About to ride coast-to-coast

Hi all,

This forum once saved my ass (post, with pictures, on how to tighten chain step-by-step allowed me to make it home from middle of nowhere northern BC), so I thought I would try and lean on the collective wisdom again.
I'm riding from Vancouver to Toronto, via the U.S.A., taking 4-5 weeks to do so. I was planning to go via Mexico, but have spoken with enough people who had unpleasant experiences that I've decided to avoid the border (and Texas, mainly due to heat). I've already done the #101 Highway down to Cali, so plan to focus more inland this time. Likely going to head east to the Rockies, then follow them south for a while before hanging a left.
I would like to see Mount Rushmore, and spend some days/nights in the Louisiana bayou feasting on smoked ribs, but other than that, the trip's wide-open.

Don't want to take any interstates/major highways.
Any must-sees/hidden gems you would recommend?

Had a power outlet and HIDs installed yesterday by fantastic little shop in Richmond BC (synmoto.ca), and am itchin' to hit the road now. Any words of wisdom would be sincerely appreciated.

 

Don't leave home without it : service manual, length of 12 gauge wire, electrical tape, volt/ohm meter, JB Weld, tissues, wax.

 

Sage advice - thank you.

 

Well there's so many routes, be hard to pick one that stands out. that being Not knowing what you prefer and all. My take is. oh and goggle maps is your friend. first trick is to get to Lewiston Wa. From Vancouver there's lots of routes, depending on how much time you want to take vs. a direct route. idea here is to get to hwy 12 out of Lewiston and head to Lola, then head south on 93 at Arco, take 20 east to Idaho falls. from there head to the west Yellowstone entrance taking us89 north to Mammoth, then head east on hwy212 to Bear-tooth high hwy, it's this that makes it the reason why, IMO the best route in the north American continent. take this to Red lodge, totally awesome. if you're up to it turn around at Red lodge and head back where you turned north but this time you make a left and take the Chief Joesph byway, another incredible journey which will hit up with hwy 120 take that south to Cody Wy. from there take hwy 14 east all the way to interstate 90. whew! if that don't do it for ya nothing will. it's a ride of a life time.

Hwy 14 hooking up with interstate 90



Chief Joesph by-way

 

oh, I forgot to mention from I90 head east to where ever, but heard the Bad lands of the Dakotas are a hoot.

 

If your going to Rushmore, then you have to see Devils Tower to the northwest in Wyoming and Spearfish Canyon Rd to the north of Rushmore/Rapid City. Great riding roads.

 

Well friend, that sounds like an awesome trip. Just a piece of advice on Louisiana, though...it is HOT here. I moved here 2 years back from the Northeast US and have found that it is just as hot (if not hotter) here than in Texas. The main difference is the humidity. At least in Texas, it is dry. Another warning...if you are planning on coming here for Southern BBQ, DON'T. Louisiana is known for a lot of things, especially its food. I am certainly NOT trying to change your mind about coming here, but there really isn't and southern bbq like you are thinking. That kind of BBQ would be best to get in Nashville or in areas of Mississippi and Alabama. We do have BBQ but NOLA is definitely more known for its Po' Boy sandwiches (a sub with crusty french bread), crawfish boils, shrimp, red beans and rice, jambalaya and gumbo. There are a few places in the city that do ribs well, but nothing like Tennessee ribs (especially Nashville). The bayou has its moments, but as a fellow rider, I can tell you that a lot of the southern Louisiana motorcycle riding is boring. There are giant levees on either side of the roads (ever road south of New Orleans because there really are only a few) that you can't see over. Getting out to what the locals call "the ends of the earth" can be nice once you are there, but can be pretty boring along the way. Best thing to do if you are coming here is find a place in the french quarter to party, sleep and recharge your batteries. There is always a festival or a food market or something happening there and you won't have to leave your street to find it.

Just trying to be honest with you. I have done plenty of trips where you are heading for what you think is going to be something really cool but it turns out it just took you a long way through nothing to get to something you didn't expect.

Have a fun trip. Sounds like a blast. At first, I was like, "why would he go to Toronto via Mexico? but then I understood what kind of trip you were trying to plan. If you do come down to Louisiana, hook up with the Ozarks in northeastern Arkansas. There are some great roads up there...

 

Now that's what I'm talking about; thanks very much!
The twistier the better; Hwy 14 and Chief Joseph look magnificent.
Devil's Tower sounds too cool to miss.

@eightangrybears @reg71 - I might turn this into a bit of a mission, recon and track down the best BBQ in the land. Looks like Louisiana might be DOA for this one - thanks for saving me the time/miles!

I've been told Zion Canyon is a must-see, so might make my way there via the bad lands, then head for the Ozarks. Hillbillies, here I come!

 

Yup. Julian has treated me well at Synmoto recently. Too bad they are so far away from me. That is one hellova trip you are planing there bud. Make sure you take the bike into someone reputable and give it a good going over before you head out. A new chain and sproket set should be considered a must, unless yours is relatively new. Your tires are going to wear flat in the centre so watch them close. When you can stop at a red light and not put your feet down, then you need new rubber. Reggie makes reasonably good ribs If I recall. Gotta get him plastered first though.

 

Great thread reminds me of my planned NY to San Francisco trip. Except I planned to do it in under 36 hours ( I was crazy even way back then). A few letters and phone calls and I had a pile of Tsubaki chains, Dunlop tires and Sun Star sprockets. Looking back I really wanted the record for coast to coast travel on a bike, I just didn't have the gas and or bail money....

 

Most police cars cant keep 170mph pick the straightest route and get comfortable with splitting cars at 130mph cops will have to radio ahead and by the time that happens plan to be off that road. 3600 miles and 36hours um I think the boy scouts have a merit badge for that. (I always got my Totin Chip cut up) I'm pretty sure if the cop gets you they are going to do the same to the Drivers License.

 

I'm from toronto and I'll have to say that one of my favorite rides is to go through the great smokey mountains starting in tennesee, spend a couple of days in that area cause there are a ton of roads to play around on (eg.. the dragon, cherohala skyway...), then come up the blue ridge parkway/ skyline drive, till the end (in front royal virginia). Make your way up to gettysburg pa, then to harrisburg. going north on the 15 untill the turn off to watkins glen/ finger lakes area (i've never been but have heard good things from this forum about this area). from there head to syracuse and then up to gananque across the border. when are you going to do this trip?

 

Leaving today!
Rainy and grey and cool in Vancouver. Can't wait to ride and find the sun again.
Thanks all.

 

Good luck and lotsa pics please!!

Rollin