Going West - Route Advice Needed!

[Kestrel]

Hey BARF - it's been the dream to do a huge western USA trip since I began riding long ago.

Well... that time has come. In approximately two weeks, I'll be hitting the road, and heading west for the entire month of July. I'm still working on my PhD, and the summer has worked out such that my department duties wrap up at the end of this month. I don't need to technically return to campus until mid August, but I figured approximately a month on the road would probably be enough, while still allowing for some flexibility.

Here's the idea...

This isn't a firm route. Things I'd like to see? Mostly great roads, wide open spaces, lots of parks / monuments and so on. I'll be on a Ninja 250 with luggage, so roads that are too gnarly probably aren't going to work on this trip. (I plan to do a TAT run on the DR350, but that's for some other time...) I'm also traveling solo on this trip, so wherever I am, it would be nice for a car to pass at least a couple times a day :thumbup

Riding advice? Are desert areas (Southern UT, Norther NV) brutal during August? As in the heat is so unbearable I should avoid them and alter my route entirely? I checked historical weather data, and southern UT seems the worst with average temps in the mid 90s. I'll be carrying plenty of water, but again.. I'm solo on this trip. Would love to hear you all's advice.

In general, the idea was head from NC to Boulder, and meet up with some family friends. Throw in some higher elevation jets, and see Colorado. Make my way through southern Utah, then back into Nevada for the Rt. 50 across the state to Reno. Dip into CA and head west... Perhaps eventually end up on 36 until I hit the pacific, then up to Redwoods NP... Up the coast a bit, and then in and up toward Crater Lake. Head to meet some other friends in Bend, OR, and then work my way up into Washington toward Rainier. Head back east toward Glacier, south through Idaho down to Yellowstone / Grand Tetons... Bear tooth Highway, then over toward the Black Hills in South Dakota... From there on to Badlands NP, then generally east through MN/WI, Madison, and south southeast until I make my way back to NC.

So with that in mind...

Road suggestions. What's great in Northern CA that I shouldn't miss? What about Oregon? The whole 'loneliest highway' of NV Rt. 50 is really appealing to me, but are there other roads in NV that would provide a unique experience? I'm sport touring here, so perfect twisties aren't necessary on every single road... I just want this to be a memorable trip, and diversity would be wonderful.

 

[Tally Whacker]

Your route through the Mountain West westbound looks good, but seriously, if you haven't seen it, do spend the time to see the Grand Canyon.

The Loneliest Highway is beautiful. Do it, get the pin.

In Oregon, I see you have Crater Lake on your itinerary. Good call.

Generally, the only other flaw (besides the Grand Canyon thing) is that you don't pass through Yellowstone. Sure, traffic can be bad, but if you have never been there, take the time.

 

[SD Hornet]

Looks like you'll have fun along your 250cc ramble. If you had a larger bike, or another week, I'd suggest Vancouver-Kamloops-Banff-Jasper.

 

[Kestrel]

Your route through the Mountain West westbound looks good, but seriously, if you haven't seen it, do spend the time to see the Grand Canyon.

The Loneliest Highway is beautiful. Do it, get the pin.

In Oregon, I see you have Crater Lake on your itinerary. Good call.

Generally, the only other flaw (besides the Grand Canyon thing) is that you don't pass through Yellowstone. Sure, traffic can be bad, but if you have never been there, take the time.

We took a western trip during my youth; I was probably 8-9 at the time, and while I remember a few of the places (Grand Canyon included), most of it is a blur. I did plan to stop by Yellowstone again on this trip.

Looks like you'll have fun along your 250cc ramble. If you had a larger bike, or another week, I'd suggest Vancouver-Kamloops-Banff-Jasper.

Thought hard about side-tracking up to Banff, but then realized my passport expired last Fall :x Bummer - it's realistically too late at this point to get that renewed, so Canada will have to wait.

For what it is worth, I do plan to hike off the bike. Making a small wire tether to lightly chain things up, and will be bringing a cover with me. I've taken plenty of trips before where I don't stray far from the bike and never remove gear, but this won't be one of them. The goal was to ride something like 200-250 miles per day, and spend the rest of the time off the bike, and seeing/hiking through a specific location.

From Reno, I needed to cut across CA and eventually make my way to Redwoods NP. Best / coolest roads suggestion for northern CA? Was thinking of swinging by Lassen NP, but I wonder if there's too much similarity there with Yellowstone, and it would best be skipped.

Thoughts?

 

[bergmen]

Do a weather check of temps along your route. Some of those areas could be blast furnace hot at that time of year and that can be real torture. I would recommend a cooler with bottles of water under ice. Nothing is better than a swig of ice water when you are about to melt.

