ALL New Territory

 As you can imagine, a ride of this scale can’t be approached like your typical weekend loop—unless you’ve got deep pockets and unlimited time. I didn’t. This solo journey began in Las Vegas on a Sunday morning. I had arrived 24 hours earlier to pick up the bike, run a quick pre-flight, and get some serious rest before the cast-off.

I packed light. Real light. Rain gear, two pairs of jeans, two Dickies button-ups (one long sleeve), and plenty of socks and underwear. For this type of trip, that’s minimalist. I brought my leather chaps, road vest, gloves, and a mesh riding jacket that later proved to be a lifesaver north of the border. Two helmets came with me—my half-shell and a ¾. That setup was perfect for the stretch to the border.

Thanks to our family's travel habits and reward points, I covered all the hotels from Vegas to Canada without dropping a dime. That made the difference. In today’s market, paying as you go is brutal—they’ll nail you to the cross if you try that strategy.

I paced the early days intentionally, keeping the mileage around 500 a day to let my body adjust to the saddle. That paid off in spades.

It was HOT. Temps ranged from 95°F to 107°F in spots. But I couldn’t have asked for better riding conditions otherwise.

And I’m convinced Google was listening to my conversations because the GPS route it served up! Straight out of heaven!! That’s no exaggeration. Ninety percent of the ride was smooth, scenic two-laners. Minimal traffic, no jackasses, and gas stations right where I needed them. I was never too far from anything… but still felt completely alone. And that was the point. I was glad to be.....

• Las Vegas to Great Basin National Park
   
• Then on to Twin Falls, ID
  Just did the miles. It was hot. Stayed smart, hydrated, and slathered in sunscreen. Repeat!.
   

• Twin Falls, ID to Pendleton, OR
   
• But first… quick stop at the Twin Falls & the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls — one of the few places in the U.S. where BASE jumping is legal year-round. There were guys in the bridge!  It was worth the detour.
   
• Rolled into High Desert Harley in Boise for a breather from the heat.
  Met some great folks there, including Riders from all over and Local Law Enforceent Motors. Much-needed rest stop.
   

Landed at the  Hotel in  Pendleton that night. Another scorcher of a day. Same formula: hydrate, sunscreen, repeat.

Even when I wanted to push further, I made myself stop. Play it smart. This ride wasn’t about speed—it was about making it all the way.

Day Three 

Day Three brought a shift—not just in geography, but in rhythm. 

The ride out of Pendleton was smooth and steady, the kind of road that gives you space to think and settle into the saddle. The heat still lingered, but the miles felt easier now. I had found my groove.

I made my way through the high plateaus and wide-open stretches of eastern Washington, rolling into Quincy for a much-needed lunch break with family. That stop wasn’t just fuel—it was recalibration. I sat under the only tree in town, at the library, bike cooling beside me, and took a quiet moment to reflect. Everything was working. The plan was holding. No issues. No stress. Just the road, the machine, and the mission. It all feels strong. 

From there, it was a climb—both in altitude and anticipation—as I pushed toward Osoyoos. The approach to the Canadian border felt like a threshold, a line not just between countries but between stages of the journey. The ride north had burned off any doubt, and by the time I reached that crossing, I was dialed in. The bike was humming. My focus was razor sharp. I was alone—but I wasn’t lonely. I was right where I was ment to be.

I crossed into Osoyoos on Canada Day—July 1st. The whole town was lit up in celebration, flags flying, families out, fireworks prepping for launch.  Kinda crazy, like everone was celebrating me making it.. it was a trip! 

I marked it as a place to comback to in the future for a longer stay. My hotel room overlooked the bay, and I’d scored one with a Jacuzzi Bathtub—absolute gold after three days in the heat and dust. I dropped my gear, sank into that tub like it was a baptism, and let the miles melt off.

Fireworks popped over the bay that night. I caught a few through the window before I crashed—deep, heavy sleep, the kind that only comes when your body knows the job’s been well done.

I was in Canada now. The ride was only just begining. From here there was no set reservations. I had crossed canada in a car months before and I know better now. Go witht the flow and see what the road brings. 

The challenge is just begining........