Riding Across America

[Patriot]

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.

-MD

ouch, that's gotta really hurt... :blink:

 

[CraigRegs]

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.

Well, you've got to cross Iowa to get TO the sweepers, so you might as well make the most of it while you're here. I'd recommend following as much of the Lincoln Highway as possible. It comes in at Clinton on the east, runs through Cedar Rapids, Ames and onto Missouri Valley on the west, just north of Omaha/Council Bluffs. This roughly parallels Hwy 30, even running on 30 in spots. But most of 30 is 4-lane, and much of the original LH route can be found as county roads that run through the hearts of small-town Iowa. At Missouri Valley, go north on the Loess Hills Trail. This parallels I-29 and runs through the Loess Hills to Sioux City. I'd be happy to provide more details on sites to see, good eats, and accomodations on this route.

You'll be coming pretty much through my back yard. PM when you know your dates and route and if you like, I'd be happy to keep you company for a day!

Craig

 

[wfooshee]

I would recommend dipping down into New Mexico from Colorado, across the Texas panhandle and up through Oklahoma instead of across the CO plains into Kansas. That part of New Mexico is way the ^$&* more interesting than wheat fields!!!! You give up a few mountains, but you've been in the mountains nearly two weeks by then, but you've not seen the volcanic grasslands along US 64 in New Mexico. Visit the Capulin Mountain National Monument if you've got time, volcanic cone only 5000 years old, among others millions of years old.

If you're set on some CO rockies, like Pike's Peak, it's the wrong way, but like I said, you've been in the rockies a while by then, and that volcanic stuff doesn't exist anywhere else on the continent.

Parts of the Texas Panhandle, once you get through the irrigated corn fields, you look to one side of the road and see almost a wall, and you look the other side and you're overlooking 35 miles of plains. Really really cool.

 

[Nikk]

shokdimn - I justed added Ten Sleep to my route, and to answer your question I'm leaving Aug. 29th.

 

[shokdimn]

Copy that. Here’s hoping you have favorable weather on your adventure. I see you’re passing thru Greybull. I’ve enjoyed what was, IMO, several tasty meals at a local place in Greybull.

https://gl1800riders.com/forums/picture.php...;pictureid=4670

The burger was for me and my wife went for the salad. The following evening, at the same place, we had prime rib and IMO it was very tasty!

And we were also able to score a “tasty” breakfast.

https://gl1800riders.com/forums/picture.php...;pictureid=4675

Table fare where we camped in Cody and at a couple of local places didn’t quite “cut the mustard” IMO.

OTOH, we scored a, IMO, tasty and reasonably priced BBQ in Bozeman.

Are you planning on camping or motels or some sort of a combo?

 

[bramfrank]

It occurs to me that I should suggest you head over to https://www.poi-factory.com and download some restaurant POI files to install in your navigator. I had put the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives file into mine and stopped at two (of perhaps 6 I might have) when I was out 2 weeks ago . . . while one was a 'miss' in terms of food quality, the oher was definitely a hit.

There are all sorts of interesting POI files on that site - it can certainly help you choose an interestig place for lunch or dinner.

Another file you might want to install is the list of Yamaha Dealers.

 

[ponyfool]

I took a trip from Portland to Virginia round trip a couple years ago, and your route is similar to mine. Here are my suggestions:

• While you are right there, I would suggest going to Devil's Tower, WY. From your route, off Hwy 16 in Newcastle, WY, head north on Hwy 85 through Black Hills National Forest, through Spear Fish, into Belle Fourche, SD, then west to Devils Tower. That is a beautiful ride IMO.
• When about to cut from Idaho to Washington, continue south on Hwy 95 through Moscow into Clarkston, then head west on Hwy 12. Hwy 12 through eastern Washington is a wonderful road.
• As you head south through Oregon, into California, you will want to go west a bit and take Hwy 36 from Red Bluff to the Cali coast. It is one of the best roads in the entire country. You can do this by either diverting west off Hwy 97 in Oregon north of Klamath Falls (no one actually WANTS to go to K Falls anymore) through Crater Lake. One thought would be to go to the Oregon/Cali coast north of Hwy 36, then come east on Hwy 36 to resume your route, but if you are on the opposite coast, that's a road you don't want to miss. I'll let some of the Southern Oregon/Northern Cali folks give you the best ride to get there.
• As far as the Grand Canyon is concerned, I believe the north side and north rim are immensely more beautiful than the south side and south rim. After riding the north side, you can continue through to Page, AZ, then reconnect with your route into Utah/Colorado. That way, you also hit Zion in Utah, which is a don't miss.
• I have to say, I don't think you are spending nearly enough time in Colorado. You could easily spend two full weeks there and still be longing for more. Having said that, I concur with the comment about Kansas. I would encourage you to go north, and then south while STILL in Colorado, then cut east so you spend as little time in Kansas as possible. It may be a great state, but it isn't great on a motorcycle.
• Your ride through Missouri should be a pretty one. You may want to consider cutting south once in Kentucky, possibly taking the Land Between the Lakes. While that road isn't a particularly challenging one, it is pretty, and it takes you south into some of the better parts of Tennessee to continue your eastern travels.
  
