Heart of the West ADV Route (Forever West)

[eakins]

I assume this is your inspiration for the name of your route?

[DockingPilot]

Well, almost, as it's not contained to Wyoming obviously. Tony was a bit concerned with copyright infringement if there was any. So he tweaked the name a bit to avoid any certified letters in the mailbox.

[byways]

Eakins, yes, "Gun Show/Next Exit" was originally going to be the name of the route.

But some thought that was too, I dunno, provincial , or some big .45-cal. hollow-point word like that. Then we noticed the "Forever West" part of the sign. And it was thought that "Forever West" was gentler, cozier, and so would have more appeal among dude-ranch riders from mid-Atlantic regions.

Really, though, we sort of backed our way into calling it Forever West just because it embraces the feeling one gets in these parts, and the route was just a thing among ADV friends. But that moniker is closely tied to Wyoming.

As the route has gained rapidly in popularity, it seemed wrong to continue borrowing Wyoming's well-established promotional theme. Heart of the West Adventure Route better reflects the scale of this route, which is about immersing oneself in Western landscapes and history. So I've changed the name to that.

It has to be noted that Dockingpilot led the first group ever to travel the entire route in a single trip. He also did a great deal of work researching the South Pass segment, and has made important post-ride contributions to the route--all from the bridge of a supertanker he was parallel parking in NY Harbor.

[byways]

Originally Posted by eakins

Question Tony,
In WY before/after South Pass City are you routing people to Farson for gas? I show Boulder (& of course Pinedale) has fuel too.
I'm wondering what that out and back is before heading north to Pinedale.

Just so everyone know Great Divide Basin (desert) is an amzing wide open area but you must be dead on your toes with fuel as there is nothing out there (see Docking Pilot's picture just above to get the idea & note his 2 fuel containers - http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/P...th-spout-Black ). This could be one of the longest stretches of fuel for his whole ride.

Tony do you have a need minimum fuel range people need w/ their bikes so everyone knows this? This is a key piece of info.

Thanks for the questions and comments, Bill. Butler Maps would know to ask!

There should be no fuel issue in Wyoming. There definitely can be, however, farther west in the Great Basin of western Utah and eastern Nevada.

There are two segments that exceed 230 miles; an optional segment would add another 100 miles to one of them.. Both are in the Great Basin of western Utah and eastern Nevada. Both well exceed any of the distances in Wyoming, including the "Big Empty" crossing between Atlantic City and Rawlins.

In Wyoming, greater South Pass area, I provide three options to get from fuel at Boulder (south of Pinedale) to fuel again (usually) at Wild Bill's Gun Shop in Atlantic City -- not a gas station, just a guy who sticks to the basics: guns 'n gas. Depends more on what sort of experience and landscapes one prefers ... and it's a tough choice, I'll tellya.

One way I route that focuses on important Oregon Trail tracks and sites runs for about 80 miles from gas at Boulder to gas at Farson.

From fuel at Farson to fuel @ Rawlins is about 185 miles on this route, via Atlantic City. But from gas at Farson to gas at Atlantic City, on South Pass, is only approx. 50 miles or so via highway, and it's always advisable to buy gas every chance you get. Then A.C. to Rawlins ... 130-135 miles roughly ... no prob.

There's no gas at South Pass City, which is just a state historical park.

[eakins]

Thanks Tony,

Without seeing your exact route, it was hard to tell exactly where you take everyone through that part of WY. I just noticed that double back in that area.

All i would do is put the route in mapsource and crunch some numbers.

I did all the gas station location detail for our WY map and there is gas in Rawlins, Wamsutter, Muddy Gap, Farson & Boulder.

Looking at my map is see that cutback. You're routing people on the Oregon trail west of parting of the ways and then back to the Lander cut-off vrs just taking the Lander Cut-off.

Is that gas consistent in Atlantic City? I did not come across Wild Bill :-) but i like his name. If so i'll add a gas symbol to future versions of our WY map w/ his phone # to check.

[eakins]

Gun Show / Next Exit will be part 2

Originally Posted by byways

Yes, "Gun Show/Next Exit" was originally going to be the name of the route.

