Who Planned This Route???

[Gonzo]

WOW!!
I have been tracing the route laid out on the site map and am totally impressed with the hwys selected for our riding pleasure!!

So many places that I will see for the first time. Very exciting and am looking forward to it.

My plan is to party at the Buffalo Chip for Sturgis then knock off a few of the "15 Rides" while working my way south to ELP. Maybe even get a little golf in with some friends in PHX prior to checking into the Best Western on the 30th.

Possibly my trip will be camping style until arriving at Nelson where I have a reservation at the secondary hotel (Primary was full up). But I am curious what night time temps will be in places like Aspen for the 31st of Aug....my head scratchin sez it'll be somewhere between 45 and 55F...with heavy emphasis on 45.

If any of ya'll been thru this before I would gr8tly appreciate a response.

Lookin fwd to meetin ya"ll
C ya mañana,
Gonzo
Twitter: @gonzocrossusa
Blog: www.GonzoCrossUSA.blogspot.com
Email: [e-mail]
Cell: 949-433-0761

[BuzzCap7]

May 3, 2012 20:29:00 GMT -8 Gonzo said:

WOW!!
I have been tracing the route laid out on the site map and am totally impressed with the hwys selected for our riding pleasure!!

If any of ya'll been thru this before I would gr8tly appreciate a response.

Lookin fwd to meetin ya"ll
C ya mañana,
Gonzo
Twitter: @gonzocrossusa
Blog: www.GonzoCrossUSA.blogspot.com
Email: [e-mail]
Cell: 949-433-0761

Gonz:
1) I dropped a note to Huey since he is the Chariman. Hopefully he will drop by here and see your compliemnt etc...

2) Best Western......they did or are now still doing the following......stay with them 3 times and ur 4th stay is FREE.

3) When you go to Sturgis, u going to do the Spearfish, Needles Hwy, or anything else? I will later this year.

BuzzCap7

[Gonzo]

The 2 keys activities I have etched in 'Stone' are the Iron Mountain ride and the pic on Main street. Last year I did the Iron mountain, Devil's Tower, rides over various Hwys, and Needles. I didn't research enough to really plan things out well. And I have to admit that I partied every single night at the Buffalo Chip.

This year I would like to do Spearfish and a few others in addition to Iron Mountain. But I expect I will only be in Sturgis for 2-3 days then I'll be heading north to knock off the MT and ID "Best 15" then heading south to ELP

HS#1: Here's a '(H)ead (S)cratcher'......has anyone identified the best photo ops on any of the "15" rides that qualify as proof that a rider has been there??? As I look at the Blue Ridge, VT100 as well as having been on Iron Mtn before....I really don't see any particular spot for a photo that anyone could look at and state, "Oh yeah, (s)he was there "

HS#2: In re: the route for the 3 Flags....can we deviate any from it??? As we flow thru WY entering from UT we skirt around the south end of the Gorge Resevoir then head west on 43/414. I would like to head north on 530 vs west on 43 and ride along the resevoir and pick up the I80 at Green River then head west to Little America to check in.

Would this deviation be acceptable? Conversely, is the route alont 43/414 offering a unique view that makes it preferable over riding along the gorge??

Looking for comments......ya'll can jump in anytime
C ya mañana,
Gonzo
Twitter: @gonzocrossusa
Blog: www.GonzoCrossUSA.blogspot.com
Email: [e-mail]
Cell: 949-433-0761

[Blake]

Questions From Gonzo:
HS#1: Here's a '(H)ead (S)cratcher'......has anyone identified the best photo ops on any of the "15" rides that qualify as proof that a rider has been there??? As I look at the Blue Ridge, VT100 as well as having been on Iron Mtn before....I really don't see any particular spot for a photo that anyone could look at and state, "Oh yeah, (s)he was there "

HS#2: In re: the route for the 3 Flags....can we deviate any from it??? As we flow thru WY entering from UT we skirt around the south end of the Gorge Resevoir then head west on 43/414. I would like to head north on 530 vs west on 43 and ride along the resevoir and pick up the I80 at Green River then head west to Little America to check in.

Would this deviation be acceptable? Conversely, is the route alont 43/414 offering a unique view that makes it preferable over riding along the gorge??

The answers:
Gonzo

Regarding acceptable photo locations for the Best 15 US Roads Challenge, there is no particular spot. Its up to the rider to pick the spot. Your bike next to a road sign, well known roadside cafe or a notable landscape are the kinds of places that work. Part of the delight and exploration of these roads is learning about them. Having to take a suitable photo helps to force that process to occur for you.

Regarding the Three Flags Classic, yes, you can deviate from the route that is described by the committee. Your only obligation is to start on Friday morning during the specified times, visit the three checkpoints during their specified times and make it to the finish at the specified times. Deviating from the route is anticipated and encouraged by the TFC committee. You may want to knock off some of the Best 15 US Roads, visit Aunt Sally or find that intersection made famous by an old song. "Ride your own ride" is always the watch word around here.

[Blake]

Please go over to the Three Flags Classic website forum accessed through the SCMA website. Everyone else is over there for these discussions.

[californiakid]

... Also, be advised the Best Western was sold to the Super 8 so don't be looking for the Best Western.

Buzz Cap, are you taking this ride?

Kid

[BuzzCap7]

Aug 19, 2012 20:34:51 GMT -8 californiakid said:

... Also, be advised the Best Western was sold to the Super 8 so don't be looking for the Best Western.

Buzz Cap, are you taking this ride?

Kid

Hey their my friend,

No but wish I was. I am all long distant "rode out" for this summer. And next summer is already planned.

I keep thinking abt riding a few the year after.

Thank you for the Best Western-Super 8 info.

