Planning and Preparing: Go West Young Man!! (Justin and Tim's westward adventure)

[2talltim]

UPDATED AND FINAL PLANS....7/10

Okay for starter this isn't a open invite for anyone to tag along, the ones that would be invited you already know your welcome too and no need to ask.Especially you @Tonik your not going.  The reason for the non invite of a group is due to the mileage and nature of this trip. This many miles in this many days we don't need extra variables to hinder our progress.

So with that being said we ( @JustinNck1 and @2talltim) do want to share this trip with you all and let you live vicariously through us as well as ask for any input of recommendations you may have to help us out.

We have a plan in place it is a very complete yet flexible plan since we know shit happens and things change so as of right now this is what we have planned. And no I don't get a kick back from Super 8(well actually I kinda do..lol) just happens to work out that most of the hotels are Super 8's  

Total Mileage Estimate: 7200 Total Hotel Cost: $1350

Purchase an America the Beautiful pass pre trip: $80

Day 0: 7/27/2018

Home to Greenfield Indiana Super 8 after work on Friday ($87 Confirmation # :xxxxxxxxxx)(Cancel by 7/26 6pm)

Mileage: 208 (Tim)    247 (Justin)

Google Map(Tim): https://goo.gl/maps/tVeCRptkKyt

Google Map:(Justin): https://goo.gl/maps/WBmb72a9B352

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotels/greenfield-indiana?brand_id=SE

 

Day 1: 7/28/2018... Greenfield. IN to Blair, NE

Depart Super 8 Greenfield Inidana. Smokey D's BBQ in Des Moines, IA for dinner. Hotel Super 8 Blair, NE ($62 Confirmation#xxxxxxxxxx)(cancel by 7/28 4pm)

Mileage... 632 

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ZBjEdzwfQ5z

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/blair-nebraska/super-8-blair/overview

 

Day2 : 7/29/2018...Blair, NE to Keystone, SD

Breakfast at hotel, non slab route to Badlands NP, Stop at Wall Drug for Buffalo Burgers and Sundries, direct route to Keystone. Hotel Super 8 Keystone, SD ($86 Confirmation#xxxxxxxxxx))(cancel by 7/28 4pm)

Mileage... 510 we gain one more timezone

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/8u6StpHvQwz

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/keystone-south-dakota/super-8-keystone-mt-rushmore/overview

 

Day 3: 7/30/2018...Keystone, SD to Deadwood, SD

Breakfast at hotel, stop at Mount Rushmore(we can choose morning or afternoon), Needles Hwy, Wildlife Loop(Custer SP), Iron Mountain Road, Spearfish Canyon, Drive though Sturgis on to Dead Wood for some exploring Historic Downtown. Hotel: Super 8 Deadwood, SD ($125 Confirmaion#xxxxxxxxxx)(cancel by 7/29 4pm)

Mileage: 195

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/P9mWht5mn2G2

 Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/deadwood-south-dakota/super-8-deadwood/overview

 

Day 4: 7/31/2018...Deadwood, SD to Cooke City, MT

Breakfast at hotel, stop at the Devils Tower, Wyoming, ride to BearTooth Hwy, optional down and back on Dead Indian Rd on the way to Cooke City, MT north entance of Yellowstone NP.  Hotel: Super 8 Cooke City/Silver Gate, MT ($72 w/3000points Confirmation#xxxxxxxxxx) (cancel by 7/30 4pm)

Mileage 555

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/mwKk8bWxthA2

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/cooke-city-montana/super-8-cooke-city-yellowstone-park-area/overview

 

Day 5: 8/01/2018... Cooke City, MT to Bozeman, MT (via Yellowstone)

Breakfast at hotel then tour around Yellowstone seeing the sights.  Hotel Super 8 Bozeman, MT ($96 Confirmation#xxxxxxxxxx) (cancel by 8/1 4pm)

Mileage: (at this time) 420

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nCVigaVSY4R2

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/bozeman-montana/super-8-bozeman/overview

 

Day 6: 8/02/2018... Bozeman, MT to Missoula, MT (via Glacier NP loop)

Breakfast at hotel. Head north to Glacier NP, drive though it on Going to the Sun Rd., little down and back in the park then south to Missoula near Lolo pass. Hotel: Super 8 Missoula/Reserve St. ($105 Confermation#xxxxxxxxxx)(cancel by 8/2 6pm)

Mileage: 480 to 530 (depends on how much we do in GNP)

