Riding cross country, tell me where to go!

[NoneMoreBlack]

I am hitting the road in a week on a loosely organized round trip of the continental USA. I would love to pick the brains of BARF's finest with regards to points of interest along the way. Quirky roadside attraction? Hidden gem local restaurant? World's most interesting ferry ride to nowhere? Lay it on me!

This is a sport-touring style ride in which I will be doing my best to avoid interstates. I have a few dots on the map to visit friends and family, but otherwise trying to maintain as much flexibility as possible.

My general approach is a solid riding day of 3-400ish miles, ideally lots of twisties and scenery, and ending in a decent enough sized town to have a couple options for hotels/dinner. I will not be camping.

The route so far:

JUNE:

First leg:

SF-Reno > Ely NV > Moab UT > Montrose CO > Pagosa Springs CO > Colorado Springs CO (attending a wedding)

Second leg:

CO springs > Steamboat Springs CO > Teton/Yellowstone > Beartooth Pass/ Billings (visiting family)

Third leg:

Billings > Black Hills SD > Badlands SD > The Fucking Prairie > MSP (visiting home)

Fourth leg:

MSP > Milwaukee > Detroit or maybe Toronto > Buffalo > Pittsburgh (friend thing for the 4th of July)

JULY: here it gets a lot looser, I have nothing committed after the 4th and fewer friends/family on the east coast so keeping it pretty open.

PGH > Providence RI (family) > ?? > Raleigh NC (family) > Blue Ridge Parkway I guess? > Nashville TN (family) > ??

Return to SFO is so far totally open ended, I think I'd like to avoid crossing the vastness of Texas and will most likely take a detour to NOLA but that's about it so far.

 

[rodr]

I like how you're thinking. It should be a blast. All I can suggest is to look for squiggly lines on the map, and write up a ride report -- preferably updating it from a laptop computer wherever you stay in the evenings!

 

[BillSmith]

Tail of the Dragon is a bucket list item and you are in the (red)neck of the woods by your itinerary posted.

On your first leg, be aware that US 50 is under construction between Montrose and Gunnison.

I'm looking to run from sign to sign on US 50. Sacramento to Ocean City, MD this summer. Have gone I-80 to Atlantic City and back. Done the Loneliest Road of US 50 last summer. Chico to Delta, Utah in a day's ride.

I found my Sena playing a FM radio station invaluable on the East Coast to pick up storm warnings. The emergency tones would blare and I'd start scrambling trying to figure out if the county of Pennsylvania I was traveling through was in the tornado alert.

The above will change two aspects of my gear. Two cell phones, one dedicated to GPS/mapping and gloves that can initiate he touch screen on said phone. I can ride for hours with no music or interference but when one leaves California, storm warnings take on a next-level of concern.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[peterhively]

This is gonna be epic! Love your plan to not over plan. I did two trips to the PNW last summer, one by myself with minimal planning and one with a friend who wanted GPS tracks to follow, reservations for everything. Drove me nuts! I prefer keeping things very flexible so I can adjust for weather, whim, mood, anything. Getting ready to go up there again and i'll be doing it my way.

I've gone XC this way several times. First time I did it was still strictly paper maps. Big US map, regional maps, state maps. I'd look at the big picture, then zero in on where I was and look for twisty or otherwise interesting roads. I still use those but back then if I wanted internet I stopped at an internet cafe or library. So much easier now to have all the information at your finger tips on your phone. I use a quadlock mount with vibration damper and wireless charging, and a Cardo Scala Packtalk Bold so I can listen to music and nav, and ask Siri for info, even talk on the phone if I want to call a moto shop to see if they have a tire or something. Google maps, booking.com, etc can help find good food and lodging anywhere.

When you wanna cover some ground but stay off the interstate look for the old US highways, they were built to go place to place but more interesting than the big freeways. Sad to see some of the old towns dying along the way.

