Suggestions for Summer Touring Trip

[Pt_Frost]

From TN/WV/NC have you covered most areas, or just the main attractions, like BRP, 129, etc? There are tons and tons of beautiful roads down there.

Mainly did the BRP, 129, etc. Haven't done much besides that so it might justify another trip down again, but first I'd like to go somewhere fresh, and in a few years I'll revisit.

I agree though, endless riding possibilities there.

[Pt_Frost]

Not nearly the distances you are talkingabout but Western NY, Finger Lakes. THere are state parks near most of the lakes. My suggestion would be to camp at the end of one lake, then ride around 2-3 lakes per day, then move camp every couple days to a new lake/state park and explore a couple other finger lakes. This is also a wine region so you can ride a leisurely pace and stop and the wineries for tastings and lunches.

Sounds like a fantastic ride, and a fun experience, except the wine tasting would be out of the question. I've got a bit of a 0 tolerance rule with myself on that issue.

I had a bit of a scare on a long trip two years ago. After a long day of riding, I stopped for dinner before setting up camp, had ONE beer with dinner, and combined with fatigue it was enough to make me overrun a turn and I was zig-zagging between light poles. Everything turned out OK (Thank God), somehow not wrapping around any of them, but ever since then I don't touch alcohol when I ride.

What my friend and I usually do on these trips, is pick up something to drink on the way to camp near the evening and drink it once we've set up camp, once we know we won't be doing any more riding that day.

Of course it depends on the person, some people can relax this rule a bit and be ok. I know I can't

[Pt_Frost]

Can you please post your route? I'm looking at doing something similar before the year is up.

..Tom

I'd be interested in seeing it too. I've driven to Yellowstone before in a car, and it seemed kinda flat,straight and boring at times (Especially through Nebraska). So I'd be curious to see if there is a better "route" that's more suited to fun motorcycling.

[omnivore]

Quebec to NL and Labrador. Ferry across to the US and comeback thru New England.

[homme de fer]

Can you please post your route? I'm looking at doing something similar before the year is up.

..Tom

Sure thing. This route is tentative, if I make good time through Iowa and Nebraska I may spend extra time in the Black Hills as the roads in the area are said to be among the best in the West.

Day 1 - Milton to Indiana
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Milton&1s=ON&1y=CA&1l=43.511028&1g=-79.883888&1v=CITY&2c=Iowa+City&2s=IA&2y=US&2l=41.6 61098&2g=-91.529999&2v=CITY#b/maps/m:map:5:41.518362:-88.236162::::::1:1::::/l:::Milton:ON::CA:43.511028:-79.883888:city::1:::/l::State+Route+49+S:Chesterton:IN:46304:US:41.6241 4:-87.045562:address:Porter:1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:/bl:/e
I may extend this day to get farther West since I find it easier to put in big miles earlier on trips than later.

Day 2 Indiana to Nebraska
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Milton&1s=ON&1y=CA&1l=43.511028&1g=-79.883888&1v=CITY&2c=Iowa+City&2s=IA&2y=US&2l=41.6 61098&2g=-91.529999&2v=CITY#b/maps/m:map:5:42.271667:-98.278231::::::1:1::::/l::State+Route+49+S:Chesterton:IN:46304:US:41.6241 4:-87.045562:address:Porter:1:::/l::US-75:::::41.683151:-96.222053:latlng::2:::/l::US-275+W:::::42.01865:-97.208091:latlng::2:::/l::102+N+Harrison+St:Oneill:NE:68763:US:42.457611:-98.65773:address:Holt:1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:/bl:/e

Day 3 and 4 Nebraska to Montana
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Milton&1s=ON&1y=CA&1l=43.511028&1g=-79.883888&1v=CITY&2c=Iowa+City&2s=IA&2y=US&2l=41.6 61098&2g=-91.529999&2v=CITY#b/maps/m:map:5:44.626935:-107.827511::::::1:1::::/l::102+N+Harrison+St:Oneill:NE:68763:US:42.457611:-98.65773:address:Holt:1:::/l::SR-79:::::43.399631:-103.39701:latlng::2:::/l::US-16;+US-385:::::43.87054:-103.618736:latlng::2:::/l::US-14a:::::44.369419:-103.920761:latlng::2:::/l::I-90+W:::::44.259384:-106.478225:latlng::2:::/l::US-14a:::::44.814113:-108.126754:latlng::2:::/l:::Red+Lodge:MT::US:45.185799:-109.246101:city:Carbon+County:1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:/bl:/e