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/u6CwzEqHr942

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/missoula-montana/super-8-missoula-reserve-st/overview

 

Day 7: 8/03/2018... Missoula, MT to Jackpot, NV (via Saw tooth)

Breakfast at hotel then head south towards the Sawtooth mountins stop at Shoshone Falls and on to Jackpot, NV

Mileage: 455

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/1GREgKAgbhJ2

Hotel: https://www.cactuspetes.com/hotel/rooms/horseshu-double/   $100  Confirmation# xxxxxxxxxx Cancel day before

 

 

Day 8: 8/04/2018... Jackpot, NV to Green River, UT (Slab and Salt Flats)

Super 8 Green River, UT  ($100 Confirmation#xxxxxxxxxx)(Cancel by 8/4 4pm)

Mileage: 480 or 527

Map:   https://goo.gl/maps/t5TbvD1Xusj

Alt Route(no sygic route yet): https://goo.gl/maps/QiiinG3t77M2

Hotel:  https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotels/green-river-utah?brand_id=SE

 

Alt: Day 8: 8/4/2018..... Jackpot, NV to Beaver, UT (Slab and Salt Flats)

Delano Motel Beaver, UT ($87 Confirmation#1620362560) (cancel day before)

Mileage: 435

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/XGoigM9wa612

Hotel: https://www.delanomotel.com/en-us

 

Day 9: 8/05/2018... GreenRiver, UT to Cortez, CO

Day in the Dessert. Canyonlands NP, Natural Bridges NM, Moki Dugway, Four Croners Monument. Hotel: Super 8 Cortez, CO ($61 Confirmation#xxxxxxxxxx)(cancel by 8/5 6pm)

Mileage: 400 (lots we can cut out if needed)

https://goo.gl/maps/PpQ8dTsVTGH2

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/cortez-colorado/super-8-cortez-mesa-verde-area/overview

Alt: Day 9: 8/05/2018... Beaver, UT to Cortez, CO

Day in the Dessert. BryceCanyon, Route 12, Lake Powell Ferry, Natural Bridges Rd, Four Croners Monument. Hotel: Super 8 Cortez, CO ($61 Confirmation#28285818)(cancel by 8/5 6pm)

Mileage: 486 (Can cut Natural Bridges Road saves 30 miles)

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/hBUCNWP6RE72

Ferry:https://www.udot.utah.gov/main/f?p=100:pg:0:::1:T,V:2257,

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/cortez-colorado/super-8-cortez-mesa-verde-area/overview

 

 

Day10: 8/06/2018.. Cortez, CO to Dillon, CO

Million Dollar Hwy, Aspen Independence Pass. Hotel: Super 8 Dillon/Breckenridge, CO ($245 for 3 nights  Confirmation#xxxxxxxxxx)(cancel by 8/5 4pm)

Mileage: 425

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/bRxLeGt6yuP2

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/dillon-colorado/super-8-dillon-breckenridge-area/overview

 

Day 11 & 12: 8/07/2018-8/08/2018...Routes from Dillon, CO

Rocky Mountain National Park loop... Mileage: 250 ... https://goo.gl/maps/EJx7Lm7oUWH2

Mount Evans, Coors Tour and Golden... Mileage: 180... https://goo.gl/maps/eahvmWebsT92

 

Day 13: 8/9/2018...Dillon, CO to Raton, NM

Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods. Hotel: Super 8 Raton, NM ($62 Confirmtion#xxxxxxxxxx)(cancel by 8/9 6pm)

Mileage: 388

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Zz6VvwUqgPC2

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/raton-new-mexico/super-8-raton-nm/overview

 

Day 14: 8/10/2018..Raton, NM to Claremore, OK

MIdwest Streetcars, Farmtruck Firehouse maybe find some of old route 66. Hotel: Super 8 Claremount, OK ($74 Confirmation#xxxxxxxxxx) (cancel by 8/10 4pm)

Mileage: 585

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/yXD8R5zx4ZD2

Hotel: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/claremore-oklahoma/super-8-claremore-ok/overview

 

Day 15: 8/11/2018...Claremore, OK to Evansville, IN

Headed home. Dip in to Kansas, avoid St. Louis, try Defiance Park again. Hotel: Super 8 Evansville, In ($75 Confirmation#xxxxxxxxxx)(cancel by 8/11 6pm)

