Anyone have tips or advice. Would probably be going in June. Google shows taking a southern route through southern Kansas to Albuquerque and on to Grand Canyon Nat. Park. Any thoughts?

 

It all depends on your available time. If you just want to "get there" then that is for sure the shortest route...if you want to "see" along the way, go ANY other route possible!

If it were me and I had the time, I'd blaze across 70 and get into CO as quickly as possible...ride through the San Juan Mtns and maybe down through Four Corners, into Page, AZ and hit the North Rim...this could go on...but I think you get the jist?

 

I'd consider JM's idea. Take I70 to US40 and cut over into Colorado Springs. The "Cog Railway" is a great way to the top of Pikes Peak, a stop at the O2 bar and some homemade doughnuts are always a treat. Royal Gorge Bridge @Canon City and then across southern CO to Page, AZ. This puts you at the ride to the North Rim, and back down to Cameron, AZ to the East Rim entrance and the South Rim (Grand Canyon Village). From there down to Flagstaff. Try to get a trip down 89A to Sedona and back too. Then I40 back to Albuquerque, I27 past Santa Fe (not a bad stop for a meal or a night). Onto Springer, NM (US412), Clayton, NM, Boise City, OK, Elkhart, KS, Dodge City, Hutchinson, Newton, Emporia, and home. Or skip Santa Fe and take I40 to Tucumcari, NM and US54 to US400 and into Wichita and I35 home (depends on how fast you want to get home and how much Interstate you want to ride. The run from Albuquerque to Tucumcari is pretty flat and boring but from north of Santa Fe into Dodge is about the same way but you're sliding downhill all the way. Other than the feed lots and processing plant smell (BAD) through TX/OK Panhandles and SW KS is pretty event-less.

Nice loop.

 

Thanks for all the help! What about weather in June? Will we need to pack for all kinds of temps or is it pretty warm taking the route you described? Have been to Pikes Peak but not on a bike and know if we get up in the mountains we will need the leathers.

 

I would pack for all weather conditions. I made this trip in June last year out of Wichita and rode in sleet, snow, hail, rain, and somewhere in there was sunshine . Temps ranged from the 20s to over a 100.

Don't let this slow you down. We had a great time.

If you do ride out 70 make sure to catch 128 down to Moab.

 

Me and the Ole Lady are pulling to Flagstaff on June 5 for 3 days of riding. Doing the South/East Rim of the Canyon, Sedona-Prescot, and South East and over to the corner in Winslow and back to Flagstaff.

I'd ride the whole way but the ole lady has neurapathy in her feet and hands and cant do that long of a trip. I know all the "trailer queen" stories but you do what you have to do to see the country. She can do around 250 a day but time wont allow us to be gone that long. I only have a week to get it all in and out there and back.

I'm taking leathers and planning for any conditions. Hopefully the weather will be great, wish we could get the north rim in but theres always another trip to plan for.