Topics

1

Routes / Lodging and camping in Yellowstone?

« on: May 21, 2025, 12:01:12 am »

I'm planning to ride sections 1-4 of the Transamerica to West Yellowstone, MT and then the PPP section 1 through Yellowstone and northern Wyoming in late July.   Any thoughts/suggestions about how difficult it is to find camping or lodging in Yellowstone and the heart of the summer?    Does it work to beg or plead to pitch a tent in someone else's campsite?

2

Routes / PPP Section 2: Headed through Spearfish around 7/31/2025

« on: April 29, 2025, 10:57:07 pm »

I'm planning my day-by-day route across the PPP Sections 2.  Per my current plan, I'll be riding near Spearfish around 7/31/2025.  Unfortunately the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is from 8/1/2025 to 8/10/2025 this year.

https://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com//dates

Now, the standard PPP Section 2 route heads southeast towards Hill City after Spearfish and veers away from Sturgis.

Does anyone have an insights about how this huge motorcycle rally will affect camping & lodging options at and around this time?

I'm thinking I might have to shave off some rest days from my cycling plan to try to get through area sooner in late July.   Thank you in advance.

3

Routes / PPP Section 1: Buffalo, WY to Gillette, WY: 95 miles with No Services

« on: April 29, 2025, 10:50:30 pm »

The 95 mile PPP Main route between Buffalo, WY to Gillette, WY is 95 miles long with no services.   Fortunately, it is relatively flat climbing 3600 ft in that 95 miles (not too bad).
Does anyone have an experience to share on that section?   I'm relatively confident I can cover that distance, however it may depend on heat in the summer as I'll be riding in late July.

Alternatives are taking a Greyhound bus from Buffalo to Gillette:  https://www.greyhound.com/bus-routes/buffalo-wy-gillette-wy

There is also an alternate route suggested by Google maps, that follows along I-90 more closely (although not on I-90).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2qQYuQ4Bd2eaJZyy7

I'd welcome any suggestions and guidance.  Thank you in advance.

4

Routes / TransAmerica sections 1,2,3 versus Lewis and Clark Trail sections 6,7

« on: January 29, 2024, 07:33:59 pm »

I'm trying to decide between two routes between the Pacific coast and roughly Grangeville, ID where the TransAmerica and the Lewis & Clark Trails converge going east from the Oregon coast.

I'd appreciate any intel on how these two routes stack up in terms of general quality, scenery, camping, traffic, etc.   I'm perfectly happy to be riding some gravel roads too.

5

Connecting ACA Routes / How to connect Transamerica (west) with Great America Rail Trail (east)

« on: November 09, 2023, 12:29:16 pm »

I am planning a cross country ride  and thinking about riding the Transamerica route on the West from Astoria, OR to somewhere in Wyoming and then trying to pickup the Great America Rail Trail in Valentine,  NE to pickup the Cowboy Trail (https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/bike-the-cowboy-trail.htm) following the Rail Trail through to Pittsburgh and then continue on the GAP trail to Washington, DC.

One challenge is how to connect the Transamerica route in Wyoming with the Rail-Trail in Nebraska.

Option 1:
One option is to riding east from Jeffrey City, WY through Casper and further across Nebraska to Valentine.   The route might follow Rt 20 all the way from Lusk, WY to Valentine, NE.   Does anyone have advice on this section?

Option 2:
Another alternative is to head east out of Buffalo, WY and more or less follow Interstate 90 east to Murdo, SD and drop south to Valentine, NE on Rt 83.   Does anyone have advice on this section?

I appreciate any and all advice from the veteran riders out there!