Your route out to RI looks great. Coming down along the Shenendoah Pkwy and BRP will be great, but can get a little boring after awhile with slow traffic and strictly enforced low speed limits. So check out some of the little side roads up and down into the valleys, ripping up and down some of those helps break it up. Tons of amazing riding between Asheville NC and Nashville TN. Gonna be hot and humid but the afternoon thunderstorms will cool things off.

When I got down that way, I had the same vague plan to head to NOLA go from there. I started down the Natchez Trace Pkwy. It was so hot, flat and straight I was falling asleep at the 'bars. I stopped for breakfast in Tupelo MS and looked at my US map that really showed the topography and quickly changed gears, went back up into AR, Ouachita Mtns, Hot Springs, etc. Much cooler, much twistier. Visited friends in Broken Arrow OK then cut diagonally down through TX avoiding the big cities and down through the Hill Country to Big Bend Natl Park then back up through the twistiest bits of NM, AZ, SoCal etc.

On another trip I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are plenty of great roads and scenery in MO NE IA KS so those don't need to be totally avoided.

advrider.com is a great resource, the regional forums offer lots of info for different areas and if you need local intel or assistance you can ask.

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

Thanks for the feedback so far everybody!

I like how you're thinking...

Yep that's the plan, got myself my first GoPro too!

On your first leg, be aware that US 50 is under construction between Montrose and Gunnison.

I found my Sena playing a FM radio station invaluable on the East Coast to pick up storm warnings. The emergency tones would blare and I'd start scrambling trying to figure out if the county of Pennsylvania I was traveling through was in the tornado alert.

Good to know, I am planning to take 550 through Durango, this pass was recommended to me by a Redditor.

Also good to know on the storm alerts, I'm actually not sure if my BT thing which is not a Sena does FM radio, but I'll fiddle with it. Might be able to stream something from my phone. Currently soaking an entire can of Nikwax into my Stich....

I've gone XC this way several times. First time I did it was still strictly paper maps. Big US map, regional maps, state maps. I'd look at the big picture, then zero in on where I was and look for twisty or otherwise interesting roads. I still use those but back then if I wanted internet I stopped at an internet cafe or library. So much easier now to have all the information at your finger tips on your phone. I use a quadlock mount with vibration damper and wireless charging, and a Cardo Scala Packtalk Bold so I can listen to music and nav, and ask Siri for info, even talk on the phone if I want to call a moto shop to see if they have a tire or something. Google maps, booking.com, etc can help find good food and lodging anywhere.

When you wanna cover some ground but stay off the interstate look for the old US highways, they were built to go place to place but more interesting than the big freeways. Sad to see some of the old towns dying along the way.

Your route out to RI looks great. Coming down along the Shenendoah Pkwy and BRP will be great, but can get a little boring after awhile with slow traffic and strictly enforced low speed limits. So check out some of the little side roads up and down into the valleys, ripping up and down some of those helps break it up. Tons of amazing riding between Asheville NC and Nashville TN. Gonna be hot and humid but the afternoon thunderstorms will cool things off.

On another trip I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are plenty of great roads and scenery in MO NE IA KS so those don't need to be totally avoided.

advrider.com is a great resource, the regional forums offer lots of info for different areas and if you need local intel or assistance you can ask.

Good tips, thanks. I did half this route (MSP-SFO) 12 years ago with a paper road atlas and a Nokia brick dumbphone in my pocket, and I'm looking forward to the creature comforts of, you know, internet.

