The ‘Loneliest Road’ Isn’t

[F6Dave]

I rode US-50 through Utah and Nevada last week. Traffic was nice and light, but the stretch through Western Utah was actually the emptiest and most desolate section. It was a long day (590 miles) but great scenery made it enjoyable. After doing some research, it appears US-6 through Nevada is the real Loneliest Road: 300+ miles with only 2 towns of more than 100 people, and the longest stretch in America (167 miles) without gas. That would be a challenge for my old Tourer!

After crossing the Sierra Nevadas it got pretty balmy (102F) in California’s central valley, so I took Pacheco Pass to US-101 where the temp dropped 30 degrees. I stayed in Paso Robles for a few days to join family for some wine tasting. Even though the PCH is closed south of Big Sur, I couldn’t resist riding a portion of it. I headed up to Ragged Point and backtracked to Morro Bay. Traffic was ultra light thanks to the closure, and it was nice and cool on the coast.

I planned to return home via Arizona and southern Utah, but rain from the hurricane changed my plans. The central valley was even hotter this time, with my dash reading 104+ for two hours. But that changed. I stopped in Sonora and crossed Sonora Pass the next morning to find fresh snow on the roadside. My final night was in Rock Springs, Wyoming where I met a guy from Oklahoma who had recently bought a beautiful ’97 Valkyrie from Attic Rat.

California roads were a pleasant surprise. Pavement was great condition nearly everywhere I rode, and speed limits on the fun stretches (mountains and coast) were reasonably high. In stark contrast, the roads here in Colorado are literally crumbling. They were by far the worst I encountered on the entire trip of over 3,200 miles. Sadly, Colorado isn’t what it used to be.

The 'Loneliest Road' begins


More mountains than I expected


I filled up when I didn't need to


One of over 200 wineries in Paso


The west end of the ride


The PCH is one of the best rides anywhere


Sonora Pass


A 25% grade!


Very nice Valkyrie from Attic Rat

[The emperor has no clothes]

That’s some nice country to be riding thru. 

[henry 008]

Very nice  Great RR

[cmawest]

where in Colo are you ? i live in Craig and do that trip to Morro bay 3 times a year with the CMA ministry. being retired Navy i can stay on bases, so i do Fallon, Lemoore, and my favorite Camp san Luis Obispo. Hwy 50 so beats the traffic and heat of I-15, and one wreck out on 15 south of Vegas and you can spend all day in a rest stop, or worse on the side of the road. i sometimes go thru Grand Jct. and cut south thru Moab across the reservation just to avoid 15. but 50 is my baby, i love the ride.

[old2soon]

     Been across 50 a couple times in a big truck. Place I pulled over to sleep one night was the approach to the rocket and bomb range the Navy uses. Was awakened by FA 18s over flying my truck and then a LONG ways off could hear ordnance detonating. Certain places out there should you let yer Imagination run a bit wild like I did might could Swear you've seen dinosaurs! Some/Most of it outside the towns looks Primitive! I did find a fish fossil rock I gave to 1st Daughter I found out there along 50. RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

I've ridden Highway 50 across Nevada and past the remnants of Burning Man (Black Rock City).  It is desolate and lonely.  I accept it may not be the loneliest road in the country but it is in the top ten.    

[F6Dave]

where in Colo are you ? i live in Craig and do that trip to Morro bay 3 times a year with the CMA ministry. being retired Navy i can stay on bases, so i do Fallon, Lemoore, and my favorite Camp san Luis Obispo. Hwy 50 so beats the traffic and heat of I-15, and one wreck out on 15 south of Vegas and you can spend all day in a rest stop, or worse on the side of the road. i sometimes go thru Grand Jct. and cut south thru Moab across the reservation just to avoid 15. but 50 is my baby, i love the ride.

I'm currently across the divide in Elbert County, but attended high school not far from Craig in Glenwood Springs. I'll send you a message.

[cmawest]

my great grandparents were original homesteaders out there (parker and 17 sections east)

[LTD]

50 is on the bucket list.

[F6Dave]

I've ridden Highway 50 across Nevada and past the remnants of Burning Man (Black Rock City).  It is desolate and lonely.  I accept it may not be the loneliest road in the country but it is in the top ten.    

