[Jacksprat56]

It looks like it's finally going to happen! Been in my head all my adult life, been "planning" it for 10 yrs.; been mapping it for 5 yrs. Cross country on a bike! Almost pulled it off in'14 on a '78 wing that was pushing 100k & something in my gut said NO!!!!! Good thing I listened; about the time I would have been in the U.P, it took a major crap-out on me. If I'm rambling forgive me; I'm crazy excited, nervous, anxious, etc...... Leaving the farm-fields of east central IN. to south of Chicago for a good nights sleep at my wife's cousin's place then on to Milwaukee to the HD museum, then meandering my way west to Mt. Rushmore then on to Big Sky for a week w/ my wife in a nice cabin(w/ a tour bus trip to Yellowstone). After the wife flies back I continue on to Glacier NP?..... more meandering, Mt. Hood, Discovery park in Seattle;(hoping & praying for a clear day so I can watch the sun set from the park). If anyone knows of a "safe" place to stay in that area I would greatly appreciate the feedback! I'll be camping most of this trip w/ a motel when I need/want one. On to the pch after Seattle then? Thoughts,advice

 

[idahointrudr]

When you get to Glacier dont stay or stop In Browning. That place is scary.
If you can make it to Hungry Horse there is an old motel you can park your bike in front of your room. Cheap and clean. Its on the west side of park. Dont stay in Browning!
You could pitch a tent in Glacier. You have to put all your stuff in the bear boxes. Toothbrush, shaving cream just about everything.
I dont know which way from there you will go. Outside of Libby is the Kootenai falls Where they filmed The River Wild. Cool spot.
After that I like going to The Cedars. Big forest.
If you want a freaky ride go on the other side of Lake Cookanusa and ride to the town of Yaak. It brings you out over by Priest River. Its an old logging road the paved poorly. Its fine for our bikes. 50 mph or so?

Enjoy. I did the U.P. last year. Loved that area!

 

[Desert Rider AZ]

If you have the time,just get out and ride! You won't regret it! I rode cross country a few times alone and one trip took me a month and rode 13000 miles,another trip took me 3 weeks and rode 12000 miles.At first it feels weird to ride far from home on a bike,but once you experience the great scenery and meet nice friendly folks along the way,you forget all about that and enjoy the ride! Mt Rushmore is a must see at least once and while in the black hills also ride along the Needles highway.In Wyoming check out Devil's Tower also.While heading west towards Yellowstone through WY,take Alt14 from Sheridan to Cody,nice route! Since you're planning to head into Montana,check out Beartooth highway,US 212, from Red Lodge MT to the WY border,awesome road! Glacier NP is also a must see! During the busy vacation season it can be hard to find a hotel up there unless you have reservations or stay at a campground.Stopped once for the night in Kalispell after a long days ride only to find out that closest hotel available was in Canada LOL.Since I was heading to Alaska anyway,rode into Canada past midnight and stayed in Cranbrook. Washington state is nice too! Rode through North Cascades NP and Mt Rainier NP. Been through Oregon once but didn't get a chance to check out the sights.Heard Mt Hood was nice and Crater Lake NP was pretty cool too! When you hit CA check out the Redwoods and traveling along PCH is an awesome ride too! If you head back through Utah,check out Zion NP and further east at AZ border,Monument Valley is a must see! In Colorado,check out Durango and head north on US 550 (Million dollar highway) to Ouray,awesome road! There are so many great places to see if you have the time lol. Always bring good clothing/rain gear with you.Been through hailstorms and also snow flurries riding through mountain passes during summer months! Also bring a tire kit and compact air pump that plugs into bike just in case.The HOG map book is helpful showing where all the dealers are in case you need something for the bike,oil change etc .And of'course always have enough water with you! Get out and tour the country,that's what the bike is made for! Hope this helps a bit.

 

[twowheeladdict]

What time of year are you doing this ride? Some of mountain passes a closed until the middle of June.

Here is beartooth pass on July 3rd.

 

[lil chief]

I 2nd what idaho said. Don't stay in Browning. It is an Indian reservation that is known for its violence & theivery. We went thru there a few years ago not knowing any better. We didn't have any problems, & even ate lunch there, but from what we were told, you don't want to be there after susnset. Chances are your bike will diappear if you are.
In my opinion, I think you may be rolling the dice this time of year with the weather up in those parts. We went thru Beartooth pass one year in July & there was still about 12' of snow on the sides of the roads.
Lil Chief

 

[BobRG15]

Two thoughts depending on when you are planning this trip
1) Jealous
2) After Seattle Shark Week VI?

