In a holding pattern ready for blast off at 6.30 am tomorrow West by North West

[..]

I've always wanted to see the east side of the Pacific Ocean.

I've packed everything a few times this morning to make sure I have everything and that it's all in the right place in the right bag or saddlebag.

My Plan A was to pretty much to ride due west to the CA coast via a few National Parks and return on a more southerly route via Roswell, NM.

Speaking with Steve - Goldwing - at the The Hillbilly Ride he persuaded me to head NW once I've been thru Yosemite.

Well, I've always wanted to see the giant redwoods,  the Oregon coast and the Oregon high desert. So that's Plan B. (No time for Washington state -I know, I know, so near - I DON'T HAVE TIME)

Return leg will be painful as it's going to be mainly Interstate droning apart from a Mt Evans/Pikes Peak jog.


A few highlights of the route

Mt Capulin, NM
Hwy 149, CO
Million Dollar Hwy, CO
Mesa VErde, CO
Four Corners
Canyonlands National Park, UT
Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Grand Canyon north rim, AZ
Bryce Canyon, UT
Zion Canyon, UT
Las Vegas - ha - ha  
Death Valley, CA
Yosemite National Park, CA
Lake Tahoe, CA

Emerging at the Pacific Ocean just north of Eureka, CA

Redwood National Park, CA

North along the coast of CA and nearly all of Oregon. About 350 miles.

See "The Goonies" rocks  
Oregon high desert
Mt. Evans, CO
Pikes Peak, CO

Fitted a new front tire and rear brake pads yesterday.  

About 7,250 miles




As soon as I get back it's off to truck driving school to get my Class A licence

[czuch]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! take water.

[..]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! take water.

Lots of it. 

[Highbinder]

Have a good trip Paul, we took that same trip a few years ago, only in reverse order...when we came out of Yosemite we went over Tioga Pass into Utah...safe winds and I really envy you going through Kansas...

[..]

Have a good trip Paul, we took that same trip a few years ago, only in reverse order...when we came out of Yosemite we went over Tioga Pass into Utah...safe winds and I really envy you going through Kansas...

I've got a couple of books to read to while away the time 

[Popcorn]

If you get up to seaside oregon there is a nice little motel on the ocean, can't remember the name right now but probably not too many motels there. I pulled in late one night and didn't know I was on the ocean till I got up the next morning. had a u-joint malfunktion (sp) on the Idaho/Utah state line. Heck of a trip and Oregon was wet.
Ride safe.

[NCGhostrider]

Ride safe....  Wish you were going to be farther south... would buy you a glass of iced tea.  You will probably need it!!

Keep us updated!

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[Popeye]

Have a great trip.  Looks like it will be a great one.

Popeye

[RainMaker]

Looks like a great trip.  Stay safe out there!

RainMaker

[Michael K (Az.)]

Have a ball! Keep posting your adventures for us all. If you haven't seen the Columbia River, you might want to cruise I-84 for a while. I couldn't tell where you're starting the S.E. turn, but heading S. on 35 out of Hood River will give you spectacular views of Mt. Hood and you'll still connect @ Ontario on 26. I understand that time constraints could hinder an otherwise boffo time but I know you'll do your best!!
Michael

[..]

Have a ball! Keep posting your adventures for us all. If you haven't seen the Columbia River, you might want to cruise I-84 for a while. I couldn't tell where you're starting the S.E. turn, but heading S. on 35 out of Hood River will give you spectacular views of Mt. Hood and you'll still connect @ Ontario on 26. I understand that time constraints could hinder an otherwise boffo time but I know you'll do your best!!
Michael

I'm using Hwy 26 SE from Portland to Prineville. Will be going right by Mt. Hood. 

[donaldcc]

If you get up to seaside oregon there is a nice little motel on the ocean, can't remember the name right now but probably not too many motels there. I pulled in late one night and didn't know I was on the ocean till I got up the next morning. had a u-joint malfunktion (sp) on the Idaho/Utah state line. Heck of a trip and Oregon was wet.
Ride safe.

Buddy and I stayed at Comfort Inn there. Walk to beach, free breakfast and internet access.  Have fun, Envious.  In fact we stayed at comfort Inn throughout NW.  Sign up for their program and get one night free for every couple nights yous stay.

[Oss]

Enjoy your trip Paul

Just checked weather.com and except for some pm thunderstorms on the way to RJ it looks
clear and dry for me when i head out Monday and for the week after..



Maybe I will pass you sometime out west, or more likely you will pass me

If you see a black and beige Interstate with a brown bear on the trunk beep the horn

Have a great ride

Oss

[Grumpy]

Have a safe trip, I am jealous, wish I could make the same ride. Possibly I can make one next year, before I am too old.

[Clark]

HEY.. yer gonna pass about 60 miles south of me on your way to boise.. cmon up.. spend the night and i can line ya out on a MUCH PRETTIER ride to boise.. may even join ya for part of it.. pm me if ya want my cell number..

[old2soon]

Have a ball! Keep posting your adventures for us all. If you haven't seen the Columbia River, you might want to cruise I-84 for a while. I couldn't tell where you're starting the S.E. turn, but heading S. on 35 out of Hood River will give you spectacular views of Mt. Hood and you'll still connect @ Ontario on 26. I understand that time constraints could hinder an otherwise boffo time but I know you'll do your best!!
Michael

Check on I-84. Been there in an 18 wheeler. CAN NOT for the life of me remember where this little T/S is/was but the salmon steak i had there was superb. Owner of the resturant told me that good tasting rascal was swimming that morning in the Columbia River. It shore tasted yummy. Britman have a good and safe trip. RIDE SAFE.