Been trolling ADV and I'll be starting a RR over there once I get going, since I have the first couple weeks pretty well sketched out already I'm hoping some recommendations will roll in for specifics on the latter legs.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

I rode to Colorado and back on my Hypermotard the year I bought it, back roads all the way through Nevada and Utah, it was spectacular. You kinda can't go wrong in Utah, but, if it works for your overall route, southern Utah via Escalante is pretty darn beautiful, riding route 12 end to end is a must. If you do it, set aside some time to chat with the Desert Doctor, grab some coffee or get your chain serviced or whatever. He's a crusty old guy who makes a living fixing up the bikes that come through there, primarily sorting out tires and things like that. His shop is his house and it's pretty cool to see.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Also, since you'll be near the front Range in Colorado, you should consider the peak to peak highway. It's heavy on the sweepers and views, but also heavy on the police presence given it's popularity with the motorized set but a great ride. There also Guanella pass if you don't mind a little dirt at the top.

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

If you do it, set aside some time to chat with the Desert Doctor, .

Dear god this guy's FB page, I'm making a detour just to meet him!

Also, since you'll be near the front Range in Colorado, you should consider the peak to peak highway. ...

Thanks for all these, between this thread here and my talk with a fella on Reddit, sounds like I need to have Colorado and Utah on my return trip as well, there aren't enough days on my calendar to really appreciate them!

 

[boney]

I usually ride 80 to Fernley to Fallon to get on 50. It takes forever to get through Carson City. Edit, I see you're going through Reno, good plan!

772 from Middlegate to Austin
The Bars in Ely close when they want. Watch out.
24 around Fish Lake in Utah.
72 is great too!
I70 east through there sucks- 24 is way better but longer
Moab > 128 > I-70 > 141 > Naturita for Ice Cream > 62 > 550 > Montrose RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Double back to Durango on the Million Dollar Highway (550) to Pagosa Springs

That's about where my knowledge tails off. Though, I would be looking closely at 149 from South Fork back up to 50 and Gunnison.

 

[bikewanker]

I usually ride 80 to Fernley to Fallon to get on 50. It takes forever to get through Carson City. Edit, I see you're going through Reno, good plan!

772 from Middlegate to Austin.
The Bars in Ely close when they want. Watch out.
24 around Fish Lake in Utah.
72 is great too!
I70 east through there sucks- 24 is way better but longer
Moab > 128 > I-70 > 141 > Naturita for Ice Cream > 62 > 550 > Montrose RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Double back to Durango on the Million Dollar Highway (550) to Pagosa Springs

That's about where my knowledge tails off. Though, I would be looking closely at 149 from South Fork back up to 50 and Gunnison.

From the north end of Fishlake take Gooseberry rd to I 70 then 72 back to 24 and Capitol Reef National Park and the northern terminus of the recently paved 12. Midway on 12 is the Burr Trail which is paved for 20 miles or so.

N4teTheGreat is right about southwest Utah, 3 national parks in a day is easy. I’ve been helped by the Doctor twice, he is a character.
I agree about Co. 141 and 149 plus 145 and 92. East of Grand Junction off I 70 65 runs up and over Grand Mesa.

Peter is right about the Ouachita Mtns of Arkansas with 341 being in my top 7. Arkansas 125 has a 2 mile ferry ride. Off I 40 west to east 23/the Pig Trail, 21, 123 and 16 to name a few.

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

Thanks everybody, keep the recs coming!

Moab > 128 > I-70 > 141 > Naturita for Ice Cream > 62 > 550 > Montrose RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Double back to Durango on the Million Dollar Highway (550) to Pagosa Springs

What's the icecream spot you recommend in Naturita?

 

[boney]

Thanks everybody, keep the recs coming!



What's the icecream spot you recommend in Naturita?

I'll have to go back and look. Just some little diner where everyone stops. The few times I've been there the parking lot has bikes in it.


And this thread has the makings of epic-ness. Keep adding in. I'll see if I can track down some of the roads I've ridden back east.

 

[bikewanker]

Blondies? I think this is next door.

https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=551465&stc=1&d=1653771131

 

[WoodsChick]

Thanks for all these, between this thread here and my talk with a fella on Reddit, sounds like I need to have Colorado and Utah on my return trip as well, there aren't enough days on my calendar to really appreciate them!

