Given the choice...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Great question. I was lucky enough to have ridden to both those destinations over the last three years and I honestly can't easilly choose one over the other. Both were amazing.
Cherohala, Tail of the Dragon, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc vs Beartooth, Chief Joseph, Needles, etc.
Can you make a last minute decision based on which area has the better weather and least road construction?
Cherohala, Tail of the Dragon, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc vs Beartooth, Chief Joseph, Needles, etc.
Can you make a last minute decision based on which area has the better weather and least road construction?
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 115
From: Elk Mound, WI
Based on the current responses it's almost overwhelmingly "Beartooth bound". But yes, there may be some last minute changes based on weather. I'm shooting for late June so chances are I'll have pretty good weather for either direction.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,566
Likes: 85
From: Calgary
I've done both areas and I would have to think from personal preference...South.
More fun roads in a concentrated area whereas in the west it's spread out over greater distances, still has fun roads just further apart.
More fun roads in a concentrated area whereas in the west it's spread out over greater distances, still has fun roads just further apart.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
where would you go?
This summer I'll be taking a ride to one of two destinations. I'm either going to ride west and through the Beartooth Pass or south to the Tail of the Dragon. I live in WI so the distance is about the same either way but I can't seem to make up my mind which ride would be more fun. I've been to Yellowstone and the Smokey Mountains in the past so it's not a question of going somewhere I've never been. I just can't decide which trip to take. No matter which direction I go I'll have some boring miles to cover before the fun riding starts so I guess I look at it as a horse a piece in that regard.
Please offer your advice and maybe some reasons you think one would be better than the other.
This summer I'll be taking a ride to one of two destinations. I'm either going to ride west and through the Beartooth Pass or south to the Tail of the Dragon. I live in WI so the distance is about the same either way but I can't seem to make up my mind which ride would be more fun. I've been to Yellowstone and the Smokey Mountains in the past so it's not a question of going somewhere I've never been. I just can't decide which trip to take. No matter which direction I go I'll have some boring miles to cover before the fun riding starts so I guess I look at it as a horse a piece in that regard.
Please offer your advice and maybe some reasons you think one would be better than the other.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 554
Likes: 23
From: Crawford Co, AR
Chief, wave if you see the trike below. I will be coming up from the south side of Yellowstone about June 18.
I am leaving Arkansas on June 13th and will take about 14 days for my trip. I have been planing this trip for two months already and have all my rooms booked already. The stay at Yellowstone was a close call...most of the rooms were already booked for mid to late June.
Hope you enjoy the trip as much as I expect to enjoy mine.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
I've been both places and will go back. NC/TN are a lot like NW AR...not same but close enough. So I'd go West. Beartooth is the best ride I've ever done. You might not like the weather out there in late June though. I always go in the last week of July - 1st week of Aug. Weather is always really nice except for the last time when it began sleeting on top of Beartooth. That was fun!!! Only second time in 4 trips I've put on a rain suit when out there that time of year. Wingfoot is right, if you don't already have reservations, you may run into some problems. Super 8s are nice around Yellowstone but expect to pay about $200 a night. Have fun, wish I was going!
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
I say West, I love Wyoming and the variation of roads and scenery out there. I've ridden BRP and areas around the dragon but never really had the desire to fight the crowds at the Dragon and it's a nice ride but the variation of black hills, Beartooth, and plains I think is the greatest riding.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Elgin IL
Do Bear tooth pass I did it in 91 and it was great I did Tail of the Dragon last year it was overrated Bear tooth pass has more relaxing roads with better views along the way I will be doing Bear tooth pass again this July but this time the wife will come along. Good luck on whatever you choose.
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
Are these just the two choices you have because your doing some rotation on where you go in the country? If you've been to both and are not sure where to go back to why not find someplace new to go see?
We did out west this summer because we hadn't been, it was great but this summer will be something new.
We did out west this summer because we hadn't been, it was great but this summer will be something new.