Black Dog Ride across America

RIDE ITINERARY

Over 21 days and 7,000kms, Black Dog Ride will hit the highways of the United States to share our home grown mental health project with the USA to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention amongst our American friends. Details of each day of the Ride are listed below.

SAY G'DAY!

Please come and say G'day to these riders far from home and welcome them to your town! They'd love to have a chat and spend some time with you. If there's a large group with you, email Fiona at admin@blackdogride.com.au to let the riders know before hand.

If you'd like to support their efforts to raise funds for Mental health First Aid training for first responders and military veterans, you can donate HERE.


New York City - Los Angeles
7,000+kms

Black Dog Ride across America Route


Day 1 Sunday Sep 13th NYC NY - York PA 304kms

7:00am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders @ Crowne Plaza JFK
8:15am Leave Crown Plaza JFK
9:00am Arrive NY Harley-Davidson. Formal festivities marking departure of the Black Dog Ride across America including the Iraq-Afghanistan Veterans of America, NYC FD, NYC PD, Australian Consul General and MHFA USA
11:00am Leave NY Harley-Davidson under NYPD escort
12:30pm Lunch at East Whitehouse NJ
1:30pm Finish lunch and depart from at East Whitehouse NJ
3:00pm Half an hour for Fuel Stop - Sunoco, Norristown PA
4:00pm Half an hour for Comfort Stop - Valley Forge PA
6:00pm Arrive Hampton Inn York PA. Welcome reception by MHFAiders.

Highlights: Festivities in NYC, scenic tour to York PA


Day 2 Mon Sep 14 York PA - Front Royal VA 216kms

7:00am Hampton Inn York - Breakfast for Black Dog Riders
8:00am Group #1 leaves for HD Assembly Factory Tour
9:00am Group #2 leaves for HD, fuel stop @ Rutter's
10:00am Group #2 arrives for HD Assembly Factory Tour
10:00am Group #1 leaves HD, fuel stop @ Sheetz
11:30am Group #2 leaves HD Assembly Factory
11:30am Group #1 Lunch @ Pike's, Gettysburg PA until 12:30pm
1:00pm Group #2 Lunch @ Pike's, Gettysburg PA until 2.00pm
12:30pm Group #1 Gettysburg VC and Battlefield until 1:30pm
2:00pm Group #2 Gettysburg VC and Battlefield until 3.00pm
3:15pm Group #1 15 minute comfort stop- Harper's Ferry VC
3:45pm Group #2 15 minute comfort stop- Harper's Ferry VC
5:00pm Group #1 Arrives Holiday Inn, Front Royal - fuel stop at Shell before checking in
5:30pm Group #2 Arrives Holiday Inn, Front Royal - fuel stop at Shell before checking in

Highlights: Tour of HD Assembly Factory, small roads to Front Royal


Day 3 Tue Sep 15 Front Royal VA - Roanoke VA 354kms

Now riding in 3 groups, leaving 30 minutes apart. Times listed are for Group #1

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
10:00am 15 minute comfort stop - Big Meadows VC
12:15pm Fuel stop at Exxon, Lunch at Cracker Barrel Waynesboro until 1:15pm
3:15pm 15 minute comfort stop - James River Visitor Center
5:00pm Arrive at Hampton Inn Roanoke. Fuel stop at Murphey's before checking in

Highlights: Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive


Day 4 Wed Sep 16 Roanoke VA - Blowing Rock NC 306kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
8:50am 20 minute comfort stop - Orchard View Mkt OR
9:30am 30 minute comfort stop - Poor Farmer's Mkt
11:00am Fuel and Lunch stop at Shell Circle K Mt Airy until 12:30pm
3:00pm 30 minute comfort stop - Northwest Trading Post
3:30pm Fuel Stop at Wilco-Hess, Blowing Rock
4:00pm Arrive Meadowbrook Inn, Blowing Rock

Highlights: Blue Ridge Parkway


Day 5 Thu Sep 17 • Roanoke VA - Gatlinburg TN 349kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
8:15am 45 minute rest stop at Linville Falls North Carolina
10:15am 30 minute rest stop at Craggy Mountain
11:15am Lunch stop at Sagebrush for 1 hr 15 minutes.
Resting at Old Creek Lodge overnight

