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Author Message   Jlnance Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 10:18 pm:        I enjoy the summers for the long days, warm weather, and the chance to travel. This year I'm planning a trip which will focus on the area between Minneapolis, MN, and Denver, CO. I'll be taking my girlfriend along this time. I've always done these trips alone before. Neither one of us are very familiar with that part of the country, what should we see?   F_skinner Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 10:32 pm:        Jim, I do not think I told you how bad I felt that you spent a night in Limon, CO when you were doing your coast to coast trip. I remember seeing the thread about the time you got to Colorado. I was too late. Devils Tower, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore plus you will not be too far from Yellowstone. Lynn and I just drove through there and the weather was so bad we did not stop but it is on our list to do. Denver Colorado is nothing but traffic however just North of Denver is HCHD/Buell if you have a need for them. Of course I think the couple of BadWeb members that work there would like to chat with you. If you go further South I live between Colorado Springs and Pueblo so you and your girl have a place to stay. This sounds like it is going to be a great trip. Keep in mind the Sturgis Rally will be going on the first week of Aug so if you are traveling during that time be prepared to see a lot of bikes and campers. Frank   Jlnance Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 10:52 pm:        Hey Frank, I made it to Denver that night. I got to Lemon and kept on going. In any event, don't feel bad. We will be coming through at the beginning of September, so Sturgis will be over, and hopefully it won't be so hot. So where near Denver should I take someone who has never seen the Rocky Mountains before?   F_skinner Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 11:00 pm:        Jim, the Rockies look a lot better from the Western slope but maybe I think that because I see them every day from the East side. If you come down from SD, MT or WY you will see them just about the whole way. If you have time to see some other sights I would recommend Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds but if you really want to see something ride up to Pikes Peak. 14,000 feet and you will see all of Colorado Springs. It is a dirt road most of the way and there is no air but it is worth it. Make sure you post on the CBR thread so we all know you are coming. Maybe we can get Maximum and Troyz to ride with us. Frank   P_squared Posted on Monday, July 06, 2009 - 01:07 pm:        If you find yourself in the panhandle of Nebraska: There's CARHENGE My Grandpa's place: Dobby's frontier town Ft. Robinson near Crawford. Points of interest for the Oregon trail: Courthouse & Jail Rock Chimney Rock Scotts Bluff   Jlnance Posted on Thursday, July 09, 2009 - 08:24 am:        Thanks Phil. I'd seen Carhenge on the internet, but the rest of that is new to me. Do you think someone will dig up Carhenge in 1000 years and propose all sorts of theories about why it was built?   P_squared Posted on Thursday, July 09, 2009 - 10:21 am:        It's possible. I'd just be curious if they uncover the bowling balls & goldwings my dad launched out there 1 year w/ his trebuchet. Nothing like muddying the waters for poor archaelogists, right? I grew up in that area, so can recommend the riding around Crawford & Chadron. It's not what you'd think the roads in Nebraska would be like. They have elevation changes, actual turns/twisties, and the scenery is beautiful in a lonely kind of way. You've got a LOT to see & some beautiful country along you're route. Enjoy the trip.   Badbuell08 Posted on Thursday, July 09, 2009 - 10:34 am:        jlnance if you do happen to get to carhenge and want to see the other things around here let me know i live about in the middle of all of it I could show ya around and maybe ride with you a bit   P_squared Posted on Thursday, July 09, 2009 - 10:38 am:        Hemingford! I didn't think it was possible to have a BadWebber in HEMINGFORD! Talk about a SMALL world. I'll have to look you up next time I'm home Jeff.   Badbuell08 Posted on Thursday, July 09, 2009 - 02:11 pm:        p_squared That would be awesome I grew up in hot springs south dakota were the roads are great. The only reason i am here is because of my job. I will be lookin forward to meeting you   Jlnance Posted on Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 05:53 am:        We firmed up the plans last night. Day Date Morning Evening Mileage Notes Wednesday 9/2/2009 Charleston, WV 296 Thursday 9/3/2009 Charleston, WV Janesville, WI 601 Friday 9/4/2009 Janesville, WI MSP 302 Amanda arrives in Minneapolis Saturday 9/5/2009 MSP MSP 0 Sunday 9/6/2009 MSP Sioux Falls, SD 270 Monday 9/7/2009 Sioux Falls, SD Rapid City, SD 348 Badlands, Wall Drug Tuesday 9/8/2009 Rapid City, SD Gillette, WY 141 Rushmore, Spearfish, Devils Tower via black hills Wednesday 9/9/2009 Gillette, WY Medicine Bow/Laramie, WY 272 Snowy Range Scenic Byway Thursday 9/10/2009 Medicine Bow, WY Colorado Springs, CO 270 Rent car , Manitou Springs - Garden of the Gods, cliff dwellings Friday 9/11/2009 Colorado Springs, CO Colorado Springs, CO 0 Pikes Peak Saturday 9/12/2009 Colorado Springs, CO Amanda leaves Denver Update. (Message edited by jlnance on July 19, 2009)   Court Posted on Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 06:04 am:        WOW ! Looks like a great trip . . . you guys will have a dandy time. If you are hoteling (I'm a wimp) I enjoyed the historic Alex Johnson in Rapid City, SD. We'll look forward to the reports! Court   Jlnance Posted on Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 06:56 am:        I'm a wimp too Court. I'll check out that hotel. I appreciate the suggestions, it's why I started this thread so early.   