Day 5 Beartooth Pass to Yellowstone
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Milton&1s=ON&1y=CA&1l=43.511028&1g=-79.883888&1v=CITY&2c=Iowa+City&2s=IA&2y=US&2l=41.6 61098&2g=-91.529999&2v=CITY#b/maps/m:map:4:43.867223:-104.547654::::::1:1::::/l:::Red+Lodge:MT::US:45.185799:-109.246101:city:Carbon+County:1:::/l:::Tower+Junction:WY::US:44.916401:-110.4161:city:Park+County:1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:/bl:/e

I have a lot of options for the return trip. I want to go to Grand Teton for a night then I could either come straight home (taking 3 days to do so) or go to Salt Lake City for the night and come back through Colorado (taking 4 days).

Why Yellowstone? Since I was a kid, I've been captivated by it's pictures. Even though its heavily used, the park is still among the wildest out there.

PS. go to Canyonchasers for more info on the area. They have a write up with pictures from last year of the exact roads I'll be on. Yellowstone may be the destination for this trip but the intention was to hit up some sick roads, hence the route.

[V-Tom]

Sure thing. This route is tentative, if I make good time through Iowa and Nebraska I may spend extra time in the Black Hills as the roads in the area are said to be among the best in the West.
...

Thanks for that! I was hoping you had a way out that avoided too much superslabbing but it looks like you are getting out fast on the interstates and then playing on the fun roads.

I am looking at doing a trip out west if I can fit it in this year but after Chicago area would venture onto non-interstates where it makes sense.

I'll take a close look at the routes you posted to see if there are things on it that fit into my idea of where to go.

..Tom

[homme de fer]

Thanks for that! I was hoping you had a way out that avoided too much superslabbing but it looks like you are getting out fast on the interstates and then playing on the fun roads.

I am looking at doing a trip out west if I can fit it in this year but after Chicago area would venture onto non-interstates where it makes sense.

I'll take a close look at the routes you posted to see if there are things on it that fit into my idea of where to go.

..Tom

A lot of people have a problem with superslab. Me, not so much. The roads are as flat as the earth it travels over from here to South Dakota so I figure I'll get out there as fast as I can so I can use the extra time to play in the twisties.

Anyone know how to find out what the speed limits are for Interstates through the mid West?

[adri]

James Bay Hydro Road to Raddison QC......

http://www.jamesbayroad.com/

Hmm... 14 litre tank at 4 litres per 100 km... Cutting it close. Pack a gas can and go for it =)

[V-Tom]

A lot of people have a problem with superslab. Me, not so much. The roads are as flat as the earth it travels over from here to South Dakota so I figure I'll get out there as fast as I can so I can use the extra time to play in the twisties.
...

I understand and it makes sense. I have done solid 1000 km days back to back on interstates. It is not the kind of riding I enjoy much (boring!) and I would much rather take roads that are somewhat more interesting. I was hoping you had a magic route that avoided it.

..Tom

[homme de fer]

I understand and it makes sense. I have done solid 1000 km days back to back on interstates. It is not the kind of riding I enjoy much (boring!) and I would much rather take roads that are somewhat more interesting. I was hoping you had a magic route that was avoided it.

..Tom

I looked for one but all the roads from Ohio to Nebraska seem to run straight regardless whether they are Interstate or secondary.

[lil red bird]

It will vary between 35 mph to 70mph and it is strictly enforced.

[southpaw_1979]

Sounds like a fantastic ride, and a fun experience, except the wine tasting would be out of the question. I've got a bit of a 0 tolerance rule with myself on that issue.

I had a bit of a scare on a long trip two years ago. After a long day of riding, I stopped for dinner before setting up camp, had ONE beer with dinner, and combined with fatigue it was enough to make me overrun a turn and I was zig-zagging between light poles. Everything turned out OK (Thank God), somehow not wrapping around any of them, but ever since then I don't touch alcohol when I ride.

What my friend and I usually do on these trips, is pick up something to drink on the way to camp near the evening and drink it once we've set up camp, once we know we won't be doing any more riding that day.

Of course it depends on the person, some people can relax this rule a bit and be ok. I know I can't

I have a zero drinking while riding rule as well, but they are still nice to stop at and pick up a bottle or two for in camp. The other option is what my parents did last summer (they were in the region for a week including their anniversary) parked the bike for a day and hired a limo to take them on a winery tour and to dinner.

