NEW ENGLAND to NAFO

Day -1

Leaving 04:30 tomorrow, Sunday, from Palmer Massachusetts to NAFO in Colorado. S76 rode to Colorado six years ago with me and he wants to do another epic ride this year.

Somebody wants to leave at 04:00 and ride out in two days because google says you can and besides he did it six years ago in less than two days. I need my sleep so we have the later start tomorrow.

Found a shortcut to NAFO that will take five long days instead NAFO spot page will show us as MrB and the only certainty on this ride is we are leaving at 04:30 tomorrow and arriving sometime Thursday afternoon in Montrose Colorada

Planning on taking this loop counterclockwise:

Safe travels! Looks like you're bypassing Dallas. Good choice...

sportsguy said:

Safe travels! Looks like you're bypassing Dallas. Good choice...

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Ha ha ya never know. Could have a spontaneous ice age and then we'll hightail it across I20

Your route west looks similar to what I did last month. Just as a head's up, 90 between the bottom of the lakes or thereabouts sucked with construction and might slow you down a bit. Also Mason City off 35 in Iowa had a nice strip of hotels with chain restaurants scattered about, mostly within walking distance of each other if you're looking to overnite someplace. Most importantly though - have fun and enjoy!

BigOgre wrote Just as a head's up, 90 between the bottom of the lakes or thereabouts sucked with construction and might slow you down a bit.

Thanks for the heads up. I've been watching two construction slowdowns there on google. Seems to be slow 24 7 and really tied up by day. We should be riding through there at 04:00 Monday so I hope it's not gridlocked. We want to sail past Chicago area before the locals wake up. Is there rush hour traffic in Chicago?

Have fun, see you in Montrose.

Bugnatr said:

Have fun, see you in Montrose.

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Thanks Doug, see you there and maybe someday I'll bring my little 690R and your grown up KTM can teach it some tricks

Chicago? I 80 between 6 AM and 9 AM there is no rush, everyone just sits.

Ditto for 3 to 6 in the afternoon.

plus side is if you have an EZ pass Illinois has open road tolling, no toll gates. No EZ pass you need to exit to a toll booth to pay a couple of tolls.

airboss said:

Chicago? I 80 between 6 AM and 9 AM there is no rush, everyone just sits.
Ditto for 3 to 6 in the afternoon.

plus side is if you have an EZ pass Illinois has open road tolling, no toll gates. No EZ pass you need to exit to a toll booth to pay a couple of tolls.

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have toll transponders and hope we get through Chicago before that parking lot you mentioned. Don't those people in Chicago go away for the summer?

We'll be in a new time zone so 03:30 ksu will feel like a 04:30 ksu for us New Englanders

I wonder when I should tell S76 what time we leave

Safe travels Mr Bill. Wish I could join you all, in Montrose.

El Toro Joe said:

Safe travels Mr Bill. Wish I could join you all, in Montrose.

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This is going to be some trip, but I don't think it will beat WV FODS. My butt has a new shape after that ride!

Wish you could join us too Joe.

Personal spot page showing our tracks

We left Palmer Mass at 04:30 to pick up the Mass Pike aka I90

A couple of hundred miles later we found a filling breakfast joint



A day later we are still on I90



I90 in Mitchell SD tonight. Everyone knows the speed limit is 80mph here now? Wow do things fly by when you are cooking an FJR down the road!

Tomorrow the Badlands, Custer state park, Rushmore and Devils . Do we call that Bear Tower now to be PC?

Quick ride through Badlands NP this morning with a few sprinkles. Met a FZ1 rider from Alberta, wherever that is, just coming home from Newfi, New England and across the states....10,000 mile trip on that unfaired bike. I guess our 6,000 mile trip is not up to par.

Today was a low mile long day.



Somebody mapped this out in the black hills



I swear I didn't do this on purpose. I think FredW somehow got into my gps

Compare the noggins



Looks like S76 has the biggest head!

We are near Billings Montana for the night. S76 in a nice cool hotel room, but he said I need to do penance for the dirt road mapping ....



I have to sleep in the tent here in Crow Country

Mr Bill said:

Somebody mapped this out in the black hills

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OH NO, Mr. Bill! LOL

Great ride, have fun and be safe!

Have a great trip!!

Thanks for the well wishes guys!



So long to I90. Boston to Billings



Beartooth Highway this morning



The summit



Picked the Buffalo traffic jam rather than Old Faithful side with road construction with follow me trucks.



Highway 191 reopened a few days ago, but the fire fighting is still in full swing.

Tomorrow is a short ride into Nafo headquarters. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Howdy Mr Bill! Please tell Bob "hello" from me. You guys ride safe.

luvtoride said:

Howdy Mr Bill! Please tell Bob "hello" from me. You guys ride safe.

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Thanks Heidi

The four wheelsers keep trying to knock us off, but they haven't been quick enough yet.