Cross Country Trip
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: ann arbor, mi
towards the end of your trip, come thru Ann Arbor... awesome town with great beer, and hit the Lakepointe Yacht Club in Livonia MI. Right on a river, cute girls in bikinis, cold beer... great biker joint.
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3rd Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
I did the trip back in September 88, and it was 39 at night where I camped in the Rockies. Just be sure you have good gear and you'll be fine. And be prepared to stop more often than you thought from having a numb *** and legs. Your bike is coming in to San Diego? I just picked mine up from Hawaii there the other day. Where you coming in from?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
September in the Rockies will be cold at night- 30s. Possibility of snow exists all year at upper elevations. Suggest you make a right at Grand Junction on U.S. 50 for better scenery. If you can't, I suggest you overnight in Grand Junction and make the trip over the mountains during the day. It'll be cold at the top of the passes even during the day and less chance of animal encounters as well. Good luck!
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
I really like 70 outside Denver. I would also plan to jump on old route 66 and get off it when you want to make up some time. There are a hundred variations you can make along your route. One thing I enjoy doing is starting off in the morning on backroads for a couple of hours and the getting on the interstate when I want to make some miles. It breaks up the trip and some of the funkiest sites and towns I have ever visited were found that way. Obviously, you never see them if you stick to the super slab. I never plan where I will end up at the end of any day. At night I get out my Atlas and figure how I will start my next day and I just adjust as the day goes on, obviously heading in the general direction of my destination. Good luck with your travels.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
Your second option looks better than the first. Was going to recommend staying off 10 from AZ to NM. 40 is a better drive and your route shouldn't be too bad. 7 days should be easily doable, but I recommend you add some sightseeing in there and enjoy the trip.
Doing a trip, myself, in June. Flying to SC to pick up a bike, then to GA, NC, DE, and back to Alaska. Not sure of my route back from DE, yet. Always like to take different roads and did a similar trip from DE to AK in '94.
Doing a trip, myself, in June. Flying to SC to pick up a bike, then to GA, NC, DE, and back to Alaska. Not sure of my route back from DE, yet. Always like to take different roads and did a similar trip from DE to AK in '94.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 260
Likes: 2
From: Los angeles
I'm with Rhoderider on his advise, which is why I recommend a few extra days. When I did my trip I spent a days traveling those smaller roads. Sunrise in the desert is amazing riding. Also, you are def gonna have some very cold riding through the Rockies. There is no bad weather, only bad gear.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
I would strongly recommend a slight detour off of the I-17 just before you get to Flagstaff.
Exit the 179 to Sedona; heading north you will get a great look at the red rocks. Then head north on the 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. September is probably too early for Fall colors, but it is a really nice ride.
Exit the 179 to Sedona; heading north you will get a great look at the red rocks. Then head north on the 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. September is probably too early for Fall colors, but it is a really nice ride.