• If you follow the suggestion above, take some of the most amazing roads in eastern Tennessee/Western North Carolina, such as the infamous Tail of the Dragon, Hwy 129. However, when I was through there, North Carolina Hwy 28 was a much more fun ride. But, it also leads you to cut north on the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive route all the way up to Front Royal/Winchester, Virginia to resume your route.

Those are just a few thoughts. On a side note, hitting the roads that are most recommended that are farthest away from you are the ones I'd make a priority because you will be less likely to get to them again soon.

Hope you have a great ride!

 

[ndivita]

I would move my route north into southern and central Utah. Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef N.P. are not to be missed. Utah 12 is legendary. From there, it would be a sin to miss Moab and Arches N.P.

 

[drc32-0]

Friction Zone,a free west coast magazine just had a story of their 10 best roads in ten years.Try to get a copy...these are some great roads and your route is going to be close to most of them.I can't think of all of the roads but they include...The Beartooth pass/CJSB,Utah 12,Utah191+44 near flaming gourge,Coranado Trail Arizona 191,and California 36 to name a few.

I plan on linking most of these roads together as my west coast trip next year.

 

[Nikk]

Argh!!! All these GREAT suggestions, I can't keep them straight. I need to distill all of this down and see which dots I can connect in the time I have. This is really helpful thanks all, and keep the fresh suggestions coming.

Nikk

 

[bikesniffer]

re-route in the West and do Spokane to Seattle over Blewitt Pass

Visit the Pike Street Market in Seattle and then go South on the WA coast

Alfred

 

[Big-B]

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.

And don't forget Arches at Moab right next door to Canyon Lands. Moab is a fun place.

Can't recommend this change enough. Southern Utah is amazing. Never thought I would say that. There are a couple state parks along there that are decent too, Kodachrome Basin and a Petrified forest.

 

[Nikk]

@Dan S, I think I'll pass on the adventure riding on my FJR! Some of your other suggestings are looking interesting though.

@charismaticmegafuana (you need a shorter screen name!) I agre with you mostly. My use of interstate is to make up time or traveling on full rain days. I'm not mutch for running the twisty bits in the rain.

@canyonman - nice ride report, I'm really getting excite to catch some of that scenery in full fidelity.

@jackplanet - nice addition, I'm thinking keeping that route on my list, if time allows.

@FJReady - I'm leaving the 29th and have to be in Rapid City SD on the 2nd. After that this is all just spit-balling! The road, weather, and mood will dictate the rest!

@Forum - I'm planning to post a more detailed route showing which advice I'm trying to incorporate. Before I can do that I would like to hear some opinion on these two options for North California. I'm pretty sure I'm holding to the coast south of San Francisco.

East side, taking CA-89, CA-49 and others into Tahoe for a night of gambling. If I still own my bike the next morning maybe a day ride before heading to the coast.

East Side!

West side, taking CA-96 down to the 101.

West Side!

Sorry no pixs this time, but the links will get you something you can pan and zoom.

 

[Wee Willy]

Here's a really nice selection of So Cal canyon rides to get you from Cambria to Palmdale (a wasteland).

New So Cal Route.

This doesn't take you to Lake Isabella, but it's a nicer ride and I'll bet you'd enjoy the trip more. Plenty of other lakes along the route too.

Also, I'd recommend the following change to your route near Kingman, AZ:

Route 66 excursion. This is biker heaven here.

One more item to contemplate on your AZ meander:

Sedona excursion. Best bike route in AZ.

Looks like a blast. You'll remember this trip for many years. Enjoy and get home in one piece.

