The Cowboy Self-Guided Tour

After months of waiting your departure day is finally here: Welcome to Los Angeles!

(Driving day 1: 238 km/148 miles)

When you are ready on your bike, you embark on your 6.400 km long North West – Cowboy tour. Los Angeles disappears behind us as you head west for a unique adventure full of history, adventure, and fun. As you head out of LA, get ready for some amazing driving experiences on the legendary and spectacular Pacific Coast Highway 1 towards “Danish” Solvang. On your first taste of one of the most amazing motorcycle roads in the world, you will experience the spectacular coastline, stunning views of caves and rock formations (there’ll be plenty of opportunities to take great pictures). You cruise to the famous Malibu & Neptune’s Net biker restaurant, where you can eat lunch. You continue to Santa Barbara & Stearns Pier, referred to by many as America’s Riviera because of its similar climate and geography to the French and Italian Riviera.

You continue to the “Danish” Solvang (sister town of Aarhus), where you live in a Danish Gjæstgiveri, eat at a Danish beer restaurant and eat breakfast at a Danish bakery. You can even go behind the scenes to greet the Danish baker.

(Driving day 2: 339 km/210  miles)

You say goodbye to Solvang and continue your wonderful trip to southern California. We’ll say it again: it is hard to believe that nature can be more beautiful, but today’s ride will simply take your breath away. You drive the highly appraised Pacific Coast Highway 1, with mountains on your left side and the Pacific Ocean on your right side. As you continue past the Big Sur, you will feel the warm California sun together with delicious salty sea air on your skin. There will be several miles with fantastic views and great formations where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, creating one of the most beautiful stretches of the California coast. Today you will feel a delicious warm breeze and take in a spectacular sunset.

Today’s end destination is Monterey, home to the world-famous Laguna Seca Automobile (known motorcycle race track). When you arrive at this spectacular seaside city, you will spend the afternoon along Cannery Row, packed with beautiful hotels, shops, and restaurants. You can eat dinner at the famous Fisherman’s Wharf.

(Driving day 3: 192 km/119 miles)

Today you drive through Big Basin Redwood State Park, which is packed with curvy & narrow motorcycle roads and the famous wide Redwood trees. We are confident you will have a big smile on your face. You can stop for lunch at the famous biker bar “Alice’s” before you head to fun San Francisco, where you will stay near the city center and all its attractions.

When you wake up in funny San Francisco you might understand why Frank Sinatra left his heart in this city. The city is a funky, individualistic and surprisingly small place – certainly the most liberal city in the US.

San Francisco really has a European feel and you have many more opportunities for sightseeing than it is possible to adapt to our short stay here. Make sure you visit Fisherman’s Wharf while dropping by small shops and street cafes famous for some of the best seafood dishes in the world. Feel free to hop on one of the city’s famous “Cable Cars” which is a moving landmark and the heart of this amazing city!  Other good options are the prison island Alcatraz (must be booked in advance), harbor cruises, Chinatown, Lombard Street (one of America’s curviest streets).

(Driving day 4: 428 km/266 miles)

You drive out of San Francisco on the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, where you will take the time to enjoy the view of the bridge and beautiful San Francisco. Afterward, you head north to Sacramento, to start your fascinating drive on “The loneliest highway in America (Hwy 50)”. On your way, you drive along the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe, a very popular vacation resort in both summer and wintertime (hiking, skiing & summer fun). You drive your final stretch to fun and historic Virginia City.

(Driving day 5: 499 km/310 miles)

Today you will discover how “The loneliest highway in America (Hwy 50)” acquired its name. You will spend the whole day in the dry desert-like territory with very random & few settlings/cities. You will make a stop at the famous Shoetree by Middlegate, which has a fascinating story. Thereafter you continue our spectacular ride on Hwy 50 to Eureka, where you spend the night.

(Driving day 6: 225 km/140 miles)

Today you complete your ride on “The loneliest road in America (Hwy 50)” as you start your descent north towards spectacular Yellowstone National Park. On our way, you will also partly drive on another famous road; “The Lincoln Highway” (US 93).  When you arrive at your destination, West Wendover. You will drive to the famous Bonneville Salt Flats International Racing Track, the home of many speed records & movies. Please be aware of the sign: “Harley owners, do your best…”.

(Driving day 7: 349 km/218 miles)

Youstart the day off with a “transport leg” on I-80 (unfortunately the best alternative), before you turn north into Hwy-89. On our way to Garden City at Bear Lake, you will drive some fun mountain roads, before you stop to enjoy our evening in Logan.

(Driving day 8: 312 km/195 miles)

Today you head towards magical Yellowstone National Park and “Wild West Run”. You depart north to beautiful Bear Lake (watch out for alligators ), before continuing to Montpelier, where you will visit the historic site of Butch Cassidy’s bank robbery. Thereafter, you drive fun twisty roads to Jackson, located in the valley of Jackson Hole, a vacation spot for rich Californians. You spend the evening at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

(Driving day 9: 379 km/237 miles)

Welcome to one of the tour highlights! It will be a long day packed with unique and rare experiences. Youdrive into the wonderful Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park and start driving one of the US’ most popular motorcycle routes; Wild West Run (Jackson – Yellowstone Lake). Youdrive through Moran and by Jackson Lake before you proceed to spectacular Old Faithful Geyser, which remains one of the most active (cone) geysers with its’ predictable eruptions approximately every 35 to 120 minutes. Old Faithful was named in 1870 during the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition and was the first geyser in the park to receive a name.

