Author Topic: Great Circle Tour of the US, July 2014 (Read 41006 times)

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2014, 12:48:20 PM »

When you do get to Yellowstone use the Mammoth entrance for arrival. That way you can stop at Boiling River just outside the Park between Mammoth and the town of Gardiner 5 miles away. This will be one of the highlights of your trip I can guarantee.....don't miss it. You will be there at the busy season so campgrounds will fill up early.....some are run by the Park on a 1st come 1st serve basis and some are run by a concessionaire which take reservations. Norris, Mammoth, Indian Creek, Tower (run by the park) can make a good base to explore the park. A few others are also park managed but out of the way a bit more. Try and stay the night before close to the park, maybe even in Gardiner and make an early morning run in to get a campsite. Spend a few days exploring the park. Just a one day drive through is not enough. These campsites will all be close enough to make a run back to Boiling River...even more than once. In the evening the seasonal park employes (i.e. college age girls in bikinis)

often show up for a soak. For the exit I would go out the Northeast gate at Cooke City and you have your choice of the Beartooth or Chief Joseph Highway. My pick would be Chief Joseph. I think on a bike this one is more fun due to the much smaller volume of traffic and it is just as beautiful...just less known. Beartooth as dramatic as it is will be full of RV traffic. This puts you near Cody so stop at the Buffalo Bill Museum on your way through. Next up...Bighorn Mountains.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #26 on:** March 25, 2014, 01:33:59 PM »

Another option if you are not camping is to splurge and stay at the historic Old Faithful Lodge. $$$ and you have to book it early but worth the experience. Gardiner makes an excellent base to explore the park and would be a good choice. Book it early and though this might put you on some type of timeline on your trip you just won't get a room within 60 miles of the park just showing up that day unless you get very lucky.

Schnell · « **Reply #27 on:** March 25, 2014, 04:18:08 PM »

Thank you for all that info, srust58. I'm certain that the landscape is spectacular, but I have an aversion to crowded tourist destinations, especially if motorhomes are involved. It's just me.

Stev-o · « **Reply #28 on:** March 25, 2014, 04:25:04 PM »

Quote from: Schnell on March 25, 2014, 04:18:08 PM

.... I have an aversion to crowded tourist destinations, especially if motorhomes are involved. It's just me.

No, not just you. I avoid "touristy" destinations if at all possible.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #29 on:** March 25, 2014, 04:27:34 PM »

Quote from: Schnell on March 25, 2014, 04:18:08 PM

.., but I have an aversion to crowded tourist destinations, especially if motorhomes are involved. It's just me.

You're not alone in that regard.

Schnell · « **Reply #30 on:** March 26, 2014, 05:11:10 AM »

That's a beautiful picture, srust58! (If that is your real name.)

MoMo · « **Reply #31 on:** March 28, 2014, 05:35:39 AM »

Great photos!

bender01 · « **Reply #32 on:** March 31, 2014, 07:05:04 PM »

If you happen to the coast of SC I have a nice travel trailer, backyard shop and tools. Im near Hilton Head. Hunting Island SC just got voted top 10 beach in the US. Its a state park near me. Great place to spend a few days. But june through august are filled for sure. Savannah Ga is just 30 minutes away.

Schnell · « **Reply #33 on:** April 01, 2014, 04:53:47 AM »

Thanks so much for your kind offer, Bender! The first part of my trip is the most planned, and I won't be too close to the east coast.

Toronto - Kingston - Rochester - Front Royal - (SkyLine Dr. And Blue Ridge Parkway) - Chatanooga - Memphis - ?

Schnell · « **Reply #34 on:** April 14, 2014, 04:56:12 PM »

I submitted my letter of retirement, effective June 27, today!

So it begins. Actually it has been in my mind for quite some time, but this is an externally observable milestone/stepping stone.

Stev-o · « **Reply #35 on:** April 14, 2014, 04:59:52 PM »

Congrats. What else do you need to do to ready the bike?

