Farewell to the West- Riding from LA to Chicago

[eric]

So the short story is, I got married last month. The missus, being in the Navy, is stationed in Chicago right now. I will be leaving Southern California, my home for the past ten years, to be there as well. For months I've been dreaming about the day I would swing my leg over that bike again and leave the lights of LA behind. For a while, I wasn't sure if it was ever going to happen.

But the winds of fortune have been kind. That day is here. I will leave in two weeks, riding from LA to Chicago. Here's my tentative route plan:

google maps link: http://goo.gl/jiooql




So my purpose here is twofold: to seek some route advice, and share some of my best memories traveling through the West. The route right now is about 2650 miles and, in the interest of time, cannot be much longer. From CA to the UT-CO border it's more or less set. The only locale I really, really want to hit is the Black Hills and Badlands. Trying to minimize any use of interstates. Other than that, any thoughts on the following portions would be very welcome  


1. The long slog from Badlands in South Dakota all the way to Chicago. I've never been this far east by road before. Go through Minnesota? Iowa? Any decent roads in southern Wisconsin?

2. That cut heading northeast through Colorado. Should be a lot of great roads, any recommendations?

3. More wildly, I do have some regrets about never really seeing New Mexico. A wholly different route would take me through there, plus at least Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri. Really a whole different character, with a flavor of the South. Anybody have a supremely persuasive argument for? I'll do it, if it is supremely persuasive enough.



Feels a bit like blasphemy now, but I will be leaving the Monster behind and taking my Moto Guzzi Griso. Reasons: ergos, don't have it in me to do the extensive overhaul, and ergos. My back just can't take a trip (+ camping) like that anymore and come out okay. But it's as good a reason as any to look back and share some of my favorite memories of the West that I am leaving behind, via some of the photos taken on many journeys on the Monster.


Full-sized versions here: http://thesunhaswings.blogspot.com/2014/06/last-days-in-west.html




(A little unsolicited promotion here. Throughout this whole time all work on the Monster was done by speeddog. The only time it let me down was when it ran out of gas. Oh wait, that was actually an instance of me letting it down. So no instances.)

2011-2013


Full album here: http://thesunhaswings.blogspot.com/2014/06/last-days-in-west.html

[1.21GW]

I have nothing to add except to say:

(1) Congrats on the marriage!    

(2) I look forward to following you on the trip via this thread or your blog.  The Alaska adventure has inspired me to do more touring and I've even bought some new touring gear.  I now have a (pipe)dream of doing NYC to Buenes Aires trip in two years.  Thanks for the inspiration.  

So the short story is, I got married last month. The missus, being in the Navy, is stationed in Chicago right now.

(3) What is the Navy doing in Chicago?!  Someone needs to inform them that oceans, not lakes, are their domain.

[1.21GW]

Actually I do have something to add, regarding New Mexico: I vote to skip NM because you can ride through there year round, whereas the northern route is better to do in the summer (i.e. now).  You may never get a chance to ride through NM, but in the event you do you won't need to worry about the season.

[ChrisK]

Congrats on the marriage and a new life chapter!

I live in Dixon, IL, real near your intended route so I have a few suggestions for you when you get over here.

1.) Avoid I-90 between Rockford and Chicago, it's under construction.
2.) After living out west, you're going to be severely unimpressed with the roads around here. I suggest trying to erase any memory you have of how good the roads are that you've been on, so you don't want to pull your hair out when you get here.
3.) Your route shows going over into central Wisconsin, and then dropping south. SE Wisconsin and NW Illinois are really pretty scenic for around here so I would suggest dropping south somewhere around Rt. 61 and heading through Dubuque, Galena, and possibly Savanna. Then you can head East to Chicago from there. Pick any road in the SE corner of WI or the NW corner of IL and it should be pretty decent, but one to remember is Scenic Ridge Rd in between Galena and Savanna.

I know that by the time you've come this far you're just wanting to get to your destination to see your wife, BUT, if you feel like it you're welcome to stop in Dixon for a night. Safe travels!

[ZLTFUL]

3.) Your route shows going over into central Wisconsin, and then dropping south. SE Wisconsin and NW Illinois are really pretty scenic for around here so I would suggest dropping south somewhere around Rt. 61 and heading through Dubuque, Galena, and possibly Savanna. Then you can head East to Chicago from there. Pick any road in the SE corner of WI or the NW corner of IL and it should be pretty decent, but one to remember is Scenic Ridge Rd in between Galena and Savanna.

Not to mention Dorchester, IA, Waukon, IA, Lansing, IA...hell...anything north of Dubuque is fantastic and scenic.

[Rudemouthsky]

I would have a persuasive argument for Arkansas and Missouri (Ozark mountains FTW) if it wasn't for north Texas and Oklahoma. 

[The ModFather]

Welcome to Chicago (when you get here). Make sure you check out Motorcycle Mondays at 5-Star Bar. First monday of every month bikes of a different country are featured. This June was German, July is American and August is Italian  . Great night to bring the Monster or Guzzi out. Bikes and Burlesque is also a fun monthly bike event in the city. Steel Toe Press has a great online Calendar that maps out great motorcycle events in the Chicago area. check it out

Here's the link: http://steeltoepress.com/events/?nav=prev&month=7&y=2014&choice=calendar

Also worth checking out every year is:
Moto-Blot (previously known as Mods Vs. Rockers) annual Motorcycle Rally in the City.



http://motoblot.com/


Other fun ridable annual events include:
Distinguished Gentlemens Ride (not exclusive to Chicago but still lots of fun).
Rockerbox in Wisconsin

Make sure to visit Motoworks Chicago on Western Ave. Great Ducati/Triumph Dealer in Chicago.
Also the Isle of Man is a pretty cool (but pricey) Moto Gear shop.
The Chicago area also has one of only 3 Dainese Stores in the US located in Schaumburg, IL about 40 minutes outside Chicago.

[Grampa]

navy basic training is outside Chicago

[muskrat]

you are WAY too close to miss the million dollar highway from Durango, CO, past Ouray, CO.  DO NOT MISS!!!!!!!