coast to coast trip

[slider]

planning  coast to coast trip this spring after all the snow and cold...going from ark to west coast  (  calif) then up to Oregon  then angle back down just following  my whims and want to.anyone try this kind of trip??Just a want to trip??

[Bighead]

That's only one coast when you gonna hit the other?
Year before last (2013) I went from Huntsville Al to the left coast and back 14 days. went north out and south back.

[Oss]

Last year  17 days

NY to Gray,Tn (Charliemac)/Conway,Ark ( had dinner with Shadowdragon) /Pampa Tx (Valker)/Gallup/NM(wind stop)/ Flagstaff/Page/Kanab/Zion/
Beverly Hills-Malibu/Phoenix(F6gal and SAWB)/Tuscan/Kerreville-Houston(GOTF)/
Tuscaloosa/Winchester/NY

If it is late enough spring you may be past the windy season

There is potential for very S E R I O U S wind and sandstorms in early spring in the southwest starting at the Tx NM border.  

Route 66 near Tucumcari is nice   The stretch of highway from St George to Vegas has some nice canyons, If you find my live free ride free baseball cap please return it.

40 is the fastest way across, not so exciting though.

PM me your proposed routes and I would be happy to look at em  Also will your tires make it round trip?

I am not sure about this in April but coming into Yosemite on 120 from the East side was awesome and so is going back that way, the road to Tahoe 88/89 is really nice   Snow in the passes can happen at any time in April and May,  If you go by San Francisco just north of Sausalito is the Muir Woods, great road and the walk thru the trees is worth the 3 hours off the bike

[Patrick]

Made the trip from almost the east coast to the west coast and back way back in '71 while still in a body cast on a chopper. Heck of a trip. Not sure about something like that now even on something as comfortable as we have now.

[Hef]

1970, I rode my 350 Honda from Mt. Vernon, IL to New Orleans. A friend went with me on a 450 Honda. We had a blast. Oh, to be young again......

[TimG]

Depends on your timeline & route, but consider planning time for:
Bryce Canyon & Zion Park, Utah
Grand Canyon, AZ. You will need to decide between the North & South Rim
Hoover Dam outside of Las Vegas
Highway 1, California. Highly recommended, start at San Simeon (see the Hurst Castle) & head north until you get tired of it. Some nice B&B's along the way that won't break the bank.
Yosemite Park, CA

Stop every now & then and make a "home base" and check out the area for 2-3 days. Gives you a chance to recharge & relax. The western US is amazing, but be prepared for the distances between locations, it's big country out there. Oh yeah, bring binoculars & drink/carry water all of the time.

[baird4444]

if you decide on Rt. 50 through Colorado I've got a beer and a bed for you in Montrose;
     also a garage and tools if needed   - Mike

[Crackerborn]

When was the last extended trip you took on a bike? We are all (mostly) past our prime and and need to know our limitations. Ten years ago a 1000 mile trip on a long day was no big deal, now I need to spend two days in the ICU after that ride (not really, it's a parable). Plan the trip to make the most of the time you have without pushing your comfort envelope of a days ride. I am a firm believer that if the road has a fork, take the one that looks more interesting. GPS? What the H is that for?

The sun always rises in the East.

[Big Al of Tennessee]

planning  coast to coast trip this spring after all the snow and cold...going from ark to west coast  (  calif) then up to Oregon  then angle back down just following  my whims and want to.anyone try this kind of trip??Just a want to trip??

Be running through Arkansas to Death Valley on May the 11th. Leaving Tennessee on the 11th.

Should make the Arkansas/Tennessee line by 3pm and out the other side the next day on I-40.

South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most visited. Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert is on your way.

Las Vegas you need that.

Have a good time.

[mike72903]

I plan on AR to Oregon sometime this late spring/early summer to visit my daughter. Not really planning on sight seeing as I've been through that area already. I'm 68 so not planning on pushing it too hard. It will be the first extended trip for me since going to Alaska from Arkansas in 1971 on a Honda CB350.  Depending on how it works out getting up there I will either come back a different more northern route or sell my bike in Oregon and fly back.    To copy an earlier comment "Oh to be young again".

[slider]

guys thanks for all the tips,got new avon cobras mounted,doing shaft and pumpkin service.changing all fluids,changing timing belt,checking bearings,,,have no problem doing 600 mile day  at all..but this trip I am just going to loaf along..

[sandy]

Take good rain gear. If you have the time, avoid interstates. There's lots of back roads that are safer and more scenic. As OSS stated, I 40 can have WIND. From Ft Worth take I 20 but get off it and make your way to Socorro, NM and then take 60 to Show Low, Payson, and into Flagstaff. That would be your jump off point for the Grand Canyon.

[Woton]

Just to add a bit to TimG's thoughts...

Zion, Brice, Capitol Reef, Arches/Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, (Monument Valley), and Grand Canyon make up what sometimes is referred to the Grand Circle of National Parks.  This circle can and should be a trip all in itself...Zion is incredible. 

If you are so inclined and have never seen the Grand Canyon the South Rim, even though by far the busiest, is arguably the most accessible and scenic for the first time visitor.  The Grand Circle ride takes you closest to the North Rim, however - some prefer that area for a less crowded venue and it is still spectacular. 

If you had to choose only one of these areas please consider Monument Valley.  This is one of the most incredible places I've ever been - think John Wayne movies!  Maybe splurge a bit and stay in the Navaho owned hotel The View there, and take the Gouldings "shake and bake" tour through the valley floor.