Windsong of the West

[Intech]

Julie,

Check this track out from our 2012 trip. 7500 miles for 14 days of riding. We rode a lot, but we did see a lot. Snowed in Yellowstone on the 19th of June!

 

[JamesW]

Think of a rewards card from some of the motel chains along the way, could save a few $.

 

[Fontanaman]

Very well done introduction. I am looking forward to the trip! I especially like the part of meeting men on the internet - very funny.

 

[Bugnatr]

Awesome trip plan, looking forward to meeting you at NAFO. Seen your picture many times on FB with Wayne adding some miles.

May I humbly suggest you dump I-80 from Reno. Do yourself a favor and ride Hwy 50 across Nevada. Look close to my route and just after Middlegate Station turn right on hwy 722, have fun in the curvy stuff and hold the feejeer at 7 grand on the flat parts. It will tie back into Hwy 50 near Austin. Always watch your speed when near any town in Nevada, they mean it.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Reno,+NV/Middlegate,+NV/Ely,+NV/Salina,+UT/Montrose,+CO/@39.5985586,-118.740244,8z/data=!4m37!4m36!1m5!1m1!1s0x809940ae9292a09d:0x40c5c5ce7438f787!2m2!1d-119.8138027!2d39.5296329!1m10!1m1!1s0x80a2ddd34caa70a3:0x33df66a9f984e8f9!2m2!1d-118.02556!2d39.28778!3m4!1m2!1d-117.656064!2d39.2409311!3s0x80a33095dfc62671:0xd6dff26d71f54af9!1m5!1m1!1s0x80b0498e569347fb:0x262857a90224004!2m2!1d-114.8886296!2d39.2474393!1m5!1m1!1s0x874b761d82827acf:0x2a5286911d8c602d!2m2!1d-111.859925!2d38.9577407!1m5!1m1!1s0x873f50888a070817:0x517e467508b974d!2m2!1d-107.8761738!2d38.4783198!3e0?hl=en

This way is only a few minutes longer than 80 and WAY better.

 

[FJRfarrier]

Think of a rewards card from some of the motel chains along the way, could save a few $.

Yup! Rewards card has been used! They have a "sale" this summer, and giving $100 in gift cards. It has helped to save close to $400 in overnights! Reservations have been made.

Awesome trip plan, looking forward to meeting you at NAFO. Seen your picture many times on FB with Wayne adding some miles.
May I humbly suggest you dump I-80 from Reno. Do yourself a favor and ride Hwy 50 across Nevada. Look close to my route and just after Middlegate Station turn right on hwy 722, have fun in the curvy stuff and hold the feejeer at 7 grand on the flat parts. It will tie back into Hwy 50 near Austin. Always watch your speed when near any town in Nevada, they mean it.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Reno,+NV/Middlegate,+NV/Ely,+NV/Salina,+UT/Montrose,+CO/@39.5985586,-118.740244,8z/data=!4m37!4m36!1m5!1m1!1s0x809940ae9292a09d:0x40c5c5ce7438f787!2m2!1d-119.8138027!2d39.5296329!1m10!1m1!1s0x80a2ddd34caa70a3:0x33df66a9f984e8f9!2m2!1d-118.02556!2d39.28778!3m4!1m2!1d-117.656064!2d39.2409311!3s0x80a33095dfc62671:0xd6dff26d71f54af9!1m5!1m1!1s0x80b0498e569347fb:0x262857a90224004!2m2!1d-114.8886296!2d39.2474393!1m5!1m1!1s0x874b761d82827acf:0x2a5286911d8c602d!2m2!1d-111.859925!2d38.9577407!1m5!1m1!1s0x873f50888a070817:0x517e467508b974d!2m2!1d-107.8761738!2d38.4783198!3e0?hl=en

This way is only a few minutes longer than 80 and WAY better.

That does look like a nice route, just a small problem. It doesn't hit the salt flats. That is a "destination" I want to ride while out there. So my overnights are Reno and then Wendover UT. Then head down to Montrose the next day. Which means I just hit I-80 and go. Thank you though!

 

[El Toro Joe]

I'm jealous...JSNS

 

[Tyler]

One thing I am already learning- be flexible in your plans.


I have had the general idea of this trip planned since last fall. As time gets closer, things start falling into place. But that also includes some minor details changing. And I just smile, say okay, and work with it.

That's probably the most important thing when traveling on a big trip like this... good you've got that in your head at the start! Traveling solo or even with one kindred spirit allows you do do that easily and bend like the reed in the wind...

