Greetings friends...
So I have August off of work and want to spend about two weeks on the road. I Live in Boise ID, so start and finish there. I dont have a lot of touring experience. Have **** tons of time on two wheels, mostly dragging knees and hittin trees. Am gettin too old for that nonsense anymore so want to do some mello touring. I ride an Ultra, am comfortable with up to 500 miles a day and am thinkin I will camp two or three nights for every one night in a hotel. I am going solo.

Origionally was planning on riding to Gettysburg PA and touring some civil war battlefields... ( I am enthralled with history and have an utter reverance for our nations most tragic conflict) but my concerns are, mabey too big a bite 5000 miles round trip, and mid august may be too hot for that big a ride.

Soooo. You experienced touring guys, help me out!

Where would you go from here?

I just did a trip over to Portland, and am plannin on taking the wife on a tour of the oregon coast in Sept, so that is kinda out.. and the Republic of Kalifornia is not totally appealing to me.

Now all that said, what say you mates?

 

I say go for it. PA is doable and Gettysburg is a great experience. I would do it.

 

what route? just straight across co, kansas, etc? how much should a guy do super slab vs. rural hwys?

I know the immense difference in enjoyability, but i am worried about getting totally behind time wise...

 

You might as well hit Yellowstone, Devil's Tower and the Black Hills. I have never been to Glacier National Park, but I'm sure it's nice. From GNP go north into Canada.

 

If you want to do gettysburg, you could also take the blue ridge south and head back west through tn. There are plenty of civil war battles that were fought in those areas. Its doable in two weeks and you could include some of the best rides in the country. The blue ridge is nice relaxing ride for 470 miles no trucks or stop signs.

 

Gettysburg is an amazing place to visit if you know the history of the different battlefields. Either way, if you are a history buff, head this way. If you end up not making it, there are thousands of places to stop between here and there!

On your way in, you might also be interested in stopping at the Flight 93 National Memorial.

Check out Wrightsville, PA. There was once the longest covered bridge built leading into this town, but it got ruined in a flood, the bridge that replaced it was burned down during the battles at Gettysburg. There is a mountain that overlooks the town, and a plaque which is to mark the area where George Washington stood and gave his recommendation that Wrightsville would be his choice for the Nations capital.

Well, there are way too many Civil War sites to list. I just have a penchant for Washington. Also, it is a quick shot up route 30 to York, PA to see the Harley plant. I have never been, but it is on the to do list one of these days.