Cross Country Trip July 2009

[Wendy&Fred Thomas]

We are planning a cross country trip from Pa. to Calif. Has anyone out there done this or would anyone be interested in going along? Taking 4 weeks to do it.
Any suggestions on which roads to travel? We would prefer to stay away from very busy highways

[Sherry Forrest]

Wendy & Fred, a little tip for you if you'll be traveling through the midwest in July. Take lots of cleaner for both your bike and windshield. Lots of locusts are out that time of year (at least they were last year when I went in July) I went through almost 3 cans of Showtime (great stuff) and Plexus in a month. You'll want plenty of "throw-away" rags too, because if you go through a swarm and have to clean that up, It's so gross you won't want to wash the rags. Sometimes nice motel owners will give you old towels/washclothes that aren't good enough for guests instead of throwing them out.

[Wendy&Fred Thomas]

Well that is something I hadn't thought about, Thanks for the info.

[Dion Liphart]

You may want to stay away from Santa Fe New Mexico there is an American Voyager Rally going on out there July 14th-16th 2009 you may not find any places to stay.

[Wendy&Fred Thomas]

Appreciate the info. Keep it coming!!!!

[Tanya Z.]

Wendy and Fred, I took a trip from Iowa to California about 1 year ago so I covered many of the same states you will (or at least can choose to) travel through. I did a lot of research before hand as I wanted to make sure I hit the best motorcycle rides along the way. The best site out there for this is clearly MotorcycleRoads.com ... and I found some real gems along the way and weaved them into my path. I really recommend you go through South Dakota as you head west. Once you get to the western part of the state you will find some great motorcycle roads! A few that I really recommend you don't miss are "A good run through some badlands" (http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/MidWest/SD/SD_2.shtml ) followed by at least one of the runs that go through the Black Hills and around Mt Rushmore like http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/MidWest/SD/SD_5.shtml . From there you could continue west and Sturgis is conveniently on your path so you can check that town out. Then I suggest you swing by Devils Tower ... http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/WY/WY_1 .shtml. From there you take a nice ride into Wyoming and head south down to Colorado on I-25 and enter into motorcycle riders paradise. There truly are too many nice roads in Colorado to mention and I spent a full 3 days criss-crossing the state and could have spent another 3 but I wanted to move on west. Just go to the Colorado page at http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/CO/CO_index.htm and you'll find a great guide. My favorite was the Peak-to-Peak and the ride San Juan Skyway. Because I spent too long in Colorado I had to buz through Utah but regret missing this one (http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/UT/UT_8.shtml ) and buz through Nevada. Even though most of the good routes in California really looked to be up north near Sacramento, I was meeting someone in LA so I had to head down to southern California. I didn't have high expectations for those routes but my friend and ran dow and checked out http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/WestCoast/CA/CA_11.shtml - it was very nice but a little too short so we took a chance and headed down to http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/WestCoast/CA/CA_6.shtml --- AWSOME!!! After that headed back up to LA and before I left, I tried a local LA route - http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/WestCoast/CA/CA_3.shtml - I was totally surprised how nice this one was for being in LA ... had no idea there was such nice motorcycle riding like this left in such a big city. Anyway, hope that helps. Hope you take some of my suggestions ... you're going to love them ... I literally am getting almost depressed just thinking how much I miss that trip and wish I could do it again. Good luck and please post a blog update when you are done with your trip or even better, provide updates each night when you take a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wendy&Fred Thomas]

Wow Thanks for the info. sorry it took me so long to reply, been very busy. We definitely are taking a lot of the routes you mentioned. I am a little worried about the badlands though, how desolate is it? What time of the year did you go?
How did you pack? I don't know what to pack as far as clothing goes. I mean I know to pack rain gear and extra clothes but what else? I don't want to forget anything. We are going for 4 weeks.

[Carl Rumble]

We too are planning a trip from Pa to Colorodo in June 09 and looking at the map I'm going to take US Rt 36 on the far side on Indianopolis to Co. A lot of people in forums have said this is a pretty nice change from the main highways. If anyone knows about this hiway please let us know anything. Have a safe trip......

[Wendy&Fred Thomas]

Enjoy and have a safe trip! Finally got back on here.

[Carl Rumble]

Wendy & Fred, Just got back from Colorado and would recommend US Rt.36, but I would take I-74 to I-72 and take 36 from there into Colo. Never saw a road as straight as this and you can run 75 - 80 with no problem. Make sure you have plenty of gas between towns. What ever you decide have a safe and fun trip.

[Wendy&Fred Thomas]

My brother-in-law has our route all planned out and I guess we are taking 80 to 50 into San Francisco and then back home up through Oregon, Idaho etc. on I-90. Getting anxious and nervous! I guess I have been reading too much information. How many miles did you do in a day?