Preparation

General Prep
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Route
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Route

Routes

What is the best route to bicycle across the United States of America?

Bicycling across the United States is an incredible adventure, and there are many possible routes to take depending on your preferences and goals. Some of the most popular routes include:

  1. TransAmerica Trail: This route stretches over 4,200 miles from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia, crossing through 10 states and many small towns and historic sites along the way. The route is well-marked and maintained by Adventure Cycling Association, and offers a mix of terrain, from the rolling hills of the Appalachians to the flat prairies of Kansas.
  2. Northern Tier: This 4,285-mile route starts in Anacortes, Washington, and ends in Bar Harbor, Maine. The route takes you through some of the most scenic areas of the country, including Glacier National Park, the Adirondacks, and the Great Lakes region.
  3. Southern Tier: This route spans over 3,000 miles from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida. The route takes you through the southern states, including Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. You’ll experience the diverse cultures and landscapes of the southern US, including deserts, mountains, and coastal regions.
  4. Pacific Coast Route: This route stretches over 1,900 miles from Vancouver, Canada to Imperial Beach, California. You’ll ride along the coast of the Pacific Ocean and experience stunning views of the ocean and mountains. You’ll also pass through cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
  5. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route: This route is a challenging off-road option that takes you over 2,700 miles from Banff, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. You’ll ride through the Rocky Mountains and encounter rugged terrain, including steep climbs, rocky trails, and river crossings.

Before embarking on any of these routes, it’s important to do your research, plan your itinerary, and make sure you have the appropriate gear and training. Consider joining a group tour or traveling with a partner for added safety and support.

Most Scenic Route

Which bicycle route across the United States of America is the most scenic?

There are several bicycle routes across the United States of America that are known for their scenic beauty. It is difficult to say which route is the most scenic as it often depends on personal preferences and interests. However, here are a few notable routes that are often considered to be among the most scenic:

  1. Pacific Coast Route: This route follows the Pacific coastline from Canada to Mexico, passing through the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. It offers stunning views of the ocean, beaches, and rocky cliffs, as well as charming coastal towns and villages.
  2. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route: This off-road route follows the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico, passing through the Rocky Mountains in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. It offers breathtaking mountain vistas, alpine meadows, and challenging terrain.
  3. TransAmerica Trail: This route crosses the United States from the Atlantic coast in Virginia to the Pacific coast in Oregon, passing through the states of Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon. It offers a diverse range of landscapes, including the rolling hills of Virginia, the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the Oregon coast.
  4. Northern Tier Route: This route stretches from the Atlantic coast in Maine to the Pacific coast in Washington, passing through the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. It offers scenic views of the Great Lakes, the forests and mountains of the northern states, and the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
  5. Atlantic Coast Route: This route follows the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida, passing through the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. It offers stunning views of the ocean, historic lighthouses, and charming coastal towns and cities.

Ultimately, the most scenic bicycle route across the United States of America will depend on your preferences and what you want to see and experience on your journey.