Remainder of day TBA
Highlights: Smoky Mountain National Park


Day 6 Fri Sep 18 Gatlinburg TN - Chattanooga TN 344kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
9:30am 30 minute rest at Deal's Gap MC Resort
11:00am 15 minute comfort stop at Skyway restroom
11:50am 25 minute rest stop at Bald River Falls
12:35pm 1 hour fuel stop and lunch at Krambonz, Hardee's / Tellico Plains
3:00pm 30 minute fuel stop at Raceway
3:45pm Arrive at DoubleTree, Chattanooga

Highlights: Smoky Mountain National Park, Tail of the Dragon, Cherohola Skyway


Day 7 Sat Sep 19 Chattanooga TN - Memphis TN 301kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
8:15am 45 minute rest stop at Russell Cave Nat'l Monument
10:30am 30 minute fuel stop at Raceway Decatur
11:45am 1 hour lunch stop at Po-Boy's Restaurant
2:00pm 30 minute comfort stop at Walnut MS
3:30pm 30 minute fuel stop at Love's Memphis
4:20pm Arrive at Springhill Suites, Downtown Memphis

Highlights: Memphis BBQ, Memphis music scene


Day 8 Sun Sep 20 Memphis TN Rider's Rest Day

3:00pm Mental Health Rally at Church Health Centre, 1115 Union Ave. All welcome to come and say g'day to Black Dog Riders!

Free day in Memphis. Local sightseeing, Graceland Tour, or loop ride


Day 9 Mon Sep 21 Memphis TN - Hot Springs AR 392kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
8:00am 15 minutes at Mhoon landing - Mississippi River
8:30am 30 minute rest and comfort stop at Tunica MS
10:30am 30 minute fuel stop at Conoco DeWitt
12:00pm 1 hour lunch break at Sam's Southern Eatery
2:15pm 15 minute fuel stop at Big Red
2:45pm Arrive at Arlington Hotel and Spa, Hot Springs AR
5:00pm Meet with mental health advocates and first responders, location TBA

Highlights: Mississipi River shoreline


Day 10 Tue Sep 22 Hot Springs AR - Oklahoma City OK 501kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
9:15am 15 minute rest stop at Ocita Visitor Center
11:00am 30 minute fuel and comfort stop at EZ Mart
12:30pm 1 hour lunch stop at Sizzler / McAlester
2:45pm 30 minute rest stop at Legion Park, Seminole
4:15pm 15 minute fuel stop at Western Mart OKC
4:55pm Arrive at Embassy Suites, OKC

Highlights: Ouachita Nat'l Forest, scenic roads and excellent motorcycling


Day 11 Wed Sep 23 Oklahoma City OK - Amarillo TX 416kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
9:00am 30 minute comfort stop at Lucilles Roadhouse, OK
10:15am 1 hour at Oklahoma Route 66 Museum, OK
12:00pm 30 minute fuel stop at Flying J Sayre, OK
12:45pm 45 minutes at Harley's, Erick, OK
2:00pm 20 minute comfort stop at U-Drop Inn, Shamrock TX
2:20pm 1 hour lunch break at The Roost, Shamrock TX
4:10pm 20 minute rest stop at TX Rest Area
5:30pm Fuel stop at Airport Shell
5:45pm Arrive at Fairfield Inn and Suites, Amarillo

Highlights: Route 66, Historic attractions, Clinton Route 66 Museum, Harley's


Day 12 Thu Sep 24 Amarillo TX - Santa Fe NM 462kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
7:50am 25 minutes at the Cadillac Ranch
9:00am 30 minute comfort stop at Mid-Point Cafe, Adrian TX
11:00am 1 hour photos and meet and greet at Tucumcari NM, Convention Ctr.
1:20pm 25 minute fuel stop at Love's Santa Rosa
1:45pm 1 hour lunch break at Comet II
3:45pm 30 minute rest stop along I-25
5:30pm Arrive at Garrett's Desert Inn Santa Fe

Highlights: Route 66, climbing to higher elevations


Day 13 Fri Sep 25 Santa Fe NM - Durango CO 443kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
9:00am 20 minute fuel stop in Taos
9:30am Coffee stop at Michael's Kitchen
10:15am 20 minute fuel stop at Alsup's
11:00am Rio Grande Gorge VC
12:45pm 30 minute rest stop at Carson NF
2:30pm One hour lunch and fuel stop at Pagosa Springs
4:30pm Arrive at Downtown Inn, Durango.

