2026 Syracuse to Denver and return

This year will be an epic ride of over 5,000 miles (8,046 kilometers)  out to Denver and return. Of  the seven riders this year one lives in Denver, (the famous Dudley), one will ride out early to visit family in Utah and three will ship their bikes to Denver and fly out for the rides around Denver and then ride home with the group. The last one (the son of Dudley) might ride out after he gets his bike fixed or might get a new bike in Syracuse or might get a new bike in Denver – who knows!

I have to decided to ride out solo via Toronto, top of the Great Lakes and on to North Dakota and then to Denver via South Dakota.  North Dakota is the only state I have not visited in the fifty states in the USA.  

My solo trip will take six days. Maybe shorter or maybe longer depending on weather and if I need more sleep. I plan to ride 2,300 miles (3,701 kilometers) Solo riding is a little lonely, but I can stop when I want to and stay in accommodation that presents itself when I'm tired, Nothing is planned but the general direction. The ride with the group is more structured as in nightly locations, hotels, restaurants etc. but a lot of fun at night or in gas (petrol) breaks chatting and talking about past trips.

The group will ride around the Denver area for four days and cover around 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) After this we head home for five days and cover around 1,900 miles (3,057 kilometers) We will ride via Kansas, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio. On the way home we plan to visit the Buffalo Bill museum, US Airforce museum in Ohio and anything else that looks interesting.

Change of plans

Because of the fires and smoke in Canada, I decided to ride via Buffalo, up through Michigan and Mackinaw City rather than via Toronto and the top of the great lakes. The distance is not that different, but I did not get to see my friend Graeme Murry in Toronto (I will catch up with him at Niaga Falls golf in September as we have done for years.)

Day 1

444 miles. (715 kilometers) Thursday, 30th July 2026. Up Early and on the road by 8:00am. Susan. as always was there to see me off. I rode the thruway to Buffalo in rain and I crossed into Canada after a brief line as usual. An old man on a big bike always gives the border guard a smile. I crossed back into the USA near the end of the day with no delay. I stayed near Flint Michigan and I saw a hotel near a steak house and though it was an easy stop for 5:00pm. Dinner was a hamburger and a glass of wine.

Day 2

455 miles. (732 kilometers) Friday 31st July 2026. Up early with a muffin and coffee for breakfast as I was hoping to make 580 miles 933 kilometers) today. Traffic was moderate with mostly a single lane with overtaking spots occasionally. The speed limit most of the way was 75mph (120 kph) and I sat on 80mph (129kph) most of the time. I had looked at the weather early and it was supposed to rain around 4pm. I hit by a good downpour so I stopped and sure enough it did not rain again.  Dinner was yet another hamburger down the street, so an early night is planned. My hope tomorrow to reach North Dakota but it depends on the road and traffic.

Day 3

511 miles. (822 kilometers) Saturday 1st August 2026. No rain. Started off cold and misty and ended up hot. The road across Michigan was smooth and fast but Minnesota road was terrible with a lot less traffic. The good news is I made Fargo North Dakota. My 50th state. I have now been to all fifty states in the USA. About 36 on the motor bike and most of those with the "wild Hogs" Tomorrow I hope to make Sturgis South Dakota. I have been there twice before. Sturgis is the world's largest bike rally. I will avoid the town even though the rally officially starts next week. I really want to ride most of the Black Hills just south of Sturgis. I have seen Mount Rushmore so I will skip that this time.

One of our "gang" who rides with the name "Dudley has ridden over a thousand miles (1,609 kilometers) in one day. I don't know how he does it! 511 (822 kilometers) is enough for me. There is a club you can join called the "iron butt" club where your register your start and finish. I think you get a certificate and a very sore arse.

Day 4

306 miles. (493 kilometers) Sunday 2nd August 2026. I planned to ride 500 miles (805 kilometers) today but it was cool in the morning and hit 95 degrees (35c) by eleven am. Also North Dakota is as flat as a pancake and the wind off my left caused buffering. The speed limit was eighty most of the way so I sat on a comfortable 75mph (121kph) with the bike on cruise control. The roads were mainly cement with small  grooves so it was bumpy most of the time. Luckily there was little traffic and very few trucks. There were lots of big trucks pulling huge campers generally doing 60mph (97kph) The farms stretched forever with corn, sun flowers and lucerne.  Gas (petrol) stations were about 50 (81 kilometers) to 80 miles. (129 kilometers) My bike has a six gallon tank (23 liters) and at 40 miles per gallon (5.88 Liters per 100km) so I stop every 200 miles. (322 kilometers) A chance for a break and a drink.

At about two o'clock I had enough and decided to stop for the night. Tomorrow I head to the Black Hills near Sturgis. Hopefully it won't be crowded,

Day 5

334 miles (538 kilometers) 3rd August 2026. Up early and headed due South. Stopped in Sturgis. What a zoo. Officially it does not start until the 7th but there are bikes all over the place. The venders are setting up tents. Had to buy some bug spray at the Harley outlet and they were folding T shirts and packing shelves. They also were setting out all the bikes. I had to buy some bug spray but they either had a large bottle or a set of small ones with sample products. I also stopped at the Corbin seat tent. I asked how much the Corbin leather cream for my seat was and he said just take a bottle!

I then rode through the Black Hills and a special road called the Needles. Plenty of tight bends and beautiful scenery. Tomorrow I will cross into Nebraska and reach Colorado. 

Day 6

351 miles (565 kilometers) Edgemont South Dakota to Bennett Colorado via Wyoming. A nice easy day but freezing cold to start at 52 degrees (11 Fahrenheit). It took its time bloody warming up. Luckily I packed some warm gloves for the trip because we are riding up Pikes Peak in a few days and it has an elevation of 14,115 feet (4,267 meters) and the temperature today at Pikes Peak (No ' punctuation) was between 39f and 52f.  Thursday will be between 50f and 72f. I was going to ride back roads today but decided to get to the hotel early so I could get my washing done and relax. As an aside my mother's maiden name was Bennett so I thought of my Mom often today. Once again fast speeds and lots of traffic closer to Denver.