West Coast 'n Back w/o GPS - Need Help &/or Advice

[Marty_in_MN]

Hello:

Leaning towards being serious about riding solo from the Twin Cities to Seattle down the coast to Portland, OR, then back aboard my I/S.

I'm going to do it on the cheap, if I do it. No GPS, mostly camping along the way, and limited restaurant meals. Back in the days before GPS, I'm sure there were many who had done it.

Looking for any help on books or maps, must see places to stop and gawk at along the way, and scenic (w/ some twisties) roads. I'd like to go through the boring sections of the USA as quickly as possible, and spend the extra time on roads and areas that are worth some riding time.

I'm looking at leaving around mid-September, and allowing up to three weeks for travel. I'm considering going across the Upper Plains states on the way there, then coming across the Lower Plains states on my return.

Any information, tips, advice, or warnings regarding my proposed trip would be welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks,

Marty

[R J]

Best place for maps if you don't acquire them ahead of time is at the 1st rest stop coming in to that state.

Get your map, go out and look it over to find the best back roads,  Sorry, you do have to run some super slab to get the map......

[KCvalk]

sounds like a killer trip...ever thought about going up thru canada over to Vancouver to Seattle portland to home?

i would suggest that you obtain the email of as many of the Vrcc people listed and make an emergency phone list in case of problems (Mechanical mainly).  shoot em an email and let them know you travel route and just drop the hint that in case of emergency can you contact them.  Also get great route information from the locals.   Use the internet to map your route print it out and use that as your route map.  don't cost nothin

[raja]

 I rode my old 75 wing to Washinton, from Minnesota, in 1979 but never made the return trip, stayed here. This is spectacular country to tour. Be sure to stay up by the bourder all the way to the coast on the way out. Once you hit Montana the scenery's great. Don't miss Glacier park. Not a lot of road choices through the mountains. Just pick one that looks good and it should be.