2018 Western States Tour – initial plan

At roughly 5,800 miles, this solo trip will take me down the coast to the Bay Area, then eventually to Southern California via Death Valley. I’ll visit the Salton Sea before heading towards Tucson. Riding through the eastern part of Arizona and then heading through Sedona, I plan to stop in Flagstaff for a day off. Durango, CO is the next milestone, setting up a ride on the Million Dollar Highway before turning west through Southern Utah and entering the Nevada desert. From Ely, I’ll head north through Twin Falls, ID and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area before reaching Missoula. This sets up a ride down Hwy 12 from Lolo Pass, a personal favorite. I plan to stop in Spokane before returning to Seattle.

Starting out at a leisurely pace, I’ll pick up the mileage each week. Weather conditions may prevent some rides at higher elevations, so I’ll remain flexible in my route.

I’ll leave in mid-April and return in mid-May. I’ll have time to get the bike serviced and repack before heading to Alaska in early June.

Day 1: Cape Disappointment, WA – 191 miles
Day 2: Coos Bay, OR – 246 miles
Day 3: Eureka, CA – 215 miles
Day 4: Fort Bragg, CA via Lost Coast – 176 miles
Day 5: Alameda, CA – 181 miles
Day 6: Santa Cruz, CA – 91 miles
Day 7: DAY OFF
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Week 1 summary: 1,100 miles (157 mi/day avg)
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Day 8: Ridgecrest, CA – 344 miles
Day 9: Barstow, CA via Death Valley – 299 miles
Day 10: Huntington Beach via Palm Desert – 265 miles
Day 11: DAY OFF
Day 12: Yuma, AZ via Salton City – 288 miles
Day 13: Tucson, AZ via Ajo – 292 miles
Day 14: LOCAL RIDING – 200 miles (est)
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Week 2 summary: 1,688 miles (241 mi/day avg)
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Day 15: Show Low, AZ via Hwy 191 – 335 miles
Day 16: Flagstaff, AZ via Globe and Sedona – 286 miles
Day 17: DAY OFF
Day 18: Durango, CO – 311 miles
Day 19: Blanding, UT via Hwy 550 – 237 miles
Day 20: Bryce Canyon, UT via Hwy 12 – 287 miles
Day 21: Ely, NV via Hwy 50 – 309 miles
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Week 3 summary: 1,765 miles (252 mi/day avg)
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Day 22: Sun Valley, ID – 335 miles
Day 23: Missoula,ID – 317 miles
Day 24: Spokane, WA via Hwy 12 – 317 miles
Day 25: Seattle, WA – 279 miles
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Week 4 summary: 1,248 miles (312 mi/day avg)
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