[..]

HEY.. yer gonna pass about 60 miles south of me on your way to boise.. cmon up.. spend the night and i can line ya out on a MUCH PRETTIER ride to boise.. may even join ya for part of it.. pm me if ya want my cell number..

Thanks Clark.

I have no idea where I'm going to be on any given day.

I ride long days and at days end I'm pretty foul and not someone you want to be around.

Sleep and the 3 S's is pretty much what I do unless it's a laundry day 

[Clark]

check yer email

[LadyDraco]

Have a safe trip Paul...
If ya can try to see the Giant  Sequoia's they are different then the Coastal Redwoods..
And  if you can try to squeeze in Goblin Valley UT...

Watch out for the Fires in Co,and NM...

[..]

Have a safe trip Paul...
If ya can try to see the Giant  Sequoia's they are different then the Coastal Redwoods..
And  if you can try to squeeze in Goblin Valley UT...

Watch out for the Fires in Co,and NM...

Thanks, I had forgotten about the Goblins.

It's just north of where I will be in Hanksville.

[Jess from VA]

Have fun Paul.   

Watch out for stray and loose women.   

[santa]

Paul how many days are you planning on useing for this trip?
Santa

[..]

15 to 20 days

700 miles today. I'm in Van Buren, AR

[santa]

Ride safe and enjoy you lucky dog

[LadyDraco]

Thanks, I had forgotten about the Goblins.

It's just north of where I will be in Hanksville.

YES!!  That's the only place for fuel ...  The store is built inside the mountain very cool...
If you have ever seen Galaxy Quest .. You have seen Goblin Valley..  It's a very cool place...

Ah Van Buren AR.. I have been threw there many times ...

We did a similar route in 07 ~~ 17 days 7300 miles...
But started in the north and ran the coast down,To be on the waters edge ,Instead on the cliffside..Saw RatDog and Pot's in Seattle  .. ..
And was able to hit Speed Week too 
Camped in Yosemite, a very cool place...

Have a safe run..

[0leman]

Britman,
I used to live in Prineville, OR back in the 70's (now about 170 miles south).  Drove a chunk of Hwy 26 most everyday.   If you are planning on doing 700 miles a day on that road, you'll need to leave early and stop late.   Some of it's pretty slow road, even for a bike.  Going over hill by Mtn Hood is really pretty ride.

Hopefully you'll enjoy your ride out here in God's country. 

[Ice]

Paul, ride safe, take many pictures and keep us posted.

[..]

Clayton, NM

Only 596 miles today.

Big prairie storm ahead of me made me wimp out.

Bumpy bits ahead tomorrow 

[NCGhostrider]

Soon you will be in cooler weather!!!!   If you don't breakfast in Clayton, up the road in Des Moines, New mexico is a gas station and restaurant.   They have a pretty good breakfast     

You will be near Capulon, Mt at the point also.

Ride safe...

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[..]

Soon you will be in cooler weather!!!!   If you don't breakfast in Clayton, up the road in Des Moines, New mexico is a gas station and restaurant.   They have a pretty good breakfast     

You will be near Capulon, Mt at the point also.

Ride safe...

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

Free brekkie at motel

Capulin volcano visit afterwards

[..]

Montrose, CO

496 miles today

CO Hwy 149 still beautiful

Johnny Depp in Creede filming Lone Ranger

Million Dollar Hwy in the morning

[Michael K (Az.)]

Rock on, say Hi to Johnny!

[..]

hanksville, UT

486 stunning miles

3rd time lucky. Million $ HWY IN BRILLIANT SUNSHINE. GOT TO SEE WHAT I MISSED BEFORE

Mesa Verde . Still haven't fixed the buildings

Arches Nat Park

UT desert is mind blowing

Did the WORST 3 miles ever of dirt rd on UT Hwy261. View from the top waas worth it

Grand Canyon, bypass Bryce - wasn't impressed last time.

Then Zion

[..]

Do a youtube search for

Hite overlook, Hwy 59

Hopefully you see afewshort videos

[NCGhostrider]

Still envious of you.   I have an opportunity to ride up thru/around Colorado over the 4th.. but I am considering saving my pass for InZane....   

Ride Safe.   

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[..]

Route modification

Gonna pass on Grand, Bryce and Zion. Been there

Doing this will give me more time foe never seen places in CA and OR

[HayHauler]

Be safe Brit.  Awesome ride so far.  I suppose your pics will follow at the end.   
Thanks for taking us along. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Michael K (Az.)]

Route modification

Gonna pass on Grand, Bryce and Zion. Been there

Doing this will give me more time foe never seen places in CA and OR

You won't regret your decision.

[..]

UIp early this AM

Bad mood, fumbling stuff

Got on bike,riding along I said "Self. What the f is wrong with you?"

Self replied with a pouty lip truculently " I wanted to go to Zion. I really liked Zion last time I years ago."

Self won and I'm in La Verkin, UT for W nights

I've told the Park Rangers I'm doing an Iron Butt tomorrow

SCREW PLANS. Life is what matters

Quick showwer and out again to ride Zion until I'm giddy

[Michael K (Az.)]

Ha ha! Love it! Sounds like something I'd do! Party on!!