You continue our ride in spectacular Yellowstone, and start driving on Grad Loop Road, before stopping at breathtaking Artist Point. Thereafter, you visit live buffalo herds up close. Be ready for exciting encounters, but beware of the wildlife (bears, wolf, elk, buffalos). You finish the day by riding into Buffalo Bill’s (William F. Cody) home turf; Cody, where you stay at Buffalo Bill’s motel & eat dinner at the historic Irma Hotel.

(Driving day 10: 364 km/227 miles)

Today’s ride will be the definite tour highlight for many. Welcome to the world-famous “Beartooth Highway”, (ranked as US’ best, No. 1, motorcycle route). Beartooth Highway has not achieved its iconic status among bikers worldwide without reason; be prepared for unique winding mountain roads up and down the mountain, with hairpin turns and spectacular views. This will also be the tour’s most demanding driving leg, so you will drive at a comfortable & safe pace, to ensure everyone remains safe and gets plenty of time to enjoy the ride and view. Have your camera ready, you will drive on one of the world’s best motorcycle roads. Enjoy!

On our way to Beartooth Pass, youdrive Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, which also is a lifetime experience! After our return to Cody, you will have the opportunity to visit the spectacular Buffalo Bill’s Center of the west (5 museums in one).

(Driving day 11: 408 km/255 miles)

It will be another day of driving on spectacular curvy fun mountain roads. You drive into Big Horn Canyon & National Forest and breathtaking scenery. You are confident your smile will be glued on. You stop for lunch & cowboy shopping in Sheridan. Thereafter, youdrive by the “Spotted Horse” bar on your way to Gillette.

(Driving day 12: 257 km/160 miles)

Today you start our fun adventures in the Black Hills, the location of the Sturgis Bike Rally (the mother of all bike rallies). Get ready for a lifetime experience! You start by driving to the famous Devil’s Tower, a very popular destination and location of the sci-fi movie “Encounters of the 3^rd degree”. Your next stop is Sundance, home of the Sundance Kid. Thereafter, youdrive through beautiful Spearfish Canyon; natural surroundings as in a painting that only nature can create.

Youdrive through Deadwood, where you visit the “No 10 Saloon” where Wild Bill Hickok was shot when he played poker (The quick combination he had when he was shot is now called “Deadman’s Hand”). Deadwood is within an Indian reservation and has all gambling rights. It was also here Calamity Jane (the famous female sharpshooter) met Wild Bill for the first time (later they became a couple).

(Driving day 13: 275 km/172 miles)

Today you will drive the famous and popular Black Hills Run, experience all the amazing attractions around Sturgis, and get a feel for the world-famous Sturgis Bike Rally.

Enjoy driving the Black Hills Run until you get to Crazy Horse, the world’s largest monument carved in the rock. You continue to Custer and Custer State Park, the area that captivated General George A. Custer because of its beautiful scenery and surroundings. Youdrive Wildlife Loop, where you might encounter live buffalos. You eat lunch outside in Custer State Park, before driving to Mt Rushmore (the three presidents’ heads carved in the mountains). Afterward, youdrive the famous Iron Mountain Road. Be ready for a unique experience. J

After you have absorbed the Black Hills, youdrive to Sturgis, a small town and the center of all activities around the Sturgis Bike Rally; America’s oldest and legendary Motorcycle Rally.

(Driving day 14: 424 km/264 miles)

You say goodbye to Sturgis and head east. Our first stop is in the famous Wall Drug, a truly unique experience, and our last opportunity to cowboy up. You continue to spectacular Badlands National Park. Badlands’ rugged beauty draws visitors from around the world. These striking geological deposits contain some of the richest collections of fossils. Old mammal rhinoceros, horse, and saber-toothed tigers walked here once. The park’s 244,000 acres consist of an expanse of mixed-grass and prairie where bison, bighorn, prairie dog and Blackfoot-ferrets live today. You can also eat lunch inside Badlands.

Having digested Badlands, youstart another adventure, as youdrive into Cheyenne Indian territory where the famous movie “Dancing with wolves” (Kevin Costner) was recorded. You will drive through this beautiful territory all the way to the small-town Oacoma, where you will spend the night.

(Driving day 15: 334 km/209 miles)

It will be a driving day through farm country & lots of cornfields, in a geographical area where a lot of Scandinavian immigrants settled. Thus, our first stop will be “The world’s only Corn Palace”. You continue to “Porter Sculpture park” (with a 60 Foot Bull Head Sculpture) before youdrive to Sioux Falls for a late lunch. After lunch, you head to our end destination; Worthington.

(Driving day 16: 384 km/240 miles)

If you are a music lover, this will be a day for the history books. You will visit Paisley Park (Prince’s private estate & production complex featuring artifacts from his life) and explore more about the life of this incredibly gifted artist. Thereafter youdrive beautiful Hwy 61 along the Mississippi River to Lake City.

(Driving day 17: 550 km/343miles)

Your Cowboy adventure is approaching the end as you start on our last driving day. You continue your beautiful drive along the Mississippi River until lunch. Thereafter, you will drive backroads all the way to Chicago, where you will return your bike. Enjoy your last riding day! Congratulations on completing a successful North-West Cowboy tour adventure.

Say goodbye to America’s North West, Chicago and return home. Thank you for choosing our North West Cowboy Self-Drive Tour

Note: Because of the time difference travelers from Europe will arrive home the date/day after departing the US.

Also: This program is a guideline for activities and experiences on the tour. Deviations may occur, We are continually working to improve the program, thus you may experience positive surprises.