Advice/Suggestions North West-West Coast to SD

[Chili]

I'm taking 35 Days vacation from the second week of June until the middle of July and my wife and I are planning our first extended trip on the bike. I'm doing research as far as the prep end of the trip but now I'm looking for route and possible highlight stops for the trip.

We will be leaving Winnipeg, MB and working our way across Canada with some family obligations. So far in the planning we we will end up in Surrey B.C. done with all obligations and ready to depart on June 20th with roughly 22 days left on our vacation and this is where I'm looking for tips.

We are looking to head south from Surrey and try to see as much beautiful scenery along the pacific coast as possible. We will likely head as far south as California to see some of the Pacific Coast highway. From California we will start to work West with only a loose plan at this point to end up in South Dakota to see some of the beautiful countryside we've heard of around there and then make our way back to Manitoba.

Any must see's or must avoid routes or side trips would be appreciated!

[Netnorske]

Chili....PM sent.

[usranger74]

Originally Posted by Chili

I'm taking 35 Days vacation from the second week of June until the middle of July and my wife and I are planning our first extended trip on the bike. I'm doing research as far as the prep end of the trip but now I'm looking for route and possible highlight stops for the trip.

We will be leaving Winnipeg, MB and working our way across Canada with some family obligations. So far in the planning we we will end up in Surrey B.C. done with all obligations and ready to depart on June 20th with roughly 22 days left on our vacation and this is where I'm looking for tips.

We are looking to head south from Surrey and try to see as much beautiful scenery along the pacific coast as possible. We will likely head as far south as California to see some of the Pacific Coast highway. From California we will start to work West with only a loose plan at this point to end up in South Dakota to see some of the beautiful countryside we've heard of around there and then make our way back to Manitoba.

Any must see's or must avoid routes or side trips would be appreciated!

Going "west" from CA?? I am sure you ment "east"

East from CA - I would look at CA 299 and take it to CA 44 then to US 395 into NV.

In NV - I would take US 50 east to the UT/ NV line and on to Salina, UT

Now, Now pick up UT 24 south and follow it until you hit UT 95. Take UT 95 east/south to US 191.

Now, North on US 191 to US 495 then east to Cortez, CO.

Out of Cortez take US 160 east (Stop in at Mesa Verde NP and say hi to my son, Andy) to Durango.

Our of Durango, take US 550 north to Montrose.

US 50 east out of Montrose until you hit US 285

North on US 285 until CO 9 and then north to I-70

I-70 east to US 40 then north to US 34 north.

US 34 up and over Rocky Mt. NP

US 34 to I-25 North

I-25 North to US 85

US 85 north into the BlackHills of WY and SD.

Well, that what I would do and in fact that is what I am going to do when I come back from the West Coast Rally

There are and will be all sort of "detours" you would want to take.

Enjoy your ride.

[schoeney]

Chili,

Sounds like a trip of a lifetime.

Hwy 200 and HWY 2 in western Montana are gems as are most Western MT roads except
I-90.

Chuckanut drive in Bellingham WA and Whidbey Island to Port Tqwnsend are a great little treats. Seeing Mt St Helens from either side is fun as well. Hwy 20 from central Wa to Western WA is gorgeous .

I would avoid I-5 anywhere from Arlington Washington all the way to Salem Oregon (lots of traffic + boring) unless you are just trying to make time (Seattle area can be a slow mess) . From Salem south it isn't as bad.

I would avoid Hwy 97 in Oregon as it get lots of truck traffic. I-84 is very scenic from Boardman, OR to Portland is amazing but does get windy in the afternoon.

Hwy 101 in Oregon is less congested from Newport to the south. Newport to the north gets more traffic. I must point out that Hwy 101 is beautiful but expect slow area due to RV's. Slow is not bad sometimes when you are trying to soak up the scenery.

The NW is gorgeous. Enjoy your ride.

[Chili]

usranger, good catch, not planning to take the nomad swimming! Thanks for the tips fellas. Not sure we will end up back far enough North to hit Montana this time around since I really want to hit up South Dakota. I really would like to get to the Highway to the Sun but it just doesn't really fit within this trip.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by Chili

I'm taking 35 Days vacation from the second week of June until the middle of July and my wife and I are planning our first extended trip on the bike. I'm doing research as far as the prep end of the trip but now I'm looking for route and possible highlight stops for the trip.

We will be leaving Winnipeg, MB and working our way across Canada with some family obligations. So far in the planning we we will end up in Surrey B.C. done with all obligations and ready to depart on June 20th with roughly 22 days left on our vacation and this is where I'm looking for tips.

We are looking to head south from Surrey and try to see as much beautiful scenery along the pacific coast as possible. We will likely head as far south as California to see some of the Pacific Coast highway. From California we will start to work West with only a loose plan at this point to end up in South Dakota to see some of the beautiful countryside we've heard of around there and then make our way back to Manitoba.

Any must see's or must avoid routes or side trips would be appreciated!

Sounds like a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy it. I can only dream about something like that. I think that Usranger hit most of the good roads.

[pirate]

I can't chime in with any route suggestions, but just wanted to wish you good luck with the planning and the trip. A 35 day trip would be fantastic. Enjoy!

[Chili]

Thanks all, collecting the different tips and sightseeing suggestions. Netnorske has taken the time to setup an actual ride plan that completely blew my wife and I away!

[Jared]

With 22 days to vacation to ride, you could cover a good amount of the country.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Chili

Thanks all, collecting the different tips and sightseeing suggestions. Netnorske has taken the time to setup an actual ride plan that completely blew my wife and I away!

It was no big deal... ;)...I enjoy that kind of stuff and the pleasure was all mine. Besides...it gave a me a chance to re-ride in my mind a good many of the places I included on the route. All of the highlights I listed are spectacular in their own way and should provide you guys with one of the most enjoyable trips you will ever do. Just make sure you touch base on your way through my neighborhood so we can hook up.... .

[MarkG]

I aborted the Rocky Mountain N.P. section twice due to heavy weather. Once was a blizzard in the middle of the June and the second time was 100+ mph winds. You might consider the Peak to Peak section between Central City and Estes Park. From the Interstate south of Central City it is about 70 miles. The scenery is good and the traffic is not heavy. I found it to be enjoyable.

[Chili]

Besides the riding portions does anyone have any must see sightseeing locations for this trip? Any interesting stops that we may sail by other wise not knowing they are there?

[schoeney]

What route did you decide on? That will give us a better idea what to recommend.

[Chili]

Here are the first two legs Netnorske mapped out for us. As of now we are still open to all suggestions. We may abort the SD portion of the ride to save for another trip since it's closest to home and focus on coming back up through Utah/Montana into Alberta.

http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...5&locale=en_US

http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...1&locale=en_US