USA Mountains and Canyons 2020

Sgt Bilco

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OK folks, after much deliberation, I've decided I won't be putting a North America trip in 2019. Reasons are mainly due to the insurance situation which caused us so many problems this year still hasn't been resolved. I'm assured all will be well but I can't leave it for much longer to be able to plan a proper trip up to my usual standard.

So, I'll spend this summer reaquainting myself with the delights of these fair isles and Europe and work on this cracker for 2020:

It will be the usual procedure of shipping the bikes to and from Santa Rosa California in a 40ft container and then do a great 3 week trip. I arrange the shipping there and back, arrange the hotels, advise on everything from flights to insurance and of course lead the trip.

The basic route and itinerary will be as follows:

Depart Santa Rosa CA on Sunday 21st June 2020 and head south over the Golden Gate bridge to Monterey.

Head inland and through Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon, Yosemite National Park before heading across Death Valley and past Las Vegas.

North through Zion and Bryce Canyons then back south through Fry Canyon and down the Moki Dugway to Monument Valley. Then head west towards the Rockies via the Four Corners and Mesa Verde and onto the Million Dollar Highway before coming back across to Moab.

We will spend 2 full days in Moab as it's a fantastic place with Arches NP and Canyonlands in the locality which are amongst the most stunning places in North America. Plenty of time to hike or take guided trips if you want to and believe me when I tell you you will be rendered speechless. I was when I first went there and if you know me you will know that that is a rarity :D

From Moab, we'll head north the Cody and then into Yellowstone via 2 of the greatest roads you'll ever ride which are the Chief Joseph Highway and Beartooth Pass. Through Yellowstone and down through the Tetons to Jackson Hole before heading West through teh beautiful Sawtooth Range, the Craters of the Moon National Park and John Day fossil beds.

South to the unbelievable Crater Lake and then on down to Lassen Volcanic Park. We then ride West on the staggering Hwy 36 to the Pacific Coast and then South via the Giant Redwood Highway and then finally on to the Pacific Coast Highway down to Santa Rosa arriving on Friday 10th July 2020.

This may change slighly between now and then as I start planning in earnest but that will be the basis of the trip.

The total mileage for the trip will be around 5000 miles and is all tarmac so any bike you are comfortable on will be good. It's also perfect for pillions so couples are more than welcome. I will be bringing my squeeze as long as she behaves herself between now and then ;)

Most of the days riding will be around 250 miles which is easy going over there although there may be a couple of days where we do a few more.

You will notice we go through a lot of National Parks which truly are breathtaking and although we don't spend too long in these parks, we have plenty of time for stops, pictures opportunities etc etc and it will give you a perfect taste of these beautiful places. It's also a bike trip and the main idea is riding the great roads. Many people who come on my trips go back and spend longer exploring their own favourite places.

If you have been with me before you will know my routine which is start early and finish early which this trip is designed for. Getting away early means we can be in the NP's early and avoid most of the traffic and bulk of the local visitors. Also finishing at a sensible time in the afternoon means there is plenty of time to relax and grab that well deserved cold beer at the end of the day.

This also isn't a procession so I encourage people to ride in smaller groups or on your own if you want to knowing you have a great route and a bed at the end of the day. Of course many people stick with me which is cool so I think the trip will cater for all types of rider.

I will have a maximim of 12 bikes on the trip so although it seems a long way off, please PM if you are interested and I will get you on the mailing list.
 
The total mileage for the trip will be around 5000 miles and is all tarmac so any bike you are comfortable on will be good.

Have they paved the Mokee Dugway? It was dirt when I was there in 2007.
 
Have they paved the Mokee Dugway? It was dirt when I was there in 2007.

Thankfully not mate. It's nice and dusty but easily doable on any bike although the looks on some of the faces of some of the people I have taken there on Wings. FJR's etc is pretty amusing as we start climbing :D
 
Thankfully not mate. It's nice and dusty but easily doable on any bike although the looks on some of the faces of some of the people I have taken there on Wings. FJR's etc is pretty amusing as we start climbing :D

Ahh ok, thanks. We came down it in an F350 with a camper, after we'd done the Burr Trail. As much as I'd like to ship the GS out with you next year, I don't think I'm up to doing big miles on a bike in the heat these days. We're going to Bonneville Speed Week again this year, followed by a couple of weeks on the road but it'll be in an airconditioned SUV.
 
Emails gone out to everyone who has enquired so far.

Here is an initial itinerary of teh trip which may change between now and then but not by much.

For those who have never ridden out in the US, you may be surprised by some of the mileages but these are easily doable out there. Most roads, even the brilliant twisties, are more or less traffic free so progress is generally serene and easy.

<a href="https://chrisbiltcliffe.smugmug.com/Mine/i-jpqxSSL/A"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Mine/i-jpqxSSL/0/ae4b416d/L/Mountains%20and%20Canyons-L.jpg" alt=""></a>
 
The 4th July will be a special day... loved that road!!

Yes Pete, quite a day that will be with those two roads and Cody thrown in too.
I liked Cooke City too; called a City but no more than a cowboy town really.
Then, Jackson, great place :thumb2

Oh. dear, i'm feeling the call of the USA again :blast
 
What sort of temperatures can you expect to ride in?
 
What sort of temperatures can you expect to ride in?

Hard to say as we will be doing this before the real summer heat but the weather is generally on the warm side. Yellowstone is the hard one because it's at altitude and has it's own weather systems but you can expect the following:

California and Idaho will be around 30C
Death Valley and Las Vegas area up to 40C
Colorado and Moab 30C
Yellowstone: Impossible to say and the range is 10C to 25C

We probably won't see any rain except in the Yellowstone area where there is a good chance we may get a few showers.

The only other dodgy place can be the California coast which can stay very cool and misty due to what's called the June gloom but generally it's really nice.

The temps can get fairly hot but we try to avoid the really stinking temps in places like Death Valley by going through there very early but saying that, I've ridden in around 50c and although it's uncomfortable I have picked up many good tips on hot weather riding and it's no real problem.

Most of the time it will be almost perfect riding weather.
 


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