Mileage: 588

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/293GgcuDDu82

Hotel:https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/evansville-indiana/super-8-evansville-north/overview

 

Day 16: 8/12/2018...Evansville, IN to Home

Home(cancel by..cancelations not accepted)

Mileage: 366(tim) 375 (justin)

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ZVVwdifTJuE2 (tim)

        https://goo.gl/maps/AA8ygeiCdA62 (justin)

Hotel: Home

 

Edited July 27, 2018 by 2talltim

[Bubba]

2TT:  On Day 10, unless you're specifically targeting a trip to Delta--cool little town nicknamed "City of Murals" for good reason--the SR92 loop around the north side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a worthwhile road with awesome views.  BCG is also worthy of a stop just for a photo-op if you have the time.  You can access it from the south side off US50 to stay on pavement, or off SR92 from the north side if you don't mind some smooth, graded gravel to get to the rim overlooks.  Looks like a great trip!

Edited December 15, 2017 by Bubba

[Helmutt]

Subscribed for the vicarious living entertainment - cant wait to see the pics!  Ride safe fellas

[TimTheAzn]

Looks like a good time. Maybe one day I'll do a ride like this.

You didn't put who is going to be the big/small spoon each night, I know ya'll rotate the responsibilities. 

Edited December 15, 2017 by TimTheAzn

[thompsonian]

Damn looks like an amazing trip! You guys have fun!

[2talltim]

1 hour ago, Bubba said:

2TT:  On Day 10, unless you're specifically targeting a trip to Delta--cool little town nicknamed "City of Murals" for good reason--the SR92 loop around the north side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a worthwhile road with awesome views.  BCG is also worthy of a stop just for a photo-op if you have the time.  You can access it from the south side off US50 to stay on pavement, or off SR92 from the north side if you don't mind some smooth, graded gravel to get to the rim overlooks.  Looks like a great trip!

Exactly the kind of feedback we are looking for. I added SR92 as a alt route thank you.

[2talltim]

1 hour ago, TimTheAzn said:

Looks like a good time. Maybe one day I'll do a ride like this.

You didn't put who is going to be the big/small spoon each night, I know ya'll rotate the responsibilities. 

Why we are both trying to loose weight the winner gets to be the little spoon.

[2talltim]

52 minutes ago, thompsonian said:

Damn looks like an amazing trip! You guys have fun!

Only 7 months to wait now  

[Bubba]

Curecanti Reservoir on US50 near Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Pics of Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  First 2 are from the south rim.  Last few are from the north rim off SR92.

[Qman]

Nice loop!

Definitely hit Redfish lake and Stanley in the Sawtooths, then on to Craters of the Moon.

Do you think you can make the trip on 1 rear tire?

[Bubba]

Delta, City of Murals

Downtown Ouray

Dillon Reservoir

[2talltim]

6 minutes ago, Qman said:

 

Do you think you can make the trip on 1 rear tire?

No, not sure. I'm going to venture to say, not. The plan is to have a dealer lined up maybe in the Denver area that will be able to get one or take tools and spoons and have one delivered to the Dillon hotel and do it ourselves. Hypothetically we should be able to make one last that long taking it easy but knowing ourselves we need to have a plan to get one somewhere.

[Qman]

1 minute ago, 2talltim said:

No, not sure. I'm going to venture to say, not. The plan is to have a dealer lined up maybe in the Denver area that will be able to get one or take tools and spoons and have one delivered to the Dillon hotel and do it ourselves. Hypothetically we should be able to make one last that long taking it easy but knowing ourselves we need to have a plan to get one somewhere.

Yeah, you might be wearing the center more quickly than you think.  The rock used in the roads out west is a lot of granite...great traction, but wears the hell out of your tire, and you'll most likely see a lot of heat.  (more wear).

[2talltim]

14 minutes ago, Qman said:

 

Definitely hit Redfish lake and Stanley in the Sawtooths, then on to Craters of the Moon.

Those were on my original maps but cut them due to making a long day even longer. Not so much mileage but time. Might add them back in if time permits.

[JustinNck1]

27 minutes ago, 2talltim said:

Why we are both trying to loose weight the winner gets to be the little spoon.

Damn, I didn't agree to those terms. 

[max power]

 So, Can me and my wife go? She's a really good rider ( even though she never breaks 50 mph even on the freeway)  and cannot ride on the back of my bike due to some feminist badass personna she's trying to portray.  She has a bad ass Harley sportster super Duper low so will have to stick to straight roads because she doesn't like turns.   

