Riding Across America

[Nikk]

I hope this is the correct forum section for this topic.

I'm heading off across the USA in September and would appreciate road recommendations along this route. I'm looking for off highway scenic sweepers and must see sights. The route below is a guideline. Nothing on this trip is fixed in stone.

I've done several 7-10 day trips up and down the east coast, but for this trip I'm taking 4 weeks off. I'm thinking 3 weeks of riding and 1 week in reserve.

Google Maps Link

[SIZE=10pt]<edit Aug. 28, 2009, leaving in the AM, final plans through AZ>[/SIZE]

To Rapid City, SD

To Kalispell, MT

To Medford, OR

To Bis Sur, CA

To Blanding, UT

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and recommendations.

 

[Yamma Jamma]

Chief Joseph Highway over Bear tooth Pass in Montana. If u like to play, best road I've ever been on.

14 going West out of Fort Collins CO is sweet.

"Going to the Sun Road" thru Glacier Nat Park is spectacular.

Telluride is the prettiest setting for a town I ever saw. The roads in that area around Gunnison, Silverton and Ouray are outstanding.

Magnificent route btw and 3-4 weeks is doing it right. Just did Houston to Montana in 2 weeks. I wish I was still out there.

 

[Jagermeister]

Veering south into NW Arkansas would probably be worth your time. The Ozark National Forest is great.

In KY: most of the roads in the western part of the state are boring, except "The Trace" running North throught the Land between the Lakes.

From Owensboro, try Rt. 66 and/or 62 on the Indiana side, through the Hoosier National Forest.

Of course, any September trip should include EOM in Johnson City, TN!

 

[shokdimn]

Nikk,

Curiosity question, why the “double-back hard-south” then west from Kadoka, SD? Also, curious to see that you’re riding thru part of Yellowstone but skipping the CJH and Beartooth Pass that YJ mentioned--and was just wondering why the CJS and Beartooth weren’t on your agenda?

Safe trip to ya.

 

[GunMD]

Part of your route through Southern California is right in my neighborhood (literally 1 mile from my house). HERE is a link to a modified, twistier, more scenic route between 29 Palms and Palmdale, CA. Oh, and feel free to PM me if you need anything while passing through.

 

[bramfrank]

I just got back from almost 5,000 miles of riding and I can tell you that there are some AMAZING roads in Pennsylvania and on the southeast end, there are (of course) Deal's Gap, Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive and more!!!

I can send you some interesting routes of the key major roads if you like.

 

[mdisher]

Chief Joseph Highway over Bear tooth Pass in Montana. If u like to play, best road I've ever been on.14 going West out of Fort Collins CO is sweet.

"Going to the Sun Road" thru Glacier Nat Park is spectacular.

Telluride is the prettiest setting for a town I ever saw. The roads in that area around Gunnison, Silverton and Ouray are outstanding.

Magnificent route btw and 3-4 weeks is doing it right. Just did Houston to Montana in 2 weeks. I wish I was still out there.

+1 don't miss this if it's open.

If you like old timey hotels, the Golden Inn in Oneil Nebraska is decent.

Stop in Custer, ride the Black Hills, it's well worth it.

Stay a night in Cody and go to the Rodeo. It's the Rodeo capital of the world and there's a rodeo 7 days a week in the summer.

AVOID Kansas... Going across is bad enough but to go from north to south IN Kansas... I'd rather slam my pecker in sliding glass door.

If you must ride through it to get home. Do so at night, much cooler and just beat feat to get the hell out of there.

The rest looks eerily similar to our 10 day journey last year.

-MD

 

[playgtar]

I hope this is the correct forum section for this topic.
I'm heading off across the USA in September and would appreciate road recommendations along this route. I'm looking for off highway scenic sweepers and must see sights. The route below is a guideline. Nothing on this trip is fixed in stone.

I've done several 7-10 day trips up and down the east coast, but for this trip I'm taking 4 weeks off. I'm thinking 3 weeks of riding and 1 week in reserve.

Google Maps Link

If you move your route a little north when you go through KY toward Lexington, you could ride through horse counrty if your into that. Lots of pretty roads with wooden fences and horses on each side. It's like riding through someone's farm. You could also hit the Red River Gorge as well in KY.

 

[Yamma Jamma]

You may be missing too much of Idaho. I haven't done it but I hear there are some great canyon roads.

