Motorbike Trip - Route advice please
 

Hi All

First time poster so be gentle! Im planning a trip to Las Vegas in September this year with my Dad as a retirement present for him. We're hiring bikes in Vegas and have 1 week to see as much as possible. I dont want to spend hours each day on the bike but am keen to show him a good time. I've put a route down in Google Maps ( Directions to Las Vegas, NV, USA - Google Maps) and would really appreciate thoughts on places that I'm wasting my time doing or important bits I'm missing.

FYI, he's keen on scenery and drinking..what more could you ask for!

Any help greatly appreciated

R

This is a very personal view, as the only qualification I have is that I'm also retired. (In London).

But I have visited nearly all this area, for business and pleasure..... except Las Vegas itself - never been there.
But friends who have say what a great place it is, and spend time there.

So, it seems quite a lot for one week.

Maybe just Grand Canyon and Yosemite. That's what I'd do.

I spent about 5 days in Grand Canyon on my visit, and Yosemite has the valley floor to visit, and the cliff tops way above, so could take 2 days.

Other contributors could maybe advise on the need to book ahead at these places in September - I always visited well out of season.

And maybe the people you're hiring the bikes from could give you good advice.

All the best.

IMHO etc
 

A week's not a lot, but I'd say (since you mention drinking) that Mariposa - about 30 miles SW of Yosemite - is a good place to stay the night before or after the park, mostly because of the 49er bar run by Randy. The Motherlode is the cheapest motel in town (and it's clean and friendly).

Monterey - good call! Great seafood/chowder.

Highway 1 (Pacific Coast) rather than the 101. Scenery ahoy!

Are you not going to San Francisco for a reason? Riding across the Bay/Golden Gate Bridges is unforgettable, and the Chieftain (198 5th Street @ Howard) is a cracking boozer.

And if you could squeeze in a bit more Utah (parks especially) you wouldn't be disappointed. And yes, they do sell beer in Utah.

It'll be brilliant anyway.
(pics and words about that general area on the link below)

That's a fact, and had to be said .. but I guess you already know this, eh roreilly?

I've ridden that whole area too. It's all sensational stuff around your route .. BUT if it's dramatic scenery you're after – thinking of your dad's preference here – then I reckon spending more time up in the north-eastern area from Las Vegas, to take-in more of southern Utah's national parks in particular (Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, etc), AND Monument Valley, plus the Grand Canyon (from the perspective of both rims) would just about get my vote over your suggested tour. If you had some extra time then maybe Mesa Verde NP (CO); and/or a westward excursion into Death Valley would be a worthwhile experience(s) too.

.. not forgetting at least one, or better still two nights in Vegas itself (for your dad's other recreational pursuit), of course!

Wish I was going back there with you .. cuz 'tis simply breathtaking.

All the best

Keith

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I agree with Keith1954 go to "Utah's national parks in particular (Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, etc), AND Monument Valley, plus the Grand Canyon."

The California coast is cool and damp, much like England.
Many of the tourist towns try to pretend to be like England with pubs and English shops.

Guys, thanks so much for the responses. I'd love to have a bit more time in the area but work wont allow it. I've been to SF and have drove the coast highway before. Maybe I'll needI think your definitely right about spending a bit mroe time in Yosemite rather than just driving though at speed. What are your thoughts on I95 from Vegas to Yosemite, do you think it will be a bit quite? are there decent places to stay and have a beer?

Many thanks!

Richard

Richard

I rode south[east] along US-95, but only from Beatty – north of Death Valley – down to Vegas during late March, 2008. My recollection of this particular section is that it's a typical desert main highway, i.e. fast and not too much traffic. Did not stay anywhere along the way .. just rode straight through; it didn't take long (2-3 hours).

Something else to consider: if you're going to Yosemite during the second half-late September, then you could be in for some cold['ish] weather, especially up/over the Tioga Pass, which is near 10,000 ft [3,000 m] high. It got down to 6ºC [42ºF] for us at that time of year - that is, in late Sept 2007. So go prepared for this. See this blog page.

Good luck with your planning.

Cheers

Keith

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Southern Utah
 

Zion NP - "Yosemite with color"
Bryce Canyon
The North Rim
Cedar Breaks

He'll, the ride from LV through a corner of Arizona is magnificent.

Oh, and before you leave LV, have a "Bobbie" at Capriotti's. An amazing east Coast sub shop. The first one was a few miles from where I grew up.

Kurt

We just spent 2 days in Vegas. Must see Ka and Jersey Boys. We picked up our bike in Lake Havasu (trailered by the folks from Vancouver) and are heading out I 40 west to Mojave then I 15 to Barstow, then south west to Newport. Then south to San Diego thru Anza-Borrego Desert State Park then to the Salton sea and Yuma and Havasu.

I would agree that going to Death Valley is very worth it/not to be missed. So are the Grand Canyon, Arches, and Canyon land. We wanted to go north and go to Zion, but too cold in Feb. Have fun! Sara