When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Having nothing but time and before my health dampers my long distance riding; planning for a ride I've wanted to do since I got out of the Navy 32 years ago (contingent on COVID status).
My two concerns are 1. Riding from Missoula, MT to Kennewick, WA via US-12 is that too many miles in one day for the nature of the road? 2. My thinking is spending the night in Lone Pine, CA which is close to Death Valley and get an early start the next day to get myself thru DV before it get's hot (heat is an enemy to heart patients).
Red text = transit superslab
Blue text = transit scenic
Gold text = points of interests for the day
I would say that heading west in September weather can be questionable. Heated or lots of layering would be of consideration. Three years ago outside Denver in July it was a cold ride, but I found that July was the best possible travel time for me, with August being right there. Did a ride from MD to CA and back, 6K plus.
Looks like a great trip And a long one! Will be going through Missoula end of July. Are you taking the Lolo ride to Kennewick?
Edit: Scratch that, I see you're taking 12.
Regarding question 1, my opinion is that you’re putting in too many miles there to be enjoyable. If Kennewick isn’t necessary I’d include Hell’s Canyon ride after Lewiston.....up Rattlesnake Grade and overnight in Joseph. That’ll still be a long day if you get an early start out of Missoula. Then, come out through Baker City, OR. An alternative to staying in Missoula would be the Lochsa Lodge just inside the Idaho border west of Lolo Pass. Cool little place and give you a head start west on 12.
Just a quick add to my post above...if the only reason youre including Kennewick is to get service at the Harley dealer, theres a good dealer in Lewiston too.
That's quite a ride you have planned. Your Lone Pine to Las Vegas day through Death Valley is doable but it could be very hot. So do get an early start. You'll know a day or so before what the temps are likely to be. The day before, Yosemite to Lone Pine is a spectacular day. When you are in the high country of Yosemite, stop for a few minutes at Olmstead Point and take in the view of Half Dome and all the spectacular scenery. Then it's over Tioga Pass and down to Mono Lake, also spectacular scenery. The ride along 395 to Lone Pine has the eastern escarpment of the Sierra on your right the entire time. The mountains rise about 2,000 feet straight up from where you are all the time.
Regarding question 1, my opinion is that youre putting in too many miles there to be enjoyable. If Kennewick isnt necessary Id include Hells Canyon ride after Lewiston.....up Rattlesnake Grade and overnight in Joseph. Thatll still be a long day if you get an early start out of Missoula. Then, come out through Baker City, OR. An alternative to staying in Missoula would be the Lochsa Lodge just inside the Idaho border west of Lolo Pass. Cool little place and give you a head start west on 12.
Another version I have of the trip actually had me shooting across I-80 and heading up north from Salt Lake City and staying a night in Baker. From Baker I would do Hell's Canyon but not Rattle Snake Grade and shoot up to Kennewick. I chose Kennewick based upon total milage for the day. I've seen videos on all three spots (Rt 12, Hell's Canyon and Rattlesnake Grade) and would like to get all three but in the end I sacrificed HC & RG to do a longer ride with Rt. 12. I can add days to the front end of the trip as I have hotels lined up already starting at Aberdeen for the rest of the trip so that is a hard date.
Really appreciate the input and I've got the maps out now figuring out how to accomplish all three.
That's quite a ride you have planned. Your Lone Pine to Las Vegas day through Death Valley is doable but it could be very hot. So do get an early start. You'll know a day or so before what the temps are likely to be. The day before, Yosemite to Lone Pine is a spectacular day. When you are in the high country of Yosemite, stop for a few minutes at Olmstead Point and take in the view of Half Dome and all the spectacular scenery. Then it's over Tioga Pass and down to Mono Lake, also spectacular scenery. The ride along 395 to Lone Pine has the eastern escarpment of the Sierra on your right the entire time. The mountains rise about 2,000 feet straight up from where you are all the time.
I would say that heading west in September weather can be questionable. Heated or lots of layering would be of consideration. Three years ago outside Denver in July it was a cold ride, but I found that July was the best possible travel time for me, with August being right there. Did a ride from MD to CA and back, 6K plus.
Thanks for the input, I'll keep that in mind when packing.
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Western Trip - Solo