You won't be traveling solo... we'll all be with you in one form or another and know that should you need any assistance, there will be many ready to help. Wishing you a safe and fabulous journey, m'friend!! See you in Montrose!! B)

 

[escapefjrtist]

Wishing you the best of luck and safe travels Julie! Looking forward to following along as you travel the country.

You won't be traveling solo... we'll all be with you in one form or another and know that should you need any assistance, there will be many ready to help. Wishing you a safe and fabulous journey, m'friend!! See you in Montrose!!

**Outta Likes** This ^^^^ well said T.

--G

 

[hppants]

It's good to read that you are willing to be flexible on your trip. I cannot overstate how important that has been in my experience. Sticking to a structured plan takes concentration. Everyone has a limit to the amount of concentration they can exhibit. Whatever you have to devote to the plan is, by rule, not available for the adventure. Of course, a little common sense goes a long way. Don't ride into a forest fire or a shit storm just for the grins of it. With cell phones and GPS, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to get truly lost on today's motorcycle tours.

By allowing yourself the freedom to truly explore uninhibited, regardless of where you end up (after all, on the back of a steel horse, it's ALL good), you are enhancing the overall experience for yourself, and your memory.

As I write this, I'm jonesing about my past adventures, and the wonderful memories I have of them. Guess it works......

 

[FJRfarrier]

The time has come!!!!

Windsong of the West has begun!!!!!!

Departure from home and headed to Brandon's house!

An easy breezy 120 miles for this afternoon...

 

[Intech]

Ride safe and have lots of fun! See you in Montrose!

 

[Bungie]

In.

 

[FJRBandit]

I love ya, man - uh, woman! Somebody buy this chick a beer for me in Montrose. She's my hero!

You know, Julie's intro is the same song and dance I think many of us go through every time we step out and tell someone we are headed out on an adventure like this. Minus the meeting strange guys from the internet of course. It's just that most of the world doesn't have the adventure spirit that it takes to step up and put your balls on the line in order to experience all the world has to offer. So in turn, they just can't comprehend it.

Julie's spirit of adventure reminds me of the chorus from Rush's "Middletown Dreams" -

Dreams flow across the heartland and feeding on the fires
Dreams transport desires
Drive you when you're down
Dreams transport the ones who need to get out of town, out of town

Dream on Windsong! We're with you girl!

 

[SacramentoMike]

I don't know how I missed this thread till now, so everybody already said what I wanted to say--like Lisa: "you go, girl." And all the chuckles about your "random men" comment. As a random man, I appreciated that one. I'm looking forward to meeting you in Montrose now, and I agree, there's nothing like a long solo ride to get a real feel for the country and yourself. One real benefit is when you're alone, people are much more willing to approach you and ask questions about you, your ride, and your whole adventure than when you're in a group (even if they are, in my case, other old guys who just want to tell me about the '55 Shovel Head they used to own).

Have a great and safe ride--and see you soon.

 

[Mr Bill]

Just found this thread. I was feeling bad for you heading out into the heat wave and now see you are getting out of Dodge.

Safe travels.

I can't believe you can't shoe an FJR

 

[thompsonian]

WOW! Have an AWESOME trip!

 

[Uncle Hud]

FJRBandit posted: <snipped> Somebody buy this chick a beer for me in Montrose.

Gotcha covered, brother: FJRfarrier, it is a Southern gentleman's honorable duty to purchase alcohol for ladies. I'll be looking for you in Montrose.

Minus the meeting strange guys from the internet of course.

I don't know, man, that line works pretty well for me. You might try this alternative: "Yeah, I'm riding my FJR to Colorado and meeting internet friends out there."

 

[FJRBandit]

FJRBandit posted: <snipped> Somebody buy this chick a beer for me in Montrose.

Gotcha covered, brother: FJRfarrier, it is a Southern gentleman's honorable duty to purchase alcohol for ladies. I'll be looking for you in Montrose.

Excellent! Thanks Uncle Hud! I, like many of you, am very impressed by this young lady's attitude and spirit. Hopefully she isn't using up all of her vacation time for the year and can make it down South in late October. It would be an honor and a pleasure to host her at our event.

 

[hppants]

Hey Bandit - how about my favorite verse from any Rush song (Limelight):

All the worlds indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each anothers audience
Outside the gilded cage

Ride on, Julie.... Ride like the wind.....

 

[El Toro Joe]

Looks like Julie has about another 4 1/2-5 hrs, before reaching her destination of Duluth, MN for today's ride...Go Julie!