Is June good riding weather ?

[Quicksilver]

My Brother is planning a trip on freeway 40 for next summer. He's telling me it goes through these areas,Arkansas, Oklahoma, Amarillo Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. He's wondering how hot it gets in June and whether the trip should be planned to go across further north. He plans on taking a month off and traveling west across the states to California, up the coast and back into Canada.
Thanks

[Ice]

When we rode through there this June/July on our trip it was smoking hot in AZ, TX, OK, NM, so I would say yes, but the heat is dry and it depends on who you ask....what do you consider hot?

[Thespian]

 When running up the coast of cali, i recommend heading inland for a run through the Sierra Nevada range, and around Tahoe. several passes to run.
 http://maps.google.com/?ll=38.505191,-120.179443&spn=2.880008,4.691162&t=h&z=8&vpsrc=6 

[KSDragonRider]

living in Kansas this year was also hot as cob.. I know in KS, OK, and TX you cant buy water, it is so darn hot and dry there this june, july aug, that they where having some serious problems..

I have a couple long trips planned as well, looking at april & may for mine.  Or wait and do the southern states oct-nov.

[Gary]

In general, other than the Arkansas portion, the bulk of that I-40 run due west is fairly drab (boring). The heat should be tolerable. Early morning or late day trip across the California desert suggested. I avoid night driving due to poor night vision.

Now if you're planning to break off the interstate and hit some scenic areas, that will help brighten that run.

Not real scenic along I-40 through OK, TX Panhandle, eastern New Mex. Western New Mex has some nice vistas, then the stretch around Flagstaff, AZ is pleasing. It could be just that I've taken that I-40 trip too many times. I usually cut up around Kingman, AZ to visit my daughter in Vegas and then make my way to So Cal from there. On the last couple of trips to So Cal I tried I-8 and I-10 just for something different.

As mentioned, be sure to bring/have water and grab some cold at most stops to hydrate. Sunscreen. If the heat is bad I will usually use a wet bandana if needed for my neck to help cool down. It will dry quickly. I generally wear a short sleeved t-shirt for most of the trip. It's good to bring along a light colored long sleeve if you get burned along the way.

My son actually got a heat blister from the heat under his wrist watch. The backs of my hands and wrists broke out in a blister-like heat rash. It did not blister/bubble up but it did itch. It went away each night. Not sure if a pair of fingerless gloves would have helped, I couldn't find mine at the time. Either way, nothing serious and this was in July coming across Nevada/Utah about 10 days into it.

Scattered or iolated thunder storms are not uncommon and are sometimes welcomed just to clean off the windshield and slightly refresh.

If time permits you can head up north from the Flagstaff area and break into southern UT. Both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks are very nice. Or the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Zion. You can then drop down from Zion, in the Vegas area and reconnect with I-40 in California. I-15 to I-40 isn't a bad stretch after Vegas if you're sticking with Interstate travel.

Hope you and your brother have a great trip! After all its really just being out on the road that's what its all about, scenery is just an added bonus.

[Flat6Valk]

I have a plan to ride US 50, a smaller highway that only shares an interstate route (70).  I want to ride the whole distance from Ocean City, MD to Sacramento and then end up in San Francisco.

I lived in Central California for several years about 30 years ago and I am anxious to revisit most of California starting that trip working north to south and then finding the path back to Ohio using southern highways.

I have driven route I40 several times from east to west and although it is generally a great highway, boring would be the word of the day for a motorcycle adventour.

Thats my input for you.

[sandy]

I travel with a 100 oz Camelback on the bike. I strap it to a T Bag or the rear seat on the Wing. Drink every 10-15 miles with a few big gulps. Once the headache starts, it's too late to rehydrate for that day. I 40 from Amarillo to West of Flagstaff can be very windy. It's unpleasant to control the bike with heavy crosswinds.