Schnell · « **Reply #36 on:** April 14, 2014, 05:20:11 PM »

Last spring, I replaced steering head bearings. Last weekend I replaced the swing arm bushings. Still to arrive in the mail is a louder horn, and a battery cable to auto cigarette lighter socket for electricals like GPS. I still need a waterproof duffel bag for my clothes and stuff, that will sit on the luggage rack and seat behind me. Ill do an oil change and new oil filter just before I leave, probably on July 6. That's it for the bike.

I'm a happy guy!

Edit: I do need a new tach drive seal.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #37 on:** April 14, 2014, 05:58:12 PM »

Congratulations! About time

If you have a Battery Tender cord hooked up you may be able to find that type of connector for your other stuff like your phone charger or a cigarette lighter outlet to attach there.

Quote from: Schnell on April 14, 2014, 04:56:12 PM

I submitted my letter of retirement, effective June 27, today!

So it begins. Actually it has already begun in my mind, but this is an external milestone/stepping stone.

Schnell · « **Reply #38 on:** April 14, 2014, 06:03:10 PM »

Hi Jerry, that's what I have. The cable I bought fits the end of the battery tender cable and has a female cigarette lighter socket on the other end.

Schnell · « **Reply #39 on:** April 17, 2014, 06:00:54 PM »

My website is updated with info about my trip and my bike.

http://frankfoto.jimdo.com/about-this-1975-honda-cb750/

Pecantree · « **Reply #40 on:** April 17, 2014, 08:39:59 PM »

Quote from: Schnell on April 14, 2014, 06:03:10 PM

Hi Jerry, that's what I have. The cable I bought fits the end of the battery tender cable and has a female cigarette lighter socket on the other end.

That connector is a SAE and you can get more of them at a commercial trailer supply(OTR). Also a good truck stop will have some.
Steve

Schnell · « **Reply #41 on:** April 22, 2014, 02:49:22 PM »

Got it in the mail today.

Kevin D · « **Reply #42 on:** April 22, 2014, 04:19:05 PM »

Quote

I submitted my letter of retirement, effective June 27, today!
So it begins. Actually it has already begun in my mind, but this is an external milestone/stepping stone.

Congrats on your retirement, I'm envious and can see it around the next bend.

Yellowstone:
Stayed at Old Faithful last time there, yes it was busy in the daytime, but went back after dinner and we were the only ones there under a perfect night sky.

We had a bison encounter, twice, in Hayden valley and Lamar valley, mother bear and cubs along Chief Joseph Highway. We were warned that the bison like to rub against the car fenders.

Hiked 100 yards from the trailhead and we were absolutely alone.

World class wildlife, superb scenery, in the cone of a rumbling megavolcano.

Glenn Stauffer · « **Reply #43 on:** April 22, 2014, 05:07:06 PM »

Sounds like a great trip. I live near Lititz, PA, which doesn't seem to be far off your route. If it works into your ride schedule, you'd be more than welcome.

Schnell · « **Reply #44 on:** April 23, 2014, 09:52:29 AM »

Hi Glenn, thanks for your offer!
My route passes a bit too far west of you.
I'll be posting my progress so if you or anyone else wishes to ride with me for a stretch, that would be cool.

Schnell · « **Reply #45 on:** April 25, 2014, 05:50:09 AM »

Is it possible to buy a national park season pass at a national park, buying a ticket at the door so to speak, or is there paperwork that needs to be filled in and sent out? I read somewhere that the pass costs $50.

70CB750 · « **Reply #46 on:** April 25, 2014, 06:00:36 AM »

This is what we bought at Skyline Drive last year:

https://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html

it was good for many places out west.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #47 on:** April 25, 2014, 07:37:37 AM »

I'm thinking the passes are up to $70 now. Not sure if you can buy on site? Good investment for the type of trip you are taking!

70CB750 · « **Reply #48 on:** April 25, 2014, 08:17:22 AM »

Actually $80

kpier883 · « **Reply #49 on:** April 29, 2014, 07:25:24 AM »

Enjoyed looking over the bike and prep at the website you posted. Looks good!

I have those exact same pipes and they are very durable, but I don't know what brand they are. Any idea?

I would take ear plugs just to cut down on the wind and engine noise. Over the course of weeks, it is probably a good thing to protect your hearing a bit.

News:

Author Topic: Great Circle Tour of the US, July 2014 (Read 41006 times)