West Bound!

[Caol]

Hi folks!

This just to let folks know that a buddy (Honda ST1300) and I ('07 R12R) are going to be departing Ottawa, Ontario for points west on the weekend of the 19th of June.

Rough course has us crossing into the U.S. at Sault Ste Marie and running the south shore of Lake Superior, then cutting south-west towards St Cloud, MN followed by Fort Pierre, SD. Then into the Bad Lands, Black Hills (including Mt Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial), then up through Wyoming and Yellowstone Park into Montana. Through Missoula and pick up Lolo Pass into Idaho, then over to the Pacific, via Walla Walla Washington, at Tillamook Oregon. North on 101 briefly, to Astoria, then east'ish through Yakima and then wiggle (details to be determined!) our way to Creston, BC.

We figure, roughly, two weeks to do this, subject to weather, ooo! spots (got to stop and take pictures!), coffee breaks and having to do laundry!

Wave, say "Hi!", join us for coffee, join us for a while!

Kyle

[Dr. Strangelove]

make sure Beartooth Hwy, Chief Joseph Hwy, Devil's Tower and the Bighorn range are on your way. Watch out for the little towns in Wy and SD; they are fairly serious about their speed limits, eg 65 -> 30. Little Big Horn is a VERY worthwhile detour--very worthwhile.

Hwy 14 (A) is your friend.

The east approach to Yellowstone is gorgeous--the one from Cody.

Medicine Wheel is a hike, hard to find and may be covered in snow.

CHeck out my ride report from Last May "Stella! Out West" There are many pictures of that part of your route.
It would not be a bad idea to carry some gas with you because there will be times when you're riding on fumes. Fill up when you can.

Motels or camping?

JOhn

[Caol]

Hi John!

Yup, figured 14 and/or 16 and the entrance to the park through Cody was pretty much the way to go

This is a hunk of the route through SD-WY-MT:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s ... 854492&z=7


Subject to "editing" on the fly, of course!

[Dr. Strangelove]

Man, you are so close to Devil's Tower and to Little Big Horn--Would be a shame to bypass those! Also in Alladin there is a very cool general store. All of those were highlights of my trip out there

[Dr. Strangelove]

and I would consider doing that northerly 14, might be 14A, and get to Chief Joseph and Beartooth.
It is a remarkable ride from Little Big Horn through the Big horn range --awesome-- then Chief Joseph Then Beartooth. Might want to do that in two days or three w Devil's Tower, but you will be seeing out of the way places that regular people just don't see, only seeing them in pictures.
At Devil's Tower there is a KOA campground right at the base and you can look at it all night.

Check out my report "Out West" I cover that area pretty well. It was much more a highlight to me than the Black Hills and Badlands and Mt Rushmore. And Yellowstone is going to be traffic and construction--at least it always seems that way.

If you are over60? 62? you can buy a lifetime pass for the national parks for $10, best deal out there, and you will be around national parks

[Caol]

Hmmm...

Very interesting.....


Something more like this:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s ... e=UTF8&z=7


There is one caveat; we are moteling it rather than camping, so we'll have to watch our timing, especially with tourist season cranking up.

The main point of this trip is that I'm actually moving to Creston, BC, so I'll be within easy striking range of all these places, however, my traveling companion, Ross, will be returning to Ottawa (via Trans-Canada Hwy) and this may be one of few, if not the only, motorcycle trip(s) he makes out west. Hopefully it will memorable! (in a good way!)

Kyle

P.S.: I'm one of the lucky ones! Freedom 55!

[Caol]

Here's the current guestimate of the route:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s ... 4&dirflg=d

Should keep us out of (or maybe into!) mischief for a day or two!

Kyle

[Dr. Strangelove]

ok, now you're talking

that does not include Beartooth Hwy though.

Does that take you through the Big Horn Range? I wpuld suggest timing your routes so you are doing Chief JOseph and Beartooth (if you do that) when you are fresh. like morning. Also, the nearest motel to Little Big Horn is in Hardin--not too far away. The area just outside of Little Big Horn is really cheesy casino crap. And if you go to Hardin, DO NOT MISS THE EXIT. I think there are only two. I had to turn in the median cuz I missed it. I stayed at a super 8 and it was clean and fine.

Stayed at the Comfort Inn in Red Lodge and they have a laundry there, or had and catered to motorcyclists--had rags for cleaning your bike.

That is a very cool route, btw.

[Caol]

Well, you got me to thinking. And I was looking at Chief Joseph and Beartooth, and got to thinking that maybe the northern entrance into the park might be a little less busy, but we'll see. I think we're going have some time in hand, so doing some "side" trips to hit some of the more interesting roads might be do-able. And thanks for the advisory re: lodgings! Inside info like that is invaluable! I think Super 8's are going to get to know us quite well!

The route is through Big Horn, but the southern line Dayton -> Greybull -> Cody, but looking at the terrain, I'm thinking that Dayton -> Lovell -> Cody may be more fun!

Tweak, twiddle, tweak, twiddle!

(And I've just been informed that my high comfort seat has arrived!)

K

[Dr. Strangelove]

Hi, Kyle

yeah, I went through Lovell. IIRC that is where I had a difference of opinion with The Law. I paid the ticket. 45 in a 30. There was NO ONE there. That route through the Big Horn Range was very nice. There are signs on the rock walls of the switchbacks detailing the geologic ages of the rocks, the different layers of them. That is the route that goes past Medicine Wheel. It was late May and the snow was way to deep to find it, but the road up to the summit--same area--although I thought dangerous gravel, was passable, no snow and dry, gentle grading.

John

[Dr. Strangelove]

and don't forget the Microtels. Often cheaper and sometimes cleaner because they are newer. And they always have internet in case you bring your laptop.

[Caol]

Oh yeah, I r a geek!

Laptop, iPod, Blackberry.......

Oh yeah, and a camera!

[Dr. Strangelove]

Yo, Caol,

Fare thee well, brother

keep the shiny side up

John

[Caol]

Thanks John!

We made it to Creston, BC! The shiny side stayed up, but isn't quite so shiny - do you know how many dead bugs you can collect in 7500km?

Fabulous ride - will be posting over on the "Great Rides" panel after I get pics organized etc.

Beartooth/Chief Joseph was absolutely awesome! Along with Iron Mountain Road, Needles, etc etc etc

Kyle

[Dr. Strangelove]

Yes Yes Yes

congrats and looking forward to the post

John