On August 31st I headed out for a trip I've been thinking about for 10+ years and seriously planning for about 10 months. Goal was to get to San Francisco in ten days, meet up with my buddy Dan who shipped his bike from MA to CA and we'd ride back together, the long way.
We've had multi day trips together but nothing of this scale.
My ride west was totally enjoyable and without any trouble whatsoever. I wasn't sure what to expect going solo coast to coast but it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. It's very satisfying to have to answer only to one's own wishes and desires when traveling. Especially on a bike which is quite a personal experience in itself.
I chose a route for the eastern segment that I thought would be much less crowded than northesat interstaes. I went north to Malone ,NY crossed into Canada at Cornwall Ontario and headed west on the TCH (rt 17) through North Bay and Sudbury ONT. Thoroughly enjoyable except for the many construction related stops (I swear that somehow Canada has funneled some US economic stimulus money into their DOT). Here's a shot I liked from the Blind River ON area:
This was day two, heading toward Sault Ste Marie where I re-entered the US for a ride across the Michigan UP. Also very enjoyable. Night 3 I camped near Ironwood, WI
The next day I passed through Superior WI and Duluth, MN enroute to Fargo ND. It was nice to have the freedom to choose a destination only because you have a fondness for a movie by the same name. Somewhere in the middle of MN I crossed the Mississippi River. Quite a bit narrower than down south, eh?
Night 4 I spent in Bismarck, ND after a long day.
On Day 5 I was headed to South Dakota, finally getting into the more anticipated scenic areas I envisioned for the trip. That morning in western ND I ran across some large sculpture that caught my eye- this must have taken a bit of work to create:
I happened stumble across this town in ND. Being a New Englander, I had to get a photo:
Later that day I rolled into Sturgis and grabbed a photo. Nothing special here:
I made it vto Rapid City mid afternoon. Enough time to set up my tent and then take a ride down rt 16 to Mt. Rushmore. Very Cool!
Day 6 I headed toward Casper WY. Totally enjoyed this day. Eastern WY had some very fun roads and beautiful scenery.
Found this gem of a license plate in Cody WY:
Next stop was to take this photo which was one of my 'must experience' destinations of the trip:
This road did not dissapoint- thoroughly enjoyable. beautiful scenery, Excellent road to ride, very little traffic. **** eating grin! 47 miles worth!
I know many folks have posted about this road and displayed similar photos, but I had to do it. Just so I could relive the experience a little.
Of course, once you get to the north end of Chief Joseph Scenic Byway you're treated to Bear Tooth Pass which heads to Red Lodge MT, at least the direction I was going. More awesome roads and scenery:
Where I met up with AGirl who was heading in the opposite direction. We knew we would likely cross paths at some point. She called to offer camp space in a very beautiful National Park Campground just outside Red Lodge.
The next day (Sunday of Labor Day weekend) she was heading north, I was heading south.
I got to go back over the Bear Tooth Highway enroute to Cooke Cty MT and Yellowstone National Park. Quite nice. We have a beautiful country.
Top of World store along Bear Tooth Pass:
Cooke City:
A little weather surprise in Yellowstone.
Destination this night is Jackson WY which offered anice view of the Tetons:
I had a nice visit in Jackson, Good Mexican food, friendly old style downtown motel. I would have liked to stay longer and tour the area more. Nice place. But instead I headed west to Idaho over a beautiful mountain pass (forget the name).
I had my first WalMart oil change in Idaho Falls later that day. WooHoo! Rotella-T, filter, funnel and turkey roasting pan $25 and they take the dirty oil. Nice. 15 minute hassle free oil change. Then across central Idaho. Odometer milestone:
Made it to Burns OR that night. Next day I had a chilly start- about 35 degrees. But scenery was nice:
A different way to travel- some folks need a lot more than 2 wheels (Bend OR):
Later that day I rolled into Crater Lake Nat'l Park. AWESOME scenery. Pictures just don't do it justice. You have to experience it.
I had lunch there just staring into the lake before continuing on south to the California border. Shortly thereafter I was treated to a romp though a redwood forest. Wow, those trees are big!
And finally at the end of another long but thrilling day I run out of road and meet the Pacific Ocean. In Crescent City CA. Beautiful sunset this day. But didn't get it on film. needed to find a bed!