[Ivanitor]

Sure thing. This route is tentative, if I make good time through Iowa and Nebraska I may spend extra time in the Black Hills as the roads in the area are said to be among the best in the West.

Day 1 - Milton to Indiana
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Milton&1s=ON&1y=CA&1l=43.511028&1g=-79.883888&1v=CITY&2c=Iowa+City&2s=IA&2y=US&2l=41.6 61098&2g=-91.529999&2v=CITY#b/maps/m:map:5:41.518362:-88.236162::::::1:1::::/l:::Milton:ON::CA:43.511028:-79.883888:city::1:::/l::State+Route+49+S:Chesterton:IN:46304:US:41.6241 4:-87.045562:address:Porter:1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:/bl:/e
I may extend this day to get farther West since I find it easier to put in big miles earlier on trips than later.

Day 2 Indiana to Nebraska
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Milton&1s=ON&1y=CA&1l=43.511028&1g=-79.883888&1v=CITY&2c=Iowa+City&2s=IA&2y=US&2l=41.6 61098&2g=-91.529999&2v=CITY#b/maps/m:map:5:42.271667:-98.278231::::::1:1::::/l::State+Route+49+S:Chesterton:IN:46304:US:41.6241 4:-87.045562:address:Porter:1:::/l::US-75:::::41.683151:-96.222053:latlng::2:::/l::US-275+W:::::42.01865:-97.208091:latlng::2:::/l::102+N+Harrison+St:Oneill:NE:68763:US:42.457611:-98.65773:address:Holt:1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:/bl:/e

Day 3 and 4 Nebraska to Montana
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Milton&1s=ON&1y=CA&1l=43.511028&1g=-79.883888&1v=CITY&2c=Iowa+City&2s=IA&2y=US&2l=41.6 61098&2g=-91.529999&2v=CITY#b/maps/m:map:5:44.626935:-107.827511::::::1:1::::/l::102+N+Harrison+St:Oneill:NE:68763:US:42.457611:-98.65773:address:Holt:1:::/l::SR-79:::::43.399631:-103.39701:latlng::2:::/l::US-16;+US-385:::::43.87054:-103.618736:latlng::2:::/l::US-14a:::::44.369419:-103.920761:latlng::2:::/l::I-90+W:::::44.259384:-106.478225:latlng::2:::/l::US-14a:::::44.814113:-108.126754:latlng::2:::/l:::Red+Lodge:MT::US:45.185799:-109.246101:city:Carbon+County:1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:/bl:/e

Day 5 Beartooth Pass to Yellowstone
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Milton&1s=ON&1y=CA&1l=43.511028&1g=-79.883888&1v=CITY&2c=Iowa+City&2s=IA&2y=US&2l=41.6 61098&2g=-91.529999&2v=CITY#b/maps/m:map:4:43.867223:-104.547654::::::1:1::::/l:::Red+Lodge:MT::US:45.185799:-109.246101:city:Carbon+County:1:::/l:::Tower+Junction:WY::US:44.916401:-110.4161:city:Park+County:1:::/io:1:::::f:en_US:M:/bl:/e

I have a lot of options for the return trip. I want to go to Grand Teton for a night then I could either come straight home (taking 3 days to do so) or go to Salt Lake City for the night and come back through Colorado (taking 4 days).

Why Yellowstone? Since I was a kid, I've been captivated by it's pictures. Even though its heavily used, the park is still among the wildest out there.

PS. go to Canyonchasers for more info on the area. They have a write up with pictures from last year of the exact roads I'll be on. Yellowstone may be the destination for this trip but the intention was to hit up some sick roads, hence the route.

If I might make a suggestion to your first day. I would recommend finding elsewhere to stop that is not so close to Gary, Indiana. As a former truck driver it is not the safest spot in the USA

[homme de fer]

If I might make a suggestion to your first day. I would recommend finding elsewhere to stop that is not so close to Gary, Indiana. As a former truck driver it is not the safest spot in the USA

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I know nothing about the area so I have to rely on others for info.

The day one plan is sort of the worst case scenario. I know that if I leave early enough I can probably go at least a couple hours further West than Gary. Given that it is a rough neighbourhood, I probably will reorganize my plans to do just that.