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Ride across the states
Hi,
I’m going over to the states in March with the family, I’ve been given to go ahead to go off on my own for a couple of weeks…..So….. I’m going to hire a bike in New York and plan to ride to the west coast, one way trip as I plan to fly home after. I would like to know if there is anywhere on the web where I could get route help? Does anyone know if 2 weeks will be enough? I know its not RTW but it’s a start. Cheers, Shawn |
ride across
Two weeks will be possible for a ride from east to west but if you are planning it for March starting in New York City you will have to dive south along the east coast and then take a route west through the southern states , like northern Georgia,Miss., Louisiana, Arkansas to west Texas , New Mexico and southern Arizona.Be prepared for the possibility of diving further south to the Gulf coast if weather conditions turn unfriendly for motorcycling.
March is still the winter and New York State, Pensylvania, WV etc., the midwest and plains states can still get snowstorms and very cold, and no way will you want to try crossing the Rocky Mountain states on a bike in this month . Even the southern states can get downright miserable if you hit a cold front with freezing rain. I'm not saying that the entire country up north is snowbound but be prepared for the possibility, who knows we may be in for a mild sunny winter but finding out the opposite on a bike is not fun . |
Long Ride
For a quick overview of different distances for various routes, mapquest.com provides mileage and gives and estimate of time at average speeds. For example, it's about 2,800 miles between NYC and LA. It's a fair distance to cover and means a lot of time in the saddle. The fastest and shortest way is usually on the freeway which means it is also the least interesting.
Can it be done in two weeks? Absolutely. Do you want to do it two weeks? It's up to you. If you are seeking adventure, riding all the way across is a lasting memory. Some would recommend picking an interesting region and taking your time to focus on that area instead. If I were you, there is a certain sense of adventure and accomplishment from riding across the country so I would do it but I would pick a small number of things that I want to see in the country I am visiting (eg. Yellowstone or Yosemite or Grand Canyon) and make haste across the boring bits and make sure I get to see those things. With a lot more time you can ride the most interesting route and see the places you want to see but with such a small window you have to be a lot more selective. |
Hi IMHO 2 weeks is way too short for a trip of this lenght, you will sell yourself short by missing the sights to keep to a daily mileage, the states trip is a one in a lifetime tour you dont want to spend it hammering down a six lane freeway. I have recently done 3000 miles through Europe in four weeks and i still felt that i missed out, it is nice to stop for a few days in a great place without worring about distances. Whatever your trip you do not want to be stressed, hope whatever you do you have a great time, Cheers. Greg
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If all you have is two weeks I don't see why not.
After all you did not say it was a "once in a lifetime" trip. Just call it a scouting trip. Going in March is hazardous. Rain, Snow, Sleet and Hail. On my last trip from Nevada to Florida we left on April 15th and we were riding through snow storms for the first two days into northern Arizona. Realistically I would not try it at that time of year. If it were late April or May two weeks would be fine. |
US trip
Since you are going to hire a bike, fly over to Phoenix Arizona or Los Angeles California and hire your bike there. Ride in the sun and then fly home on the big bird. Southern Arizona/California can be fun in March.
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Bill's got it right.
No point at all in riding cross country. Have you ever done five, 500 or 600 mile days in a row? Try it sometime....Can I assume you're English? I rode from London to Scotland in a day. You can't even get though Texas in a day. At the pace you'd have to go, you won't see a thing. And you'll pay extra as you'll have a One Way rental. (return fee) Fly to LA or San Francisco. Rent a bike...count on $125 to $150 a day (you might get a deal for a two week rental) Ride Highway One, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Southern Sierra, then take a run into Baja for a few days. It's easy and fun. March is great in Baja. Ride back to San Diego or LA and fly back to freezing Blighty....or forget your past life and set up shop on the beach in Mulege'. Go to pashnit.com to learn some good routes in California. Patrick Native Californian....locals only! :scooter: |
IMHO, March is a very bad time to partake of a cross country trip across the US. Especially when one is departing from New York. There are endless sights to see in the US, but doing it on a motorcycle in March is not the answer.