I've spent numerous 2- and 3-week vacations riding through Utah over the course of about 10 years, and it still hasn't been enough. If you can go off-road it is a stunning paradise of discovery.


Have a great time, and please post your ride report here, too. It is possible to just copy-and-paste to ADV if you post it here first.

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

It is possible to just copy-and-paste to ADV if you post it here first.

Ooh, thanks for the tip, I was actually wondering how I was going to do that. First to BARF, of course ;P !

 

[NATEWA]

Many years ago I went from Virgina to S.F. This was before cell phones and the internet. Yes, stay away from Texas and Oklahoma. That was the worst part of the drive!

Do you like big cities, food guy, nature lover, any other activities you like other than riding a motorcycle?

Friend is in a 3 week trip now - mainly visiting friends and family. Another friend just got back from a week long trip through Idaho and Utah. Nature trip for him.

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

Many years ago I went from Virgina to S.F. This was before cell phones and the internet. Yes, stay away from Texas and Oklahoma. That was the worst part of the drive!

Do you like big cities, food guy, nature lover, any other activities you like other than riding a motorcycle?

Glad to hear it's not just my prejudice speaking (towards flat country and straight roads, not the fine people of those states)!

All else being equal, I like bigger cities but I also don't want to spend hours of riding getting into and out of major metro areas (especially with no lane splitting), so I'll likely be targeting smaller cities/medium towns. I do like a weird local museum, would love to hear about those kinds of recommendations. Once I've landed for the night I just like to grab a halfway decent meal and a beer or three and shoot the shit with the bartender, maybe lose a few games of pool to some locals, that sort of thing.

I'm a chef, so food is definitely important although not the priority, I do avoid chains and fast food wherever possible. I don't have high hopes for much until I reach the south as I've found small independent restaurants in rural America to be pretty disappointing when they aren't BBQ and the like. Happy to hear about hidden gems though.

Mostly nature, won't really be doing any significant hiking or camping, just finding a nice place to pull over, snag a photo and eat a snack, and keep riding, that sort of thing.

 

[SFMCjohn]

couple TX ideas, just because it seemed like a challenge:

Guadalupe Mountains National Park
“Guadalupe Peak, also known as Signal Peak, is the highest natural point in Texas, with an elevation of 8,751 feet (2,667 m) above sea level. The peak rises more than 3,000 feet (910 m) above the arid floor of the Chihuahuan Desert.”

Big Bend National Park
(+1 to earlier suggestion …)

Palo Duro Canyon
“As the second-largest canyon in the United States, it is roughly 120 mi (190 km) long and has an average width of 6 mi (9.7 km), but reaches a width of 20 mi (32 km) at places.”

your Riding Cross Country trip sounds epic, super jelly, have fun!

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

couple TX ideas, just because it seemed like ...

You know I'm glad you dropped these here, I was just poking around at Westish Texas on google maps asking myself if hmm...maybe this doesn't actually look that bad. Still would need to figure out how to get there but I'll add these to the list, thanks!

 

[bikewanker]

couple TX ideas, just because it seemed like a challenge:

Guadalupe Mountains National Park
“Guadalupe Peak, also known as Signal Peak, is the highest natural point in Texas, with an elevation of 8,751 feet (2,667 m) above sea level. The peak rises more than 3,000 feet (910 m) above the arid floor of the Chihuahuan Desert.”

Big Bend National Park
(+1 to earlier suggestion …)

Palo Duro Canyon
“As the second-largest canyon in the United States, it is roughly 120 mi (190 km) long and has an average width of 6 mi (9.7 km), but reaches a width of 20 mi (32 km) at places.”

your Riding Cross Country trip sounds epic, super jelly, have fun!

Now you tell me! I was in Texas early April for some race.
https://www.ridetexas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/MAP_p69-TwistedSisters_v1.jpg

https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=551556&stc=1&d=1654024720
https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=551557&stc=1&d=1654024725
If you’re in Big Bend might as well visit, http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/