New Hampshire to Wyoming - Please help.
 

I'm an experienced rider, own a 2003 Harley Springer Softail, and always ride with safety first in mind. I'm trying to plan a ride from New Hampshire to a small town (Kaycee)in Wyoming. I'll be spending a week there working on a cattle ranch. I'll then jump back on my Harley and make the same trip home. I wondered if you or someone you might know and can recommend the best routes to take, state to state. I'm looking to move right along but would rather ride as many scenic routes as possible in order to minimize the amount of time spent on highways. I believe the ride will cover approximately 2400 to 2600 miles so I am anticipating stops all along the way hopefully in campgrounds where I can spend a night and head back out in the a.m. ANY information you can provide about both the best routes to ride as well as campgrounds along the way would be very much appreciated. Sorry for being so longwinded. Again, Thanks ! Bill Murphy

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bmurphyman

Hi Bill,
I try to avoid big urban areas but sometimes it is quicker to use the Interstate Highways and go through them than it is to try and go around them.
If it were me I would go West on 101 & 9 through Brattleboro, VT. 9 & 7 to Troy, NY.
US 20 to Lake Erie, then I-90 & I-80 going to Madison, WI.
From Madison you can take I-90 or US 14 West depending on how fast you want to go.
Both roads will take you to Wall, SD and Wall Drug, Badlands National Park, Custer Park. From there Hwy 16 SD to Newcastle then Hwy's 450, WY - 387, WY - 192, WY will take you to Kaycee, WY.
I had to go back to chek the mileage, 2063 miles.

[This message has been edited by John Ferris (edited 05 December 2004).]

Hi John, Thanks very much for the information ! It will be put to good use. Anyone else want to share information that might help me ? I'd really appreciate it. Again, Thanks John ! Bill Murphy



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bmurphyman

Hi, you didn't say how much time you had. But If I was coming out west and had to make pretty good time I would pickup a KOA campground guide. They are commercial camps but they have showers, stores and are usally reasonably close to the main route. If you get all the way out to wyoming you really should head up to sheridan and head west on 14 and alt 14 to cody. then north on 120 to 296 then right on 212 which is beartooth highway. Beartooth highway being one of the most spectacular roads around(especially early in the day before the tourists clog it up). Put in some long days across the prairie so you can ride more of the motorcycle roads in montana and wyoming.

Worth asking here: http://www.advrider.com/

Thanks Bill. KOA sites are a great idea. I appreciate it. In terms of time... I've got all the time in the world. This may be my last vacation/time riding my bike as my health won't be such that I won't be around much after a year. Harsh message but I had to deal with it. Therefore, I'm going on the trip I've always wanted to take ! Thanks and be safe riding !!



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bmurphyman

Considering your situation I would take the Blue Ridge Parkway South down into GA. From there turn right toward Texas, continuing toward Amrillo and the Cadillac Ranch. Be sure to pass though OK on the way because the nothingness must be experienced. Make a hard right in Amarillo and head for the badlands of Dakota. Ride up Pikes Peak in CO on the way. Hard left from the Dakotas to your final destination. Avoid superhighways at all costs. Stay and eat only in small mom and pop establishments.

The journey is the destination.

John

Thanks John !! The information everyone has passed along will be great when I actually sit down and start planning the specifics. Again, THANKS for taking time out of your busy schedule to send along this information.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.


Considering your situation I would take the Blue Ridge Parkway South down into GA. From there turn right toward Texas, continuing toward Amrillo and the Cadillac Ranch. Be sure to pass though OK on the way because the nothingness must be experienced. Make a hard right in Amarillo and head for the badlands of Dakota. Ride up Pikes Peak in CO on the way. Hard left from the Dakotas to your final destination. Avoid superhighways at all costs. Stay and eat only in small mom and pop establishments.

The journey is the destination.

John


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bmurphyman

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[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 13 December 2004).]

If you want to ride on the highest paved road in the US head west out of denver on I70 to idaho springs and ride up Mt. Evans.14,260 ft.
Make it up to helena Mt. when my wife is giving a medical intuitive seminar and you can be a live model for people to figure out the infirmity and the cause....For I have miles to travel before I sleep.

Hi John,

Sorry for bothering you again but I've been meaning to ask you your opinion on how long a trip going the route you mapped out might take in terms of days ? I'm not positive how many hours I'd put on the bike each day but I think three, two hour rides with a 1/2 hour or so in between sounds reasonable. I've never taken a trip like this so I have no experience estimating time. I'm also assuming three, two hour rides each day would be doable. Based on your experience, do you think this is too much, too little, just right ?
Again, thank you very much for any information you can share.




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bmurphyman

Bill,
I think the two hour sections is the way to go. You need to stretch after a couple of hours and keep hydrated.
I think 6 days would be OK but if you have the time take 10 days. There are places you will want to stop and look around at.
As you start to get to the West your mileage per day may increase because of less congestion and you getting used to riding longer distances.
John