| Author | Message | ||
     Nadz |
So, I'm going on a little cruise... http://goo.gl/maps/izYic  Starting in NY, ride the Skyline, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cherohala, then WOT to Dallas. Got friends in AZ, UT, CO and WY. Then rocket to see family in MN and get back home via the Trans-Canada Trail. Any ideas of cool roads to ride along the way? Where to sleep for cheep? I'm trying to hold it to only 500mi/day max and really see some America. Equipment is a bagged-out Uly with Scorpion Trails and tentage. Also looking for epic places to run (with feet, that is) like Leadville and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. And of course- people to run or ride with! What say you all? | ||
| Trix4free |
When is your ride? I will get the Uly out and ride with your a bit... Im in southern texas, but I will ride to meet you somewhere. | ||
| Buewulf |
Wow! When is this epic adventure taking place? | ||
| Buellerxt |
Wow, we sure got the south Texas folks responding here!  You're just down the road a bit, Nick, and ol' Buewulf is even closer to the north! Very cool. That looks like a great trip, David. Think about 'closing' that circle, taking in south and west Texas and beautiful Big Bend National Park! Depending on your dates I'd ride along and Nick says he's in! From Big Bend there are GREAT rides north through New Mexico and into Utah, Colorado, etc. I'd be happy to talk routes/sites. I just got back from a ride through Colorado and Wyoming. Let us know. | ||
| Nadz |
Wow, hello So TX. I was going to stay at Cannon AF base in NM, but my real destination is Phoenix, so I could divert south and run Hill Country and stay at Ft. Bliss. Hopefully I get on the road tomorrow, but since I'm just putting the bike back together, it's a maybe. Bearings, tire, case mod, oils... | ||
| Buellerxt |
PM sent, Nadz. | ||
| Buewulf |
I'll be in the SLC area soon (Labor Day) and am planning a ride to Colorado and back to SLC. Here is the route if you are interested. You may find a path that fits in with your schedule. These are some great roads, and the majority of the family RV crowd that routinely clogs some of the more well known roads on this route will have dispersed by then. There are only a couple of unpaved passes on this route which can be easily bypassed if you prefer. http://goo.gl/maps/ssbDK  | ||
| Ulysapper |
Essayons!  | ||
| Mnrider |
That little man in MN looks like he's standing on my house. Let me know if you need anything while in S. MN. I know some great places to run around here. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Ok, I have input... You asked for it! You've got to hit the Dragon while your down in the Smokeys. Ride the road, get the sticker, good to go. I see you've got an airforce base as your sleep spot in MS. If that doesn't work, there is a free campground about 30 miles south of Jackson: http://www.nps.gov/natr/upload/RockySpringsInfoPag e-3.pdf I've been planning a ride to Colorado and vicinity. I made a loop that hit all of these spots one after another. I can't find my details right now, but here are the spots to hit while you're out there (Time Permitting!): Rocky Mountain Nat. Park Pikes Peak Great Sand Dunes Nat. Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nat. Park Mesa Verde Nat. Park 4 Corners Arches Nat. Park Canyon Land Nat. Park Capitol Reef Nat. Park Bryce Canyon Nat. Park Zion Nat. Park Grand Canyon Great Basin Nat. Park Meteor Crater NEXT! Yellowstone... skip route 14/16/20 east. Head north on Grand Loop Rd, then go east on 212/Bear Tooth Pass. Absolutely killer road. Now... you're at Mount Rushmore already... you owe it to yourself to ride 2 roads south of that, both spectacular... Needles Hwy (87) and Iron Mountain Hwy (16A)  Since you're already there, might as well head east on/to 44. Now you're in Badlands Nat. Park! Cut up, then keep going east on 240. Worth it! Aaaaand finally... just a bit past Thunder Bay in Ontario, you'll see a sign for Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park. It's worth the half hour stop (and $2) for a butt break; it's pretty cool. (FYI, only worth the stop if the weather is nice). There you have it! My only other input would be, if Columbus Ohio somehow makes it into your route, you've got a place to sleep. Oh, this (AdvRider free tent space) map might be of use to you as well: -98.173828&spn=51.742923,79.013672&t=m&z=4,http:// maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fridetoeat.com%2F artentsUS.kml&hl=en&ll=41.902277,-98.173828&spn=51 .742923,79.013672&t=m&z=4 | ||