But some thought that was too, I dunno, provincial , or some big .45-cal. hollow-point word like that. Then someone noticed the "Forever West" part of the sign. And it was thought that "Forever West" was gentler, cozier, and so would have more appeal among dude-ranch riders from mid-Atlantic regions.

Really, though, we sort of backed our way into calling it Forever West just because it embraces the feeling one gets in these parts, and the route was just a thing among ADV friends. But that moniker is closely tied to Wyoming.

As the route has gained rapidly in popularity, it seemed wrong to continue borrowing Wyoming's well-established promotional theme. "Heart of the West Adventure Route" better reflects the scale of this route, which is about immersing oneself in Western landscapes and history.

It has to be noted that Dockingpilot led the first group ever to travel the entire route in a single trip. He also did a great deal of work researching the South Pass segment--all from the bridge of a supertanker he was parallel parking in NY Harbor.

[byways]

From time to time--even just a moment ago--I receive queries about whether I have a paper map available. I do not.

One can print out the route from the digital file, however. And I do reference the relevant Benchmark Road & Recreation atlases where the route is depicted. (I recommend Benchmark atlases, for they are the gold standard in the atlas genre.)

Coming from many years in publishing, part of me leans toward developing a paper map. But for now, the route and all it entails is dynamic. As reports from travelers come in, as I explore more, and as changing conditions on the ground need addressing, I'm finding that the ability to continually upgrade and tweak the route digitally -- and then instantly get the latest personalized data to my clients even while they're traveling -- is very cool.

[eakins]

Not knowing Tony's exact route our state maps will more than likely have many of the roads labeled on there to give you a big picture view.

Like Tony said Benchmark Maps (they are Atlas size) have all the details and the best prices are on Amazon here: Benchmark Maps
We build all of our maps from Benchmark base maps as does Tony designing these routes.

You can always photocopy or cut out the pages you need and highlight the exact route with a highlighter if you don't want to bring alot of atlases.

The reality of navigating on remote routes like this is that many of these roads/intersections are not labeled. You might come to an intersection in the middle of no where and have an option of 2 unmarked roads. Without a GPS to follow a map would not help you. It's best if more than 1 of you in the group has a unit w/ the route on it as a backup.

Tony has chosen very remote western routes where you need to be on your toes and have all the tools, equipment, water, fuel etc. with you. You need to plan properly as you might not see anyone for hours/days. If you are coming from populated places this is terrain is another world with no one to bail you out. Many places will NOT have cell coverage.

The rewards are some of the finest remote western riding you'll ever experience!

[burmbuster]

Tony,
I have an email out to you with a few questions.

Brad

[byways]

Got it! Sorry about the long responses to your questions, but I hope it's helpful.

[byways]

I've had several inmates tell me they're planning to ride Heart of the West ADV Route alone. I recommend against doing so for important reasons.



However, there aren't that many of us; good riding buddies can be hard to find. So what's an inmate doing time in the ADV equivalent of solitary confinement to do? Stay home and grow, like, old and regretful?



It's been suggested that someone play matchmaker, and I guess I shall hereby volunteer. Never done this before, but here goes ...

Perhaps someone looking for ADV love can post thusly in this thread.

Or ...

in this "Planning for Forever West ..." thread.

Good luck!

[byways]

Just imported the tracks into Basecamp on my PC, my first go at this much-maligned program. Looks great and functions well.

[byways]

... across the Continental Divide.

Ear-popping!

[byways]

... looks more imposing--if that's possible--in the unsettled season of spring. On this route, late summer (early or mid-September) or early fall are best.

[byways]

Tribe:

Riders over the last couple of seasons have encountered closures of Forest Road 550 in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest--part of this route--due to logging ("treatment," they call it) of "hazard" trees killed by pine bark beetles. That required re-routing.

I received word yesterday, Dec. 18, 2012, from Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in Wyoming that hazard-tree logging on Road 550 is complete, "so closures and/or delays should not be an issue on this road."

The road passes Hog Park Reservoir south of Encampment, Wyo.



Just FYI, removal of hazard trees will occur on roads 409 and 496, roughly in this vicinity, this winter and may continue into the riding season.

For info about roads 550, 409 and 496, call the forest's Saratoga office @ (307) 326-5258.