Hi guys
I’m flying to/from Phoenix AZ from Manchester in England for 7.5 weeks between mid July and early September this year. As you can see from the map



I’m intending to ride the western half of the Trans Am Trail and the length of the Continental Divide Trail (Lines on the map aren’t wholly accurate). I’m borrowing a Suzuki DR400e with soft bags from Phoenix AZ and my trip starts and finishes there.

I have a couple of questions/requests that you might be able to help me with:

Route suggestions: The yellow CDT and red western TAT are pretty much set in stone. However it might be nice to take a few diversions. Do you have any suggestions? A friend told me about the Lolo Motorway in Idaho. Any other ideas? The blue dotted lines are very vague “liaison sections”. Do you know any good dirt roads en route?

Ride buddies: Any one in the same area at the same time as me and want to team up? Will aim to camp (ideally free camp) as much as possible. I ride a steady pace off and on pavement and want to take in the sights and sounds. I can ride long distances, but with the DRZ seat the way it is, my butt will be enforcing regular breaks!

Bike parking: I need to park the bike and kit between July 23rd and August 9th , ideally close to an airport (with connections to SFO and LAX) in Oregon/ northern Nevada. Can you help? Have you got a little space in your garage/ round the back of your house?

Tent space: If you live close to or on the western TAT or CDT or liaison sections, have you got any space in your yard where I could pitch my very small tent?

I have the following Timeline which might be of interest.

Sun 11th July: Arrive Phoenix, AZ from England

Ride east to NM and north to CO on CDT (yellow line) and northwest on TAT (red line) towards OR (definitely including side trip to Bonneville Salt Flats)

Fri 23rd July: Park bike and fly from Oregon or northern Nevada (?) to San Francisco CAL to meet wife and son for 2.5 weeks of car-bound tourism between SFO and Los Angeles.

Mon 9th August: Fly from LAX back to bike (in OR or northern Nevada)

Possibly (but less likely) 13 to 15 August: Horizonsunlimited Canada West meet at Nakusp, BC (too far off route in time available?)

Ride to northern end of CDT (yellow line) and head south to NM (quite likely to include attending Horizonsunlimited Colorado meet at Silverton, 27-29 August)

Fri September 03: depart Phoenix, AZ back to England

Any comments/tips/suggests very much appreciated.

Ride safely
Chris

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