If I can figure out this new forum I'd like to share a few photos from me and the brides 2 week trip out West.
We had an incredible trip, left the Blue Ridge mtns Saturday morning 7/26 in route to Denver CO via I-64 to I-70.
Here is the brides 02 RK loaded down (kudo's to the SAC bags, I swear I had to stand on the zippers some mornings to get that thing closed)

And here is my ugly RG loaded down.

Made it 630 miles the first day and the next morning stopped by for a visit at the Gateway Arch in St Louis.

557 miles on day 2 and then on Monday we made our way across Kansas and Eastern Colorado to make Denver at about 3 o-clock that evening. They were calling for triple digit heat indices Tuesday when we pulled out heading for Estes Park via Golden and along route 6 and up through Central City and Nederland finally enjoying some twisties after all that straight line 70mph riding the past 3 days that had butt pain at a max. Hung around the cool town of Estes Park the rest of the day and night and enjoyed walking around taking in the cool shops.

The next day we took off for Rocky Mountain NP

Enjoyed the heck out of trail ridge road, WOW, about all we can say

Made our way around to Grand Lake, Granby, Kremmling, across Rabbit Ears Pass to Steamboat Springs, Craig and then eventually to Rock Springs WY to stay the night. Next day we visited Flaming Gorge HD where they tightened the drive belt on the RK and didnt charge me a penny. Left FLaming Gorge about noon heading to Jackson WY, the wind was blowing from the West really bad that day and I swear we were riding sideways most of the time. Lots of construction on the way and those semi's were a beast when you'd pass them. We stopped in Pinedale to eat a bite at Stockman's and were talking about how that portion of the ride was quite unenjoyable but by the time we made to within 30 miles of Jackson, wow did the scenery change, I think most of you know what I'm talking about, beautiful country!!.

Enjoyed the rest of the evening walking around Jackson and if you're in Jackson be sure and check out Bubba's Barbeque, good place to eat! Left Jackson Friday morning headed for Teton NP and then to Yellowstone, I could write for the next 2 hours on Yellowstone but let me just share a few pic's and tell you it was truly awesome, darn near a religious experience. Stayed in West Yellowstone Friday night and then in Gardiner Saturday night.


Left Gardiner Sunday morning headed for Beartooth Pass and eventually to Billings MT. Beartooth Pass was an absolute hoot, it was freezing cold and the wind was blowing 40 mph on the top but WOW what a cool and fun ride.

Down the other side of Beartooth and then into Red Lodge where we stopped to eat a sandwich. A nice lady walking her dog met us on the street as we had just parked and she recommended Fosters & Logans where they had super good sweet potato fries and dude was she right. Left Red Lodge and rode up to Billings and stayed at the Club House Inn just down the road from the Harley shop. Met a nice couple there from Washington state that were heading to Sturgis.

Monday morning we left Billings to ride across Big Horn Pass, rode down route 310 to Lovell and then across 14A up and over Bald Mtn.
This was another cold ride once you made it to the top but man was it gorgeous making your way up and over the Big Horn all the way to Dayton and then to Ranchester where it was back to the 70mph slab where we had reservation in Gillette WY that night in preperation of making our way by Sturgis the next day.
So on Tuesday morning we left Gillette with plans to stop by Sturgis and buy the "I Rode Mine" t-shirt


Left Sturgis and it was back to sore butt riding across SD and enjoyed all the Wall Drug signs along the way. Stayed in Mitchell SD that night and the next morning we woke up to rain, it was moving out quick so we waited til about 11 and left on dry road with plans of making La Crosse WI that night. Darn near got wet heading into La Crosse which would have been our first ride in the rain since leaving almost 2 weeks ago.

The plan was to ride down the Mississippi River all the way to Davenport IA where we would hit I-74 and begin making the way back to VA. What a good ride down the River!!

Lots of neat little towns along the way that eased the butt pain from the ride across SD and MN the previous day

Stayed in Galesburg IL that night where I highly recommend the PackingHouse Restaurant, cool place to eat where the door is still the big Freezer door and the cooling coils and hanging rails are still up in the dining room. Also, the cool guy at the Holiday Inn let us use his water hose to wash the bikes that night.
The next day it's back on the slab as we headed across IL and IN where you see me scoring some major points at the rest stop, be sure to check out the leg in the air, the old boy still got it after 18 years...

Through Indianapolis to Dayton OH where we stayed on Friday night and then down route 35 through Chillicothe then into Charleston WV and back to the Blue Ridge mtns of VA. 4927 miles of the greatest trip ever, 14 days with no rain or no trouble. The ugly RG rocks! We met so many super nice people along the way.
We also relunctantly bought a pair of Blueant bluetooth head sets that turned out working great. Especially when you're on the 2 lane roads going 55-60.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the write up and photo's. Godspeed!

 

Wow! sounds great!
I really like the "ugly" RG btw...lol

 

awesome! Hope you guys had a blast, Sounds like a great 14 days!!! I live in Illinois so I can attest to the flat roads and boredum when it comes to riding, but once you get out of Illinois, man there is some beutiful country out there!!!

Great write up!!

 

Great write-up and pics--thanks for sharing.

 

+1 Been through most of those spots and I know you had an unforgettable ride!

 

Thanks for sharing the pics, may have passed you along the way in SD. Your lucky to have such a great riding companion.

 

aclass - Awesome! Sounds like a great ride. How'd the Mrs. hold up each day? Mine can pull 700-800 2up with me, but she'll be ridin on her own soon and I'd like to drag her out west oneday.

Just got back from camping/fishing with wifey & kids, so catching up on some past posts.

 

Thanks for that great post with all your pictures. It sounds like you had a great time and it made me a little homesick for Montana which I left over 23 years ago to live here in Phoenix because of a job transfer.

 

Thank you for posting and for causing me to turn green with envy...

 

Thanks for a great post.

Glad yaw had a good safe ride packed with lifetime memories. Congrads!

I told my wife who also rides her own bike we need to make the trip. Maybe next year.