 

[shokdimn]

Was in WY a couple of weeks ago. I really enjoyed :bike: looping 14 and 14A—both very scenic IMO. Hwy 16 over the Bighorns is also very scenic IMO. I took 31 between Manderson and Ten Sleep--I missed the turn where the road T’s. It’s a good thing I wasn’t going form Ten Sleep toward the T in the road. Anyway, we stopped at Dirty Sally’s in Ten Sleep. They were cooking their own ice crème cones as we were walking in. Those fresh cones sure smelled good but we had shortly before eaten breakfast and decided to pass on the ice crème. Maybe next time.

Also, was curious, is your departure going to be early, mid, or late SEP?

 

[wheatonFJR]

Definitely spend time in Idaho near the sawtooths and Stanley. Google motorcycle roads us...for help on good mcy roads.

I also loved RT16A through the Bighorns in WY. Very nice.

Look at my CFR ride report for my suggested roads from SD on west through ID. I post a little map of where griff and I went. There were ALOT of good roads on that trip.

 

[Nikk]

Wow! Awesome tips! I can't compile them all here at work, but will take some time tonight.

@shokdimn The “double-back hard-south” from Kadoka, SD is a byproduct of Google Maps, the selected destination, and avoid highways. Most likely won't be my actual route. Remember the map link is just a guideline of my general area of travel.

@bramfrank Would love to receive your routes. Since I'm and East coast boy I'm not spending too much time on those awesome PA, Appalachian Mt., Smokey Mt. roads. I plan to push west and spend more time there.

@mdisher I agree I don't want to spend much time in Kansas!

Again, thanks all and keep the tips coming!

 

[Nikk]

...If you like old timey hotels, the Golden Inn in Oneil Nebraska is decent.

....

I found the Golden Hotel is this the place your meaning? https://www.historicgoldenhotel.com/

 

[Dan S]

So many road - so little time. If ya like a bit of adv riding, take 261 north out of Mexican hat, up the Moki Dugway, then east on 95 to Blanding. Nat Bridges NM is not far off that route and only an hour to see some phenomenal natural beauty.

I'd go north out of Durango on 550 and east over Monarch Pass on 50. Then again, I've never done 160 thru Pagosa Springs or 149 thru Lake City. Gota do those next time I'm out that way.

Add jsut 4 more hours and do Berthod Pass (US 40) to Rocky Mtn NP.

Ditto Chief Joseph and Bear tooth hwy in northern Wy. And 14 and 14A

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

So many road - so little time. Then again, I've never done 160 thru Pagosa Springs or 149 thru Lake City. Gota do those next time I'm out that way.

It can be difficult to route youself to every good road in the country on one trip? But, a couple things I've found:

• U.S. numbered highways can often be enjoyable rides while still getting you some miles down the road. Some, of course, are better than others (they used to be the way people travelled before Interstates) -- U.S. 160, in many parts of the country, is (imo) one of the better ones. They also, in themselves, can be a trip theme (follow a certain route, etc.).
  
• Many Interstate Highways can seriously detract from trip enjoyment -- if ridden on for extended distances. They can be used to advantage in certain areas; but, sport-touring (imo) in mostly Interstate-less.....

 

[canyonman]

Central Idaho as wheaton suggested is as spectacular as any place ive been. Utah is a personal favorite as well there is no other place like it or is as timeless. IMHO.

September will be a good time of year for the desert areas.

Good luck I'm envious. Here is a ride report for a trip I just completed it may give you some ideas. click-n-ride

 

[jackplanet514]

Nikk,

I've added ~377, not to miss, miles to your trip.

A section of your original route

The new route

The added 377 miles will put you through 4 National Parks:

1. Canyon Lands National Park

2. Capital Reef National Park

3. Bryce Canyon National Park

4. Zions National Park

That's a different National Park every 94 miles.

J.

 

[FJReady]

Nikk,

I've been watching this thread with considerable interest as I am currently planning a similar adventure at approx the same time. I'll be posting soon about it. Alot of the places that have been suggested to you are on my 'hafta see' list. Perhaps we'll cross paths. Good luck with your planning. Fun, isn't it?

Russ

 

[johnny80s]

Let us Southern California guys know when you are going to be here and we can meet up with you if you want.