Virtually anything north of San Francisco is excellent motorcycling, especially on coastal routes. Any road north of Healdsburg and west of I-5 is mostly golden.

Dan

 

[dravnx]

You need more California coast. Anywhere north of San Francisco will put a smile on your face.

 

[SFMCjohn]

From Reno, I needed to cut across CA and eventually make my way to Redwoods NP. Best / coolest roads suggestion for northern CA? Was thinking of swinging by Lassen NP, but I wonder if there's too much similarity there with Yellowstone, and it would best be skipped.

Thoughts?

I'd do both Yellowstone and Lassen without hesitation
on a month-long trip ... don't think of them as being very similar ...
both very cool ... I'd love to do the Cheif Joseph Hwy and
Beartooth Pass again ... :ride

Your idea to get off the bike and hike is wonderful ...
in Lassen from the highway you can hike up to 10,000 feet to
the top of the old volcano pretty easily ...
five mile round trip ... arty

I'd love to do a long cross-country
day-hiking trip on a 250 ... :thumbup

see you around
the campfire,
-- SFMCjohn

 

[glooey]

Just got back from an 8-day NorCal/NV/UT (mostly UT) solo moto trip, some ideas here. Same thread has some tips on NorCal/OR as well as a longer trip sckego reported on that included OK, KS, CO, UT. Check it out.

I spent a couple weeks in Yellowstone/Grand Tetons a few summers ago - in a car - and I would definitely recommend going through on a bike in August. Amazing sights from the road with easy access to many day hikes.

 

[mbsv]

Thought hard about side-tracking up to Banff, but then realized my passport expired last Fall :x Bummer - it's realistically too late at this point to get that renewed, so Canada will have to wait.

State dept says takes 2-3 weeks expedited, or 6-8 weeks normal... so if you want, you can apply now, and if you have someone who can check the mail for you and it shows up in time they can overnight it to you.

Or it'll just be ready when you return, so it's available for your next adventure.

Southern UT is utterly spectacular. Don't know how hot it'll be this July. Are you camping or motel'ing? That can matter a lot out in the empty parts of the west!

 

[Bzwrthy]

Couple of thoughts:

This is what I use when I bike and hike (or stop at sights I want to spend some time at without hauling all my crap) Bought it years ago for backbacking/train trips through Europe and it's had a second life on my moto trips. Put my jacket/overpants/helmet/etc and lock to my bike on the side away from the road.
https://www.amazon.com/Pacsafe-Back...8&qid=1497995451&sr=8-1&keywords=pacsafe+mesh

Utah Hwy 12, Hwy 12, Hwy 12. from both directions. :teeth

I mostly camp and cook for myself, but sometimes a splurge is needed. Hells Backbone Grill in Boulder, UT on Hwy 12. Awesome fresh, local food and killer salsa. Breakfast was very, very good

Torrey has some "fancy" dining (Cafe Diablo) and good local coffee houses and burgers, inexpensive places to set up a tent that has showers(Sandcreek RV with quirky host), and good roads in any direction.

Make sure to stop at the fruit stands in Capitol Reef (Fruita). Nice change from typical road fare. Stuffed my tank bag with cherries in June and apples in September on prior trips

 

[bikewanker]

Couple of thoughts:

This is what I use when I bike and hike (or stop at sights I want to spend some time at without hauling all my crap) Bought it years ago for backbacking/train trips through Europe and it's had a second life on my moto trips. Put my jacket/overpants/helmet/etc and lock to my bike on the side away from the road.
https://www.amazon.com/Pacsafe-Back...8&qid=1497995451&sr=8-1&keywords=pacsafe+mesh

Utah Hwy 12, Hwy 12, Hwy 12. from both directions. :teeth

I mostly camp and cook for myself, but sometimes a splurge is needed. Hells Backbone Grill in Boulder, UT on Hwy 12. Awesome fresh, local food and killer salsa. Breakfast was very, very good

Torrey has some "fancy" dining (Cafe Diablo) and good local coffee houses and burgers, inexpensive places to set up a tent that has showers(Sandcreek RV with quirky host), and good roads in any direction.

Make sure to stop at the fruit stands in Capitol Reef (Fruita). Nice change from typical road fare. Stuffed my tank bag with cherries in June and apples in September on prior trips

And Hwy 12 :rolleyesand Kiva Koffeehouse :nchantrCheck out Buffalo National River near Jasper Arkansas. Scenic and most of the roads in the area are good. Consider Taos NM. on the way to Boulder, more passes less 4 lane:thumbup. US 50 NV. has towns every 75 - 100 mile so soak down be cool and enjoy! Reno to Lassen is fairly simple and gives you a taste of 36.

 

[Kestrel]

Thank you all very much for the recommendations and links - I've looked through a lot of them, and will be doing some more looking shortly....

