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Planning to ride from Orlando to Sturgis. Have up to 5 days to get there and 5 days to ride back after the rally. Looking for non-major highway routes / options. Any suggestions?
I would follow the panhandle west hugging the coast...so,ewhere in Mississppi start heading north hug the Missi river....upto through the Ozarks...then into KS/NE hills...then up to Sturgis coming from the bottom....attached is the reverse course to probably see some of the most majestic roads in the country....
I've done that ride.
Put these waypoints in mapquest:
Salina, KS: York, NE: Merna, NE: Mission,SD:
That will take you through the sandhills of Nebraska.
If you want lonely, out of the way, and beautiful, you will get it.
I never knew they existed until I road through there getting to Sturgis. It is one of the places I will return to someday to see again.
Jonesee, we are riding to Sturgis again this year but taking about 10 days and decided to do an alternate route, 80/90 is boring. My plan was to see the Missouri Ozarks, so St Louis, Kansas City were on the list. I was looking to do a similar route to what you have suggested through Nebraska. So here is my question, I was going to leave KC and head north to dip my toe into Iowa, then head West on 275/20 or 2 all the way to 385 then head north to Custer NP and eventually our rental in Deadwood. Your route also looks interesting but again, we have done SD, never been to NE. Thoughts.
Jonesee, we are riding to Sturgis again this year but taking about 10 days and decided to do an alternate route, 80/90 is boring. My plan was to see the Missouri Ozarks, so St Louis, Kansas City were on the list. I was looking to do a similar route to what you have suggested through Nebraska. So here is my question, I was going to leave KC and head north to dip my toe into Iowa, then head West on 275/20 or 2 all the way to 385 then head north to Custer NP and eventually our rental in Deadwood. Your route also looks interesting but again, we have done SD, never been to NE. Thoughts.
From KC to the bottom of the black hills all roads are pretty much the same...shoot for the sand hills of Nebraska if you never been.
Jonesee, we are riding to Sturgis again this year but taking about 10 days and decided to do an alternate route, 80/90 is boring. My plan was to see the Missouri Ozarks, so St Louis, Kansas City were on the list. I was looking to do a similar route to what you have suggested through Nebraska. So here is my question, I was going to leave KC and head north to dip my toe into Iowa, then head West on 275/20 or 2 all the way to 385 then head north to Custer NP and eventually our rental in Deadwood. Your route also looks interesting but again, we have done SD, never been to NE. Thoughts.
Running St Louis to KC you will not go through the Ozarks. They are farther south than that route. Hermann Mo (beautiful area and a great winefest in August) south then get south of I-44 and the area from there SW down into mid AR. If you have the time it is beautiful riding. The state highways and county blacktop in the Ozarks will give you twisties and sharp steep hills all at once.
As far as your route up through Iowa and across, I've never ridden it that way. Growing up in the KC area I've put 1,000s of miles in the plains and as someone already pointed out. They don't change much. If that route appeals to you, run it and let us know. Most anywhere off the interstates in the plains and you will not have much traffic and a lot of time alone to see how America can provide grain to the world. I love that type of riding but not everyone does. Alone time is good for the soul.
A note about riding in the plains. When the weather comes through, there may not be anywhere to hide from it. Just keep riding and push though the back side of the front. It can be hotter than hell in summer. Kansas is worse than Nebraska. And if the wind decides to blow it can frickin howl. The wind will kill your fuel mileage if it is a headwind and push you all over your lane if it is hitting from the side.
Enjoy your ride to Sturgis. I have many more memories from traveling, than I do from the destinations. Years from now your best memory will be the ride cross-country. Not the crowds in Sturgis.
On a long road trip, the best perspective is: "When something doesn't go as planned... The adventure just began". The secret is rolling with the punches.
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Thanks Jonesee
Sturgis 2016 FL to SD
