Local Knowledge Required (USA)

[Mark]

This is possibly the first of many questions to the locals in the US.
I am starting the planning stages of a long bike trip around the western side of the US and I need some local knowledge for the most entertaining way to get from A to B.

The part I am working on for now is from Morro Bay on the cost in California to Las Vegas.
The most direct route is about 7 hours and roughly goes along 46 to Bakersfield, 58 to Barstow, and then 15 to Vegas.
A long haul and it doesn't look like a fun ride.

I had been planning to complete the run in one day (long day) but may consider two days if there are some nice twisty roads to be had.

I'll be posting more detail on the full ride soon and would appreciate any additional feedback on this too.

Thanks in advance.

[Ves]

I would take a small detour and hit 178 between Bakersfield and Lake Isabella then back down to 58 via Caliante Bodfish road. Serious twisty stuff.

15 just sucks... no two way about it.

[Boxer]

Yeah. What Ves said. Lake Isabella is a must see. It will take your breath away.

[owldaddy]

+1 on 178 and the Kern River canyon.

[Mark]

So, after Bakersfield, follow the 178 to Lake Isabella. From there I can extend the trip to include Death Valley. 395 north to Owens Lake and then across to Las .Vega via the 190/178 and then to the 160.

Is Death Valley a worthwhile destination?

I'm trying to work out how far west to head - should I include Colorado / Rocky mountains National Park?
The US is so large and has so many spectacular locations (much like Australia).
We are missing Yosemite but are including Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Can't see everything I guess.

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

[owldaddy]

Mark, it is a shame your missing Yosemite, it is an awesome place to visit, the roads in that area are some of the best in California. If you really want miles and miles of twisties, instead of taking 178 to Lake Isabella, you can go north on 99, about 30 miles north of Bakersfield, take 155 over to Lake Isabella. The road is very tight, and about 50 miles of twisties as compared to 15 miles of them on 178. The Kern River canyon would be missed taking this route. Seeing the Kern drop through the canyon is one of those sights you wouldn't soon forget. Both routes have their advantages.

The part I am working on for now is from Morro Bay on the cost in California to Las Vegas.
The most direct route is about 7 hours and roughly goes along 46 to Bakersfield, 58 to Barstow, and then 15 to Vegas.
A long haul and it doesn't look like a fun ride.

Your right about that, this is a HOT, dusty, nasty ride, lots of straight road with nothing but heat and scorpions. Not my idea of a fun ride.
Don

[Mark]

Sounds like there is no way to get to Las Vegas in July without getting hot.
So I'm thinking we'll bite the bullet and go via Death Valley and just tough it out.

We have a window within which to travel that is open from mid July to mid September.
We are looking to cover the west coast down from Portland to Morro Bay, across to Colorado via Vegas, north to Canada and then back down to Portland.

It places us in western California, Nevada and Colorado in late July to mid August.
HOT is probably an understatement. We may need to push this back and start later, but I suspect it makes little difference and will place us in Canada when it is getting colder.

Anyway, it's early planning stages only so we have time to look at all the options.

[owldaddy]

Since your in the early planning stage, you might want to put the Hoover dam tour on your list of things to do. It will get you out of that heat for an hour. When I took a similar trip back in the late 70's I ended up taking that tour twice, I didn't want to get back on my bike, it was 116F that day. They also have an auditorium with a show, and it is air conditioned, guess where I spent another hour before riding off to AZ?

[GypsyRR]

Vegas is sooooo over rated. Consider crossing it off your 'to do' list and then the problem of crossing the desert in 115-120 degree temps is no longer an issue.

[Mark]

Thanks for the feedback.

I understand that Vegas is not for everyone (me included probably), but it was a destination between the California coast and the Grand Canyon.

From the Grand Canyon, I have Bryce Canyon UT, then Grand Teton and Yellowstone on the list.
Trying to work out the best route and all of this seems to be hot territory at this time of year.

I'm getting close to the first cut route for the complete trip and would love to share it and get further input from you all.

Thanks.

[GypsyRR]

Thanks for the feedback.

I understand that Vegas is not for everyone (me included probably), but it was a destination between the California coast and the Grand Canyon.

From the Grand Canyon, I have Bryce Canyon UT, then Grand Teton and Yellowstone on the list.
Trying to work out the best route and all of this seems to be hot territory at this time of year.

I'm getting close to the first cut route for the complete trip and would love to share it and get further input from you all.

Thanks.

Right, it will be hot during that time of the year, but if it's your only chance to see/ride the area, then go for it. Just take precaution against the heat and the effects it can have on you, and you will be fine.

I'll be interested in seeing your route and reading what others suggest for you. Check out the ride report "Travels With Stella". Dr. Strangelove just got back from a journey in that region a month or two ago and he has some good information on area roads along with some great photographs.

[owldaddy]

One suggestion I learned from my tour through the south/western USA in 1979. Don't forget the rain gear, after I left Las Vegas and made it to the Grand Canyon, it started to rain, and it didn't let up for days. I spent 3 days sitting in a tent at Yellowstone waiting for the rain to let up, it didn't. Finally had to get on the bike and ride the park in the rain or I would have missed it. Being a native son of California, it didn't occur to me that it may rain during the summer months....... Weather made that trip less then thrilling. It would have been more tolerable if I had prepared for the rain.