First Solo from Mass to Durango, Co

[scblanch]

Hi,
Leaving from western Mass May 23 for a get together with an old riding buddy. Bought my first BMW last year and look forward to this 4400 mile round trip. Think I have the best route out there but plan on a southern return trip. Any ideas or must see stops let me know. I am new to this community as well but I have many miles on two wheels. My bike is a 2005 R1200RT and love it. Anybody looking to ride a leg with me would be great. Can't wait!

Ride safe,

Steve

[Rob Nye]

Hey Steve,

Have a great trip and don't forget your anonymous book!

If you want to meet a bunch of Mass riders check out the Yankee Beemers (http://www.yankeebeemers.org)

Best,

[Xaque]

The yankee beemers are a great bunch... just be warned, most of them are from the Eastern part of the region...

...but there are still some of us "westerners." ;)

Ride safe!

[lazywizard02]

Tucumcari, Las Vegas, Sipapu (Home of The Land of Enchantment BMW Riders, first weekend after Labor Day location), Taos, Pagosa Springs (camp by the river) Durango, Silverton (stay at the Hotel), Ouray, Montrose, Paonia (Home of Top o the Rockies 7/7?/07), Lake City, Alamosa, Trinidad, (Motel on Main Street). Post pictures.

[BubbaZanetti]

...but there are still some of us "westerners." ;)



yep!

have fun, go south through the desert, its my favorite place to ride for some reason.

[DADODIRT]

What's your route through Colorado?

I am two hours north of Durango and can give you good road, camping info.

Let me know.

[ddorwart]

Hi,
Leaving from western Mass May 23 for a get together with an old riding buddy. Bought my first BMW last year and look forward to this 4400 mile round trip. Think I have the best route out there but plan on a southern return trip. Any ideas or must see stops let me know. I am new to this community as well but I have many miles on two wheels. My bike is a 2005 R1200RT and love it. Anybody looking to ride a leg with me would be great. Can't wait!

Ride safe,

Steve

I am in Dallas, Texas if you are heading this way back. if you are taking the Southern Route home, depending on how South, hit the Big Bend National Park in South Texas. Also, in Arkansas, you must stop in Mena, Arkansas and hit the Talhamena Parkway in Oklahoma. Unbelievable

[njnear]

Hope your outbound route does NOT include I-80 around Chicago.

If your outbound route (or return route) goes through MO, US 160 is a nice ride across the southern part of the state.

Some possibilities on the southern return:

Nathez Trace from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN. Won't make good time, but no commercial traffic.

Head on east and pick up the Dragon on the south side of the Smokies then Blue Ridge Parkway up to Skyline Drive. Alternate across the park from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC.

I live in So. IL and find that there's no great riding within 400 miles of here. So good luck between here and the mountains!

[scblanch]

Thanks for all the tips. Will look at the return ddorwart. Sounds like a possibillty. Would like to stop in Anniston, Al to look at what the post I took basic training. From there, head north. Any and all ideas are welcome.

Thanks,

Steve

[RTRandy]

I would say HWY 550 (A.K.A Million Dollar Highway) heading north out of Durango to Ridgeway will be about as good as it's going to get anywhere. Hope you don't end up in Durango and not ride that road.

Already mentioned was Talihina, Ok to Mena, AR. It's like the Dragon only 54 miles instead of 11 miles with bigger elevation changes. All of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri is excellent if you get to that area.

If you get to Big Bend as already mentioned, head up to the Texas Hill Country, and ride 337 between Medina and Camp wood, Texas. Also 335 and 336 off of 337.

Not mentioned is the Enchanted Circle around Taos is an excellent day route. It's only about a 150 mile loop.

Good luck.

[26667]

+1 on Rte 550 N from Durango!!! w 3 !'s
My wife would agree. is that +2?

and a nice hot springs at Ouray