See the USA

[Defiant77]

Hi all,

Planning my first cross country ride from Tampa to California. I have pulled quite a few long rides but not this long and really getting jazzed planning it. The plan is to head out in May 2016. I was orginally going solo, but several friends and even my father in law say they want to go as well, so it may turn into a mini group trip. I had no idea how many people have this ride on their bucket list.

The tentative plan is to travel north and then east through Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and pick up Route 66 more or less and head west. We are going to go in north of LA to avoid that mess and of course hit the PCH. I haven't figured out the back trip yet, this is a work in progress.

Has anyone taken Route 66 or is there a better route? My old Chief of Police and good friend lives in Albuquerque so that is a mandatory stop. Have to hit Las Vegas for at least a day, and then onward. Not sure if I want to hit a northern or sourthern route on the return. I-10 is one long boring road but the northern route adds more distance for the planned 21 day trip.

 

[Uncle Hud]

No routing advice, but this overall trip advice: Plan on going solo, because that's the way it often works out.

 

[Ignacio]

Has anyone taken Route 66 or is there a better route?

Better for what? If you want better time--ride the interstate...simple. If you want more scenery look on maps for green patches that include national forests, national parks, national monuments, and state and local equivalent. You want twisties look on the map (or your GPS while on the fly) and zoom into bits of roads that are state or locally numbered with lots of squiggly bits.

I can think of many diversions along many different vectors in the last two categories, but enumerating them means you pick a specific route. If a 21 day trip I'd suggest being like Buz and Tod were and find yourself adventures along the way with doing a little homework before you leave of a few spots you want to see.

Three or four suggestions on the more western end:

Gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico (a national monument with a very squiggly road to get to and back out of)

Silver City, NM to Eager, AZ via 191 (e.g. the squiggly road idea)

Canyon de Chelle in NE Arizona

Bisbee, AZ

 

[Defiant77]

Thanks from both for the advice. I know there will be at least one and after that we will see who actually goes along. Good idea on the roads to be traveled. I plan pretty thoroughly when we travel in our RV so this will be handled the same, except I can go farther faster on the bike.

 

[Twigg]

Route 66 isn't as easy to follow as it used to be, but most of it is still possible.

You need specialist planning to get the most from it, and this is a good place to start:

https://www.historic66.com/

 

[TomInPA]

So much of historic 66 is now I-44 a nd I-40, you're really just picking segments to ride and attractions to see. Even the Cadillac Ranch is a relocated version along I-40. No matter how you go west, you have to cross the great plains. I've never learned to really appreciate that stretch, whether I cross north of I-90 or south of I-10, or take US 50 up the middle; but there are great rewards on either side.

I would not suggest trying to do any particular route like 66, but rather to meander to the great roads as they arise on your trip. Do get a National Parks (America the Beautiful) pass and go to as many as you can along the way. Personally, I prefer routes farther north than US 66. US 64, 160, 550 (Colorado), Back down CO 140 and pickup Mesa Verde, then out to Blanding, UT, UT 95 and 24 to Torrey then 12 to Escalante and Bryce is awful hard to beat.

 

[Defiant77]

TominCA,

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I appreciate the suggestion.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Hi all,

..........and then east through Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and pick up Route 66 more or less and head west. ......

Sounds awesome and likey what Tom^^ said, if you have the time, take the scenic off-slab routes.

Oh yeah, you may want to go west, not east

 

[Defiant77]

Oh yea. Oops