The big day is quickly approaching. The bike ships from the east coast on 9 May. The wife and I fly to San Fransisco on28 May and start our 17 day ride back to the east coast. We will be going the northern route heading to Yellowstone then on to the Black Hills and Bad Lands to the Upper P. of MI and cross the Mackinaw Bridge to visit mysister. Then into Canada to Niagra Falls and back to PA. But we can't stop there. I told the wife it has to be ocean to ocean, so we will head to the NJ shore before coming back home to PA. I am estimating about 4300 miles.

Anyone ever do this before. I will certianly appreciate any tips and lessons learned.

I can also use some input/advice aboutthe weather conditions at the higher elevations of the Rockies and in Yellowstone the end of May/1st week of June.

Riding an 08 Ultra

My suggestion is to go thru Yellowstone to Cody....book two nights....get warm clothes and do a day tour thru the bear tooth pass. Then head south towards Rocky mountain National Park, Granby and down to Leadvillein Colorado. Take 82 thru independance Pass and Aspen. Take 133 /92 towards Gunnison....head west to Montrose...south on 550/62/145 towards Telluride...cont to Cortez....head east to Durango and north on 550 to Montrose...From Montrose you can head east....it will be pretty boring after Colorado....

Keep warm and
enjoy the journey.......

I've done 3 cross country trips and several close to cross country trips. I've also been over several of the roads you're likely to traverse on a northern route. You're in for some GREAT riding. For what it's worth ... here's my few cents worth of advise ...

1. While in California take a day to run down to Monterrey. Fisherman's Wharf is a blast as well. Also consider hitting GhirardelliSquareas well as the Haight. Bring LOTs of money, though, SF is a pricey town.

2. Lake Tahoe and Reno is pretty decent. Be careful of the weather around Tahoe, at that elevation it will be cool. A run from Reno to Virginia City is usually worth it. Virginia City is a tourist spot, but it's a fun place as well. Prices are not as bad as some spots you'll find.

3. Late May and early June for Yellowstone is gonna be cool. Late May is still in the 50s for day time highs and into the 60s by early June. Lows at night are still gonna get into the 30s for eastern Idaho and western Montana. The higher the elevation the cooler it will be. You MUST watch the weather every day (and sometimes every hour) since it will change dramatically in a very short time.

4. When you cross the plains (Nebraska, likely given your direction) then just put on the cruise control, throw on the IPod and close your eyes. You'll be across it in no time at all ... maybe 19 hours or so ...

RIDE THE BEARTOOTH!!!!!!!!



Nothing more, If you find yourself in Green Bay I will buy you a beer

Last June ( first week) when I was at the Beartooth there was still 4 feet of snow on the side of the road at the top..... Dress warm.