Rob (from Hoosierville)
08-06-2005, 01:54 PM
Greetings to all,
I've returned from my Western tour and I had a ball. I wanted to share some of the fantastic routes I found. This will also be cross posted to the Great Roads Forum
The basic framework of the trip took me from Elkhart, IN to Denver, CO to the Black Hills and back to Elkhart. The highlights and lowlights follow:
I-80 from Elkhart to I-76 at the Nebraska/Colorado Line - Boring, Hot, and brutal crosswinds in Nebraska. I had to call it a day after 850 miles.
I-76 through Northeastern Colorado to Denver - Nice road and pleasant scenery. Very few signs of civilization. I rode it in the early AM and had the road to myself.
Deer Creek Canyon & Turkey Creek Canyon West of Littleton, CO - Wow! Very pretty and you'll use most of the sidewalls on your tires. A good ride when you've got an hour to kill.
Route 85 from Cheyenne, WY to Torrington, WY - Smooth two lane road you'll have to yourself. The biggest scenery you can imagine with lots of hills, sweepers, and wide open ranch land. I did 77 miles and the speedo wasn't under 80 the whole time. The scope of the view is so huge at 100 MPH you feel like you're barely moving.
Black Hills Area, SD - Pick a road, they're all good. Spearfish Canyon and the roads surrounding Lead, Deadwood, and Sturgis will not disappoint. Tip - Go some week other than rally week. I was there the week before and it was still pretty crowded with bikes but hotel rooms were available and affordable.
Badlands, SD - Another WOW! Take 44 East out of Rapid City for a 75 mile high speed run to the Badlands. Go first thing in the morning when it's cool. The Badlands loop road from the South Side of the park to Wall, SD is a real jaw dropper. Make sure your face shield is really clean so you don't miss anything.
Route 14 from Wall, SD to Fort Pierre, SD - More WOW!. Smooth two lane road, no traffic, great scenery.
State road 50 from East of Chamberlain SD to Yankton, SD - More nice two lane road. The scenery isn't as eye popping but is still nice.
Route 12 from South of Yankton, SD to near Sioux City, IA - They call this the Nebraska Byway. 60 miles of sweepers, hills and valleys. The view is fantastic. Smooth two lane road with no traffic to speak of. Take it slow or fast, either way is a bunch of fun.
I-80 from Council Bluffs, IA to Elkhart - The freeway sucks! I had intended to take Route 44 and other two lanes that run North of the freeway but I ran out of time. Maybe next trip.
I've returned from my Western tour and I had a ball. I wanted to share some of the fantastic routes I found. This will also be cross posted to the Great Roads Forum
The basic framework of the trip took me from Elkhart, IN to Denver, CO to the Black Hills and back to Elkhart. The highlights and lowlights follow:
I-80 from Elkhart to I-76 at the Nebraska/Colorado Line - Boring, Hot, and brutal crosswinds in Nebraska. I had to call it a day after 850 miles.
I-76 through Northeastern Colorado to Denver - Nice road and pleasant scenery. Very few signs of civilization. I rode it in the early AM and had the road to myself.
Deer Creek Canyon & Turkey Creek Canyon West of Littleton, CO - Wow! Very pretty and you'll use most of the sidewalls on your tires. A good ride when you've got an hour to kill.
Route 85 from Cheyenne, WY to Torrington, WY - Smooth two lane road you'll have to yourself. The biggest scenery you can imagine with lots of hills, sweepers, and wide open ranch land. I did 77 miles and the speedo wasn't under 80 the whole time. The scope of the view is so huge at 100 MPH you feel like you're barely moving.
Black Hills Area, SD - Pick a road, they're all good. Spearfish Canyon and the roads surrounding Lead, Deadwood, and Sturgis will not disappoint. Tip - Go some week other than rally week. I was there the week before and it was still pretty crowded with bikes but hotel rooms were available and affordable.
Badlands, SD - Another WOW! Take 44 East out of Rapid City for a 75 mile high speed run to the Badlands. Go first thing in the morning when it's cool. The Badlands loop road from the South Side of the park to Wall, SD is a real jaw dropper. Make sure your face shield is really clean so you don't miss anything.
Route 14 from Wall, SD to Fort Pierre, SD - More WOW!. Smooth two lane road, no traffic, great scenery.
State road 50 from East of Chamberlain SD to Yankton, SD - More nice two lane road. The scenery isn't as eye popping but is still nice.
Route 12 from South of Yankton, SD to near Sioux City, IA - They call this the Nebraska Byway. 60 miles of sweepers, hills and valleys. The view is fantastic. Smooth two lane road with no traffic to speak of. Take it slow or fast, either way is a bunch of fun.
I-80 from Council Bluffs, IA to Elkhart - The freeway sucks! I had intended to take Route 44 and other two lanes that run North of the freeway but I ran out of time. Maybe next trip.