All for now. Return trip will be next. Thanks for reading thus far.
We've had multi day trips together but nothing of this scale.
My ride west was totally enjoyable and without any trouble whatsoever. I wasn't sure what to expect going solo coast to coast but it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. It's very satisfying to have to answer only to one's own wishes and desires when traveling. Especially on a bike which is quite a personal experience in itself.
I chose a route for the eastern segment that I thought would be much less crowded than northesat interstaes. I went north to Malone ,NY crossed into Canada at Cornwall Ontario and headed west on the TCH (rt 17) through North Bay and Sudbury ONT. Thoroughly enjoyable except for the many construction related stops (I swear that somehow Canada has funneled some US economic stimulus money into their DOT). Here's a shot I liked from the Blind River ON area:
This was day two, heading toward Sault Ste Marie where I re-entered the US for a ride across the Michigan UP. Also very enjoyable. Night 3 I camped near Ironwood, WI
The next day I passed through Superior WI and Duluth, MN enroute to Fargo ND. It was nice to have the freedom to choose a destination only because you have a fondness for a movie by the same name. Somewhere in the middle of MN I crossed the Mississippi River. Quite a bit narrower than down south, eh?
Night 4 I spent in Bismarck, ND after a long day.
On Day 5 I was headed to South Dakota, finally getting into the more anticipated scenic areas I envisioned for the trip. That morning in western ND I ran across some large sculpture that caught my eye- this must have taken a bit of work to create:
I happened stumble across this town in ND. Being a New Englander, I had to get a photo:
Later that day I rolled into Sturgis and grabbed a photo. Nothing special here:
I made it vto Rapid City mid afternoon. Enough time to set up my tent and then take a ride down rt 16 to Mt. Rushmore. Very Cool!
Day 6 I headed toward Casper WY. Totally enjoyed this day. Eastern WY had some very fun roads and beautiful scenery.
Found this gem of a license plate in Cody WY:
Next stop was to take this photo which was one of my 'must experience' destinations of the trip:
This road did not dissapoint- thoroughly enjoyable. beautiful scenery, Excellent road to ride, very little traffic. **** eating grin! 47 miles worth!
I know many folks have posted about this road and displayed similar photos, but I had to do it. Just so I could relive the experience a little.
Of course, once you get to the north end of Chief Joseph Scenic Byway you're treated to Bear Tooth Pass which heads to Red Lodge MT, at least the direction I was going. More awesome roads and scenery:
Where I met up with AGirl who was heading in the opposite direction. We knew we would likely cross paths at some point. She called to offer camp space in a very beautiful National Park Campground just outside Red Lodge.
The next day (Sunday of Labor Day weekend) she was heading north, I was heading south.
I got to go back over the Bear Tooth Highway enroute to Cooke Cty MT and Yellowstone National Park. Quite nice. We have a beautiful country.
Top of World store along Bear Tooth Pass:
Cooke City:
A little weather surprise in Yellowstone.
Destination this night is Jackson WY which offered anice view of the Tetons:
I had a nice visit in Jackson, Good Mexican food, friendly old style downtown motel. I would have liked to stay longer and tour the area more. Nice place. But instead I headed west to Idaho over a beautiful mountain pass (forget the name).
I had my first WalMart oil change in Idaho Falls later that day. WooHoo! Rotella-T, filter, funnel and turkey roasting pan $25 and they take the dirty oil. Nice. 15 minute hassle free oil change. Then across central Idaho. Odometer milestone:
Made it to Burns OR that night. Next day I had a chilly start- about 35 degrees. But scenery was nice:
A different way to travel- some folks need a lot more than 2 wheels (Bend OR):
Later that day I rolled into Crater Lake Nat'l Park. AWESOME scenery. Pictures just don't do it justice. You have to experience it.
I had lunch there just staring into the lake before continuing on south to the California border. Shortly thereafter I was treated to a romp though a redwood forest. Wow, those trees are big!
And finally at the end of another long but thrilling day I run out of road and meet the Pacific Ocean. In Crescent City CA. Beautiful sunset this day. But didn't get it on film. needed to find a bed!
All for now. Return trip will be next. Thanks for reading thus far.
