Southwest USA Questions

[Colban]

Hi Paul,you post replying to Blackal answered my questions.Useful info.
Shame your blog still appears to be blank but I do recall reading chunks of it in the past though.
Who did you use for insuance cover for riding in the US?.
Cheers,Col.

 

[Paul Rochdale]

Col

Yes I've got onto MSN to discover why all three of my websites have been wiped clean. I know that after a period of lack of use, they send a reminder saying to either use or they'll wipe them clean but I didn't hear from them.

I also crossed the US by bike in 2002 riding from Vancouver to the Mexican border then up to Toronto, in six weeks, and although it's currently blank, when it returns, please feel free to look at http://uk.msnusers.com/USCoasttoCoastMotorcycleTrip2002

Insurers - I went with Fernet Insurance Brokers, 4407 Vineland Road, Suite D-6, Orlando, FL 32811 (phone 407-481-8581 or email [email protected]). I think fully comp for three months was about £200. Yes, yes, I know, but needs must.

 

[Blackal]

Blackal

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Line, Southampton Terminal, speak to Tony White on 02380-637233 or email [email protected]


PS I'm sorry my website seems to be blank; I'll have to contact MSN so discovered where the thousands of words and pictures have gone. PM me if you have any more questions.

Thanks a lot for that, Paul - very interesting.

It seems quite expensive, but I looked into hiring bikes in the States and it was approximately $750/ week (if memory serves me), and that was for a Hardly Dangerous .

I guess there is a lot to be said about touring on your own bike. I guess if you have friends there, a possibly cheaper option is to buy a bike over there - but would take more preparation.

Thanks again,

Al

 

[mje]

Phoenix

Boxer
I will be in Phoenix in May for a conference so it would be rude not to get a few miles in, so am hiring a GS Adventure from AZride in Scottsdale, they seem very helpful but not cheap, from memory its around $180/day inc. insurance - am planning to ride the south rim of the Grand Canyon as I only have a few days and technically I will be working so dont want to be seen to be taking the p*** too much!!

 

[mystic]

Thanks a lot for that, Paul - very interesting.

It seems quite expensive, but I looked into hiring bikes in the States and it was approximately $750/ week (if memory serves me), and that was for a Hardly Dangerous .

I guess there is a lot to be said about touring on your own bike. I guess if you have friends there, a possibly cheaper option is to buy a bike over there - but would take more preparation.

Thanks again,

Al

As an alternative try taking a look at:

www. bikeshareworld.com

Done three long trip in US & Canada on loaned bikes - works just great - saved me a bomb as well.

Mystic

Mystic

 

[Rushy]

Same as Paul

I did 12,500 miles in 12 weeks (first and last week in a hire car) in '04 but I bought a bike as getting a bike back from my end point, Seattle, involved expensive air freight. I decided to go as a late decision and only bought my ticket 3 weeks before I went so sea freight there was also out of the question as I'd missed the boat.

So I bought a mint 1100GS already equipped for 'adventure motorcycling' for $7500 and sold it at the end for $5250 with a pair of completely shagged tyres and in desperate need of a service.

Buy if you can because although its great to take your own bike and then bring it back, when you add the cost of tyres and mechanical wear & tear PLUS depreciation to the already expensive freight costs it aint cheap.

As previously said you have to spend some time in Moab. Awesome. All the parks on the doorstep, river rafting , jeep hire onto the White Rim trail. I also loved Bryce Canyon even more than the Big GC. Mesa Verde was good and also the often overlooked Canyon de Chelly which isnt far from Monument Valley.

Stick to Colorado and Utah/Arizona and you wont be disappointed. The roads may be straight and in theory boring but I can assure you that you will not tire of the amazing scenery! The emptiness and the vast open spaces are breathtaking.

Be prepared for riding at altitude, you will still need warm clothing even though daytime temps are good.

One of my favourite roads was Scenic Hwy 12 which knocks around the Grand Escalente area covering GC, Zion, Bryce etc . I can also tell how to do a great ride on fire trails to the North Rim of GC which will take you well away from the usual tourists and allow you to ride right to the rim instead of right into a car park next to a visitors centre. Although I have been told that the main highway to the north rim is also one of the best biking roads in the Sth West, unfortunately I was there first week of May and the road was still closed.

PM me if you need any info' or advice.

Have a great time

PS Buy some dollars now

 

[Rushy]

Moab

You gotta go...

 

[Rushy]

Capitol Reef NP

Just off Scenic Hwy 12

 

[Colban]

Hi Rushy,have considered the idea of buying a bike in the US and then selling,but dont you need a US address and license to do this?.Also,what is the position regarding insurance?.
Col.