Cheers,

W2

 

[High Desert Rat]

If you are going by Palmdale (it is where I live) it would be crime not to take in a portion of the Angeles National Forest and Highway 2. Highway 2 is National Scenic By-way and motorcyclist from all over the world come to ride it. To get there from current route continue south on Hwy 14 to the the Angeles Forest Highway (AFH) off ramp. Take the AFH towards "Pasadena" and continue towards the Angeles Crest Highway or Highway 2. Turn left on "Big Tujunga" to the "2." At the intersection you have two choices, turn right towards Los Angeles with a side trip to Mount Wilson that over looks the LA Basin (Great views in the early morning on clear days) or turn left towards Wrightwood/138. I would go to Mount Wilson and back track towards Wrightwood, this will add about 90 minutes to your trip. If you take the shorter route (turning left at at Big Tujunga) it will add about 45 minutes from your planned route. PM me for more information.

 

[Nikk]

@Wee Willy - Thanks! Turns out we both came to the same route into the LA area. I've done the Sedona thing, not on a motorcycle but in a 4x4 across the forest roads. Juniper trees for miles!! I do like you Rt-66 leg, and plan to incorporate it. Thanks again.

@High Desert Rat - I like the idea of overlooking LA without having to drive through it! I'm considering this, but worried about the run from LA to N. Arizona. If it is hot, I'll probably just want to bear down and get through it. Maybe I'm missing something, but I'll let the forum or the adventure set me straight. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Nikk]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and recommendations! I'm leaving in the AM and have updated post 1 with my currently planned routes. The return from UT is still unknown.

Cheers!

 

[shokdimn]

Update, progress, or a "whur-ya-b" report? Just curious. Was wondering if you've made it to Montana yet?

 

[Nikk]

Hi all! Currently I am in Glenwood Springs, CO. Weather and riding have been excellent. I hit 37deg. and snow in the pass at Glacier Park and 100 deg. crossing the Mojave.

Had a tire puncture scare coming out of Yellowstone. What I thought was a nail turned out to be a stone I likely picked up crossing Beartooth Pass. I was ready to plug and refil the tire, but when I pulled the "nail" discovered it was a stone and not deep enough to worry about. I ran that tire until it died and replaced both in Bend OR.

I had a light bulb go out, but that was easy enough to fix. Got held up in Monteccello (sp?) UT the other morning waiting for the rain to stop. Once the hotel office opend up I discoverd it was only raining on town. Five minutes in any direction was free of rain!

It is realy difficult to pick the most awesome sights I've seen and the best roads. Rt-16 into the Bighorn Mts. was spectacular but so was Rt.-62 into Ridgeway, CO. The views along the Big Sur coast of CA were great! The CA roads 36, 89, and 4 were great fun. Tried to ride the Angles Crest Highway but it was again closed because of the recent fires.

I think CO, and ID panhandle had the best roads. I like things a bit twisty.

When I get home I'll post some pictures.

I think we will get some nice riding in today before cutting back across the heartland for the Cherohala Skyway.

 

[Nikk]

I've been back for a couple weeks now. Trying to get readjusted to work life. I also spent some time filtering down my 2,000 pictures to about 300 onto photobucket. Have a browse if you have the time.

View My Trip Pictures

The quick summary goes like this:

• 28 days.
• 27 nights (1 camping).
• 22 states.
• 9,357 miles total.
• est, 230 miles in rain gear.
• 1 oil change.
• est. 225 gallon of gas.
• 2 sets of tires.
• 1 killed pheasant.
• Countless thousands of killed grasshoppers and other insects.
• 120 mph top speed.
• 37F low temperature.
• 100F high temperature.
• 479 miles, longest day.
• 210 miles, shortest day.
• Best breakfast - Big Sky, MT.
• Best lunch - Crater Lake, OR.
• Best dinner - Baker City, OR.

This was the longest vacation I've ever taken, along with the longest motorcycle ride. Also one of the best decisions of my life. I never regretted saving up my vacation and using it all at once.

People have asked me to pick the best sight, but I find that very difficult as there were so many. Bighorn, Glacier Park, Yellowstone, Big Sur coast, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon etc.

I really enjoyed all of the friendly people in the small town across the country. Courteous, conversational, and helpful. Great folks.

As for riding I have to tip my hat to CA-36, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and Colorado. Angels Crest Highway was re-closed due to the fires so I missed that one.

All said a great adventure and something I'll do again in 2-3 years ... sooner perhaps!