Where are the fastest roads?

[High Desert Rat]

I was read the Iron Butt Posting and it got me to thinking....

Where can one ride quick, fast, and safe with minimal negative law enforcement contact starting out of Southern California?

I know it is not Friday, but what the heck I got "snowed in" and my work site shut down for two days.

 

[Old Michael]

Three words I think.

Ne - va - da. I think you can go like almost 80 mph on some of those stretches.

 

[kurt]

West Texas. I-10, Hwy 90. 80 mph speed limits and no traffic to speak of.

 

[thompsonian]

Seek the one the call "Warchild" :assassin: I'm sure that during his BunBurner Hell Week, he came into contact with some of these roads.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Stay on any of the western roads outside of developed areas or use the Interstate system and 1000 miles is not that big a deal. Plan the ride and ride the plan, you'll be done in under 18 hours.

Or...follow OM's advice and visit your neighboring state.

--G

 

[PapaUtah]

On the western interstates 1,000 miles can be completed in about 12 hours. I did Reno to home (1,880 miles) in just under 24 (23:40 to be exact) hours in 2006. Limited stops, several gas and goes. I was well in excess of the posted in Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. Reasonably over in Nebraska and Iowa. At 5am on a Sunday in Nevada it's only jackrabbits out there. The last 400 miles were pure hell. Probably should have stopped and slept but I kept slogging on. Fatigue on a longer run will be your worst enemy. You need to have something to keep your mind busy then.

 

[Ignacio]

Three words I think.Ne - va - da.

Word. Here's one option.

 

[High Desert Rat]

Looks great... the start point is about two miles from my house but I can't leave today because we got 8 inches of snow

 

[ponyfool]

No offense, but just doing 1000 miles on a boring stretch of road is not, well, fun or really that challenging.

If you are going to ride 1000 miles, at least make it fun and see something worth seeing, or ride somewhere worth riding.

Just my .02

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Very well put ponyfool.

 

[Old Michael]

No offense, but just doing 1000 miles on a boring stretch of road is not, well, fun or really that challenging.
If you are going to ride 1000 miles, at least make it fun and see something worth seeing, or ride somewhere worth riding.

Just my .02

Now I-5 from N. CA down to L.A. is, in areas, a bit boring, and the scenery is far from stunning.

But some would argue that the high desert of Nevada is well worth seeing, and quite beautiful, and being out there on the deserted highway is a unique and enjoyable experience.

I would never argue that it's challenging. You sit on the bike, and aim it down the road.

But my goodness, it is "worth riding."

 

[doug5551]

I considered this topic carefully and did a lot of research prior to taking a trip to Nevada to field verify my assumptions and take a survey. So a year ago I took a trip from San Diego to Elko, Nevada. I found that on Nevada Highway 376, in 100 miles, I passed 12 vehicles in my lane, Nevada Hwy 305 3 vehicles in 88 miles, Highway 278 2 vehicles in 92 miles, and the King of Desolation, the Extraterrestrial Highway, where on a Sunday morning I passed exactly 2 vehicles in 155 miles.

I had never seen such open, desolate, beautiful roads in my life.

And believe me it was not boring for a single minute.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I considered this topic carefully and did a lot of research prior to taking a trip to Nevada to field verify my assumptions and take a survey. So a year ago I took a trip from San Diego to Elko, Nevada. I found that on Nevada Highway 376, in 100 miles, I passed 12 vehicles in my lane, Nevada Hwy 305 3 vehicles in 88 miles, Highway 278 2 vehicles in 92 miles, and the King of Desolation, the Extraterrestrial Highway, where on a Sunday morning I passed exactly 2 vehicles in 155 miles.
I had never seen such open, desolate, beautiful roads in my life.

And believe me it was not boring for a single minute.

Is it more "interesting" at night?

 

[doug5551]

The trip I was talking about was purposly an all daylight affair.

If I was to ride it at night, I now have a set of Phillips HID "Eyes of God" to guide me.

I learned around here that they can be a very effective solution to riding at night in the outback.

I know that they will get a workout at the Up-Chuck 1000...