Highlights: New Mexico High Country, Taos NM, Kit Carson Nat'l Forest, Pagosa Springs CO


Day 14 Sat Sep 26 Durango CO Rider Rest Day

Free day in Durango, sightseeing San Juan Skyway.


Day 15 Sun Sep 27 Durango CO - Kayenta AZ 480kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
8:15am 2.5 hours in Mesa Verde National Park
10:45am Ride to Cortez Colorado, lunch at Denny's or Safeway
12:00pm Meet at Cortez Community Park for group departure
1:00pm Fuel stop at Mustang Gas
2:15pm Half hour fuel and comfort stop at Shell Kayenta
2:45pm Arrive at Hampton Inn and Anasazi Inn, Kayenta

Highlights: Mesa Verde Nat'l Park, Four Corners Nat'l Monument, Monument Valley


Day 16 Mon Sep 28 Kayenta AZ - Grand Canyon NP 365kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
9:00am Fuel stop and breakfast at Cameron's Trading Post for 1 hr 45 mins
12:15pm Half and hour at Desert View Watchtower
12:45pm 2 hours riding South Rim, multiple breaks for views
2:45pm Arrive at Yavapai Lodge, Grand Canyon Nationa Park
3.00pm Scheduled Helicopter Rides

Highlights: Navajo Reservation, Cameron Trading Post, South Rim Grand Canyon


Day 17 Tue Sep 29 Grand Canyon NP - Kingman AZ 302kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
12:00pm 30 minute Fuel Stop at Williams, Arizona
1:30pm 1 hour rest stop at Seligman, AZ
3:30pm 30 minute rest stop at Hackberry General Store
4:45pm Arrive at El Trovotore Motel, Kingman, AZ

Highlights: Williams, AZ, Longest remaining segment of Route 66
Remainder of day TBA


Day 18 Wed Sep 30 Kingmaz AZ - Las Vegas NV 275kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
8:00am 1.5 hour breakfast at Calico's Restaurant, Kingman
10:30am 1.5 hour Rest and lunch stop at Oatman, AZ
2:00pm Arrive at Excalibur, Las Vegas Blvd South for early check-in

Highlights: Route 66, Oatman AZ, Needles CA,
Remainder of day TBA


Day 19 Thu Oct 1 Las Vegas NV Rider Rest Day

Free day in Las Vegas, local sightseeing

3:00pm Meet and Greet with Black Dog Riders - Harley Davidson Las Vegas, 3725 South Las Vegas Boulevard. All welcome!

Day 20 Fri Oct 2 Las Vegas NV - Big Bear Lake CA 381kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
9:00am 30 minute rest stop at Kelso Depot
10:15am 30 minute comfort stop at Roy's Motel, Amboy
11:30am 90 minute rest, fuel and lunch stop at 29 Palms, CA
1:00pm 1 hour rest stop at Joshua Tree Nat'l Park
3:15pm 15 minutes fuel stop at Big Bear Lake
3:35pm Arrive at Best Western, Big Bear Lake

Highlights: San Bernardino Nat'l Forest


Day 21 Sat Oct 3 Big Bear Lake CA - Los Angeles CA 416kms

6:30am Breakfast for all Black Dog Riders at hotel
7:15am Luggage loaded in GAMCT Truck
7:30am Departure for Group #1
5:00pm Arrive under LAPD Escort at LAPD HQ (opposite City Hall) for finale festivities inc Aussie Meat Pies!
6:00pm Welcome by the Australian Consul General and the LA Mayor
7:00pm Back at the Hilton LAX for private farewell finale dinner

Highlights: San Bernardino Mtns, Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica Pier
Remainder of day TBA


Day 22 Sun Oct 4 Departure

Black Dog Riders depart for Down Under - MISSION COMPLETE!