My tour across America 2021

[blacklightning]

Thank you all so much for your responses. I had no idea that I would get so much great information so soon. I will be going back to read over each one of them later this week (possibly tonight). One question that I have is about a time to leave. I was thinking about leaving in late spring and hoping that it will not be too hot in the southern areas. While at the same time, I would like to know that the trip across the northern areas would not have me snowed in for the return trip.
Again, thanks again for all the information.

 

[Bfromla]

:agree:All above & Mid -late September I like to try & attend BBB in NW Arkansas
:firstplace::doorag:
https://bikesbluesandbbq.org/rally-info/
Lots to see & natural falls in OK is close by too. :clap::yes::clap::bowdown:
https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/5293
and plenty of beautiful OZARK roads to wander around on leading to more beautiful sites. Don’t forget swing by & visit SpyderPops in Percy AR at some point along your travels, some nice views around there to, personally not familiar with them all just yet. Further E around Clinton AR is Natural bridge, also quite nice. Small hiking ventures to explore & good to stretch legs for circulation.

 

[cohoff]

Breathtaking ride on US Hwy 93 N from Salmon ID to Lolo Hot Springs MT and continue on US Hwy 12 W from Lolo Hot Springs for a stunning ride to Kooskia ID.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EBSdE4hZUY9mG6V99

 

[easysuper]

My wife and I did a Coast to Coast Ryde last year on our RTLs, 66 days and 11,000 miles would be more than glad to share some of our experience and high and low points of our trip with you. If interested, PM me and I will give you my contact info. We did Hwy 20 from Newport Oregon to Boston, the longest continuous Hwy in the lower 48, it was an Homage to my Dad who did it in 1938 on his Harley. We returned on a route that covered part of Canada, Tunnel of Trees, Route 66, Million Dollar Hwy, and some great To return to places. This was a bucket list ride that one would never forget .

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Look at the maps and plot some routes, then use Google Street View to do a virtual ride down portions of the roads. That way you'll get a good idea of what you are going to see. If scenery is your first priority then include a mix of mountains, desserts, rocks, and so forth. There are a lot of mountain miles in the West, but in some areas after you've ridden the first 50 or 100 miles you've also seen the next 300! Same for the dessert. One of my prettiest rides was on I-84 west of Pocatello, ID right at sunset. Rocky low lying terrain next to the road in the midst of a huge dessert and the Snake River on the right. I never knew rocks and dessert could be so beautiful!

If you're into history, or any other subject of interest, then use Google Maps to search for a particular type of point of interest, like museum. It'll pop up flags all around the route you have showing in the map view. Then plan your route around the points of interest. Lots of history in the west like the Nuclear Museum in Albuquerque, and the Experimental Breeder Reactor site near Arco, ID where nuclear power was used the first time ever to light a city. If you really want to see the west either spend 2 to 4 months on the road, or make two or more trips over two or more years.

Be methodical in your planning. It'll be easy to get overwhelmed by the vast variety of things to see and do west of the Mississippi.

 

[canamjhb]

It's good that you are planning well in advance. There are so many great rides and places to see that a person could spend years going from one jaw-dropping place to another. As you can see from my signature map, I have toured the western U.S. My touring has been from one to 7 weeks each year over the last 40 years. All the above suggestions are excellent. You just have to pick and choose what fits your schedule and desires. I am partial to water and boating so a couple of rides you might consider are from Anacortes, WA. From there, you can take the Ferry to Sidney, BC and do a little touring on Vancouver Island including Victoria (think England). From Victoria you can take another ferry (the Coho) to Port Angeles, WA and coutinue touring Washington State. Or, from Anacortes take the ferry to San Juan Island for a day tour of that very historic island. Be sure to save time for lunch at Roche Harbor resort. A bit spendy but worth every penny. If you don't do the Sidney trip, from Anacortes you can go south across the bridge to Whidbey Island where you can catch another ferry to Port Townsend and continue touring Washington. So many choices, so little time. Keep us posted..... Jim

 

[jerrydonna]

I want to thank the OP for asking this question. Now at 59 I have been blessed with a wife who travels well, as long as she doest have to take I10 from San Antonio to Tucson EVER AGAIN.
We have traveled from Va to Maine, KeyWest, and what most people on here are talking about. Points West, the last 3 years we have spent at least 10 weeks each year LOOPING the country. And reading above location has me feeling very sad about this years C19. If one went to google and planned trip with above listed location you would have a awesome trip but well over 7 weeks.
Apex Nc. is pretty close to us and our past travel routes. But I like to spend more time SEEING and less time getting to the points I wish to stay and visit. We do travel by motorhome but even last years loop was 6900 miles driving MOTORHOME plus our 3200 miles on spyder. We traveled as much as 1000 miles a DAY in motorhome to earn back as much time as possible back on the bike.
I would jump on I40 sent cruise control at speed limit and relax and enjoy the ride, other than few larger cities its really a good drive. Memphis is great city for couple days after that Albuquerque starts the really fun part. (Memphis to Albq. that 1000 miles stated above.) go on bing map start from home
https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=49ed...971016~-110.441729&lvl=5&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027

look at route closely YOU will see many places GREEN along this route
We will be heading that way again in 2021 as well....

