Michigan?

Like others have said, there are so many good road between you and SFO.

Definitely the northern Cali coast.

I would also suggest Beartooth Pass, the mountains in Idaho, and in Colorado. Some of the National Parks in Utah are stunning. Maybe before cutting up north on the way home, ride thru the Ozarks in Arkansas.

Here is a LINK to many of our Ride Reports. There are a lot of photo's, you may see some places you'd like to ride/visit.

Have fun planning!

Kevin

all I can say is wow a lot of great places to think about thanks Kevin

 

[ISP-FL]

If it was me I would seriously consider Kevin's advise.

When I retired several years ago we jumped on our Ultra and took a 5 weeks run from central Illinois to Phoenix and back. Planned it out for staying on 2 lane roads about 90% of the time. Went out on a more southern route and came back on a northern route. Our daily limit was 300 to 350 miles a day which worked perfectly.

One thing we did which cut down on hauling a bunch of extra shoes and summer clothing was we mailed a box of those items to my BIL in Phoenix. While we were staying with them for a few days we had regular non-motorcycle clothing then when we were ready to head back we mailed them back home.

 

[David792]

If you take 90 west through Washington don't miss the Snoqualmie Pass. I would minimize I-5 and head for 101. Lots of great coastal scenery there that can rival anything in CA. Have a great trip. Listen to the locals. But use your own good judgement when they try to send you on detours. Some work, others don't.

 

[rusty1018]

National Parks

When you leave Las Vegas if you head north toward St. George, Utah there are 5 National parks( Zion, Bryce Canyon(my favorite), Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands) in Utah that you could visit in just a few days and the North rim of the Grand Canyon is doable as well. After leaving Moab (Arches N.P.) it will put you in the right direction for 4 Corners. Good luck and have a great, safe trip. Rusty

 

[JamesP]

Triglide ride

The wife and I got back yesterday from a 2000 mile ride up through western Montana and Glacier. It was late November in Glacier, we got snowed on.

If the road is twisty and windy (Canyon lands, Zions area,, etc.) then we have found that 300+ mile per day target is too much. You can do it but you spend all day in the saddle, do not see all there is to see and are dragging your wagon at the end of the day. 250 or maybe ever 200 may be more realistic. Of course that assumes secondary road ridding, not interstate.

Spring in the four corners area (Southern Utah parks) can bring absolutely any kind of weather until at least early June. Rain/ snow/ sever winds/ flooding/ etc. Just be prepared and watch the forecast you will do fine.

We traipsed all over Western Montana, all state dual lane roads and every mile was awesome; could spend weeks there.

James P.

 

[werewolf]

If you are going west on I90, continue on west at Buffalo Wy to Yellowstone. Just take your TIME, there are some steep grades west of Buffalo.

If you like guns and old west stuff, the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum in Cody is worth a stop. Unfortunately you can spend a whole day inside looking. Also is not cheap to enter.

Spend 2 or 3 days at Yellowstone. There is a lot to see in the area. If you need more info, let me know. (THIS INCLUDES RIDING BEARTOOTH PASS HINT HINT)(ALSO TAKE WINTER GEAR HINT HINT) You can make fairly cheap reservations inside the park if you do it in January and Febuary. But reservations inside the park to pop up due to people cancelling at the last minute.

It is a easy day ride north to Glacier Natl Park. Go up one side thru Choteau come back south from Kalispell. There is a little town 20 miles? west of Kalispell and the motel rates are CHEAPER there. Also stop by the Hungry Horse dam between Kalispell and the west side of the park. They also have the famous red tour buses that are worth a ride thru the park in.

Come back south to Missoula and then go west over LOLO Pass. There is a lodge at lolo pass. Food was pretty good. A bit high but good. Watch out for the go fast idiots on their crotch rockets coming up behind you. Speed limit is most 30 to 45 mph.

 

[TonkaDriver]

Packing

It looks like you have lots of choices for routes. Something I gave much thought to, was packing for the trip. Before I took my Eureka Springs trip last May I packed everything I was taking on my trip and did a one night test run and it helped immensly.

Kurt

 

[seniorsgt]

40+ inches of snow on the ground so still trip planning. Whats the best way to run Beartooth Pass north to south or south to north? I plan on staying in Cody .

 

[DK Custom Products]

40+ inches of snow on the ground so still trip planning. Whats the best way to run Beartooth Pass north to south or south to north? I plan on staying in Cody .

We've ridden it both ways, many times.

It is fun each way.

North to South will put you on the cliff side a bit more of the ride. This will give better views, but also can make some folks more nervous.

Here is a link to some photos taken when we rode it South to North (Cooke City to Red Lodge)- http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/acl/day-20-beartooth-pass-red-lodge.htm

One of the many photos from the above link-

Kevin

 

[Pegasus1300]

40+ inches of snow on the ground so still trip planning. Whats the best way to run Beartooth Pass north to south or south to north? I plan on staying in Cody .

Yes. If you do come in from Cody then be sure to take the Chief Joseph Hwy to Beartooth, Stay overnight in Red Lodge then ride North to South and take the right fork down to North entrance of Yellowstone.

 

[vwbug72501]

It is a easy day ride north to Glacier Natl Park. Go up one side thru Choteau come back south from Kalispell. There is a little town 20 miles? west of Kalispell and the motel rates are CHEAPER there. Also stop by the Hungry Horse dam between Kalispell and the west side of the park. They also have the famous red tour buses that are worth a ride thru the park in.

