Yellowstone

[Real Bad Attitude]

Going to be ridding thru Wyoming this July. We will be entering the state in the north west corner, and were going to go thru Yellowstone. But I've heard it can be very slow going. We want to make Buffalo for the evening. Any alternate routes we can ride?

Sorry posted in the wrong region.
Carry on

[bluemax]

It can be slow going, but weekday mornings are your best shot a missing most of the Winnebago's. On the other hand Yellowstone is not something you want blast through anyway, it's spectacular. I suggest you exit the park using the NE exit, this way you get ride the Chief Joseph highway down into Cody. Sounds like you're on a mission, and time is tight, but the Buffalo Bill Museum is cool thing to see in Cody.If you've never ridden the Bear Tooth Pass, you don't want miss it, you're right there, Hwy 212 up to Red Lodge MT. It's just one of the coolest roads in N. America. And whether you take 14 or 14A to Sheridan doesn't make too much difference they're both wonderful. Now to answer your question, can you get to Buffalo that night? Not if you ride all these great roads, and enjoy Yellowstone and Cody. They are definitely worth an extra half day, even if your schedule doesn't permit it. Once you ride in that area you'll understand what I'm talking about. You'll have a blast.

[zzrRider]

Thanks for the info bluemax.  I'll be heading West in June and was debating whether or not to skip Yellowstone since I heard traffic was terrible that time of year.  Can I take that route in reverse since I'm heading the other direction, or is that NE exit not also an entrance?

Maybe that's a stupid question, but I've never been out that way and it sounds like there's some great stuff I should see.

[Bandman]

You definitely don't want to miss Yellowstone or the Beartooth Highway.  The best suggestion I could give is to leave yourself a day to at least explore a little bit of the park.  If you don't have that kind of time, skirt through Yellowstone by staying on the top of the north park loop.

Whatever you do, don't miss the Beartooth Highway - IMO it is the most spectacular road in the world!

I have been out to Yellowstone 4 times and I have also bicycled Yellowstone and Beartooth.  I have also been to "Greater Wyoming" numerous times and am quite familiar with all of the mountain passes in the state (I think I have ridden them all).  Have you checked out Thermopolis as an overnight option?

In any event, feel free to PM me if you want more info.  I'd also be willing to give you a call to talk about your trip.  Are you looking for someone else to join you??

[zzrRider]

Sure.  I really haven't been outside the couple states in the Wisconsin area on my bike, but I'm taking a 3 wk trip this summer across the US.  I honestly have no idea exactly where I'll be going, with the exception of a couple must see spots - Yellowstone, Redwood forests, Grand Canyon, Utah State Parks.  Actually what I'm doing is taking around $1000 and seeing how long I can make it last (while still having fun, of course).  It's all part of my final school project before I graduate - cheapmotorcycletravel.com.  I think I can do $50 a day so long as I find cheap camping spots.

Long story short, if you happen to be along my loop and want to show me around for a day or two, grab some lunch, and don't mind stopping a few times to take some photos, I'll gladly take company.  I might get lonely after 3 weeks .  I'm leaving around the STN national, so hopefully I can get there before everyone leaves to hang out for a day, then I'll just keep going west.

[Bandman]

Yeah, that time frame doesn't work for me.  I teach and don't get out of school until the 20th of June.

I am actually leaving on the evening of the 20th on a motorcycle trip to Vermont.  I figured if your trip was later in July it might work.  If you want any more info on WY, just let me know.

Scott

[tomek]

zzrRider,I don`t think you are gonna make your trip on a 1G,you are gonna log close to 6 K miles,fuel will be 3 bucks or more in summer,I`d guess 450- 500 bucks for gas.
 Camping  typically, State Park,U.S.F.S or National Park goes anywhere from 6-8 bucks to 20 bucks.I would say 300 bucks if your don`t stay in motel even once.Of course you can pay by check in gov. run campgrounds,,,,,,,,,,,,
 Then there is a entry fee for National Parks,annual is 50 bucks,you do the math whether it is worth getting one for you,Yellowstone is 20 $ for motorcycle,but most other N.P. are 5-10 bucks.

 We`ve been doing 18 day Chicago West Coast and everything in between trips for last couple of years,5500-6000 miles,staying at campgrounds most of the time,last bill was 1200 bucks a piece.

 Start with new tires and good chain that will go the distance for sure,you don`t want to be stuck in some very remote place 200 miles from nearest dealership.

BTW go to The Glacier National Park in Montana,trust me  

[zzrRider]

zzrRider,I don`t think you are gonna make your trip on a 1G,you are gonna log close to 6 K miles

But then it wouldn't be a challenge.  That's the whole idea behind my website ... I want to see how cheaply I can travel.  I want to have massive amounts of fun, but, on the other hand, the less I spend, the further I can go.  Since I'm graduating I have this moment in my life where I could basically live for six months on the road if I could stretch my money.  I think many on the website have the opposite problem (enough money and not enough time).

So I've had this challenge percolating in the back of my mind for a few years now.  And I'm going to keep detailed stats of where I spent my money, so I can figure out how much my trip costs mer per mile in gas, lodging food, etc.

Honestly though, I may have to cheat and up my money amount to $1500 if I'm going to include a tire change and oil change mid-trip.

I should add that I am NOT frugal in many ways, so this is sort of a personal quest to see if I CAN live cheaply, since I will have to when I return to real life and my giant debt  .  I may fail, but I'm damn well going to try.  But if I do fail, who's going to come to a website called cheapmotorcycletravel ... if the founder can't even travel cheaper than they can.  So I do have motivation to keep costs down, but I will not be passing up great sites in the name of saving a buck either.

[tomek]

 Well,I guess you could make it on a grand,may have to go on diet,,,,,,,, In U.S. forest you can camp pretty much anywhere you want,,,,,,,arrive late and leave early,,and it is free then.You can alwayes take a shower at K.O.A. or truck stop,,,,,about 5 bucks.

  Road trip with no motels it is much more fun,no T.V.,no news,etc, you meet people when camping,,,,,,,,

Good luck, btw Pilot Road will last 8,9 k miles on trip like that.