 

[r_einan]

It looks like it's finally going to happen! Been in my head all my adult life, been "planning" it for 10 yrs.; been mapping it for 5 yrs. Cross country on a bike! Almost pulled it off in'14 on a '78 wing that was pushing 100k & something in my gut said NO!!!!! Good thing I listened; about the time I would have been in the U.P, it took a major crap-out on me. If I'm rambling forgive me; I'm crazy excited, nervous, anxious, etc...... Leaving the farm-fields of east central IN. to south of Chicago for a good nights sleep at my wife's cousin's place then on to Milwaukee to the HD museum, then meandering my way west to Mt. Rushmore then on to Big Sky for a week w/ my wife in a nice cabin(w/ a tour bus trip to Yellowstone). After the wife flies back I continue on to Glacier NP?..... more meandering, Mt. Hood, Discovery park in Seattle;(hoping & praying for a clear day so I can watch the sun set from the park). If anyone knows of a "safe" place to stay in that area I would greatly appreciate the feedback! I'll be camping most of this trip w/ a motel when I need/want one. On to the pch after Seattle then? Thoughts,advice

On the way to Seattle you have a couple nice options, Chinook pass is nice but a little slower or Stevens pass is faster and smoother. While in the western Washington area, a trip up to anacortes and a ride down to oak harbor over deception pass would be something to remember, along with the ferry ride back over the sound to mainland.

If your in the SE corner of WA by the Oregon border shoot me a PM, might be able to connect for a beer or some lunch and I could point out some spots on the map for you.

 

[Jacksprat56]

Mind reader?

If you have the time,just get out and ride! You won't regret it! I rode cross country a few times alone and one trip took me a month and rode 13000 miles,another trip took me 3 weeks and rode 12000 miles.At first it feels weird to ride far from home on a bike,but once you experience the great scenery and meet nice friendly folks along the way,you forget all about that and enjoy the ride! Mt Rushmore is a must see at least once and while in the black hills also ride along the Needles highway.In Wyoming check out Devil's Tower also.While heading west towards Yellowstone through WY,take Alt14 from Sheridan to Cody,nice route! Since you're planning to head into Montana,check out Beartooth highway,US 212, from Red Lodge MT to the WY border,awesome road! Glacier NP is also a must see! During the busy vacation season it can be hard to find a hotel up there unless you have reservations or stay at a campground.Stopped once for the night in Kalispell after a long days ride only to find out that closest hotel available was in Canada LOL.Since I was heading to Alaska anyway,rode into Canada past midnight and stayed in Cranbrook. Washington state is nice too! Rode through North Cascades NP and Mt Rainier NP. Been through Oregon once but didn't get a chance to check out the sights.Heard Mt Hood was nice and Crater Lake NP was pretty cool too! When you hit CA check out the Redwoods and traveling along PCH is an awesome ride too! If you head back through Utah,check out Zion NP and further east at AZ border,Monument Valley is a must see! In Colorado,check out Durango and head north on US 550 (Million dollar highway) to Ouray,awesome road! There are so many great places to see if you have the time lol. Always bring good clothing/rain gear with you.Been through hailstorms and also snow flurries riding through mountain passes during summer months! Also bring a tire kit and compact air pump that plugs into bike just in case.The HOG map book is helpful showing where all the dealers are in case you need something for the bike,oil change etc .And of'course always have enough water with you! Get out and tour the country,that's what the bike is made for! Hope this helps a bit.

Desert Rider AZ; you pretty much mapped out what I had in mind after the pch. I'll be out there 5-6 weeks although not sure I can do those kinds of miles,(I have a few yrs. on me) but we'll see. Thanks for the encouragement & the feedback.:smile:

 

[Jacksprat56]

What time of year are you doing this ride? Some of mountain passes a closed until the middle of June.

Here is beartooth pass on July 3rd.

NICE PIC!!! I'll be leaving May 24 & have been warned already about the highlands, but repitition is always good to get the brain "programmed". Thanks bro.

 

[Jacksprat56]

Two thoughts depending on when you are planning this trip
1) Jealous
2) After Seattle Shark Week VI?

If memory serves me correctly, I won't be back in time for SW6 as I really want to make it to El Cajon,CA. to see my youngest son, but am already thinking of #7!!!!!!

 

[turbochrisb]

Wow, What a crazy, scary, exciting, adventure. I'm sooooo jealous, what are your plans after Seattle when you get on PCH? How far south are you planning to go on it?

25 years ago my first ex wife (hahaha) and I went on a alaskan cruise....it was cool and all, but my favorite part was we rented a car in Vancouver, Canada and drove the coastal route (and PCH) all the way home to So Cal, it was a hellva drive. My goal was to have driven every inch of it. But the best part of PCH is the Nor Cal part IMO. The Oregon stretch, so much of it you can't see the ocean. Scenic but for someone who has driven it from San Francisco down to So Cal a dozen times I found it paled in comparison.

 

[Jacksprat56]

On the way to Seattle you have a couple nice options, Chinook pass is nice but a little slower or Stevens pass is faster and smoother. While in the western Washington area, a trip up to anacortes and a ride down to oak harbor over deception pass would be something to remember, along with the ferry ride back over the sound to mainland.

If your in the SE corner of WA by the Oregon border shoot me a PM, might be able to connect for a beer or some lunch and I could point out some spots on the map for you.

My "flightplan" has me staying at Brooks Memorial S.P. in Goldendale, is that near you? Don't remember the route out of ID.off hand but I'm trying to program my brain to "wing it" more. Would love to meet for lunch, thanks for the invite. I'll pm you a couple of days out.

 

[Jacksprat56]

Wow, What a crazy, scary, exciting, adventure. I'm sooooo jealous, what are your plans after Seattle when you get on PCH? How far south are you planning to go on it?

