route across the USA

[6zfshdb]

As others have said, it's doubtful law enforcement will target your class 3 bike in areas where they are illegal. Keep in mind though, you could be in serious legal trouble if you get involved in an accident. This is especially true if a pedestrian is involved.

 

[Cowlitz]

On youtube, I have seen two different couples stop their riding in Montana because it is too scary on the highways that are part of the Northern Tier Route.

 

[mojoe]

On a recent long ride, part of it was on US 50 in NV, which has wide shoulders (it is a designated bike route in this state). The other part was on Alt 95, which had almost no shoulder, and half of that was a rumble strip. At one point, it was just rumble strip, so I literally road the white line at the edge of the lane. Most vehicles gave me a wide berth. One so-and-so semi came within one foot, which scared me greatly. Needless to say, I'll never ride that highway again.

Interesting thing about US 50 - When you hit Utah, it is no longer a designated bike route, and stays that way across most of the US. I think it is in Ohio where it becomes a bike route again, and remains so into MD and DC. In CA, US 50 is a mixed bag. BTW US 50 runs from Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD. Parts of it are the old Lincoln Highway.

If you are going to ride US 50 in NV, they don't call it "The loneliest highway in America" for no reason. There are some long stretches of nothing, especially towards the Eastern part of the state. I hosted a cyclist recently, who was touring the country, and he indicated that Utah wasn't any better.

 

[mojoe]

Next Spring, I'm planning on doing most of the GART. I'll drive to Nebraska, to start at the Cowboy trail, then head East to DC. I know that I'll have to ride the roads for some of this, but I want to see how much rail trail, canal path, etc. that I can ride along the way. If I hit an especially bad section of trail (like some mentioned here), I'll just have to ride the roads.

Related to this, I have decided to go in comfort. I have a recumbent e-trike on order. So, I'll have an electric lawn chair

 

[retiredNH]

Can't imagine riding anywhere on a US numbered highway where the speed limit is above 30 MPH. Trucks blasting by feet away from me take all the fun out of riding...

 

[mojoe]

On US 50 in NV, the shoulders are very wide, so traffic isn't an issue. As I said, this stretch is a designated bike route. I've not had any problems.

 

[dblhelix]

On a recent long ride, part of it was on US 50 in NV, which has wide shoulders (it is a designated bike route in this state). The other part was on Alt 95, which had almost no shoulder, and half of that was a rumble strip. At one point, it was just rumble strip, so I literally road the white line at the edge of the lane. Most vehicles gave me a wide berth. One so-and-so semi came within one foot, which scared me greatly. Needless to say, I'll never ride that highway again.

Interesting thing about US 50 - When you hit Utah, it is no longer a designated bike route, and stays that way across most of the US. I think it is in Ohio where it becomes a bike route again, and remains so into MD and DC. In CA, US 50 is a mixed bag. BTW US 50 runs from Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD. Parts of it are the old Lincoln Highway.

If you are going to ride US 50 in NV, they don't call it "The loneliest highway in America" for no reason. There are some long stretches of nothing, especially towards the Eastern part of the state. I hosted a cyclist recently, who was touring the country, and he indicated that Utah wasn't any better.

Just a heads up to ppl planning a 50-based route. It is not bike-legal from DC to US301. And nobody bikes US50 out to the terminal point of Ocean City, bc much safer/more pleasant alternatives exist. There are only two spots requiring any engagement with US50. 1) crossing the Chesapeake Bay On the Bay Bridge. Not bike-legal — requires a friend vehicle or a hired shuttle for $40 2) short piece near Centerville MD.

Regarding NV, UT. The Nevada portion is an easy ride with sufficient stops for any charging needs. Once you get to Ely and are heading East, you only have two routes: East on 50 toward Delta, UT or north toward Wendover. I had bad luck — the one place charging was available was shut down for two weeks on the Eastbound route. Don’t leave Ely without checking on status first …

 

[mojoe]

For those wanting to ride through the area, US 395 runs N-S. The section I am familiar with is from South of Reno to North of LA. Large sections of this are also a designated bike route, with wide shoulders. However, some sections aren't as bike friendly, with minimal shoulders, and some have very long, steep climbs. It's very good in the Reno and Carson City area. Lots of people ride this, including me.

An additional note about US 50. The section from Carson City to South Lake Tahoe is into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Not only is is steep, but the shoulders are minimal. I see people riding this section all the time, but I wouldn't do it.

Once you get to Lake Tahoe, there are some very nice bike trails, though. A few sections around the lake, and one along the Truckee river. There are also some trails in Incline Village that connect to the East Shore trail, starting at Sand Harbor.