BuzzCap7

[californiakid]

Okay Buzz... I just got back yesterday from the 3 Flags Classic. Now there are lot of people who have ridden a lot longer and a lot further than I, but I need to stop and talk about the 3 Flags for a moment. I've logged about 75,000 miles in the last few years and done a few 5,000 mile trips this summer. At the last minute I was able to take the 3 Flags Classic ride. I had to do a little fast talking with my wife and even flew her into Missoula, Montana to justify the ride. I picker her up and then took her to Nelson, B.C. and rode home. I made her leave the blow driyer at home but that didn't stop her from bringing the electric toothbrush... with charger (I swear). But I digress. This ride started in El Paso, Texas and ended in Nelson, B.C., as I mentioned. 98% of this 2000 mile ride was on back roads and NOT interstates. This is the most incredible ride Ive ever been on. The scenery was magnificent, the roads had everything to offer. Desert, twisties, rivers, lakes, mountains, heat, cold, rain, everything. Now I'm not a fan of raind cold and heat, but given everything else, I just can't speak highly enough of those that perfected this route. In addition, I met some incredibly great people including Gonzo and Gliderider. I don't know what happened to Buzzcap, but you missed one hell of a ride and I'll post some pictures to prove it!

If you have not done this ride... do it next year, you won't regret it.

Kid

[BuzzCap7]

May 3, 2012 20:29:00 GMT -8 Gonzo said:

WOW!!
I have been tracing the route laid out on the site map and am totally impressed with the hwys selected for our riding pleasure!!

So many places that I will see for the first time. Very exciting and am looking forward to it.

My plan is to party at the Buffalo Chip for Sturgis then knock off a few of the "15 Rides" while working my way south to ELP. Maybe even get a little golf in with some friends in PHX prior to checking into the Best Western on the 30th.

Possibly my trip will be camping style until arriving at Nelson where I have a reservation at the secondary hotel (Primary was full up). But I am curious what night time temps will be in places like Aspen for the 31st of Aug....my head scratchin sez it'll be somewhere between 45 and 55F...with heavy emphasis on 45.

If any of ya'll been thru this before I would gr8tly appreciate a response.

Lookin fwd to meetin ya"ll
C ya mañana,
Gonzo
Twitter: @gonzocrossusa
Blog: www.GonzoCrossUSA.blogspot.com
Email: [e-mail]
Cell: 949-433-0761

Man u r so ON target! According to Weather.com 45 degrees in the morning so plan on getting up late. ;D and the high is normally around 72 degrees.

The Famous Buffalo Chip eh? U gutta tell us abt that. Whooo Hoooo!!

BuzzCap7

[BuzzCap7]

Sept 9, 2012 18:01:41 GMT -8 californiakid said:

Okay Buzz... I just got back yesterday from the 3 Flags Classic. Now there are lot of people who have ridden a lot longer and a lot further than I, but I need to stop and talk about the 3 Flags for a moment. I've logged about 75,000 miles in the last few years and done a few 5,000 mile trips this summer. At the last minute I was able to take the 3 Flags Classic ride. I had to do a little fast talking with my wife and even flew her into Missoula, Montana to justify the ride. I picker her up and then took her to Nelson, B.C. and rode home. I made her leave the blow driyer at home but that didn't stop her from bringing the electric toothbrush... with charger (I swear). But I digress. This ride started in El Paso, Texas and ended in Nelson, B.C., as I mentioned. 98% of this 2000 mile ride was on back roads and NOT interstates. This is the most incredible ride Ive ever been on. The scenery was magnificent, the roads had everything to offer. Desert, twisties, rivers, lakes, mountains, heat, cold, rain, everything. Now I'm not a fan of raind cold and heat, but given everything else, I just can't speak highly enough of those that perfected this route. In addition, I met some incredibly great people including Gonzo and Gliderider. I don't know what happened to Buzzcap, but you missed one hell of a ride and I'll post some pictures to prove it!

If you have not done this ride... do it next year, you won't regret it.

Kid

Hey there my friend, u have me laughing all thru ur post. VERY funny!!

A little contradictory when u said u met some nice guys and then mentioned gonzo & GlideRider. ROFL!!!! Just kidding Blake, do not yell at me. A bit of humor back to The CaliforniaKid.

CONGRATs for making such a ride yourself! More than what u normally do and with trying weather. Hats off to u my friend!!!

Gonzo keeps stinging me with where he is going, pictures of what he has done etc.... in fact, when I am done with this post, I owe him a call. It is KILLING me to see the WICKED FUN he is having and as nice and lovable a guy Gonzo is, oh and subtle, if feels like he is shoving it in my face like I AM HAVING A BALST! WHAT DID U DO TODAY!?! LOL

I had the wonderful opportunity to ride with GlideRider a few months back one 1 of my trips to Canada and I know u r in GREAT company.

This morning or yesterday morning I told my wife that it seems like all my friends (well not all but u know) are having a blast and I am here at home when I COULD HAVE gone.

When Gonzo sent me the PIX of him, GlideRioder and Blake ALL in a picture, I really felt left out.

Thank you for you nice comment. It is appreciated.

Next year I am leaving here around July 6th to go on what I called (past tense) my "Ricochet" trip but now call it me "Ricochet Trip Gonzo Style". I am going to TRY to ride it S-L-O-W-L-Y. Take my time.

Oh, u got the e-mail I sent out. Gonz gave me a hard time abt it since I had too many rules. Yikes! I thought I had 1. No Chicks. But that is another story. Still love the guy tho.

Will nd to see how things go next yr. I am running into 1 issue while riding long distance and I am going to try to get around the issue.

Thank you again for ur kind comment.

And sometimes a guy will say to his wife, "See that saddblebag? If it fits in there it goes, if not, it does not go." :-) I wonder how many divorces started of a comment like that. LOLOLOL!!!

BuzzCap7