[RP#62]

Temp-wise, as others have noted, its relative.  Do you consider 105F (40C) a warm up or a cool down?   Lot's of nice riding though.  Unless you're dead set on I-40, you could modify your route from day to day and go where the weather or scenery suits you.
-RP

[bentwrench]

If you're going to swing that far south head over to Birmingham,AL.to the Barber museam.One of the finest motorcycle collections in the world.You won't regret it.
bw

[Cruzen]

My Brother is planning a trip on freeway 40 for next summer. He's telling me it goes through these areas,Arkansas, Oklahoma, Amarillo Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. He's wondering how hot it gets in June and whether the trip should be planned to go across further north. He plans on taking a month off and traveling west across the states to California, up the coast and back into Canada.
Thanks

If you use the weather at Yahoo.com feature you can select a state and once it directs you to that states weather you can click on the average temps as well as the average rainfall and check both for any of the months in question.  This is the site I use when planning my trips. 
Here's the link to our Scottsdale weather:
http://weather.yahoo.com/united-states/arizona/scottsdale-2490057/

[GreenLantern57]

Go in May! Otherwise end of June will be 100-103 from Oklahoma west to to Barstow. I rode the beast July 5-7 this year. Amarillo to Knoxville TN was 100 plus and I barely remember the ride. Kinda went on automatic in the afternoons.

[R J]

When I used to ride the Southern states, one you mentioned, at my gas stops and at rest areas, I'd go in the bathroom, fill the lavatory full of water and put my shirt in it.   Get is sopping wet, do not wring it out.    Put the shirt on and head off down the road,  You would be cool for about 40 to 50 miles depending on the temperature.

Wet neck scarf will also help, wet doo rag under your helmet will help.  My helmet is a Fulmer with swing chin bar.  It has air vents, with the wet doo rag that really feels good.

If it gets to hot for ya, jump up to I-70, if that is not good enough either you got I-80 a little farther North and last call is I-90.

But your route for those months will be hot, not over bearing to us natives in those states, but to you it will be WARM.    Do not go shirtless or short sleeves when riding.    Keep long sleeves on unless you have a decent tan already.    You will blister if not careful.   Trust me, don't bother asking how I know.

[Hoser]

My Brother is planning a trip on freeway 40 for next summer. He's telling me it goes through these areas,Arkansas, Oklahoma, Amarillo Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. He's wondering how hot it gets in June and whether the trip should be planned to go across further north. He plans on taking a month off and traveling west across the states to California, up the coast and back into Canada.
Thanks

Re: Is June good riding weather ?
Helluva lot better than January, at least where I live.  Hoser

[Jess Tolbirt]

get you a spray bottle and spray your shirt every so often to cool down,, works great

[Willow]

Just my perspective, but if one has thirty days to make the trip, one need only ride a couple hundred miles per day to make the schedule.  I would plan my riding through the warmer stretches in the early morning hours and do my site seeing during the middle of the day.

Shouldn't be a problem.

[john]

dress in layers ...     
if you get to hot ...         
wet it down ...     

[Sodbuster]

If your coming down from Canada and plan to ride anywhere in the Rockies you would be pushing your luck to travel in May or sooner. Some of the passes don't open up until the end of May.

You don't want to end up like these dudes 

[Jess Tolbirt]

i was crossing the mountian near pikes peek on june 15th a few years back and i have pics of it snowing in my truck,,

[Quicksilver]

Thanks for all the feedback. Up here 90 is very hot but we usually get lots of humidity. The plan will likely be to run a bit further north.
Merry Christmas to all.

[czuch]

Here, Tucson, if you jump in the pool and get on the bike, you'll be dry in 50 miles. I drench a flannel and put it on under a long sleeve cotton shirt, (with much derision and laughter).  I'd like to rig a fog system on the windshield. Stop at the Big Texan in Amarillo. Good iced tea and a free steak.
BTW, I think the dude in the picture is wishing for something with a heater and a radio.