Trip was delayed for about two weeks, as I've picked up another traveler.. Not on a bike though, but a Miata. I was (am somewhat still am) conflicted about having a car tail me on this trip, but I'll explain that whole thing in the actual trip thread, which will get posted here in the ST section shortly.

 

[FreeRyde]

I'll be on the road and pretty much doing the same route you are, but leaving from the bay area!

I am headed out July 10th or so from Oakland. If our paths come close, we should grab beers!

 

[berth]

Just had to put this here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104691/quotes?item=qt0387460

 

[Brian_A]

I have crossed Utah and Nevada several times in the summer - it really depends on your tolerance for heat, as well as whether or not there's a heat wave going on. I didn't find it too bad (ambient temperature around 95-100F) but I have a high tolerance for heat.

I also highly recommend riding with a hydration pack (Camelbak or otherwise) so you can drink while you ride. It will really help with keeping you hydrated and cool. I also fill it up with ice from the soda machine at every gas station (I ask beforehand and pay if I need to) so that the ice melts as I ride and I always have cold water in the pack.

 

[wuputah]

State dept says takes 2-3 weeks expedited, or 6-8 weeks normal... so if you want, you can apply now, and if you have someone who can check the mail for you and it shows up in time they can overnight it to you.

You can also get it done in person at a Passport Agency. A planned trip to Canada, even though you're not flying, seems like a valid reason. Bit of a hassle (get an appointment, wait around, etc), but remember, the government works for you.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/where-to-apply/agencies.html

 

[ScottRNelson]

You can always try to hit all of the national parks in the western states. There are 30 of them. My wife and I made it to 28 in four weeks and spent long enough at each of them for her to earn a Junior Ranger badge (with the one exception of ZionNP.)

If you have five weeks you can get to the other two - Saguaro and Carlsbad Caverns - plus the two in West Texas. You won't have much time on the Pacific coast, though. That's just one idea.

I've also driven the Pacific Coast Highway from border to border - from San Ysidro to Port Angeles. Consider that possibility.

Expect the entire southern half of the westerns states to be HOT.

 

[Kestrel]

Thanks all for the additional input. Ideally I'd be taking this trip in the fall and not late July, but you do what you can with the time you have... and July 15th to August 15th is now the time I have. So, that's life! Cooling vest is ready, and we'll be carrying a whole lot of water.

The bike is almost ready; it was wrecked by my father about a month ago. He bent the front triples, and one thing led to another... and now my old generation Ninja 250 is sporting a new generation swingarm and front end, along with 17" EX500 wheels and Michelin radials. Get to grind off a radiator and timing belt on the Miata on Saturday, and then we will be wrapping up a few loose ends and aiming for a departure on Monday, I believe.

 

[HadesOmega]

If you are going to do a lot of National park hopping get a National Park year pass. When I did my TAT adventure I was REALLY up in the air whether I should get one or now, some parks entrance fees are more expensive than others like Yosemite for example. Some parks you can pretty much get in for free *cough Death Valley... I didn't feel bad about DV because I just passed through.

Also I used google maps to navigate and keep track of places to visit helps a lot.

youtu.be/9MOdDjaaS54

Also what is your range on the Ninja? If I remember correctly when I drove the Loneliest highway on my Toyota Previa to get to Moab I was worried I would run out of gas on my Previa and that has like a range of 300. Reason I didn't take 50 back home after the TAT on my DR is that reason alone. With all my fuel on the bike I would have a reliable range of 260ish miles maybe more.

 

[Kestrel]

If you are going to do a lot of National park hopping get a National Park year pass. When I did my TAT adventure I was REALLY up in the air whether I should get one or now, some parks entrance fees are more expensive than others like Yosemite for example. Some parks you can pretty much get in for free *cough Death Valley... I didn't feel bad about DV because I just passed through.

Also I used google maps to navigate and keep track of places to visit helps a lot.

youtu.be/9MOdDjaaS54

Also what is your range on the Ninja? If I remember correctly when I drove the Loneliest highway on my Toyota Previa to get to Moab I was worried I would run out of gas on my Previa and that has like a range of 300. Reason I didn't take 50 back home after the TAT on my DR is that reason alone. With all my fuel on the bike I would have a reliable range of 260ish miles maybe more.

Had definitely planned to buy the park pass. Bit of a bummer since it's good for two bikes or one car... We'll be one car and one bike, so we'll each have to have one.

Range on the Ninja is pretty good. I can assume a safe 60mpg (if not better), and it's a 4.8 gallon tank. That said, my understanding is that there is gas in Ely, Austin, and Eureka. Biggest stretch is from Austin to Fallon, at only 110 miles or thereabouts. Unless these places routinely run out of gas, I think I should be OK. Please let me know if you know otherwise.