Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Apr 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 170
North America - West to East (and back)

Hi all,

After a couple of trips around Australia and also through the Himalayas I have decided to tack on a few weeks to the end of a Vegas trip and explore America.

My bike will land at LAX on 14th August at which point I plan to take it straight to Las Vegas.

On the 19th I would like to depart headed East with only a few key points in mind.

I hope that the experienced riders and locals here can help guide me to points of interest and also provide me with insight into my plans

These are base don some things I want to see and experience. I would like to spend some time in the Southern States as I have an (unfounded) obsession with Southern accents.

Here are the rough key points I have in mind so far

- Leave Las Vegas 19 August
- Monument Valley
- Albequrque, New Mexico
- Grapevine, Texas
- New Orleans
- Miami, Florida
- Stecoah, North Carolina by 4th September
- Leave NC for New York City on 7th September
- Detroit, Michigan
- Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Hot foot it back to San Francisco, CA to try and be back at the West Coast by approx. 19th Sept
- The bike ships out on the 26th and I'll need a few days in LA to clean up the bike for Australias stringent import checks.

I realise this is quite ambitious but hope I can pull it off.

Welcome any and all feedback !
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 Apr 2014
derMarc's Avatar
Gold Member
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Germany, Darmstadt
Posts: 17
Hi,

nice plans, but I think the time is too short. But nevertheless, I would prefer https://www.google.de/maps/dir/37.20...405b78!1m0!3e0 over Monument Valley (cut short over Cedar Breaks instead I15). And I would plan at least two days for it.

Marc
__________________
www.2ontravel.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Apr 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 170
Time is definitely not ideal. I booked in flight before giving it too much thought and to extend it now would cost a lot more.

Plus, this 6 weeks off work plus another 2 weeks later in the year. Have to make the best of what I have

Thanks for the map. What exactly am I looking at there?

I only know Monument Valley from photos and a lot of people talking about it
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 30 Apr 2014
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
trip

I will agree with Marc , and to add a little I will say take the West coast down when doing Florida using road 10 and then 75 ,cross west to east using road 41 ( you can see the alligator on the side of the road it will be everglade territory)then south to Miami or even Key west if you have time ( 7 miles bridge is pretty cool and you can do Miami to KW and back in a day . when going north take I95 up ( Savannah is a nice city to stop )to Carolina and then blue ridge Parkway go north and on your way back stop in Chicago for a quick rest ( Detroit is not a great city to visit and can be bypass )
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 30 Apr 2014
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
You want to visit Barber : Home once in Alabama. If you like motorcycles, this is a mandatory place to visit. Reserve at least one day
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 May 2014
derMarc's Avatar
Gold Member
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Germany, Darmstadt
Posts: 17
Quote:
Originally Posted by 7days1shower View Post
Thanks for the map. What exactly am I looking at there?

I only know Monument Valley from photos and a lot of people talking about it
It's the most beautiful scenic way that I ever took, and probably one of the most enjoyable roads in the world. I did it twice with motorcycle, 2010 and 2013. Some people think that Bryce Canyon is the most beautiful canyon in USA - it's on the way. Take a camera!

Marc
__________________
www.2ontravel.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2 May 2014
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 188
Any ride in the States shouldn't be rushed. Better to shorten your route and return another time to see some more. Monument Valley is extremely impressive although you'll be through it in an hour or so and on to the next site. Being retired I'm fortunate in that I can take as long as I want. In 2002 I crossed from west to east with a pillion passenger in six weeks, an almighty rush, so I returned alone in 2006 and rode from east to west and back again in three months. Just perfect. I just got a map of the country and put dots on places I just had to visit this time around then just joined the dots - Little Big Horn, Zion and Bryce Canyons, Death Valley (again), North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas (again), San Francisco, the Big Sur, San Diego, Tombstone, Pike's Peak and Mount Evans, Durango and the Million Dollar Highway, the Alamo, Natchez Trace, Williamsburg, the Tail of the Dragon, and so on.

It's a great great country with terrific people and you'll love it.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7 May 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 170
Thank you for the great suggestions guys

I deff have to get to North Carolina however then I have 2 options open to me

1. head north to NYC then through Michigan back to CA (See more of the country but perhaps just going to be covering a lot of miles on the interstate so not interesting and rushed?)

2. Keep exploring the south and head West to CA (I really want to focus on the south and maybe this is a better way to do it?)

The reasoning behind Option 1 is
- I have 2 friends in NY and I want to see Times Square
- I have a cousin sister in Ypsilanti, MI who I wouldve visited

Appreciate input on this as it all looks doable on Google Maps, but reality and taking time ot enjoy the roads and sights is a different matter!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 May 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1
Having done a trip from Vegas to New Orleans by car this time last year all I can say is avoid the interstate at all costs. Your trip will be so much the better for it.

Otherwise the eastern rim of the grand canyon was pretty amazing and is worth considering, it's far better than the canyon at the Las Vegas end.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 May 2014
brclarke's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 812
One thing: the US Southwest will be as hot as Hell in late August - early September. Dress appropriately and keep yourself hydrated.
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 19 May 2014
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 188
Quote:
Originally Posted by Micksis View Post

Otherwise the eastern rim of the grand canyon was pretty amazing and is worth considering, it's far better than the canyon at the Las Vegas end.
I don't recall an 'eastern' rim. Grand Canyon has a south rim (where the tourists go) and a north rim (higher and much quieter).

For water, I bought a bottle of Gatorade as it had a wide neck, poured the contents away as it was foul, then filled the bottle with ice from the motel icemaker and water each morning. The water was still drinkable well into the afternoon.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 21 May 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 170
Thanks guys.

I was going to wear full leathers but now considering my leather jacket and kevlar jeans

What would be a good tool to plot a route without interstates?

I can get some rough ideas if I use Google Maps and select 'Avoid Highways'

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2015 - Heading east from Europe, add your itinerary / plans kim Travellers Seeking Travellers 190 5 Mar 2016 08:38
USA east to west and back again Mike O'B Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 27 Nov 2013 19:13
To Central America Tom Udulutch Ride Tales 1 5 Feb 2013 19:34
Ride back from Central America Tom Udulutch Ride Tales 0 5 Feb 2013 16:16
North east Argentina via paraguay to north west Argentina? Mervifwdc South America 2 18 Sep 2012 13:08

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:00.