4,700 miles in 7 days across TX, NM, CO, UT, ID, WA, OR, NV and back ...............

[MikeyTX]

So I took a week's vacation to knock off one of my bucket list rides. From where I live just south of Dallas/Ft. Worth up to Mt Rainier national park in WA state. Then south into OR to ride the Sisters loop of US 20, OR 126 and, OR 242 aka "The McKenzie Highway." From there, southeast through a corner of CA into NV. Then across the old highway, US 50 into UT and back home. Without question, one heck of a ride. Trike ran flawlessly. Not one hiccup. OR 242 makes the Dragon look like child's play and is a hell of alot longer. Chinook Pass on WA 410 is a must do too for any hard core touring rider.

Sadly did not get to do WA 706 along the south edge of the national park due to time constraints. US 50 in NV and UT, aka "The Loneliest Highway in America" actually isn't so lonely. There was a lot of truck and car traffic on it. And, in fact had more fuel stops on it than I expected. The best scenery is from Austin, NV to Delta UT. The first part from Fallon to Austin was kind of boring. I'm sure the pony express riders didn't think so way back when. I'm sure they would have enjoyed it more riding a Harley than an Indian. The Avon steer tire I had installed the day befor I left makes a world of difference. Way less effort turning and vastly more stable at speeds in the rain than the Duncrap the motor company installs at the assembly plant in York, PA.

In fact, as soon as I wear down the rear tires, I will replace them with low rolling resistance tires. I want better fuel milage ! 26 mpg to 35 mpg depending on speed. Sweet spot seems to be 68/72 mph in 6th gear.

[DK Custom Products]

Sounds like a fun, fast trip!

You gonna be posting any pics?

Kevin

[MikeyTX]

Never took any. I can how ever provide copies of all the motel, fuel and, meal receipts I saved if some kind soul would like to reimburse me. Uncle Sam trained my good ............ Btw, love your lift kit and the floorboard spacers. Made sure to mention them to one and all that asked. I still cannot believe how many trikes I have encountered this summer on both trips to the western states.

[Capt.Bob]

Never took any. I can how ever provide copies of all the motel, fuel and, meal receipts I saved if some kind soul would like to reimburse me. Uncle Sam trained my good ............ Btw, love your lift kit and the floorboard spacers. Made sure to mention them to one and all that asked. I still cannot believe how many trikes I have encountered this summer on both trips to the western states.

+1 on the DK lift kit and floor board extenders. Very nice trip. Isn't it great when you are out in the wilds of the country and your TGU doesn't miss a beat! Glad you had a great time and will have to look up those roads. Thanks for the ride report.

[MikeyTX]

Already have it routed in reverse for late spring. Wife thinks I'm crazy ............ What does she know ?

[Gorilla]

congrats nice ride.

[MikeyTX]

So when I stop for fuel and a quick bite to eat in Austin at the Chevron, I find these cool "I survived US 50" t shirts. Of course I buy one. Then I discover that much like a poker run, there are pin stops. Well duh ! At that point I am half way across to Ely which is the last pin stop. Bummers ................ I want that pin and wall certificate. Needless to say, next spring when I ride it in the reverse direction, I will have the list of pin stops handy ..........

[consitter]

Glad that you made it back in one piece...

Just to let you know, we have a new late night thread. Visit early and often.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Dang ... I like to rack up miles as much as the next guy ... but .. I also like to smell the roses once in awhile ... maybe recognize what it is I'm looking at as I fly by it ... LOL.

Although ... I tried to do the iron b$tt thing, I barely remember where we rode ... and I didn't even get credit for doing it. Did it with a buddy on Saturday evening, checked in with the dealer before we left ... when we got back 1053 miles later Sunday late afternoon, the dealer was closed.

Even though my buddy was a salesman at the dealer, we couldn't get the "Verification" we completed in 24 hours ... my buddy still tries to get me to repeat the ride, ya know ... to get the "Verification" ... but me and my b$tt, my five year older b&tt, feel like that brass ring has lost it's shine ... ... once was plenty. I downloaded my GPS track ... and printed it ... so I know I did it ... plenty for me.

[MikeyTX]

Oh, I do stop every now and then to read the historical markers placed by the state or local organizations. A lot of what I covered was done so some 40 years ago. It was interesting to see the changes to towns like the Yakima/Union Gap area. The ride up the canyon on US 6 from Green River, UT to Spanish Fork, UT was for me a trip down memory lane. The state has widened it and installed bypasses around several of the town's one had to stop light by stop light through. There is now a well designed rest area/travel center near Tie Fork replete with an exact replica of the helper engines used by the railroad to get freight and ore trains over the pass. The building is designed to replicate an old round house, complete with rails embedded in cobblestone.

[stratcpo]

Yep, we are on the road as I write this, just like you love to put miles on the trike. We left Kingsville Tx and rode to Maine and are now sitting in Deadwood SD. We will leave tomorrow headed back to Tx, but it is the short leg of the trip. Total mileage will be about 7500. See you on the road!!!

[DRT]

I saw something in you first entry about low resistance tires for the rear. Can you tell me what you are referencing sounds interesting.

[MikeyTX]

Bridgestone/Firestone has a low rolling resistance passenger car tire in our size. All the local Firestone stores carry them. I plan on switching to them once I wear down the OE Dunlaps. We have started to switch to this type of tire in the trucking industry. The fuel savings adds up over time.

[RickDeVon]

Well after reading your post on 7 days and 4700 miles I don't feel to bad about our upcoming trip next weekend...We are riding from Pine Mountain, Ga. to Front Royal, Va. on Friday,700 miles...the next day will be heading home riding the Skyline Dr. and Blue Ridge Parkway completely...trying to be back home sometime Monday...about 1700 miles total....just going on a cruise...

[MikeyTX]

I may need to make that my next mod. They look so much better than the factory Tri Glide wheels.

[RickDeVon]

I may need to make that my next mod. They look so much better than the factory Tri Glide wheels.

My front is a 19" Street Glide for the clean narrow rotors...