Going to the Sun Road through Logan's Pass https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/goingtothesunroad.htm

Definitely worth the ride!!! If you're uncomfortable with heights and very low retaining walls/no shoulders, I'd recommend east to west as you will be on the inside. Road is only open June 15 - Sept 15 (weather permitting) so check ahead.

Another thing to consider is check out the locations of Triple D restaurants along the routes. https://www.flavortownusa.com/ Wife and I plan most of our road trips with visiting 1 or more restaurants along the way. We've been to over 60 of them and can report a 99% approval rating for those we've visited. (Some can be a bit pricey, but, IMHO, worth it).

Personally, I would stay off the Interstates unless you absolutely have to get from A to B ASAP. Once you get west of the Mississippi you can be cruising along at 80-85 and traffic will be passing you like you're parked. I believe that you can plot a course using parallel highways that will provide more scenery and less stress and not add much time to your ride overall. You won't see stuff like this on the Interstate http://www.kansastravel.org/balloftwine.htm .

One of the tools that I use for planning a trip is to get an Atlas and composition book from Walmart an marking spots that I see on the Travel Channel, etc. with a number on the map with a corresponding numbered entry with info in the composition book. Atlas and composition book go with us on any trip in case some "on the fly" trip planning presents itself. We drove past some pretty interesting, but obscure, places before we started doing this.

Have a great trip!!

 

[ISP-FL]

Tom makes some really good points to consider about using State routes and U.S. routes rather than interstates.

I have pretty much finalized my route for an Illinois to Denver summer trip and it is about 90% two lane roads. About the only time we will be on interstates is to get around large metro areas.

 

[LadyonaMission]

Be sure you notify your credit card company of your travel plans. I did last year, but still had issues because I didn't include Idaho on the list of states that I planned to travel through.

I read the previous posts, didn't see anything about a National Park pass which I highly recommend.

Have fun on your upcoming trip.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Be sure you notify your credit card company of your travel plans. I did last year, but still had issues because I didn't include Idaho on the list of states that I planned to travel through.

I read the previous posts, didn't see anything about a National Park pass which I highly recommend.

Have fun on your upcoming trip.

Two really good pieces of advice!

We notify our card company, but they still verify with us regularly via text. I'm just glad they stay on top of things, rather than letting possibly fraudulent charges go thru. When are cards were stolen in Mexico, not a single charge was let thru.

Yes, on the National Park pass. We used to get one every year, and it was worth it. Now I have a Lifetime "America the Beautiful" Pass. If you can get a Lifetime, saves a lot if you plan on going to many National Parks. ( I think disabled Vet is just one of the options on getting a Lifetime Pass for only $20)

Kevin

 

[seniorsgt]

Thanks all for the inputs. One more question is the Going To The Sun Road open by mid Jun? I want to be in Olympia WA by the 20th for an air show and and cant hang around waiting for snow to melt.

 

[PosseRider]

we were up that way last year & the road just opened mid June. Glacier.Nat Park. If going to Wa, consider US 2 all they way back to Marquette. takes ya across Glacier. But it also goes around the base. We do our best to stay off interstates. Have a trip planned this year which we will be doing 2 back to Mi & then across that funky bridge back to Ohio. Going out Rt 66 to Oatman,Az & then up to Wa. Best of luck. Also what Lady posted we were with her last year & forgot to call our CC co. also. :gah: Keep in touch & we may see ya out there

 

[seniorsgt]

we were up that way last year & the road just opened mid June. Glacier.Nat Park. If going to Wa, consider US 2 all they way back to Marquette. takes ya across Glacier. But it also goes around the base. We do our best to stay off interstates. Have a trip planned this year which we will be doing 2 back to Mi & then across that funky bridge back to Ohio. Going out Rt 66 to Oatman,Az & then up to Wa. Best of luck. Also what Lady posted we were with her last year & forgot to call our CC co. also. :gah: Keep in touch & we may see ya out there

will be coming home the southern route, NV, Utah, CO. I can always do Glacier next year.

Planning to visit AF museum at Wright Pat

 

[PosseRider]

will be coming home the southern route, NV, Utah, CO. I can always do Glacier next year.

Planning to visit AF museum at Wright Pat

Let us know, live about 10 min from there

 

[vwbug72501]

Thanks all for the inputs. One more question is the Going To The Sun Road open by mid Jun? I want to be in Olympia WA by the 20th for an air show and and cant hang around waiting for snow to melt.

Depends on the weather. Keep checking the website link I posted for updates and projected opening dates. If you're going that general direction, keep the route open as an option that early in the year. We used to go up to SW Alberta mid July every year for a bunch of years to visit the mother in law. We had to wait 4 years before the pass was open in July so we could go over it. One year the road never opened due to avalanche damage (completely took out 1/4 mile of the road). Definitely a bucket list item! Really puts your importance in the Universe in perspective. :xzqxz:

 

[LadyonaMission]

Thanks all for the inputs. One more question is the Going To The Sun Road open by mid Jun? I want to be in Olympia WA by the 20th for an air show and and cant hang around waiting for snow to melt.

I went to that airshow several years ago. It was a lot of fun.:clapping:

 

[LadyonaMission]

will be coming home the southern route, NV, Utah, CO. I can always do Glacier next year.

Planning to visit AF museum at Wright Pat

Don't make the same mistake I did. I didn't allow myself 2 full days to visit the museum. I had reservations in Branson so I got in my Cheetah and took off. I plan to ride there someday and maybe spend 3 full days to make up for lost time.