A journey into Quality, in the tyre-tracks of Robert Pirsig.
A reading of the Book might help to enjoy this trip, but not perhaps essential.
Here's the itinerary, naturally there's a little more to it than The Book 'cos there's other stuff out there to see Flying into Chicago to pick up a bike and a couple of sideshows as below, but pretty faithful rendition one feels
Mt Rushmore is only a day south of Laurel, so a must-see, with Sturgis on the way.
The Iron Horse Rodeo just happens to be on at Red Lodge, so taking a rest day. Yeeeehah
ZAMM finishes at San Francisco, but Big Sur runs down to LA where they have an airport too. A little chance to unwind
Chicago. Collect bike and work out what didn't get packed
Chicago to Wisconsin Dells to get used to the HOG
Wisconsin Dells to Minneapolis, check out the Pirsig home and get an early night
Minneapolis to Oakes 270 miles. The beginnning of the journey, across the MidWest plains to the Twin Pines Motel overnight. OK, TPM is long gone but the Travel Inn remains
Oakes to Lemmon 257 miles. Across the Missouri River and indian reservations to find the Llewellyn Jones recreational area at Shadewell Lakes.
Then a quick run down to photo-opportunity in Sturgis and Mt Rushmore to gawp at the statues. Find a local motel to watch the sun go down and/or up over the trees.
Leisurely breakfast and back to Llewellyn J.
Lemmon to Laurel 351 miles. The longest road day of the trip, across Montana to Red Lodge.
Just in time for a day off to enjoy the Independence Day weekend. the Iron Horse Rodeo and Beartooth Rally.
Laurel to Gardner 150 miles but what a ride, via the Beartooth Pass. RP used Hillcrest Cottages overnight, they're still open.
Gardner to Missoula 300 miles. Past Bozeman without stopping for the de Weeses (all now departed this life) up through Butte, to Missoula and find a motel. Pirsig pushed on to Lolo Pass camp but going to see how we feel.
Missoula to Riggins 327 miles. Riding across National Forest Parks to Snake River. A motel in Riggins allows a more leisurely day than busting piston rings to Brownlee Campsite
Riggins to Baker City 310 miles West across Oregon, as far as a comfortable day's ride, can check out the Brownlee sitye if feel the urge.
Baker City to Bend. Completing the mountain section, an extra day compared to Pirsig but we're not running from demons.
Bend to Grant's Pass 250 miles. South to Klamath Falls, detour past Crater Lake to see what Chris was so bored by. West through Medford and a Bunk'n'Bed party house (according to their website)
Grant's Pass to Redcrest 203 miles. The first 60 miles in forest ranges and then hit the coast. Turning South to Eureka, and on to the Redcrest resort motel.
Redcrest to San Francisco 233 miles. RP cut inland at Whitesboro, but Route 1 continues south along the Pacific Palisades and might be more interesting. Let's see how tired we are by then. Definitely a hotel.
Probably a day touring Haight Ashbury and the Bay bridges
Heading off to Big Sur coast road, camp site somewhere along the cliffs
Day on the beach, or cruising the coast, who knows what life will offer
Roll into LA, dump bikes and check out the city.
Home James and don't spare the flying horses
What with weather and stuff, the Beartooth is only open from Memorial day, and reliably open only after mid-June. Until October.
So that's the window of travel. Flights booked for late june and back mid-July