25 years ago my first ex wife (hahaha) and I went on a alaskan cruise....it was cool and all, but my favorite part was we rented a car in Vancouver, Canada and drove the coastal route (and PCH) all the way home to So Cal, it was a hellva drive. My goal was to have driven every inch of it. But the best part of PCH is the Nor Cal part IMO. The Oregon stretch, so much of it you can't see the ocean. Scenic but for someone who has driven it from San Francisco down to So Cal a dozen times I found it paled in comparison.

Crazy is what my late father called me, but that was when I had the '78 wing. I think now that I have the RG he would say "go for it boy"!! RIP pops! I originally had planned on riding "every inch" of the pch, but as the years have come and gone I'm getting more & more leary of "big cities". Am considering going inland around LA then back out to El Cajon to see my son. Honest opinion, if I skip the pch through the LA area will I have "missed it"? Appreciate the feedback.

 

[r_einan]

On the way to Seattle you have a couple nice options, Chinook pass is nice but a little slower or Stevens pass is faster and smoother. While in the western Washington area, a trip up to anacortes and a ride down to oak harbor over deception pass would be something to remember, along with the ferry ride back over the sound to mainland.

If your in the SE corner of WA by the Oregon border shoot me a PM, might be able to connect for a beer or some lunch and I could point out some spots on the map for you.

My "flightplan" has me staying at Brooks Memorial S.P. in Goldendale, is that near you? Don't remember the route out of ID.off hand but I'm trying to program my brain to "wing it" more. Would love to meet for lunch, thanks for the invite. I'll pm you a couple of days out.

I'm about 100 miles east of Goldendale, Tri-Cities area. Let me know what your timetable and route looks like when you get a little closer, might be able to schedule my days off to connect.

 

[Jacksprat56]

I'm about 100 miles east of Goldendale, Tri-Cities area. Let me know what your timetable and route looks like when you get a little closer, might be able to schedule my days off to connect.

Sounds great!! I'll try to give you 5-6 days notice. Thanks man.

 

[turbochrisb]

Crazy is what my late father called me, but that was when I had the '78 wing. I think now that I have the RG he would say "go for it boy"!! RIP pops! I originally had planned on riding "every inch" of the pch, but as the years have come and gone I'm getting more & more leary of "big cities". Am considering going inland around LA then back out to El Cajon to see my son. Honest opinion, if I skip the pch through the LA area will I have "missed it"? Appreciate the feedback.

PCH goes inland around Pismo Beach and you're forced onto the 101 at San Luis Opisbo, I normally just stay on the 101 at that point till you hit the coast again a little past Solvang where the PCH ends. Then I would suggest getting back on PCH where it picks up again in Oxnard and taking that the rest of the way.

Once you hit Santa Monica it's not a scenic coastal route anymore....not like it was.....and actually gets kinda ghetto around Wilmington and Long Beach, But then once you hit Seal Beach it is along the ocean again, mostly all the way till it ends in Dana Point.

You could bypass easily from Santa Monca to Seal Beach, but honestly it's less than an hour so I'd just stick on it....

Also If you're coming all the way this way, hit me up before you head out and I'll shoot you my phone number and If I can manage I'll run up and meet you in Santa Monica or somewhere and come down with you back to Dana Point. Sounds like fun.

 

[Jacksprat56]

PCH goes inland around Pismo Beach and you're forced onto the 101 at San Luis Opisbo, I normally just stay on the 101 at that point till you hit the coast again a little past Solvang where the PCH ends. Then I would suggest getting back on PCH where it picks up again in Oxnard and taking that the rest of the way.

Once you hit Santa Monica it's not a scenic coastal route anymore....not like it was.....and actually gets kinda ghetto around Wilmington and Long Beach, But then once you hit Seal Beach it is along the ocean again, mostly all the way till it ends in Dana Point.

You could bypass easily from Santa Monca to Seal Beach, but honestly it's less than an hour so I'd just stick on it....

Also If you're coming all the way this way, hit me up before you head out and I'll shoot you my phone number and If I can manage I'll run up and meet you in Santa Monica or somewhere and come down with you back to Dana Point. Sounds like fun.

Fantastic turbo, that does sound like fun! Thanks for the offer; I'm getting more psyched if that's possible.

 

[Desert Rider AZ]

Hey Jacksprat56,glad I could help a little! They were just some ideas of places I liked seeing but out here in the west there are so many great options of routes to take! No matter what route you decide on taking you're going to have a great time on the open road! Have an awesome trip!

 

[HeatWave]

When you are up in Glacier check out Lake 5 Resort, about 4 miles from the glacier West gate, biker friendly the owner has 2 Harley's, reasonable rates, camping, RV, or cabins available.

 

[Jacksprat56]

When you are up in Glacier check out Lake 5 Resort, about 4 miles from the glacier West gate, biker friendly the owner has 2 Harley's, reasonable rates, camping, RV, or cabins available.

Thanks for the info. Spent an hour or so on Mapquest a while back looking for a "sleep spot" in that area, don't remember anything standing out to me. I will definately check this place out. Thanks again.