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I too am taking my first trip to Sturgis this year. I have ridden coast to coast twice two up but this will be the first trip my wife will be riding her own bike on a long trip.
We are starting out from Tampa FL and riding to Sturgis where we will meet our friends and stay with them in their RV's. We have already got our pitch and wristbands booked and paid for at the Full Throttle site (Pappy Hole)
As we have retired, after Sturgis we are heading west up to Oregon then down the pacific highway down to San Deigo and across through southern Texas back to Tampa.
Haven't sorted our route yet, the only thing I can say is, we will be winging it after Sturgis and keeping off the interstates as much as possible.Guessing will be doing around 9-10,000 miles in total
The key to road trips in how much luggage to take, in general we only carry clothes for 3-4 days and do regular laundry on the longer trips. One trick is, take ALL your old underwear and socks and discard them once worn. You can always find a Walmart or similar and buy cheap underwear..
I too am taking my first trip to Sturgis this year. I have ridden coast to coast twice two up but this will be the first trip my wife will be riding her own bike on a long trip.
We are starting out from Tampa FL and riding to Sturgis where we will meet our friends and stay with them in their RV's. We have already got our pitch and wristbands booked and paid for at the Full Throttle site (Pappy Hole)
As we have retired, after Sturgis we are heading west up to Oregon then down the pacific highway down to San Deigo and across through southern Texas back to Tampa.
Haven't sorted our route yet, the only thing I can say is, we will be winging it after Sturgis and keeping off the interstates as much as possible.Guessing will be doing around 9-10,000 miles in total
The key to road trips in how much luggage to take, in general we only carry clothes for 3-4 days and do regular laundry on the longer trips. One trick is, take ALL your old underwear and socks and discard them once worn. You can always find a Walmart or similar and buy cheap underwear..
id be glad to help you with a western route to Oregon. I know them all. You can PM me for details... Id take lolo pass Montana, rattlesnake canyon Lewiston Washington to Baker City Oregon, then Highway 7 to John Day River along the little towns of Spray, Kimberly, Fossil and Antelope Oregon. I know all the back roads as well.
The Beartooth Pass route through Yellowstone and the Tetons is good too, but you will be slabbing the freeway more once you get to Idaho but youll still get Baker City. From there you can take several route options west through little towns. Stay off the Freeway. The Columbia Gorge is very scenic but it is all freeway on the Oregon side.
the Oregon coast is 300 miles long and it is ALL public access. Best coast line in the continental US. Its scenic but will be crowded... even more so heading along the coast in Cali
Yep, most she has ridden in one day is 350 miles. But as don't plan on doing more than that a day she should be fine.
She hates having the windshield on, says it spoils the look but think she will appreciate it on this road trip...lol
id be glad to help you with a western route to Oregon. I know them all. You can PM me for details... Id take lolo pass Montana, rattlesnake canyon Lewiston Washington to Baker City Oregon, then Highway 7 to John Day River along the little towns of Spray, Kimberly, Fossil and Antelope Oregon. I know all the back roads as well.
The Beartooth Pass route through Yellowstone and the Tetons is good too, but you will be slabbing the freeway more once you get to Idaho but youll still get Baker City. From there you can take several route options west through little towns. Stay off the Freeway. The Columbia Gorge is very scenic but it is all freeway on the Oregon side.
the Oregon coast is 300 miles long and it is ALL public access. Best coast line in the continental US. Its scenic but will be crowded... even more so heading along the coast in Cali
This is just the sort of info I need as do not know this area at all.
Back in 2013 we did a trip from Cali to Florida, Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Monumnet Valley, Million Dollar Hwy, Peaks Peak, Amarillo, Memphis, Nashville, Smokey Mtns, Tampa, the scenic route - NO interstate.
I want to take in Yellowstone so gonna be hopping around a bit, luckily we are retired so time is not an issue, just want as many good back roads as possible.
Good for you guys! Sounds like an epic retirement trip. The time is yours so take your time! Especially if its new to her . She will appreciate the windshield! That length of time on the road , I’d consider road side assistance like AAA or the HOG version. Just in case ***** happens.
Raingears a must for the inevitable but I’m not sure I’d spend too much time riding in it with someone unaccustomed to long mile riding.
nothing enjoyable about riding in crappy weather....!
also sunscreen!! and something for monkeyass!
Have an awesome, memorable and safe trip! And report back with pics!
I rode to Sturgis from Gainesville Ga to Sturgis in 2016 and 2018. In 16 I rode solo with a group of 2 other couples. We went rally week. Stayed in Best westerns going and coming but camped at Glencoe while there (not again). In 2018 I rode 2 up with 2 other couples and went the week before the rally and stayed at BW in Spearfish. I highly recommend getting a Best Western Ride Rewards card and stay only in best westerns. You build points towards free rooms and you will get gift cards for some stays. Its a beneficial tool.
We drive fairly hard and drove it both times in about 2 1/2 days. 750 miles 2 day both trips. I recommend staying at Spearfish. Book the SD rooms now so you get a good rate. With the card you can cancel up til 4 that day.
Do Needles Hwy, Iron Mountain road, Crazy Horse, Mt Rushmore, Hullet Wyoming, Devils Tower, Custer State Park, Deadwood, Keystone, Hill City, and Whatever you do, do not skip the Badlands. Catch it on your way in or out, as its quiet a ways from Sturgis or the black hills.
If you need any pointers message me. Ill be glad to help. Heres my logs for both years.
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