Member Contributer Olive Posted September 27, 2010 Member Contributer Share Posted September 27, 2010 I have been looking at VFRs for a few years, and the right opportunity has presented itself. I am purchasing a bike in the States and importing it into Canada. In typical style, I'm not just picking it up in the closest state - I am making a real adventure out of it. In the past few years I have done a lot of solo riding in the states - this summer I did a 10,000 km (6,250 mile) trip, and last year was 6,000 km (3,750 mile), so I am not worried about that part of the ride. The only concern is that weather might be a bit dicy on the last day or two of the trip as I approach home, but that is a risk I willingly take riding this late in the season. The VFR I purchased is in North Carolina, and I will be riding it home to Alberta. I have friends in the Atlanta area who have helped me plan out rides in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, but am looking for advice on the rest of the route back. Nothing is fixed on the route yet, Posted below is a google map of the routing I am looking at, but am VERY open to suggestions between Tennessee and Alberta. (I don't need any routing advice in Tennessee). In addition to routes, please let me know about interesting roads, sights not to be missed, good campgrounds, photo opportunities... Link to Google Map I appreciate your suggestions :biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee 2002 Posted September 27, 2010 Share Posted September 27, 2010 I tried to re-route you between Lawrence, KS and Manhattan, KS. But I was not able to post the huge link. K-4 and K-99 between Eskridge, KS and Alma, KS should not be missed while you are so close and are a lot more scenic than what you would encouter on US-24 per your posted route. LINK to a map I keep of local roads and points of interest. I'm in Topeka, KS If you are interested in a place to stay, eat, maintenance, laundry, etc. Plenty of VFRD references available. PM me for contact info. If schedules mesh I would enjoy riding a few miles with you and showing the few good roads we have around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted September 28, 2010 Author Member Contributer Share Posted September 28, 2010 Thanks Lee, I've modified the map per your suggestions. Modified Map Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweeper Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Not a frequent poster here but a long time member. Just wanted to speak up for Olive. I've followed her riding through her pictures and trip reports and can assure you that she is someone you will enjoy knowing. I hope to meet her next weekend myself. The rest of you need to jump in while she is passing through. Congrats Olive on the new ride. I was wondering after reading about your trip if you were going home with a new toy. Randy ( Sweeper ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer radar Posted September 28, 2010 Member Contributer Share Posted September 28, 2010 Hot Springs to Spearfish, SD, and if you intend to make a stop in this area Hill City is a great place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer AZTraveler Posted September 28, 2010 Member Contributer Share Posted September 28, 2010 Try to go through Wyoming and run the Chief Joseph Hwy (296) out of Cody and onto the Beartooth Hwy (212), then catch 89 at Yellowstone and head north through Glacier National Park in Montana. Glacier is a must see. Safe ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileyrock Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 If i can figure out how to build a google map I have some suggestions, unless you have MapSource software? BR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted September 28, 2010 Author Member Contributer Share Posted September 28, 2010 Hot Springs to Spearfish, SD, and if you intend to make a stop in this area Hill City is a great place. Thanks Radar for the great suggestions. Those look like great roads to ride. Try to go through Wyoming and run the Chief Joseph Hwy (296) out of Cody and onto the Beartooth Hwy (212), then catch 89 at Yellowstone and head north through Glacier National Park in Montana. Glacier is a must see. Safe ride. I spent a day exploring Yellowstone earlier this year, and have ridden Glacier a few times - it is well worth while. Unfortunately it looks like I have to go through the border at Coutts because I am importing a vehicle. Chief Joseph and Beartooth are great suggestions. Thanks :fing02: If i can figure out how to build a google map I have some suggestions, unless you have MapSource software? I only use Google Maps, unless there is a way for me to view MapSource routes without purchasing the software? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted September 29, 2010 Author Member Contributer Share Posted September 29, 2010 I have gotten a few suggestions, but am still looking for routing suggestions so I can update my manual GPS before I fly out on Thursday to start the adventure... My Manual GPS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer AussieinUSA Posted September 29, 2010 Member Contributer Share Posted September 29, 2010 Whats the chances of seeing one of your "EPIC" adventures on here.....I've heard you like taking pictures and can tell a mean story.. :biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweeper Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Whats the chances of seeing one of your "EPIC" adventures on here.....I've heard you like taking pictures and can tell a mean story.. :biggrin: Give her some routes folks.....Aussie knows you'll get a great report. :fing02: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted September 29, 2010 Author Member Contributer Share Posted September 29, 2010 Whats the chances of seeing one of your "EPIC" adventures on here.....I've heard you like taking pictures and can tell a mean story.. :biggrin: Geez Aussie. I thought you were still working on reading up on the last novella. :blush: And yes, now that I am on a VFR, I'm much more likely to be active posting up on this site as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileyrock Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Tried to add a mod and it didn't work right! :dry: I'll keep playing with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted October 4, 2010 Author Member Contributer Share Posted October 4, 2010 I've picked up the bike and spent the last several days riding in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Some wonderful scenic roads - Richard Russell Parkway, Cherahala, Blue Ridge Parkway, US129, Blood Mountain and Deals Gap just to name a few. Right now I am in Atlanta, and my route from here will head out through Tennessee, and across the states. So far I have gotten some fabulous road suggestions from local riders, but my map is still in need of your help. If you live in the Central USA, take a look at the roads I have marked and give me your suggestions of alternate routes. The map from this point onwards http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=charlotte+nc&daddr=35.12693,-82.91481+to:Atlanta,+GA,+United+States+to:34.67059,-84.72301+to:35.22914,-83.74013+to:36.0897128,-85.8345016+to:36.17885,-86.06472+to:37.23642,-91.40205+to:40.16928,-102.24634+to:48.49236,-113.90631+to:calgary,+alberta&geocode=Fc-FGQIdiW4u-ymBGjj8xB9UiDFk0UO_5lBGiA%3BFZL-FwIdBtIO-yn7-hTpZAdZiDGq5mMI9LM2VQ%3BFQP4AgIdclf4-imNCZNpXQT1iDELYwuZL97-Zg%3BFf4HEQIdvjrz-imhkjAQLulfiDFmcU6yLQOzIQ%3BFdSNGQIdHjoC-ykBDLuYH9BeiDFw0XIgpqs-3A%3BFXCvJgId-0Ti-ilbBnVQHsRmiDHFNsYOdnjRqA%3BFaILKAIdsMHe-in3C4pnoL1miDGQaOBeHgH3-g%3BFcQuOAIdvlCN-imXdAuDWKbQhzFWGSyZ-c26HQ%3BFUDvZAIdPNjn-SnpzleI5o9zhzGsk0jdxcpBNw%3BFUjv4wIdeu01-SmzERqcbxhmUzETU2dJ0WKsGA%3BFYjiCgMd-p8z-SnVP4SfA3BxUzE6tlK2sTttJg&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=8&via=1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9&dirflg=h&doflg=ptk&sll=34.759666,-82.353516&sspn=1.14627,3.526611&ie=UTF8&ll=42.032974,-99.492187&spn=31.766909,75.585938&z=4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 If not too late ...... might want to consider KY State 49 going north thru Land Between Lakes area. Then continue north & crossing Ohio R on a ferry @ Cave-In-Rocks. MO State 34 going west will provide some giggles. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted October 6, 2010 Author Member Contributer Share Posted October 6, 2010 I rode through Land Between the Lakes this morning. Today has included Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois (courtesy of a missed turn) and now Middouri heading for the Ozarks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 I rode through ... Illinois (courtesy of a missed turn) ..... :laughing6-hehe: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted October 7, 2010 Author Member Contributer Share Posted October 7, 2010 Camped in Arkansas (Mammoth Spring) last night making it five states for the day (Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas). Today the plan is to run through the Ozarks and continue meandering west. Lots of photos but no opportunity to upload them until after I get home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileyrock Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Keep us posted on your excellent adventures! Be sure to comment on what you think about your first VFR! :fing02: BR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer cruzinaz Posted October 7, 2010 Member Contributer Share Posted October 7, 2010 Keep us posted on your excellent adventures! Be sure to comment on what you think about your first VFR! :fing02: BR Olive has some of the best ride reports out there :fing02: and,,,,,,, Ohhh dont worry, she will :laughing6-hehe: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted October 7, 2010 Author Member Contributer Share Posted October 7, 2010 So far I love the bike. Feels very stable and settled in corners. I'm coming from a bmw f800s (considered one of the closest competitors to the vfr) and the BMW feels taller, tippier and less stable in contrast. Just ran Push Mountain and am in Marshall taking a short break. Very warm day :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum CEO HispanicSlammer Posted October 7, 2010 Forum CEO Share Posted October 7, 2010 So far I love the bike. Feels very stable and settled in corners. I'm coming from a bmw f800s (considered one of the closest competitors to the vfr) and the BMW feels taller, tippier and less stable in contrast. Just ran Push Mountain and am in Marshall taking a short break. Very warm day :) 123 south of Mt Judea is good, Here is a roundabout route into Upper Oklahoma that takes you to the very end of the Ozarks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum CEO HispanicSlammer Posted October 7, 2010 Forum CEO Share Posted October 7, 2010 Full Size After you do the Black Hills you might consider this route above, it has Devils Tower, Bighorn Mountains, Shell Canyon, Chief Joseph, and of course Bear Tooth Pass - it would be a huge improvement over the Plains of Montana. Stay at the Red Lodge Inn in Redlodge not too expensive and good people run that place - Lots of Camping around there too. Red Lodge Inn 811 S Broadway Ave, Red Lodge, Montana (406) 446-2030 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Olive Posted October 8, 2010 Author Member Contributer Share Posted October 8, 2010 123 south of Mt Judea is good, Here is a roundabout route into Upper Oklahoma that takes you to the very end of the Ozarks The link (above) is not working for me properly. The second routing suggestion you posted is fantastic. I have to cross at Coutts/Sweetgrass and that will position me perfectly for it. Have found some fantastic roads in the Ozarks, especially around Eureka Springs. I was very amused to see that almost every business in town had "biker friendly" signs out front, one hotel was advertising that they dealt exclusively with bikers. Even the sign into town indicated that they get a lot of riders through - it asked "please ride quietly". Leaving town I found some roads that had 15mph posted corners, and fantastic views. A great combination. Tonight I am in Cassville, and working my way north west from here. Keep the suggestions coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum CEO HispanicSlammer Posted October 8, 2010 Forum CEO Share Posted October 8, 2010 about the best route from there would be to make your way into White Sulfer Springs nice mountains there road is not too crazy mostly good scenery Full Size Great Falls is more like "Bland Pit" Neither did I see a fall nor was the place great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.