I think US-50 is pretty far from the Burning Man area. It could be an easy side trip -- except yesterday. Some anti-capitalist climate activists blocked the road to a festival in the area, but the tribal police weren't happy. They rammed the barricade and arrested the protesters.

https://nypost.com/2023/08/28/climate-activists-block-traffic-into-burning-man/

[Oss]

I took 50 thru Athens Ohio for an Inzane  also going over Monarch Pass on the way home from Montrose Co

Appreciate the restraint of the tribal police.   Well done

[Willow]

I think US-50 is pretty far from the Burning Man area. It could be an easy side trip -- except yesterday. Some anti-capitalist climate activists blocked the road to a festival in the area, but the tribal police weren't happy. They rammed the barricade and arrested the protesters.

https://nypost.com/2023/08/28/climate-activists-block-traffic-into-burning-man/

You are right in the present tense.  It was may years ago I crossed on 50.  I didn't see Black Rock City at the time but there were a lot of sign along the roadside and remnants  indicating the large gathering had been nearby.

[Valkorado]

California roads were a pleasant surprise. Pavement was great condition nearly everywhere I rode, and speed limits on the fun stretches (mountains and coast) were reasonably high. In stark contrast, the roads here in Colorado are literally crumbling. They were by far the worst I encountered on the entire trip of over 3,200 miles. Sadly, Colorado isn’t what it used to be.

I can sure vouch for what you're saying Dave.

I haven't been to Eastern Colorado in awhile because I hate the traffic nowadays, but  Western Colorado roads are sure crappy.  It has been bad here for years, but many roads are becoming more obstacle courses and are hardly suitable for any spirited motorcycling or sightseeing anymore.  You spend to much time concentrating on the next deadly pothole, uneven lane, or crumbling mess.

We've sure got lots more rich folk moving here from that state of Cali lately, and our highway taxes are hefty and tagged onto vehicle registrations.  You'd think our roads would be getting better, not worse.

[F6Dave]

I haven't been to Eastern Colorado in awhile because I hate the traffic nowadays, but  Western Colorado roads are sure crappy.  It has been bad here for years, but many roads are becoming more obstacle courses and are hardly suitable for any spirited motorcycling or sightseeing anymore.  You spend to much time concentrating on the next deadly pothole, uneven lane, or crumbling mess.

They're every bit as bad on the Eastern side of the state. Last Sunday I rode to a motorcycle race at High Plains Raceway near Deer Trail. A section of US-36 was so rough that I tried riding on the paved shoulder. Even long stretches of I-76 are now full of potholes.

After Republicans lost complete control of state government a decade ago I talked with a county official about a meeting he'd had with the state highway department (CDOT). He told me road maintenance had become a low priority, and at the meeting the CDOT reps talked incessantly about climate change. Public transit and bike paths are now their high priority.

Asphalt paving starts to deteriorate significantly after a decade or so. We're now living with roads that have been neglected for about that long. Who knows, Venezuela might have better roads than we do!

[F6Dave]

As I was riding through Utah on this trip, I net some other riders headed to Great Basin National Park, just south of US-50 near the UT/NV border. I'd heard of it, but knew nothing about it. Apparently it is the least visited and least crowded national park, and has amazing caves and 13,000' peaks. Has anyone been there? I'm thinking of making another trip out there.

[Valkorado]

As I was riding through Utah on this trip, I net some other riders headed to Great Basin National Park, just south of US-50 near the UT/NV border. I'd heard of it, but knew nothing about it. Apparently it is the least visited and least crowded national park, and has amazing caves and 13,000' peaks. Has anyone been there? I'm thinking of making another trip out there.

Sounds like my kind of park!  If I can get the firewood out of the way I may try to get there this fall.

[0leman]

We stopped there this spring on way home from FL.  Unfortunately, we were too late to visit a cave as last tour had left.  WE needed to move on so didn't spend the night.  There were a number of vehicles in the parking lot.  So there are a few folks to visit the park.  Cool area.

[F6Dave]

As I was riding through Utah on this trip, I net some other riders headed to Great Basin National Park, just south of US-50 near the UT/NV border. I'd heard of it, but knew nothing about it. Apparently it is the least visited and least crowded national park, and has amazing caves and 13,000' peaks. Has anyone been there? I'm thinking of making another trip out there.

Sounds like my kind of park!  If I can get the firewood out of the way I may try to get there this fall.

I'm with you. I'd rather visit an 'average' national park without crowds than a great one where you need reservations and have to park miles away and ride a shuttle bus.

[Valkorado]

As I was riding through Utah on this trip, I net some other riders headed to Great Basin National Park, just south of US-50 near the UT/NV border. I'd heard of it, but knew nothing about it. Apparently it is the least visited and least crowded national park, and has amazing caves and 13,000' peaks. Has anyone been there? I'm thinking of making another trip out there.

Sounds like my kind of park!  If I can get the firewood out of the way I may try to get there this fall.

I'm with you. I'd rather visit an 'average' national park without crowds than a great one where you need reservations and have to park miles away and ride a shuttle bus.

Yup. I'm getting really sick of being surrounded by tourists.  Even when I am one!