Trip Route 2018 Official

[Nathan]

Nickoli,

Seriously...that is what you think of?! 

Anyway, I think we can eliminate these:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22795397?s=51  = $783
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15044294?s=51  = $801
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/23661920?s=51  = $812
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14506263?s=51  = $839
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20236217?s=51  = $843
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16407211?s=51  = $843

Since I am sure everyone agrees they are too expensive and aren't that much better than the lower priced ones...

[Russ]

Well, if you stay on the bottom floor, you might get crushed in an earth quake!

[Nathan]

Yeah, yeah...enough with the natural disaster talk. 

We need to actually narrow down this list, by each one of you choosing your top 2 or 3.

Some of these may not even be available by the time we decide! 

[Russ]

Ok here are my top 2 coming in at below $410 for both nights:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22035621?s=51
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22391496?s=51

I based these decisions on price & beds/sleeping arrangements.

The more expensive ones are definitely nice, but you can get a pretty nice place for less.

Now the condo at Plams is pretty sweet, and only $78 per person per night based on quad occupancy! 

Wait.... will there be 4?  Is Shawn joining us in Vegas?  Does anyone know?

[Nathan]

I to like the selections Russ has chosen.

Plus, I also like these:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/14615820?s=51  = $537
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19491805?s=51  = $587 (6 car garage!!)

and of course the "33rd FLOOR OF THE PALMS PLACE"
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22730324?s=51  = $619

I am willing to spend a little extra here for multiple reasons; 1.) We are staying here multiple nights, 2.) It's Vegas baby! When are going to actually be here again, with all of us, so why not splurge for something a little nicer than we are used to, 3.) We are on vacation we should be staying in something decidedly nicer than our own homes and better than most hotels.

P.S. I am willing to pay the difference (keep it reasonable) for someone who does not wish to spend over a certain amount.

Later,

Nate Dogg

[Nick]

The 51st floor would be great for making ham radio contacts!! 

[Russ]

Good points there Nate.  I am willing to splurge for the Palms Place.  I agree with Nick that it will certainly improve the ratio of ham radio contacts to dollars spent!

But, I did see this in the listing:
- The hotel requires a $180 departure cleaning fee to be paid at check-in.

So would that be $619 + $180?  If so, that does bump the price up a bit.

Wait... am I looking at the right place?  The description of the place you liked to says:

2,100 square foot 2 bedroom luxury suite with 4 beds ON THE 33RD FLOOR with 3 OPEN BALCONIES with breathtaking Strip and mountain views!

Ham radio contacts will be considerably less if we are on the 33rd floor!

[Russ]

I know we have to narrow down Vegas yet, but what do you guys think of this route after Vegas?

Las Vegas NE to Provo UT
Provo UT to Steamboat Springs CO
Steamboat Spring CO to Gordon NE
Gordon NE to Home

https://goo.gl/maps/LCkk8piRAL72

I chose them based on mileage as well as availability of AB&B's, except for Gordon NE.  There is only one AB&B available there, but it looks nice:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18308226

Gordon to home would be the longest day of our trip at 515 miles to Hoffman and 537 to Fargo, so if any of you object, I understand.  If no objections, we would have to get on booking Gordon, or risk losing it.

I know Nick talked about maybe just catching hotels on the way back, but I really like the B&B's (and having the course charted and accommodations booked ahead of time).  Of course there is a risk in booking ahead of time that you might not make it because of weather or other uncontrollable circumstances,  but if at the end of the trip we have all made it home safe, losing a few bucks on a missed stay isn't the end of the world.   Having an entire house to kick back with the premium 2wheelriders members at the end of the day is pretty slick.  Parking by the front door (or better yet in the garage), no dealing with other guests and a couch to relax on is pretty nice too.  I think we know that an average of 450 miles per day is a comfortable goal to shoot for and I really want to save the Iron Butt ride for some other time.  But hey, I know I'm not the only one on this trip and have to respect the opinions of the other premier members, so feel free to let me know if I am getting way out of line here.

[Nick]

I like your thinking!  You have done a fantastic job setting up air b and b's.  If the cost is the same as hotels, I like kicking back with the other premium 2 wheel rider members also in the same house!!  And the bikes are park just outside the door!

[Nathan]

That all works for me premium 2 wheel rider member Russ.  I think we should book this Gordon, NE location ASAP, but please make sure you saw the part about remote and dirt tracks...it sounds like it is 9 miles off the highway on gravel/dirt roads.  The only thing I would change is the end of the route, so we have more ride time together and I have less solo interstate riding. (I know it is a little selfish but... )

https://goo.gl/maps/LdpwsFREcLw

It saves us a few miles but is basically the same time...

[Nathan]

I found the original 51st Floor experience...

"51st FLOOR OF THE PALMS PLACE"
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22166691?s=51  = $631 (for 2 nights)

Later,

Nate Dogg

[Russ]

No problem on the route home.  I just let google pick the route. 

I did'nt see where it said it is 9 miles on gravel, but hey, the bikes are going to be dirty by then I am sure.  Should we confirm before booking?  Any reservations of riding gravel?

I'll get a chance to check out the Vegas places in more detail tomorrow night.

Later.

Russ

[Nathan]

Russ, it did not say in the description, it just said remote...but in reading one of the reviews, that was one of the ladies complaints. I still think it should be fine unless it just happened to rain or was raining when we were there. I can message the host and ask them what they think about motorcycles getting out to the location. I am game to book it. Nick, Shawn???

[Russ]

Ok, I dont have a problem with it, but I cant speak for the others.  Yea, if you would check that would be great.  Thanks!

[Shawn]

The only thing I really want to see is the Grand Canyon Skywalk.