| Author | Message | ||
     Pkforbes87 |
I thoroughly enjoyed my homecoming experience last year due largely to the trip there and back. So this year I figured I'd throw in a few more miles and states. Besides - last year was only 2400 miles on an X1. This year I'll be on an XT so there's no excuse not to see more of the country! The idea so far is a little less than 3400 miles, and no less than 13 states. Here it is: Phillip's Buell Homecoming 2010 The destinations in Colorado Springs, Milwaukee, and Missouri are definite. The two in Rapid City, SD and Dawson, MN are just rough ideas. Idealy, I'd like to find some badwebbers in these areas willing to let a fellow Bueller crash for the night. Otherwise I'll pack a tent along with me. I'm lucky to be attending Homecoming at all, and don't want to push it financially by staying at hotels. BTW, a HUGE thanks to BWB member Boney95 for offering me a place to stay in Milwaukee for the second year in a row. Are there any areas along these routes that I should make special effort to see? (specifically the portion of the trip between Colorado and Wisconsin) I can't go too far out of the way, but have tried to plan short enough days to allow for some spontaneity. I'll be in Colorado Springs for two days so will most likely go into the mountains for a while. The stops in SD and MN will be one night only. I'll of course be in Milwaukee the 16th-20th, and there's little to see in central Missouri other than my family  EDIT: updated ride plan (Message edited by pkforbes87 on February 01, 2010) (Message edited by pkforbes87 on February 03, 2010) (Message edited by pkforbes87 on February 10, 2010) | ||
| F_skinner |
Phillip, I live just South of Colorado Springs.... email: f_skinner at yahoo dot com | ||
| Whatever |
Badlands South Dakota and Sturgis, which is pretty nice in the off season... If you want some great Midwest riding, try Bayfield County Wisconsin, on the northernmost tip of the state... Good Luck! | ||
| Brinnutz |
Stop by my place on your way back! It's only a few hours outta your way! LOL | ||
| Mnrider |
I'm 50 miles south of Minneapolis on hwy.60 you can stay at my place. PM me if that works. | ||
| S3ters |
Looks like a fun ride ya got planned.Back in the 90's I rode to homecoming (MN-WI)via AR. OH. and MI. putting on 1800 miles for a 300 mile trip.After looking at your route my suggestions would be to run more two lane and eliminate the interstate and take the back roads to Pueblo. After your CO Springs stop I'd run up thru Frisco,Granby and Walden,CO.heading to Rawlins via Walcott. Out of Lusk I'd head north to 18 east to visit the hills.Take a day to ride the back roads. Leaving Sturgis/Rapid you can run 44 or the big road but I prefer to jump on 14 thru Pierre and take that or jump up to 212 to get to the cities. There's a bunch riding out to homecoming thru the twisties of SW WI.that you could ride with I'm sure,check the storm fronts. I know time is always a factor but you need to wear some sidewall too,plus there's some great country you'll miss and probably regret ridin on the slab.Get up earlier and ride later. You can sleep when you get old like me.Good luck. Ride safe and have fun. Dennis | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Phillip, you are missing some of the BEST roads in Wisconsin! I edited your route to catch some REALLY good Wisconsin Roads. Wildcat Mountain area should NOT be missed!  http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.com/rideplanner /share/284853 | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Here's a video of Wildcat Mountain on a Buell no less... | ||
| Rocketsprink |
that road looks a little chunked up. Too bad. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Thanks for all the ideas, this is exactly the info I was looking for! Frank, the trip would be even better with a fellow Bueller. I'll give you a call shortly. Dennis, the Frisco/Granby/Walden route looks great. As for Rawlins, I'm not sure about heading that far off course without leaving Colorado a day earlier and adding an extra stop. I've never done much over 600 miles in a day, and never 3-4 days consecutively. The Route planner says that with Rawlins thrown in, CO Springs -> Rapid City, SD would take 13 hours and these trip legs have always taken me 10-20% longer than a trip planner suggests. I waste a lot of time looking for local food joints, scenery, etc. Steve, thanks for the edit. That route looks great! I've received three offers so far for lodging and will be contacting you all soon. THANK YOU! Please don't be suspicious if I ask for a lot of information. In order to get time off of work approved for this trip, I have to route paperwork up the chain showing an exact route, and stops along the way including addresses and phone numbers. This morning, my LPO laughed at me when I gave him a heads up that I'd be routing leave to take a ~3400 mile bike ride around the central US. I guess a single 23 year old riding a sport bike that far worries some people  | ||
| S3ters |
That must be older footage since we rode wildcat a half dozen times last summer and I don't recall it looking that rough. You gotta ride your own ride but my philosophy is you never know when you''ll be back so make the time to see the countries backroads and small towns. And your right about timetables and schedules being off so I don't make em. Once again good luck and maybe we'll see ya in June. Dennis | ||
| Mnrider |
S3ters and I took Wildcat Mtn road last year,seemed to me it was new tar and very smooth. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Some of these are gonna be looong days, which I'm looking forward to but at the same time let's say "cautiously concerned". Which would work better for a seat cover for touring - wood beaded cover, or sheepskin? Or something else? Any other tricks to long distance riding? So far I use goldbond to help with monkey-butt, stay hydrated, keep myself entertained (on boring roads, you'll usually find me singing at the top of my lungs inside that helmet!) | ||
| Carbonfibrebob |
Phillip, I never would have believed it. Just for grins, I bought a beaded cover before a long trip last summer. 5300 miles in 16 days, one 700 mile day. Put the beads on for day 2 and never took them off, I couldn't believe how well they worked, cheap too. Bob | ||
| S3ters |
+1 on the beads.I like your revised route.Make sure all repairs,mods and gear are thoroughly tested before your trip. A evaporative vest is great when hot out. Don't take the GPS as gospel.Go to the LDR or IBA forum/site for more advice. This threads getting me amped for summer. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Added Mount Rushmore to the trip. I almost didn't notice that it was within 30 minutes of my route to begin with. I'll probably ride to the top of Pikes Peak too while near Colorado Springs. I've got a set of Pirelli Angels on the way, and will be looking for a beaded seat cover as well. I'm thinking it will be cheaper to buy an auto seat cover then cut a section down to size and weatherproof the beads as needed. | ||
| F_skinner |
Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower, Crazy Horse, the Badlands and Wall Drugs are always great places to visit. You wanna ride up Pikes Peak????? No problem. BTW: I borrowed Carbonfibrebob's beaded seat cover for a ride from Pagosa Springs to Gateway Colorado (I cannot remember the distance maybe 250 miles) it does work. I like the Airhawk inflated seat pad better but the beads are cheap and so easy that they are hard to beat. | ||
| Andymnelson |
if you're coming through the Minneapols area, we'll put you up for a night- I live in Brooklyn Park, a northern suburb. |