 

[Paul Rochdale]

My wife, who's MUCH cleverer than me, has got my US websites back and working. It seems our brand new computer had the 'wrong browser settings and Internet filtering functions interfering with the operation of Windows Live Mail'............whatever that lot mean't. Anyway it's working.

 

[Chisurz]

Paul/Half_Empty1,

Did the Motel 6's usually have (free? wireless?) Internet access?

Also, can ANYONE recommend a particular hotel for the Grand Canyon - mega-views (and beer) etc.? Going there in mid-March.

Many thanks all

A

Bright Angel Lodge - book a cabin, not a room in the main building. They have a great atmosphere. From the cabins, it is a very short stroll to the rim.

The south rim is spectacular in the morning, at dawn. Approaching the canyon for the first time in the darkness before dawn then watching the vista and colour change as the sun comes up is quite breathtaking (and still breathtaking when you do it again some years later!).

The north rim is a good 1000 feet or so higher and has a much more alpine feel on the (long, straight, but not boring) approach road. Spectacular at sunset...

The walks along the south rim are easy. However, always remember to take plenty of water with you. Don't forget something warm to wear first thing in the morning as it can be (very) cold at the rim altitude.

 

[John Armstrong]

Just off Scenic Hwy 12

Some of the best ie curvy roads in the GC area. Zion a favorite as well, would like to go back sometime.

 

[Rushy]

Hi Rushy,have considered the idea of buying a bike in the US and then selling,but dont you need a US address and license to do this?.Also,what is the position regarding insurance?.
Col.

Sorry about the late reply.

Yes and yes. Perhaps I should've explained that in my post.

I used a mates name and address who was emigrating to Seattle the week I arrived. I registered and insured the bike in his name with me as an additional driver. I cant recall who I insured the bike with but it was one of the US's largest Mcycycle insurers and recommended on Horizons Unlimited.

I bought the bike privately but Seattle BMW were quite helpful via email and would've sold me a bike with an agreed buy back value.

 

[Banjaxed]

Agreed - Southern Utah, Arizona, Colorado...

You MUST see the national parks - all have been mentioned already (although my favourite is Zion). Buy an annual pass well in advance (here) and save a bundle.

Oh yes, the locals are not only friendly, they seem remarkably well informed...

 

[Lamble]

Just get lost!

I spent some time ambling through Arizon last Summer, only staying at one off lodgings and only eating at one-offs. There's a hidden ceiling at around $45 per night. Go below it and there's only a 2 to 3 in 10 chance you'll dare to take your clothes off in bed, above and it's okay.

My advice, get a gps then get lost as much as possible.
Moab is great and the night hummer trip is a must. The vast straights aren't bad, as you'll soon discover, the far end usually disappears up a mountain and into the sky.

If there's any chance to get to the New Mexico salt desert-White Sands- try and do so. It's a truly unique experience of sensory solitude if you get to the middle, almost spiritual if it wasn't for the USAF stealth bombers. You'll see them, but the salt absorbs the sound, in a spooky and eerie sort of way.

I blogged the ride, so have a look at some of the pics and verbage at:

www.roughguidesintouch.com/lamble
http://www.roughguidesintouch.com/lamble

Rough Guides instant blogging service, well worth a look at, if you want to set up a blog yourself.

Remember that any unique places you find, to email them to [email protected]

 

[Banjaxed]

Good advice from Steve

The GPS was brilliant - often the best thing to do was to look at a paper map, choose a destination and then get Betty to route there via 'shortest route'. That way, you tend to avoid the highways and travel along much more interesting roads.

To places like Bryce Canyon...

 

[Banjaxed]

Or Zion...

Magnificent...

 

[Lamble]

Also, on GPS-if you have a Tom Tom Rider, you can select avoid Motorways, this works for Interstates too, although I'd offer that you should try an Interstate just for the sake of seeing what they are like, then get off and see America at its best, not that Interstate USA isn't America, but think of it as being the same sort of England you find at motorway services, typical but not desirable, too much stretched lycra, too many blarty kids and reps and crap.

 

[Lamble]

Also, on GPS-if you have a Tom Tom Rider, you can select avoid Motorways, this works for Interstates too, although I'd offer that you should try an Interstate just for the sake of seeing what they are like, then get off and see America at its best, not that Interstate USA isn't America, but think of it as being the same sort of England you find at motorway services, typical but not desirable, too much stretched lycra, too many blarty kids and reps and crap.