1,000 miles/24 hours/date not set

[GSL]

Yes, we can get a receipt in Clarks. It may be a little shit hole town, but there is a gas station.

Another idea would be to make it into Omaha on the first day at 1,000 miles. My brother lives in Omaha so we could stay there. The second day we could go into Council Bluffs before heading back to Denver. That way you could get SD, MN, and IA all in one trip.

Hmmm... I don't think bagging SD, MN, and IA can be done at the same time as a 1500/36. The hours that their visitor centers are open (8am-5pm) have too much impact to the riding schedule. And I don't want my stamp collecting hobby to control the ride. Remember,,, this is YOUR ride!

Let's smoke on it for a few days. It sounds like generally we have a goal to stop for the night in either Omaha or Clarks (or Wahoo?). That's cool. A good route will eventually shake out. Hell, we might even get on our bikes and ride some day!

[swademaster]

Hmmm... I don't think bagging SD, MN, and IA can be done at the same time as a 1500/36. The hours that their visitor centers are open (8am-5pm)

I think it may be possible. A lot depends on what time in the morning that we would leave. Leaving before sunrise is fine with me. If you can get as many stops that you need in one trip, try to do it. It won't bother me.

You gonna be riding the Falco or the Beemer?

I ordered my throttle lock yesterday and got my Corbin a couple of weeks ago. Just gotta get the bike going now.

[GSL]

Hey Wade,

Don't have the Falco any more. I'll be on the beemer.

Ok, I've done a little more research and it looks like Iowa is no good. I'd have to go all the way out to BFE east of DesMoines to get a valid stamp.

As for SD, it would be nice to pick up either Jewel Cave or Badlands, but we'd have to leave at 4am to still get to Pipestone, MN, by 5pm (calculations based on 70 mph overall travel time - which includes stopping for gas). If that's not too early, I'm game.

An alternate would be to leave at 5 am and head straight out to North Platte, NE, and turn due north on US83 to I-80 and head over to MN. This is the shortest route to Pipestone.

Either way, we could stay in Omaha or wherever that night, and come back home via Cheyenne to get you 1517 miles total. Hell, I've even got a place to stay in North Platte if we needed, although I don't think the timing would be right.

I'm mostly interested in picking up MN on this trip, because I can get SD just about anytime (short up and back day trip).

Here's a screen capture on the North Platte Route
[img=left:1db6f0aac7]http://eurobikedenver.smugmug.com/photos/17879943-M.jpg[/img:1db6f0aac7]

[GSL]

Actually, my post wasn't entirely correct. Turning north at North Platte isn't the shortest. It's about 25 miles shorter to head over on US30 thru Grand Island and Columbus, but it looks like there's a lot of small towns that dot that road, which might slow the pace down a bit. I'd rather stay away from small towns until Pipestone is in the bag.

BTW, what's the fuel range on the TL?

[swademaster]

Screw Iowa (Idiots Out Wandereing Around) then. Let's go to Jewel Cave and then Pipestone. I've haven't been up in that part on the country in a long time and never on the bike.

4 AM is fine with me. I usually get up at 3AM for work any way. The small towns in NE will slow us down. I've been in that area before and there isn't a damn thing worth seeing.

We should probably paln on staying in Omaha. It looks like a little over 1000 miles going into Lusk, Rapid City, Pipestone, and then Omaha. It would be a little over 500 on the second day from Omaha to Northglenn and we wouldn't have to go through Cheyenne. I've already talked to my brother about staying at his place in Omaha and he said it would be ok.

I can average almost 50 mpg on the TL when not pushing too hard. If I say 40-45 mpg to be on the safe side, that would give me a range of around 175 miles.

I will be able to narrow down a date more when my wife gets her work schedule for April. I am looking at doing this either April 30-May 1 or May 7-8.

[GSL]

Sound good!

[swademaster]

Is anybody else still interested? I remeber a few other were before but no one else has posted for a while.

[GSL]

Hey Wade,

I got one other guy (not on this forum) who may be interested in tagging along. We can split a hotel room if your bro doesn't have the room to put all of us up. Also good with enough floor space for a sleeping bag. No problemo.

Cheers,
Will

[swademaster]

Shouldn't be a problem. I'll check with him this weekend.

[Hawke]

I am still game for this. Been lurking for a while watching the developments.

[swademaster]

I talked to my brother again this weekend. He said no problem with people staying there if some don't mind sleeping on the floor. If there would be too many we could stay at my parent's house in Clarks instead.

My wife doesn't think she will have to work the weekend of May 7-8, so I am planning to make this trip then.

[GSL]

Hey Wade,

We still on for May 7/8?

I don't need to visit those National parks anymore (giving up for this year), so if you want to play with the route, go for it. We also don't need to start so early in the morning (I'm up for anything, though).

Cheers,
Will

[swademaster]

Hopefully we can still do it that weekend. Engine still isn't done. I will know more tomorrow.

[swademaster]

Looks like the 7th and 8th will work out. I stopped by TK on the way home today and Bart was putting the engine back together. I should be getting it back tomorrow and running by Friday.

The original route is still ok with me. If I have time to do some looking I might see if another one will work. Maybe leaving a little later in the morning would be good, around 6AM.

Is your friend still planning to go? Hawke, you still in?

[Hawke]

It is not looking real good right now. I need to see if I can scratch up some extra $$$. Working hard to find some extra scratch.

[GSL]

Nope, it's just gonna be me. My buddy is riding his bike out to California that weekend for a business trip. Must be nice...

[swademaster]

I hate to do this, but it looks like the ride is going to be postponed Got the engine in and it fired right up and sounds good. That's not the problem. I have a coolant leak and it will take a week to get the seals to fix it. I could have the bike going by next weekend but I don't feel comfortable riding 1,500 miles on a engine that I don't know I can trust.

Sorry to have to do this. Hopefully we can reschedule in the near future.

[GSL]

Hey man,

I know exactly how you feel. I would not go out on a 1500 mile ride with an untested bike either. Unfortunately, this was my last free weekend until June 25th. So, I'll just have to be cheering you on if you decide to ride it sooner.

Cheers mate,
Will

[Hawke]

That sux!! But I definately understand.

My next comment is very selfish. Yeah! When you schedule for later I will still be able to go!

[CAMit...]

Sorry to hear about the leak on your motor...

I had been lurking on the thread for a while waiting to see how things worked out. The weekend you choose did not work for myself so I didn't post anything. But keep us updated if you find a new weekend for this trip and if you don't mind a tag along, I am interested in this.

[swademaster]

Don't cancel your plans for next weekend yet, Will. I'm having the parts overnighted and should be in tomorrow. I am going to fix it myself and should have the bike going tomorrow afternoon.

If I can't do the ride next weekend it will be a while before I get a chance. I will post as soon as I know if the bike is all fixed.

[swademaster]

Trip is now canceled until later. I now have a problem with the right side engine cover and will have to get a new one. June 25 & 26 might be a possibility.

[GSL]

No worries. Take your time, get it worked out. It's all good.

[trackaddict]

rode from here to somewhere in Indianna in 18 hours...about 1400 miles?

get the certification. i wish i had kept track and all now.