USA Trip
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Rockledge, FL
Man this sounds like it's gonna be a great vacation... I took off the end of July till Aug 24. Was planning on Sturgis, but I think the riding will be the highlight of the trip.. Look forward to hearing more on how it went..
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
Likes: 10
From: 3 hours south of 60
really hoping its awesome, certainly doing the best I can to see some amazing scenery from the saddle
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
You're going to have an awesome trip hdgeno. Regarding the helmet, I've done exactly what you're debating. I wore my lid because it's more comfortable, but strapped on my modular in case of bad weather. Except my wife was riding on the back and she did the same so we were actually carrying 2 extra helmets. And we did use them when we hit rain and cold weather.
On other trips I didn't want to deal with the extra baggage I just chose one or the other and left one behind. So either way works.
On other trips I didn't want to deal with the extra baggage I just chose one or the other and left one behind. So either way works.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 16
If your coming up the CA/OR coast, do not bother with the WA coast. US101 does not follow the coastline and the trip back to the Tri-Cities is backtracking south. Cut over to the Portland area and take WA14 along the Columbia River Gorge to Tri-Cities. If you must see the WA coast, take US101 to Raymond, WA6 east to Chehalis, south on I-5 to US12 and then head east to Yakima, then I-84 to Tri Cities.
From the Tri Cities, head up US 395 into Canada, which takes you close to Castlegar. East on BC 3 will get you to Cranbrook. This is a better route than going into Idaho and Sandpoint, etc, but the Idaho route will be faster. From there, you are on home-turf, so you would know best how to get home.
From the Tri Cities, head up US 395 into Canada, which takes you close to Castlegar. East on BC 3 will get you to Cranbrook. This is a better route than going into Idaho and Sandpoint, etc, but the Idaho route will be faster. From there, you are on home-turf, so you would know best how to get home.
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Kelowna
AGREED! We just did the 89A - it was awesome - great ride and great views! Jurome is a great stop - funky town on the hill.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
Likes: 10
From: 3 hours south of 60
If your coming up the CA/OR coast, do not bother with the WA coast. US101 does not follow the coastline and the trip back to the Tri-Cities is backtracking south. Cut over to the Portland area and take WA14 along the Columbia River Gorge to Tri-Cities. If you must see the WA coast, take US101 to Raymond, WA6 east to Chehalis, south on I-5 to US12 and then head east to Yakima, then I-84 to Tri Cities.
From the Tri Cities, head up US 395 into Canada, which takes you close to Castlegar. East on BC 3 will get you to Cranbrook. This is a better route than going into Idaho and Sandpoint, etc, but the Idaho route will be faster. From there, you are on home-turf, so you would know best how to get home.
From the Tri Cities, head up US 395 into Canada, which takes you close to Castlegar. East on BC 3 will get you to Cranbrook. This is a better route than going into Idaho and Sandpoint, etc, but the Idaho route will be faster. From there, you are on home-turf, so you would know best how to get home.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
Likes: 10
From: 3 hours south of 60
Ok here's what I'm looking at now after reading some of the suggestions above, much less zig zagging. Planning to depart home on June 15, and return home somewhere around July 10-12.
Glacier NP
Yellowstone/Beartooth pass
Black Hills and Badlands in SD
Drop down into Colorado
Southern Utah, and probably Grand Canyon
Travel across to west coast, and ride up the coast, ending in Pasco, WA
Wander back home to northern Alberta
How will hotel availability be this time of year? How do National Park passes work in the USA?
Glacier NP
Yellowstone/Beartooth pass
Black Hills and Badlands in SD
Drop down into Colorado
Southern Utah, and probably Grand Canyon
Travel across to west coast, and ride up the coast, ending in Pasco, WA
Wander back home to northern Alberta
How will hotel availability be this time of year? How do National Park passes work in the USA?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 20
From: Nebraska
Blackhills
Sounds like a great trip. Have done Beartooth Hwy and Chief Joseph Hwy. Redlodge, Mt. is a cool town that runs into Beartooth. Cody, Wyoming is a cool town also. Great riding.
When you get to the Blackhills here are a few suggestions that are great rides.
Spearfish Canyon
Iron Mountain
Needles Highway
Vanocker Canyon
Custer State Park
Devils Tower
Badlands
Have fun, ride safe.
When you get to the Blackhills here are a few suggestions that are great rides.
Spearfish Canyon
Iron Mountain
Needles Highway
Vanocker Canyon
Custer State Park
Devils Tower
Badlands
Have fun, ride safe.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
Hey HdGeno, When you pop into Colorado consider taking this route...
- From Estes Park take the Trail Ridge Road, highest paved continuous road in North America.
- Hwy 40 past Winter park over the pass to Interstate 70.
- A short left on I70 to Idaho Springs you can gain the road to the top of Mt Evans, the Higestest road in North America (that goes back the way it came. Awesome road.
- Take the I70 over the Vail pass. Incredible freeway, straight up, through a tunnel, then down for miles. It's really cool.
- South on 24 through Leadville to the # 82 which takes you over the Independance pass. Another cool twisty high mountain road.
- loop around through Aspen to Montrose, Take the million dollar highway thrugh Quray to Durango.
Those are some highlights of Colorado.
In Utah don't miss ...
- Monument Valley
- Mexican Hat
- The Moki Dugway on hwy 261 out of Mexican hat (google this it's cool)
- From Estes Park take the Trail Ridge Road, highest paved continuous road in North America.
- Hwy 40 past Winter park over the pass to Interstate 70.
- A short left on I70 to Idaho Springs you can gain the road to the top of Mt Evans, the Higestest road in North America (that goes back the way it came. Awesome road.
- Take the I70 over the Vail pass. Incredible freeway, straight up, through a tunnel, then down for miles. It's really cool.
- South on 24 through Leadville to the # 82 which takes you over the Independance pass. Another cool twisty high mountain road.
- loop around through Aspen to Montrose, Take the million dollar highway thrugh Quray to Durango.
Those are some highlights of Colorado.
In Utah don't miss ...
- Monument Valley
- Mexican Hat
- The Moki Dugway on hwy 261 out of Mexican hat (google this it's cool)
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 264
Likes: 110
From: Las Vegas, NV
New guy on these forums, but I've ridden 47 of the 50 states, as well as Alberta, BC, and the Yukon.
Sounds like you've got a great trip planned. There is so many awesome roads to ride I would say go where the road calls you. I grew up in a tiny little town in Alaska so I can relate to the big city interstate stuff! Hope to see some pics when you get a chance.
Sounds like you've got a great trip planned. There is so many awesome roads to ride I would say go where the road calls you. I grew up in a tiny little town in Alaska so I can relate to the big city interstate stuff! Hope to see some pics when you get a chance.