Also, you'll need to carry all my shit.

[2talltim]

4 minutes ago, max power said:

 So, Can me and my wife go? She's a really good rider ( even though she never breaks 50 mph even on the freeway)  and cannot ride on the back of my bike due to some feminist badass personna she's trying to portray.  She has a bad ass Harley sportster super Duper low so will have to stick to straight roads because she doesn't like turns.   

Also, you'll need to carry all my shit.

Sure, except for the carry all your shit part. We'll meet you at the hotel every night. (or next morning what ever time the Grayhound rolls in) 

[Tonik]

3 hours ago, 2talltim said:

...the ones that would be invited you already know your welcome too and no need to ask. Yes this means you @Toniknone of this "I wasn't invited" malarkey. 

So everyone else got a personal invite, and I got a crappy sarcastic mention in the thread?

[2talltim]

4 minutes ago, Tonik said:

So everyone else got a personal invite, and I got a crappy sarcastic mention in the thread?

No,  you got more than everyone else got

Edited December 15, 2017 by 2talltim

[PhilD'oh!]

Looks like a great trip!

[Blitz]

Looks pretty epic!

All I can say is that the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado should not be missed. Shannon and I took our honeymoon on the FJR Summer before last and it's an absolutely stunning ride.

We used Montrose, Co as home base for 3 days and rode to Silverton and also to Moab, as loops. I'd suggest going from Moab, UT to Ridgeway, CO then down the Million Dollar Highway to Silverton and then Durango. That's a really spectacular ride. Goes from desert red rock canyons to Aspen stands at 11k feet. It's really worth the detour. And the back roads outside of Moab that go into Colorado offer incredible views. CO-141 is awesome and twisty. CO-145 runs along a wide canyon then up and over a mountain range.

Anyway....other then the fact that you are skipping Zion National Park and the Million Dollar Highway, I think this looks incredible! The Million Dollar Highway is close enough you could alter your route and fit it in. Zion, maybe not. But I think you'll find Moab to Durango is a much better ride than Moab to Cortez. Just my two cents. TFTI, BTW

Edited December 15, 2017 by Blitz

[Blitz]

"In the state of Colorado of the United States of America there’s a special highway built in the late 1880's: the Million Dollar Highway, part of the San Juan Skyway. It's one of the nation’s most spectacular drives. You'll be on the "outside" for a while with a hell of a view to your right (let the passenger look. You'll want to watch the road) "
http://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/635-million-dollar-highway-usa.html

Edited December 15, 2017 by Blitz

[2talltim]

21 minutes ago, Blitz said:

Looks pretty epic!

All I can say is that the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado should not be missed. Shannon and I took our honeymoon on the FJR Summer before last and it's an absolutely stunning ride.

We used Montrose, Co as home base for 3 days and rode to Silverton and also to Moab, as loops. I'd suggest going from Moab, UT to Ridgeway, CO then down the Million Dollar Highway to Silverton and then Durango. That's a really spectacular ride. Goes from desert red rock canyons to Aspen stands at 11k feet. It's really worth the detour. And the back roads outside of Moab that go into Colorado offer incredible views. CO-141 is awesome and twisty. CO-145 runs along a wide canyon then up and over a mountain range.

Anyway....other then the fact that you are skipping Zion National Park and the Million Dollar Highway, I think this looks incredible! The Million Dollar Highway is close enough you could alter your route and fit it in. Zion, maybe not. But I think you'll find Moab to Durango is a much better ride than Moab to Cortez. Just my two cents. TFTI, BTW

 

18 minutes ago, Blitz said:

"In the state of Colorado of the United States of America there’s a special highway built in the late 1880's: the Million Dollar Highway, part of the San Juan Skyway. It's one of the nation’s most spectacular drives. You'll be on the "outside" for a while with a hell of a view to your right (let the passenger look. You'll want to watch the road) "
http://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/635-million-dollar-highway-usa.html

Million Dollar Hwy is on day 10, has been the whole time.

Edited December 15, 2017 by 2talltim

[Qman]

14 hours ago, 2talltim said:

 

Million Dollar Hwy is on day 10, has been the whole time.

Also worth a stop in Telluride if you havent been before.

[Qman]

I'm sure you guys have considered the heat factor.   In all but the higher elevations, this trip is likely to be damn hot.  A month or 2 later would make the trip more enjoyable.  Just a friendly reminder!