 

[RenoJohn]

I considered this topic carefully and did a lot of research prior to taking a trip to Nevada to field verify my assumptions and take a survey. So a year ago I took a trip from San Diego to Elko, Nevada. I found that on Nevada Highway 376, in 100 miles, I passed 12 vehicles in my lane, Nevada Hwy 305 3 vehicles in 88 miles, Highway 278 2 vehicles in 92 miles, and the King of Desolation, the Extraterrestrial Highway, where on a Sunday morning I passed exactly 2 vehicles in 155 miles.
I had never seen such open, desolate, beautiful roads in my life.

And believe me it was not boring for a single minute.

this post sounds like it came from someone who likes to ride!! Good spirit Doug! ....and you were on some smooth sailing roads, no doubt about it.
---advice----

So, take a step back and think about a few things:

1000miles, 24hours = 42MPH average.

...hmmm, as long as you're keeping the wheels moving -you'll be in great shape to complete the SS1K! Speed is not important.

So, go do some place(s) you want to see, make a nice loop, enjoy yourself! And, you'll even have time for some slow but scenic roads if you wish, even time for a nap if you wish, even time for a nice meal if you wish .....speed is not important.

Having fun, enjoying the experience and keeping the wheels moving is important. Why not make a nice ride out of it?

A few suggestions:

In planning, factor 22 or 23hours (not 24) to give yourself some buffer. Pre-plan your route and make a little chart so you know when you should be at certain spots. Then while riding, you'll know if you're running behind or ahead of schedule.

Very common (ask me or Beerme) to see the first half of the ride go way smoother than you expect, then the 2nd half you're playing catch up! ...so dont' get cocky!

Beerme and I did this ....got ahead of schedule, starting taking things for granted, started fucking around at every opportunity and eventually the sun fell, and we did the math and realized we had to high-tail it back to Elko ...and we were tired and it was much tougher those last hours. We still made it, learned a lot and best of all: Had a shitload of fun along the way.

Now, when it comes time to do a BBG1500 ...then you need to consider pace a bit more. But 24hours to do 1000 ---just go have fun and see some nice places and keep the wheels moving when you're not taking advantage of food, nap or sight-seeing.

Oh, and the Nevada advice is certainly good ...but dont' forget to factor in brothel time. Brothel time can really take a toll on your efficiency.

 

[tcfjr]

Brothel time can really take a toll on your efficiency.

But it will make the ride report more interesting...

And if it takes more than 30 minutes, be sure to add it to your IBA log sheet, and attach an itemized receipt...

 

[High Desert Rat]

The information from the collective wisdom of others is insightful. My attempt is to break from the routine of the areas I usually ride. As I tried to explain to my wife my bike is the cheapest psychologist around and after a session I have something to show for it.

 

[doug5551]

HDR,

You certainly are not the only one.

Motobikes and dreaming about future travels are good for all of us psychologically. That is good you told your wife about that. All of our wives and girlfriends are better served by us riding our bikes.

Just make sure you don't tell her what Reno John said about the brothels...

 

[Brian R]

I was read the Iron Butt Posting and it got me to thinking....Where can one ride quick, fast, and safe with minimal negative law enforcement contact starting out of Southern California?

I know it is not Friday, but what the heck I got "snowed in" and my work site shut down for two days.

A couple of points:

Michael - it is Ne-vaaa-da. Use a soft "ah" and we (actually Renojohn) will put sugar in your gas before you go out into the desert....

Nevada is a wonderful place to run 1,000 miles with multiple mountain ranges to pass over and miles of open territory to test your tires (if you like doing that sort of thing - I do). My persona favorite is the ET highway using Hwy 6 and 318 (ask Warchild about NFT or Nevada Fast Triangle). As Doug said - 318 is not the deserted road it used to be but it is where they run the

Silver State Classic

but ET highway is a blast.

If you are going to do this understand you are not really alone. It is easy to find a nice big fellow like this out there:

They particularly like to lay on the hot roads after nightfall - the black ones (angus) can really surprise you!

That snow in the picture is typical of this time of year up here in the high desert as are temperatures around 10 degrees or so on the eastern side of the state. This time of year I would avoid Nevada and keep my route south (Think I-10).

Brian R.