Jlnance Posted on Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 09:17 pm:        Court, I looked at their website and decided I could never afford to stay at a place that nice. Turns out their off season rates are excellent. I've got a reservation there.   Jlnance Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2009 - 09:04 pm:        By some twist of universal fate, I'm going through Chillicothe, OH on the 3rd. There is apparently some HUGE motorcycle event going on. Google Easyrider Rodeo for some interesting pictures of it in years past.   Denisea Posted on Thursday, August 06, 2009 - 08:57 am:        Nance, Amanda, If you can fit it in while you are in Colorado, check out the Royal Gorge bridge, the world's highest suspension bridge, VTC! D   Bluzm2 Posted on Thursday, August 06, 2009 - 09:15 am:        Jim, Shoot me a PM, I'll see if I can't catch up with you here in Mpls on eve of the 5th. If you need ANYTHING (well, almost anything...), my place is available. Brad   F_skinner Posted on Thursday, August 06, 2009 - 12:46 pm:        Jim, do you have lodging for your stay in Colorado Springs? I hope you do not think you are going to come out to my playground and not stop by. I will print and hang your schedule so I do not forget but try and keep us posted about your travels when you can. I will pm you my phone number.   Amandam Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 - 09:01 pm:        Hi Frank, We got your message - thanks very much for the offer. We plan to go Pikes Peak on Friday if you would like to join us. We would enjoy seeing you on our way through. Amanda   F_skinner Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 - 09:15 pm:        You bet, maybe I can talk you into having dinner with Lynn and I as well. Keep us informed. Frank   Jlnance Posted on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 - 04:09 am:        Bluzm2 - PM sent.   Jlnance Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 09:27 pm:          Firstbatch Posted on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 01:22 am:        Jim,if at all possible figure a way to expand your trip at points G to H to include a ride from Cody up the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway and then connect with Rte 212 and up the Beartooth Highway into Red Lodge, Montana and then back to Cody. Without a doubt the best riding in country. It will be the highlight of your entire trip. No words, pictures or videos can describe out utterly stunning this route is to ride on a motorcycle.   Jlnance Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 07:18 am:        Thanks Firstbatch, we are going to see if we can do that.   Firstbatch Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 08:59 pm:        Cool, I am on my way back east from a similar loop and the G to H can have some real fun built in. Wyoming can be damn windy and wildly wonderful too. Generally the ride south from G to H is not much but the Independence Rock south of Casper is cool, kidna like a round Devils Tower, and if you can get into the snowy range mountains east of Laramie as you enter Colorado that is nice riding as well. I had NEXRAD radar on my GPS for the entire trip which is now just over 5000 miles and it has helped immeasurably when mother nature decided to intervene with my plans and I could re-route. Some of those Wyoming storms can be brutal. I am not into riding in crazy rain/thunderstorms. Have a great time....this has been and continues to be the best moto trip I have ever done.   Jlnance Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 12:18 pm:        New Rubber on my New Wheels. Continental Road Attacks.   Madduck Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 08:05 pm:        I-35 south to I-90 and then west will be really annoying. I would take us14 across the state of MN to 23 down to pipestone. One of the really interesting and lightly visited sites is just north of pipestone. The state park where the plains indians got the special red rock for their "peace pipes". Don't be in there after dark as the "spirits" are still strong. Pause at the overlook to the missouri river at Chamberlin SD also. Really big rivers need to be seen from bluffs. Don't get much of that sort of view in CA.   Jlnance Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 08:25 am:        Thanks Madduck, mapping that route now.   Madduck Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 02:15 pm:        The Minnesota river area is pretty interesting and the folks down in Northfield are running their annual celebration of the James/Younger gang shoot up that weekend. You are right on the southern edge of lake country and would have to add 150 miles to your day to get up into some of Minnesotas lake area. Starts just north of Willmar where I am. South Eastern Minnesota from Lacrosse up to MSP is really nice, 61 up along the Mississippi on Minnesota side is very special as is US14 across the middle of Wisconsin. 35 along the Wisconsin side of river south of LaCrosse is also good. My judgement is a little skewed as I love rivers and horizons. Follow all speed limits in both states as there will be extra patrols out for the holiday weekend. Illinois will be especially bad around Springfield due to races. Shame you will miss "The Mile" at Springfield. Best of luck. I have trailer, tools and garage space if needed. (Message edited by MadDuck on August 26, 2009)   Jb2 Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 02:41 pm:        Mr Nance, When are you leaving? We're heading up to the same area you are but leaving on Saturday. Gentleman Jim left from Washington state yesterday and is meeting us in Galena, IL Saturday evening. JB2 ------------ Scratch the above message. I just read your itenerary. We'll be on the road several days ahead of you. Be safe! (Message edited by jb2 on August 26, 2009)