New Hampshire to El Paso via Montana?

[nhrider]

Hello Folks,,

June 30th I’m planning to ride from New Hampshire to West Texas via Montana. I have 2 weeks for the trip so I plan on slabing it from home to Yellowstone. I know it’s a shame to slab, but 2 weeks is 2 weeks. From there I plan to ride the Rockies all the way down to El Paso. Does anyone have any route suggestions for Wyoming and Colorado? From El Paso I will be going to Oklahoma City to visit my folks for a couple days and home through the heartland. I don’t get a chance to get out west very often and really want to make the best of it.

-Paul
www.nhrider.com

[Bob Hughes]

Hello Folks,,

June 30th I’m planning to ride from New Hampshire to West Texas via Montana. I have 2 weeks for the trip so I plan on slabing it from home to Yellowstone. I know it’s a shame to slab, but 2 weeks is 2 weeks. From there I plan to ride the Rockies all the way down to El Paso. Does anyone have any route suggestions for Wyoming and Colorado? From El Paso I will be going to Oklahoma City to visit my folks for a couple days and home through the heartland. I don’t get a chance to get out west very often and really want to make the best of it.

-Paul
www.nhrider.com (http://www.nhrider.com)

One thing that you will like Paul is that out west an interstate is like a country road, there just are not many people out there compared to what you are used to.

Last year we rode US212 the Bear Tooth Hwy at the northeast entrance to Yellowstone and it sensational. Also if you are going up to Glacier NP you will love the Going to the Sun Hwy through the park. And the Million Dollar Hwy in southwest Colorado is great too.

Have a great ride.

Here is a link to our photos of Yellowstone and Glacier etc. last year.
http://www.goldwingusa.com/gallery/v/Bob/album_010/

[Bones]

You know, Paul, you may want to take some advice from Bugs on the tail end of the trip...

http://tinarenee.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/3_left-at-albuquerque.jpg

[kenya6]

You certainly don't want to miss Bear Tooth Pass on the Montana/Wyoming border. Coning out of Yellowstone I would try US 191 down to Rock Springs Wyoming and then down to Vernal, Utah. I would then go east on US 40 to Dinosaur and then south to Rangely , Colorado and then south to Grand Junction. From Grand junction you can go on south to Montrose , Colorado and over the Million Dollar Highway to Durango. From Durango you can go east to Pagosa Springs and then south again to Chama, New Mexico and then south down to Santa Fe, Albuquerque and on into El Paso.

Some things to see/do on this route.

1) Dinosaur National Monument -- entrance just outside Vernal, Utah

2) Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction - - very twisty ride up and a ver scenic ride along the mesa after you get up top.

3) Vera's Restaurant in Chama, NM has Great Mexican Food.

4) In San Antonio , New Mexico (just off the Interstate south of Socorro) the Owl Bar serves a wonderful green chili cheeseburger , the State Fast Food of New Mexico.

Lastly, if you have a bit of extra time you can take Colorado 141 from just south of Grand Junction and take a very scenic ride out to the remote west of Colorado. You could go have a look at Telluride and then hit US 550 in Ridgeway and ride the Million Dollar Highway from there.

[BigTom]

Or, you can try Colorado 17 from Almosa CO to Chalma NM, includes a great pass and ride. Not so crowded as some of the other routes, completly senic and twisty. One of my "little known and much loved roads". Just great.

Sounds like a great ride, have fun!

[alan]

I have ridden many/most of the roads mentioned above and because I am a flatlander, I think all mountain roads are great, and those mentioned are worth doing.

I only have a "don't" suggestion. Don't go through Chicago! They are rebuilding a lot of expressways and the last two years that I have gone through Chicago, on I-80 and on I-90, the traffic backups were terrible. I try to use I-70 to avoid Chicago.

[Earache]

I'm doing a Indy to Montana to Santa Fe trip beginning enxt week. I'll post up some pics and routes as I take them.

Alan - I-80 on the south side fo Chicago is pretty much all done as far as road work goes - much better now. There is still alittle bit, but no real lane closures. Watch for speed cameras in this area though!

I've done this trip many times over the years and can recommend loads of great roads. Should I start listing them here? I tend to be long winded <gg>.

[Earache]

Route 550 just south of Ouray, CO - The Million Dollar Highway. A must ride...
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/EaracheMotorsports/Colorado2006256.jpg

Outside of Moab, Utah...
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/EaracheMotorsports/Colorado2006405Medium.jpg

North of Santa Fe, NM at sunset...
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/EaracheMotorsports/144-4440_IMG.jpg

[lorenzell]

Can't help much on Colorado Wyoming portion except that there a great and road from Ouray to Durango Co. If you are in that part of the state, don't skip it.

There is not much to see from El Paso to OKC. Some roads around Kerrville, San Antonio Texas are fun. After you leave OKC, Drive through NW Arkansas. Lots of great riding that area.

Enjoy the trip.

[Earache]

Ya just have to do Mount Evans, (located off of I-70 just west of Denver), the Highest Road in the USA...
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/EaracheMotorsports/IMG_0225.jpg

This is Route 82, southeast of Aspen, CO...
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/EaracheMotorsports/120-2015_IMG.jpg

Wilson Arch, Route 182 north of Monticello, Utah...
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/EaracheMotorsports/IMG_0434.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/EaracheMotorsports/IMG_0431.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/EaracheMotorsports/IMG_0428.jpg

[nhrider]

Hello Folks,
Thanks for all the routes and pictures. It definitely helped in planning this ride. I love riding in the western part of the country. June 30th seems like a lifetime away. -Paul

[Bob Hughes]

Hello Folks,
Thanks for all the routes and pictures. It definitely helped in planning this ride. I love riding in the western part of the country. June 30th seems like a lifetime away. -Paul

Isn't it great, the anticipation of our summer trips around the country. I am leaving on June 20th and my wife has a calander that counts off the days every morning. I can't wait either.

Have a great ride!