Its still winter and there is a very real possibility of snow/ice on the highways through much of the country. About the only possible route to travel cross country from New York would be Interstate 95 down to Florida and then Interstate 10/Interstate 8 to California. Few travelers speak of Interstate travel in glowing terms but rather a fast way to get from point A to point B. For the most part Interstate highway travel is a bland assortment of chain restaurants, overpriced truck stops, that are nearly devoid of anything remotely scenic. Spending 2 weeks on the Interstate highways of the US in March is a horrendous waste of 2 weeks of ones life. If I had 2 weeks to spend in the US in March and wanted to travel about on a motorcycle, there would only be 3 choices for me. Fly to San Diego or Los Angeles. Rent a bike and travel about. Lots to see and pleasant temperatures with zero chance of snow. Fly to Tucson Arizona. Rent a bike and travel about. Lots to see and pleasant temperatures. Avoid the mountains and there will be zero chance of snow. Fly to Fort Lauderdale or Miami Florida. Rent a bike and travel about. Pleasant temperatures and zero chance of snow. Florida is flat and bland as far as geography goes, but it is a warm weather destination. Other than its beaches, there is little in the way of sights to see. If you go to Florida, the ride to Key West should not be missed. In my opinion, the San Diego area would rate slightly higher than the others. |
Heck, two weeks is plenty of time to ride from coast to coast one way. You are only talking an average of a couple hundred miles a day. Say 300 if you really take a round about route.
This is for a southern route as suggested by Mr. Baker which I do agree with. The Northern states can still be quite cold in March. In the Southern states spring has sprung by then. You should be prepared for cold weather upon leaving New York, but once you get south on the Mason Dixon line you should be fine. Get on www.weather.com plug in some locations and look at the averages for yourself. As for route. Take the xway to Virgnia and get on the Skyline drive which connects to the Blueridge Parkway, then skip to the Cherohala Parkway. All beautiful rides. Zigzag from there to the vic Nashville, TN and do the Natchez Trace. Head back a little North to Northern Arkensas and ride through the Ozarks. Unfortunetly that time of year you should avoid the mountains in Colorado and stay South through Texas, Arizona and New Mexico but you can still find some nice riding there as well. It should be mild enough along the Southern rim of the Grand Canyon. Stop in Las Vegas for a dose of the unreal and then finish up in LA or there abouts. I say go for it. You may never get another chance. Yankee Dog |
LA and San Diego area
If I had to spend two weeks in march, I would go to the LA and San Diego area.
In 2002, I spend a week there on a rented BMW R850R and had a very good time. There is very much to see, nice roads to ride and the weather should be nice. You can read about it on my website: http://www.xs4all.nl/~jkrijt/trips/usa2002/index.shtml |
It's do able.
The others have hit the main key, stay south. The main thing they have missed is to make sure you have warm gear and good rain gear. I ride year round up here in Wyoming, but have proper gear for it and watch closely for ice. If you do hit freezing weather, mainly watch bridges as they will often be iced when the rest of the road is clear. Another suggestion is to watch weather forcasts closely and plan each days accordingly regarding both route and miles. If necessary lay up a day if the weather is too bad. Better to spend a day in a motel room than a hospital. Have a good one and enjoy. Cross Eagle:thumbup1:
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Thanks for tips
Thanks to everyone for their comments and help.
I have decided not to go in March and will try later in the year. The only problem is I cannot go from the beginning of June until the end of august. As my sister in law who lives in New York and who my wife and children will be staying with over there spends the summer in the UK. Is May any good? I know I can go to the west coast anytime of year but I’ve spend a lot of time doing those states many years ago and would really like to visit other states in the us, plus It would make sense to start or finish in New York State. I have also been thinking that I might be better off taking an internal flight to LA or San Francisco and starting the trip there as this would give me better weather to start off with and get used to the environment. Having a quick look online I’m wondering if I could do Route 66 and then on to New York, but I need to check out the sights on this route. Cheers |
May is 100 times better to motorcycle in the US than is March. It may get cool in the northern areas, but its an excellent time to travel. You'll be able to travel nearly anywhere, except for mountain ranges.
To rent a motorcycle in the US, it isn't cheap. Generally, you need to be at least 25 years old, have a motorcycle license validation and a credit card. A KLR is generally the least expensive rental at $95/day (7 day minimum). Then add on taxes and insurance fees. This can easily run another $40/day. A bike such as a R1200GS rents for $140/day (7 day minimum). http://www.rental-motorcycle.com/nam...er_rental.html Shows a typical pricing structure & availible motorcycles. |
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Yankee Dog |
Crossing USA
Glad to hear some determination on your part.I've crossed the country round trip by bike and one way on a sidecar. Two weeks is the magic number for me. May is warm enough as long as you stay out of the higher elevations.
The beauty of a trip like this is that you can sit in a quiet place or look at a map years later and replay the whole thing in your mind like a movie. I've got nothing against flying to a distant place, renting a bike a having a look see, but it's a different experience. If your route brings you through Ky. let me know and I'll buy you a beer and or show you some places. |
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