Remote road tips (Route 40 Utah, Route 50 Nevada)
 

My fellas how are you all doing (hope well).
I'm embarking on a fun little touring trip from brooklyn NY to San Francisco CA. In researching this trip I'm having a hard time finding good info on route 40 in utah and route 50 in Nevada. I know these are remote roads, but would like to know more info on them if anybody has done this route. What is the most remote stretch of this section? How is thebroute overall? What should I prepare for? Besides lots of water.
Thanks guyyyyssss

They are both reasonably suitable. The 40 goes through Dinosaur National Monument and Vernal (which has a good museum). Both are worth seeing. The 50 is sometimes called the "loneliest highway) and starts out from about where I-15 intersects I-70, and heads west through South Lake Tahoe. Most of it is two lane, and reasonably light traffic (although less lonely than you might think). It crosses a lot of mountain ranges, so you will get to do some climbing. The traffic in and around Carson City is heavier, but there are side-routes. The climb into and then out of Tahoe will probably be the hardest part, but arguably the most scenic.

I've cycled across that stretch twice. Journals below:
US 50 Nevada: Bicycling Reno to Salt Lake City, via US 50, "the Loneliest Road"
US 40 Utah: Salt Lake City to Fort Collins
Both US 50 and US 40: Epilogue | A bicycle ride across Africa

Largest gap between services is 83 miles between the NV/UT border and 7 miles before Delta UT. In general, I would put NV as a little tougher than UT before Salt Lake as the latter is slightly higher elevation.

According to my calendar and an earlier thread you started, you are hitting the road tomorrow. Right?

Sunday

Photo from the UT/NV state line looking east
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f7dc42a31a.jpg
In addition to watching water, keep an eye on the weather forecasts. I tried to go very early for cooler temperatures.

read your journals and they were a good read!
thanks for the info!

There are two ways to connect US 40 and US 6 in eastern/central Utah.

From Duchesne:

1) US 191 south to Kyune Pass Road to US 6 to Spanish Fork

US 191 is very remote with a high divide crossing.
Watch for Kyune Pass Road (paved)
US 6 has heavy traffic and is dangerous but has been significantly improved in last 10 years.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29352684

2) US 40 west to Heber City with possible Daniel cutoff to US 189 to Provo.

US 40 has moderate traffic with shoulders and lower crossing, some services
US 189 has narrow section around Deer Cr. Res. then 4 lanes then paved bike trail into Provo.
Lots of urban riding thru Provo down to Spanish Fork

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6863901

3?) Dirt section between Strawberry Res. and Diamond Fork

Take FR 131 (paved) on west side of reservoir - Marina with store
Take FR 652 becomes FR 715 on west side of divide
Take Diamond Fork Rd to US 6

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29938211

Nicest ride but a little rugged.

* From Santaquin you can take either US 6 or Old 91 / Hwy 132.
Nephi has way more services than Eureka, UT.
Eastbound riders are usually jonesing for services - westbound, less so.

I've done US 50. It's far from the loneliest road, but quite possibly the loneliest US Highway. Overall, I enjoyed it, but be prepared for wind (not always). Small towns about a day apart, no water or services in between.

Middlegate Station, NV has an eating challenge. Shouldn't be a problem after a full day of riding.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9260e30cf0.jpg

Oh yeah, that's my kinda burger!!! 🤪😁 Yep, those long stretches between services, are why you want enough panniers for plenty of food & water (or pop). 👍