| Luftkoph |
May I so humbly suggest that at thunder bay you follow the lake superior shore on the trans can. 17,tell wawa then go east on 101 to chapleau, then south on 129 back to the trans can 17, and east towards your home | ||
| Maximum |
Looks like an awesome trip...I need more vacation days! I have a trip planned in September....but it will be 2000 miles in 3 days...not much sightseeing. | ||
| Nadz |
Ok, packed and ready. SP 0800 tomorrow! Bags only lightly loaded... must. resist. urge. to bring more crap. Sapper light, Ulysapper! Luft, I was thinking the same thing. Looks twisty and probably nice views the whole time. I'll do my Ice Road Truckers explorations next trip. MikeF, Ouimet added. Yellowstone modified. Badlands added (you know it's gonna be a fun road when Google hates it and tries to route you every way around). Did Dragon, yay, but there's other (less patrolled) roads there. <soapbox>I actually don't like 129's steep banks- they mess up my style and make it too easy for hoggers to ride above their skill.</soapbox> MNrider, thanks! Welcome to head north with me for a while... Buewulf- sweet, that's the right where and when. We gotta talk more! | ||
| Buewulf |
Buewulf- sweet, that's the right where and when. We gotta talk more! Word. Hopefully we can cross paths up there at some point. We'll probably be rolling that Saturday through Tuesday surrounding Labor Day. Not sure why that map image didn't load or the route in the link wasn't complete. I'll give it another shot.  http://goo.gl/maps/YSaZU | ||
| Nadz |
Hello y'all. Ride's going awesome- and the Blue Ridge Parkway is my new all-time favorite road. It's like running the Cherhala Skyway, for FIVE HUNDRED awesome miles! Honorable mention to VA's Skyline Drive- slightly more awesome but only 108 miles. Stand by for pics, but rignt now I'm stuck in Dallas with clutch problems. RPM's spkike when I do a top-gear roll-on, so I gotta take this apart and find out before I hit the Rockies. Anyone got a clutch spring compressor tool near Dallas? | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Buewulf: Man I'm jealous, that ride up Cottonwood and down to Park City is one of my favorite rides and probably the only reason I miss living in Utah. One suggestion, After Hanna and Tabiona, drop down 208 south to 40 and then east to Duchesne. It's better. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Not sure if you've been on the north shore of Lake Superior before, but if you are into smoked fish and cheese, Russ Kendall's is a must. Buy the snacks and plan to have a picnic on the rocks overlooking Lake Superior. http://www.yelp.com/biz/russ-kendalls-smoke-house- knife-river In Duluth, Skyline parkway is awesome, and if you have time, stop at Grandmas in Canal park and sit outside overlooking the Aerial lift bridge. You can watch ships and boats come and go. South of Duluth, Jay Cooke state park is a nice ride before superslabbing it south, if you need to ride I 35. I avoid that road as much as possible. Have a great trip and be safe. B. | ||
| Buewulf |
One suggestion, After Hanna and Tabiona, drop down 208 south to 40 and then east to Duchesne. Thanks, Ski. Route adjusted. Anyone got a clutch spring compressor tool near Dallas? Have you tried the BRAN list? In any event, here is a link to another post for a cheap, DIY clutch spring compressor. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/589522.html | ||
| Nadz |
Holy crap- does $29 per clutch plate (x 7 plates) sound right? $202 for a clutch pack? | ||
| Mikef5000 |
No. American Sport Bike has the clutch plate kit (plates and discs) for $139.95: http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/9307.htmlhttp://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/9307.html They're great about overnighting parts to your next stop when you're having issues on a trip too. DAMHIK. | ||
| Nadz |
Yea, of course. I go to A S B for almost everything. This time, middle of trip, I just had to pay HD their price and get rollin'. I was just wondering if the guy rang it up right. Al's price seems like what it's really worth. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Dang! Well you're back on the road and that's all that really matters.  |
