Welcome to my motorcycle camping blog! As my brother Steve and I have been working through the planning phases for this year's ride, I have felt more and more like journaling as a way to document and capture what I (we) love most about this activity. I hope you will enjoy following our journey and will find some inspiration to get out there and enjoy the diverse nature and geography of our part of the world.
Motorcycle travel and camping is nothing new to me, or my brother Steve - who will once again be my travel partner on this adventure. Yet as seasoned as we both are, this ride is stacking up to be perhaps the most epic adventure we have embarked on as of yet. I mean, we aren't talking about around the world travel here but then again, we are just a couple of average guys who love riding and aren't willing or able to just quit our jobs and head off into the sunset.
The overall plan is to ride a clockwise loop that will take us through Iowa, South Dakota and Montana en route to Glacier National Park and then head north to experience the Canadian Rockies via Banff and Jasper. For the route home, we are staying on the Canadian side and will be crossing Saskatchewan and Manitoba before dipping south into Minnesota for the final leg of the trip.
The map below gives a general orientation of the grand loop we have planned.
With an average of around 300 miles a day, we will be covering over 4,000 miles and will have camped for 17 consecutive nights by the end of our adventure. As I mentioned, Steve and I have done multiple trips together, many which have included other riders and passengers as well. The longest we have been out prior to this trip has been 11 days so we are both excited and a bit nervous about the additional time on the road. Who knows what challenges the weather and terrain will have in store for us - it's all part of the adventure!
Motorcycle travel and camping is nothing new to me, or my brother Steve - who will once again be my travel partner on this adventure. Yet as seasoned as we both are, this ride is stacking up to be perhaps the most epic adventure we have embarked on as of yet. I mean, we aren't talking about around the world travel here but then again, we are just a couple of average guys who love riding and aren't willing or able to just quit our jobs and head off into the sunset.
The overall plan is to ride a clockwise loop that will take us through Iowa, South Dakota and Montana en route to Glacier National Park and then head north to experience the Canadian Rockies via Banff and Jasper. For the route home, we are staying on the Canadian side and will be crossing Saskatchewan and Manitoba before dipping south into Minnesota for the final leg of the trip.
The map below gives a general orientation of the grand loop we have planned.
With an average of around 300 miles a day, we will be covering over 4,000 miles and will have camped for 17 consecutive nights by the end of our adventure. As I mentioned, Steve and I have done multiple trips together, many which have included other riders and passengers as well. The longest we have been out prior to this trip has been 11 days so we are both excited and a bit nervous about the additional time on the road. Who knows what challenges the weather and terrain will have in store for us - it's all part of the adventure!
I'm really excited for you guys! What are your travel dates?
ReplyDeleteChris,
DeleteWe are leaving on June 27 and returning on July 13. At 17 days, this will be the longest yet!
A fantastic loop and perfect pace. My very first long riding trip bisected your south/north loop, Jasper and just north of there our furthest point.
ReplyDeleteYou guys will make this a grand one!
Doug,
ReplyDeletePace was a big part of our conversation. We have one long day planned across part of Montana (400 mi) but everything else is 300 or less. The planning for this one has been especially intensive with the need to book the majority of campsites in advance.