April 16th, 2009, 08:32 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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Trip planning - North East to North West
Ok, so it's about time for me to get the ball rolling on planning my nice little road trip down to law school. I'll be leaving from Toronto with my ninja (yes, a little out there ) and crossing over into Portland. I don't know much about the northern states/cities, though, so any help would be greatly appreciated!
I plan to take my time over 7-10 days, staying in hostels and couchsurfing. But I want to hit up some nice roads, scenery, and tourist attractions along the way. Right now the only thing I have en route is Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Great Salt Lake in Utah. Is there anything in the northern states that's worth detouring/stopping for? Or is it kind of like the middle of Canada... boring with a whole lot of wheat and cows Anyways, here's the temp route. Suggestions? http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...,39.550781&z=5 |
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April 16th, 2009, 08:51 PM | #2 |
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Take lots of pics. Looks like a tremendous trip, and I'm jealous.
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April 17th, 2009, 08:57 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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Thanks and I'll definitely be buying a camera for the trip - an olympus shock/waterproof lol, just in case.
O and anyone wanna join me?! |
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April 17th, 2009, 11:22 AM | #5 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
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If you want to head north by one interstate there are some great spots in South Dakota ( although you can't beat the pig farms in Iowa and Knoxville, with the The Knoxville Raceway, home of the Sprint Car National Championships).
South Dakota; Corn Palace in Mitchell Sturgis in Sturgis Mount Rushmore Black Hills Crazy Horse Memorial Badlands Devil's Tower Nebraska has the "outlaw trail" along RT12. Wyoming has the Hole in the Wall where Butch and Sundance hungout. You have to go through Yellowstone if you're anywhere near it (which you will be). Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons. Utah has the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Great Salt Lake, Cedar Breaks, Zion and Bryce National Parks. Colorado had the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Pikes Peak. There is too much to list and way to much to see. When are you leaving and are you fixed on the route you have listed? Last time I went coss country I bought a nationwide parks ticket good for all the national parks in the US.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! Last futzed with by CC Cowboy; April 17th, 2009 at 01:58 PM. |
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April 17th, 2009, 02:59 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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No I'm not set on the route, I just went with the fastest route from gmaps and altered it. Totally forgot about yellowstone, though, so I might end up taking the I90 instead of the I80 and pass out on Colorado this time around. Do you know if there's any significant difference traffic/congestion wise? Thanks for the tips though and if I end up going I90 I'll have to check out South Dakota and Rushmore again, last time I was there I as a wee little kid.
And I plan on leaving end of July or early August. Should still have good weather and some nice color change in the scenery too |
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April 18th, 2009, 04:39 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
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As far as traffic and congestion, the Sturgis rally is in the beginning of August. There will be thousands of bikes in that area.
I would go to the state websites for all the states you want to visit. Then I would go to the best motorcycle roads websites and map the journey that way. Then I would get any and all of the girls on the 250 sites to put you up for as many nights as you need. You will be traveling through a mostly wide open area so traffic should not be a problem. Weather might be a different story. You will have to check the weather websites to pick the best time to leave.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! Last futzed with by CC Cowboy; April 19th, 2009 at 09:09 AM. |
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April 18th, 2009, 11:29 PM | #8 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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Quote:
headsup on the sturgis rally was great too! It'll be right around the time I'll be passing through Anyone else plan on going? And from the looks of it - posts here and at advriders - general consensus seems that I90 would be better and more scenic. So here's a revised route. (mainly Sturgis, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, and Yellowstone). I'll have to skip salt lake and colorado in order to keep this around 7-10 days . Thanks again, this is exactly what I needed - some ideas to stimulate planning: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...,39.550781&z=5 |
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April 19th, 2009, 12:48 AM | #9 |
3 for street, 2 for dirt
Name: Katlyn
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (California)
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Can Am Spyder PE #1344 / 2009 Kawi KLX140L Monster Energy / 2009 Kawi Ninja 250R (RIP 8.23.09) Posts: 586
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AVOID NEBRASKA... that's all I have to say.
Unless you want to take a nap for 400+ miles. Zzz.........
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April 19th, 2009, 09:08 AM | #10 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
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Travel Channel has a show about Black Hills and Rushmore (noon on Sunday 19th). They usually run these shows often so look it up if you want.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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April 19th, 2009, 10:50 AM | #11 |
3 for street, 2 for dirt
Name: Katlyn
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (California)
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Can Am Spyder PE #1344 / 2009 Kawi KLX140L Monster Energy / 2009 Kawi Ninja 250R (RIP 8.23.09) Posts: 586
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Yeah, skip Nebraska and do South Dakota instead.
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April 19th, 2009, 12:04 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
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Definetly keep us posted along your route. I'm sure it will make for some good pictures & reading.
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April 19th, 2009, 12:33 PM | #13 |
So slow I'm first!