 

[mojoe]

Just a heads up to ppl planning a 50-based route. It is not bike-legal from DC to US301. And nobody bikes US50 out to the terminal point of Ocean City, bc much safer/more pleasant alternatives exist. There are only two spots requiring any engagement with US50. 1) crossing the Chesapeake Bay On the Bay Bridge. Not bike-legal — requires a friend vehicle or a hired shuttle for $40 2) short piece near Centerville MD.

Regarding NV, UT. The Nevada portion is an easy ride with sufficient stops for any charging needs. Once you get to Ely and are heading East, you only have two routes: East on 50 toward Delta, UT or north toward Wendover. I had bad luck — the one place charging was available was shut down for two weeks on the Eastbound route. Don’t leave Ely without checking on status first …

Thanks for the additional info. I haven't ridden all the way to UT on 50 yet. The cyclist who stayed with me was human powered, so he had a hard time getting from town to town on parts of it. Good to know that I can find enough places to charge.

I don't plan on riding across the country on 50. I'm going to use the rail trails as much as possible, next Spring.

Since you seem to know the biking in MD, I'll PM you later. Once I reach DC on the rail trails, I need to find a safe route to my sister's house in Carol County.

 

[Djangodog]

TransAmerica Bicycle Trail - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I don’t know if this is a good route for you and your Class 3, but it is a proven, cross country bike route. Best of luck with your adventure. You have to do it while you can.

 

[dblhelix]

For those wanting to ride through the area, US 395 runs N-S. The section I am familiar with is from South of Reno to North of LA. Large sections of this are also a designated bike route, with wide shoulders. However, some sections aren't as bike friendly, with minimal shoulders, and some have very long, steep climbs. It's very good in the Reno and Carson City area. Lots of people ride this, including me.

An additional note about US 50. The section from Carson City to South Lake Tahoe is into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Not only is is steep, but the shoulders are minimal. I see people riding this section all the time, but I wouldn't do it.

Once you get to Lake Tahoe, there are some very nice bike trails, though. A few sections around the lake, and

Thanks for the additional info. I haven't ridden all the way to UT on 50 yet. The cyclist who stayed with me was human powered, so he had a hard time getting from town to town on parts of it. Good to know that I can find enough places to charge.

I don't plan on riding across the country on 50. I'm going to use the rail trails as much as possible, next Spring.

Since you seem to know the biking in MD, I'll PM you later. Once I reach DC on the rail trails, I need to find a safe route to my sister's house in Carol County.

Yes, feel free to PM. The C&O will bring you in to the Georgetown neighborhood in DC, and I’ll help you from there. Depending on where your sister is specifically, it might be better to jump off the C&O earlier, but that takes away from the satisfaction of official completion in DC. HMU on GART if you’d like, did it 2021.

 

[Pine_marten]

Talked to my highschool biology teacher anwhile back and he and his wife had ridden a tandem bicycle from Minnesota to Glacier NP in Montana on U.S. hwy #2 and back. I've gone that way on my Motorcycle several times to visit friends in Washington state. Highway 2 is a gentle route over the rockies.

 

[Cowlitz]

Talked to my highschool biology teacher anwhile back and he and his wife had ridden a tandem bicycle from Minnesota to Glacier NP in Montana on U.S. hwy #2 and back. I've gone that way on my Motorcycle several times to visit friends in Washington state. Highway 2 is a gentle route over the rockies.

I drove Highway 2 from WA to WI last year and back. Unless you are comfy with trucks and cars going by at 70+mph and not much or no shoulder, I would not recommend it. Plus, there are long stretches of nothing. Some "towns" consist of a small casino.

I was looking at it for biking whilst driving. Decided it was a no no.

 

[Pine_marten]

I drove Highway 2 from WA to WI last year and back. Unless you are comfy with trucks and cars going by at 70+mph and not much or no shoulder, I would not recommend it. Plus, there are long stretches of nothing. Some "towns" consist of a small casino.

I was looking at it for biking whilst driving. Decided it was a no no.

Know what you mean about the no shoulders. Should you be abreast of two semi trucks as they pass in opposite directions you had better be off the road. And of course the Northern prairie can be brutal in terms of wind.

 

[Cowlitz]

Know what you mean about the no shoulders. Should you be abreast of two semi trucks as they pass in opposite directions you had better be off the road. And of course the Northern prairie can be brutal in terms of wind.

Yup. I got excellent gas mileage pulling my trailer going east, and terrible coming back home--west. I also got stuck for an hour behind a very wide load. They would only get over for oncoming traffic and would not let folks pass. Finally, they got stuck on a round about. Yes, there is a roundabout on highway 2 in eastern Montana.