Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge too far, too soon???

Hey folks. I am a brand new rider and I just bought an '07 America, has about 1000 miles on it now. My longest trip to date has been 150 miles from Denver to Steamboat over Rabbit ears pass and then back the following day.
I have 4.5 days off beginning this Wednesday and was contemplating an attempt to ride from Denver, CO to either Yellowstone in Wyoming or the Grand Canyon in Arizona; Each trip is about 600 miles one way. I am thinking 500 miles in a day, (10 hours of riding?), would give me one full rest day during the round trip back to Denver. While sharing this idea with a friend who used to ride many moons ago, he said, "Your crazy". He went on to say that there are way too many riding challenges I have yet to experience, as a newbie rider, to attempt that kind of a trip. He also said a 500 mile day in 10 hours was unrealistic for me, being a new rider.

Am I biting off more than I can chew? Whatcha think?

Not at all, the bike will be fine. Your butt, on the other hand, will probably discover the shortcomings of the stock seat and your back may wish for a backrest. Just take it easy and stay within your capabilities.

You should be ok. Just ride within your limits and enjoy!

Soren

Iron,
If all you want to do is get from point "A" to point "B" you can do it in that amount of time (Denver to Yellowstone).
I did that trip 3 yrs ago with my brother-in-law - slow down and injoy the sights, if you take the same route we did there's a lot of nice riding, all kinds of switch backs, lots of fun if you stay within your abilities.
I did the trip on a rented Electra Glide and was wishing I was on my America the whole time!!

Good Luck

Skip

Thanks! Iam just going to hit it and see what I can see... Hmmm now just have to decide which journey: Grand Canyon might be a little toasty but a beautiful ride all the way there and perhaps less crowded than Yellowstone? Ahhh, but Yellowstone will certainly be an escape from the 100 degree temps of Denver, but a ride thats absent of much scenery and probably trillions 'o folks... But they have bear, moose and great fishing, if I can get away from the masses... hmmmmm Will report back with a trip report and let you know "Where's Iron44?"

Thanks for responding Skip. Which route to Yellowstone did you take? I was looking at I-25 out of Denver to Casper Wy for half the ride out there.
I dont have much time, (four days), but hoped to spend one of them doing nothing but throwing a line in the water...

I don't remember, but I'll try to find out from my brother-in-law, he lives outside Denver in Indian Hills.
Sounds like a great trip you are planing - riding + fishing!!

Skip

You'll never know what's too far until you go there.

Hey John, I did my first long trip, Denver to Yuma, AZ a few weeks ago. Went through Flagstaff both ways. Took the interstates, (25 to 40) on the way there, went through Durango/ Four Corners on the way back. I'd of course recommend the Four Corners route. Both ways were HOT once you get south of Colorado and into Navajo country, scenic though.

Getting there in one day might be a butt-kicker just because of the heat. Once you get up to Flagstaff though, it cools off A LOT. Too bad I gotta work, I'd join ya!

Never think of a trip as a destination, but as a journey. A destination could be 20 miles or 1000 miles, it's the journey thats separates us from mediocrity. Take time to smell the roses , and let your senses tell you when it's time to retire, not the odometer.
Hoffo

Watch for those !#&%$#@& Mule Deer.

They will ruin your day!

If you end up going to Yellowstone don't miss Beartooth Pass. We took 14 and 14A from Sheridan WY to Redlodge Montana then did Beartooth down into Yellowstone. SPECTACULAR. At least for a New England boy like me.

We did about 6000 miles in 13 days on the trip last summer. One of the group of three was in his first real road trip and he did fine.

I thought I new what hot was until I hit South Dakota and Wyoming.

Everyone should ride the road between Cooke City and Red Lodge at least once in their life. Just incredible. Nearby Chief Joseph Scenic highway is pretty impressive, too.

Hoffo hit it right on the head. Them Ozzies know about traveling. Enjoy.

Dave

Iron -
Coming south to the Grand Canyon would be a great ride, but this time of year you WILL contend with rain and thunderstorms - that can be a challenge as some of the storms are pretty intense, tho short lived. I got wet twice on Sunday just riding less than 200 miles - almost dry then got rained on again - one of the storms was almost to the point of having to pull over as I couldn't see, then it let up. These were very small storms, but put a lot of water out.
Just a thought.
Becky

The Southwest United States especially Az can be hazardous in terms of nasty "Monsoon" rains this time of year.