 

[jerrydonna]

I want to thank the OP for asking this question. Now at 59 I have been blessed with a wife who travels well, as long as she doest have to take I10 from San Antonio to Tucson EVER AGAIN.
We have traveled from Va to Maine, KeyWest, and what most people on here are talking about. Points West, the last 3 years we have spent at least 10 weeks each year LOOPING the country. And reading above location has me feeling very sad about this years C19. If one went to google and planned trip with above listed location you would have a awesome trip but well over 7 weeks.
Apex Nc. is pretty close to us and our past travel routes. But I like to spend more time SEEING and less time getting to the points I wish to stay and visit. We do travel by motorhome but even last years loop was 6900 miles driving MOTORHOME plus our 3200 miles on spyder. We traveled as much as 1000 miles a DAY in motorhome to earn back as much time as possible back on the bike.
I would jump on I40 sent cruise control at speed limit and relax and enjoy the ride, other than few larger cities its really a good drive. Memphis is great city for couple days after that Albuquerque starts the really fun part. (Memphis to Albq. that 1000 miles stated above.) go on bing map start from home
https://www.bing.com/maps?osid=49ed...971016~-110.441729&lvl=5&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027

look at route closely YOU will see many places GREEN along this route
We will be heading that way again in 2021 as well....

Add Cody Wy, cant miss Bear tooth, or 296 to cody. I would drive from Va to Cody than back home JUST FOR THAT

 

[tofriendscreek]

Hey, my friend, I’m saddened to hear of the loss of the loved one. You definitely ryde with a rowdy, spirited group group of Ladies and Gentlemen. In my Spyder life I’ve been blessed to romp around the Smokies with you guys, as well as travel over tens of thousands of miles around the USA and Canada. Last year was an 11K mile journey, roughly following Lewis and Clark’s trail to the Pacific, the Pacific Coast Highway, and Route 66, back east, with tons of side routes and my usual wanderings.
I learned a long time ago, I can’t see it all, for a number of reasons. As all the previous posters have suggested great ideas. In the end, plan a route which includes what you think you want to see, expect some surprises, and just go!
I am planning another epic journey west later this year of about 16K miles and who knows how many weeks. God and the virus will dictate whether it happens.
All the best to you.

 

[inspectsir]

Hwy 12 in UT and Moab. Plenty of Nat Parks. Almost anywhere out West.

 

[saralyn15]

So sorry for your loss!
I've noticed no one has really said anything about Iowa. Im in Iowa and the places I would suggest are the caves in north eastern Iowa. Okoboji is in the northwest part of the state and I love it up there.
Check out lake Michigan and Lake Superior if you get up to wisconsin/minnesota.
Nebraska...not much to see there.
Missouri: Lake of the ozarks
Arizona: Sedona 100%. By far my favorite place in the world that Ive been to!
California: San Deigo

Those are my inputs! Good luck and if you happen to get to Southwest Iowa, get ahold of me and I could ride along for a bit if you need the company! I also have a twelve year old and a ten year old, one of which may tag along!

 

[pegasus1300]

Thank you all so much for your responses. I had no idea that I would get so much great information so soon. I will be going back to read over each one of them later this week (possibly tonight). One question that I have is about a time to leave. I was thinking about leaving in late spring and hoping that it will not be too hot in the southern areas. While at the same time, I would like to know that the trip across the northern areas would not have me snowed in for the return trip.
Again, thanks again for all the information.

My experience is that it gets hot here sooner then later. You are safe after the middle of April to begin your trip out here to the Southwest. Maybe hit NM and AZ first then zig zag north to Colorado and Utah before you head for California. That way you wont hit the real hot weather in the lower southwest and by the time you finish down there (well you really can't but lets pretend) it will be a little warmer up north. All the passes in Utah will be open, and most of them in Colorado. On your way to California do Death Valley. You will be on the edge of the season there but you should be ok heatwise. I love San Diego so be sure to start your northward trek down there. There is never a bad time to ride in California. If you have the time go all the way north to Oregon and Washington. Coming east Coeur de Laine is amazing as is Lolo pass, Beartooth Pass(may not be open yet) Chief Joseph Highway, Cody Wy. is a must see (Buffalo Bill Wild West Museum), then 14 out of Greybull over the Granit Pass to Alt14. Then you can just go crazy trying to figure how you want to go. Too many roads, so little time. I have not said much about Utah. I live here and it would take me another Looooooooong post to tell you about here. When you get to Utah, depending on timing, I'll show you some little known roads to nowhere that are great. Have a great trip, practice your blogging skills to keep us posted. Lots of pictures both for yourself and us. We really are hungry to hear and see others adventures. Check out "Itchy Boots" on YouTube for Vblog ideas.

 

[bikerbillone]

Good comment Paul,Itchy Boots is real winner, love reading her blogs.