What is the BEST route in the United States of America?
05-31-13, 08:43 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 98
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What is the BEST route in the United States of America?
In your opinion, what is the best touring route out there? Off road, on road or whatever.
What's the BEST?
-j
What's the BEST?
-j
05-31-13, 08:56 AM
#2
Hooked on Touring
It depends.
Your best and my best may be entirely different.
Winter or summer, camping or lodging.
Ocean sunsets, mountain vistas, or big sky prairies.
Your best and my best may be entirely different.
Winter or summer, camping or lodging.
Ocean sunsets, mountain vistas, or big sky prairies.
05-31-13, 09:00 AM
#3
Banned
What do You want to see?
in 3 months, of summer, Several Hundreds of riders want to see the Pacific Coast.
US Highway 101 and Cal 1 .. between Canada and Mexico ..
in 3 months, of summer, Several Hundreds of riders want to see the Pacific Coast.
US Highway 101 and Cal 1 .. between Canada and Mexico ..
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-31-13 at 09:38 AM.
05-31-13, 09:21 AM
#4
Gone.
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 509
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
05-31-13, 10:23 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Gaseous Cloud around Uranus
Posts: 3,741
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
Do you have about 5 years? It's a pretty big place by bicycle.There's neat stuff to see all over.Taking the side roads you'll get to see Uncle Bobs' antique barbed wire collection and the worlds biggest bra ball......depends on what you want to see.
Last edited by Booger1; 05-31-13 at 10:34 AM.
05-31-13, 10:26 AM
#6
Have bike, will travel
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
It's easier to ask where not to tour.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
05-31-13, 03:05 PM
#9
Every day a winding road
05-31-13, 08:22 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 8,687
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1126 Post(s)
Liked 253 Times
in
204 Posts
Adventure Cycling Association has maps that have been proven to be safe that go all over the USA. https://www.adventurecycling.org/rout...route-network/
05-31-13, 08:27 PM
#11
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Have a look through some of the photos etc. in this thread ... does something there appeal to you? If so, maybe that would be the best place to go for you.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Through-the-US
But it really does depend ...
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Through-the-US
But it really does depend ...
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
05-31-13, 08:31 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Posts: 7,048
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
8 Posts
Anyplace with hills or mountains, low traffic and a reasonable facsimile of a shower is the best place to tour. YMMV.
06-01-13, 10:50 AM
#13
Senior Member
Hard to define the best, but if you want to see God's Country, we are talking about touring the Pacific Northwest. Washington, Oregon and maybe the six or seven northern most counties of California. Of course to really see it all, you will need a passport to enter British Columbia. Maps are optional, you can just start riding in what ever direction catches you eye or ask any local. It's that good. Of course the Olympic Peninsula verges on the sublime. Don't forget to put some folding dirt tires in the bottom of your panniers.
__________________
On a trip you've got worry as a companion, for you're always concerned about what happens next and sticking to an itinerary. . . . on a journey you never have to worry. Something always happens next.
- Gordon Hempton: One Square inch of Silence
On a trip you've got worry as a companion, for you're always concerned about what happens next and sticking to an itinerary. . . . on a journey you never have to worry. Something always happens next.
- Gordon Hempton: One Square inch of Silence
06-01-13, 11:46 AM
#14
Senior Member
Yeah, it's kind of like asking what's the best flavor of ice cream. For myself, I like warm, dry weather, forested mountains, sparkling lakes and streams, funky little mountain towns, cheap or free campsites with swimming and/or showers, interesting geology such as volcanoes, so the inland Pacific NW and adjacent areas fill my bill.
06-01-13, 06:20 PM
#16
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Rowan and I have travelled through most of the states in the USA ... and one of the most spectacular areas is the red rock country of Utah and Arizona. That would be a fascinating area to cycle through. We did a bit of cycling there, but not a point-to-point tour.
However, it probably wouldn't be the best choice in July.
In July, perhaps Washington, Montana, or the area around Lake Superior might be nicer.
However, it probably wouldn't be the best choice in July.
In July, perhaps Washington, Montana, or the area around Lake Superior might be nicer.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
06-01-13, 06:55 PM
#17
Senior Member
The "bestness" of any tour will depend upon your touring preferences. What goes into your idea of a fun tour? Lots of camping/roughing it, or whipping out the credit card at local hotels and/or bed & breakfasts? Weekend, week, month, or "time is no object"? What sort of sights would you be looking forward to seeing? Paved streets and/or trails, or unpaved trails all the way down to bunny-hopping over logs and boulders while the bears look at the insane human in their midst?
06-01-13, 08:40 PM
#18
totally louche
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023
Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
the one YOU find the time to ride.
It's all good from a bicycle seat. look around you and enjoy the country.
It's all good from a bicycle seat. look around you and enjoy the country.
06-01-13, 10:15 PM
#20
Senior Member
Look up the San Juan Huts trail from Telluride, CO to Moab, UT (Four Corners area.) This trail is not super long (approx. 205 miles) but it's just a gorgeous mountainous route that you'll enjoy day after day. You'll need a touring bike with wide tires (or a MTB) as it's mostly off-road -- on very well maintained forest roads, however. If you want something a big longer, I think you could combine it with Canyonlands National Park.
06-02-13, 01:37 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1182 Post(s)
Liked 833 Times
in
435 Posts
My life's ambition is to find the "best" tour, and I'm fortunate enough to still be looking for it.
My "best" tour so far has had little to do with location.
06-02-13, 01:48 PM
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 98
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I wasn't asking what is the best for me, or what time of year is the best!
I'm asking what is the BEST in YOUR opinion.
One person said the great divide mountain bike trail. He/she thought that is the best.
What do you think?
I'm asking what is the BEST in YOUR opinion.
One person said the great divide mountain bike trail. He/she thought that is the best.
What do you think?
06-02-13, 07:42 PM
#23
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
But again ... it depends.
I could cycle in one area one year and think it's "the best", then go off and cycle in several other areas for the next few years, then return to the one I thought was "the best", and maybe it is, or maybe it isn't as good anymore for whatever reason (time of year, weather, traffic density, influence of the other areas I've cycled, etc.)
That said, I do have one area I really like ... one route I consider my favourite cycling route of all the places I've ridden in the world. But it isn't in the US.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
06-02-13, 11:38 PM
#24
Question Authority
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oak Island North Carolina
Posts: 297
Bikes: Rocky Mountain Solo 30, 2007 REI Novara Safari and Cannondale MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
For MTB type touring you will not be disappointed in the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Canada to Mexico.
06-03-13, 08:56 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Iowa, USA
Posts: 255
Bikes: Surly LHT (weekend ride & touring), GT Outpost (commuting), Brompton M6R (Weekend tours that involve flying), Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo (family weekend ride & touring)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The one I'm riding right now, unless I'm having a really bad day.
Yesterday, it was a day tour through my county. I got this crazy idea to visit all 15 incorporated towns within a day. It was challenging, fun and great to see every corner of my home county.
Today,it's the three day backpacking hike I'll do with my wife in a couple of weeks. After that it will be something else.
Yesterday, it was a day tour through my county. I got this crazy idea to visit all 15 incorporated towns within a day. It was challenging, fun and great to see every corner of my home county.
Today,it's the three day backpacking hike I'll do with my wife in a couple of weeks. After that it will be something else.