I have gotten real wet already twice this year playing russian roulette with Monsoon storms in the greater Tucson area. Last Thursday I got caught in heavy wind/rain at night crossing Tucson and going west across into the Saguaro country and it was bad enough that It was the better part of wisdom to pull off the road out in the desert and park it and just let it rain on me until the rain let up enough for visibility to allow a reasonably safe effort.

If you come south pack some good rain gear and use wisdom to determine when you should simply stop and get off the road in the case of heavy downpour that might be mixed with wind and lightning.

Not fun.

Iron, when I went to the BA.Com rally in Ga. this past Spring. I rode from Tulsa to Nashville all in the rain in one day. 610 miles. It was pretty miserable. Take my advice, split it up if you can and get something for your seat to make it easy on your tushey. It will be a much more enjoyable trip.

I just attempted about the same ride. At less then 900 miles on my Speedie, I put on 800 more in 3 days. The heat was a huge factor - dehydration, and sweat sticking the wrong things together. I needed lots of breaks the second day, and lots of water. And I am talking with Corbin about a new seat... I had one sore tail bone. Be sure to check for road construction - deep gravel and wet asphalt was not a fun way to break the bike in. Unless you have to be somewhere, I would suggest you pick a direction rather than a destination. Stop at all the look-outs. Even a 5 minute stop made a huge difference in comfort. - Dale -

I went from doing daily commutes to doing a 600 mile one-day ride from SC to Missouri, and had no problem, OTHER THAN sore butt, ringing ears, and numb shoulders! The bike on the other hand took it all in stride and would have easily gone another 600. Didn't realize it was that far from Denver to Yellowstone, but those states out there are bigger than they look on a map, so I'll have to keep that in mind when I plan a family trip from Denver to Yellowstone with KIDS!

Until you start getting calluses on your bum, it might be a good idea to just pick a general direction. Then, ride 'til a little less than the amount of time is used up and then turn back. You can have more fun without the stress of having a definite destination that you "have to" reach, and you will have the flexibility needed to branch off and go exploring.

Greybeard has it, pick a direction. I rode 300 in one day on my first long trip, and my arse was sore, shoulders had an ice pick between 'em, and I was very tired. Don't push it, just have fun and be comfortable.

If you do the Yellowstone trip and you happen to be in West Yellowstone on a weekend, let me know and I'll ride down to meet you. If I have time I'll run over to Red Lodge with you. Might be able to drag Freedom and/or Roadtrip along.

iron,

I talked to my Brother-in-law today and he reminded me that we left Denver and went to Steamboat Springs then to Jackson.
And from about half the way from Steamboat to Jackson it was raining cats + dogs, so if your staying on I think it's 25 to 80 you shouldn't have any problems making it.

Skip

Back in 73 I rode to Brisbane from Ingham in North Queensland ( a distance of approx 1100 miles) on a 1971 Norton Commando Roadster in 21 hrs straight(call me a masochist). The old girl never missed a beat, to my dismay.
Since then I've ridden the same bike around Australia 3 times and still ride her today.(She's the silver one in the photo post.)
Recently when I announced that I was going to purchase a new America my 12yo. son & 15yo. daughter made a pact together (first time the've agreed on something) to ignore me totally for a week as they were under the impression that I was selling the Norton to finance the America. Not so and now they talk to me. to me thats what motorcycles are all about, you wouldn't sell your children or dog (perhaps the missus sometimes - just kidding)
Thats what sets us apart
Hoffo

and on it goes. great story from across the pond. Thanks for the vote of confidense!

you are the man. I will give you a shout. Should be in Cody... when I get there. Maybe Friday when the sun is on top of us?

I like the way you think. I am a wanderer(sp?) in general, so your words ring true. Thanks for the re-inforcement...

I don't think I can get away from work on Friday, but stay in touch and keep me updated.

Iron 44,
Just read my post again and i'm sorry if I sounded like a smart a**e. when I said us I meant motorcyclists & wanderers in general.
Hoffo