Name: Sunny
Location: San Jose, CA
Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 10
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+ another for avoiding Nebraska! zzzZZZzzz when we were going across it in the move. I can't imiagine in a year it has improved
If your interested.. There is a White Castle (if your a fan of Harold and Kumar you will understand... Or like stoner food [no offense but it is]) Then there is one in Joliet, Illinois (just outside of Chicago..) Which according to your current route is one your passing through... The only reason I know that is there is because Phil HAD to stop at a White Castle
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April 19th, 2009, 01:44 PM | #14 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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Quote:
And the new route will probably stay something like that... I can't afford (both time and wallet-wise) to go off on so many mini adventures and lol to the picture of nebraska! |
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April 19th, 2009, 03:26 PM | #15 |
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Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
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Tim, I crossed the US on a 1956 NSU Special Max--a four speed heavy, typically overbuilt German bike with 16Hp. When I did it in 1966, I took I-90. I liked the varied scenery--also LOVED Glacier National Park. When you get into Idaho, jog south through Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, and Coeur`dAlene. Then head West and cross the Cascades at Snoqualme Pass and drop down into Seattle, Washington. You can then pick up Coastal Rte 1 (very scenic) which will take you into Portland, Oregon. Back then, it was definitely a route doable on a 250.
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April 19th, 2009, 05:23 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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hehe ya I definitely won't be the first or last to cross on something less than a 600. It's part of the fun! And I realllly wanted to do the coastal highway but it would add almost another day of riding for me, plus once I move into Portland I'll have access to it 1 hour away! I just need to find me a bike rack to hitch up a surfboard to lol
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April 20th, 2009, 10:23 AM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
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Tim, here are a few sites to help you plan your road trip.
http://www.byways.org/ http://www.bestbikingroads.com. http://www.motorcycleroads.us/ http://www.places2ride.com/ http://www.grouprider.com/home.php There are some spectacular roads so make the best of them and stay off the Interstate whenever possible.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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July 21st, 2009, 07:09 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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And it's on! A week from today! Started packing and planning and got a major overhaul of the bike in the next coupla days (chain, oil, tightening, lubing, charging the battery etc etc)
Any last suggestions of must-see's or avoid-at-all-costs? I haven't been able to factor in everything suggested here but I got most of the stuff that are a must for me, personally. Here's the route again - think mostly the same as the last one I posted. http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...,79.013672&z=4 picture updates or blog to follow... |
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July 21st, 2009, 07:52 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Tim...a little off topic kinda with the thread...but I'm a senior in college studying for the LSAT's(actually right now). Keep me informed on how law school is...starting my search where imma apply to in a couple weeks. Good luck on the trip. Hope you have some nice weather and stay dry. Dont forget to take breaks and stretch those muscles out. Oh yea...HAVE FUN!
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July 21st, 2009, 10:10 PM | #20 |
3 for street, 2 for dirt
Name: Katlyn
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (California)
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Can Am Spyder PE #1344 / 2009 Kawi KLX140L Monster Energy / 2009 Kawi Ninja 250R (RIP 8.23.09) Posts: 586
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WOW!!!! What a trip!! Best of luck to you. Have a safe trip! We are doing a 5500 mile loop from California to Indiana to Tennessee then back to California starting September 10th... but we're doing it on the Spyder.
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July 21st, 2009, 10:11 PM | #21 | |
3 for street, 2 for dirt
Name: Katlyn
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (California)
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Can Am Spyder PE #1344 / 2009 Kawi KLX140L Monster Energy / 2009 Kawi Ninja 250R (RIP 8.23.09) Posts: 586
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Quote:
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July 21st, 2009, 10:47 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Chris
Location: Huntsville, AL
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 755
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Ive never had White Castle, but I would imagine it would be similar to Krystal's.
Good luck with the trip, wear earplugs so your not deaf when you reach Portland, try to take the curviest roads you can to make the trip easier. |
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July 21st, 2009, 11:27 PM | #23 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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Quote:
ah a spyder trip sounds like fun. Have you pimped it out with any touring gear? And I'm definitely wearing earplugs... and searching for the nearest white castle! What makes me sad is that Taco Bell in the States apparently doesn't have Fries Supreme?!?! |
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July 22nd, 2009, 06:46 AM | #24 |
So slow I'm first!
Name: Sunny
Location: San Jose, CA
Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 10
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What are fries supreme? We have nacho supreme (chips with all the fixins ontop)
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Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn. |
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July 22nd, 2009, 08:36 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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You need to try em to understand! My all-time favorite fries... and I'm not alone. Taco Bell makes the best fries up here. Combine them with all their toppings (sour cream, beef, green onions, nacho cheese, tomatoes) and it is mouth watering (and not soggy)! Every time my cousin comes up from NY it's the first thing he gets
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July 22nd, 2009, 08:46 AM | #26 |
3 for street, 2 for dirt
Name: Katlyn
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (California)
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Can Am Spyder PE #1344 / 2009 Kawi KLX140L Monster Energy / 2009 Kawi Ninja 250R (RIP 8.23.09) Posts: 586
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It's the same as Krystals except no mustard on the sandwiches... just onions and pickles. That's what I heard.
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