Northern Tier to Transamerica

[amoskornfeld]

In mid-June I am planning to bike from my home in Vermont and end at my daughter's in Sacramento, CA with a stop in Missoula to see my son.  Sounds great, no?  A few questions for experienced transcontinental trekkers and those familiar with Illinois and OR- CA.    It seems like I can start on the Northern Tier here in VT and join the TransAmerica trail near Murphysboro, Illinois.  Does anyone have recommended routes on how to best make that connection?  I'd also be interested in hearing if anyone has suggested ways to go from Oregon to Sacramento.  Thanks!

[etsisk]

Following

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[indyfabz]

If you want to stay on ACA routes, Check out the Interactive Network Map:

https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/interactive-network-map/

Un-check the box for Complete Adventure Cycling Route Network and check the boxes for the Northern Tier, Trans Am, Bicycle Route 66 and the Underground Railroad Route. The last two can be followed to connect the Northern Tier to the Trans Am.

Also check out the Pacific Coast route and the Western Express. The latter goes through Sacramento. Not the most direct route, but one option.

[jamawani]

If you do not need to stay on ACA routes - consider crossing Nebraska.
I have 100,000 miles touring and have done both Kansas and Nebraska.
No comparison. (And, technically, it fits the definition of "connector" NT to TA.)

Yes, you will encounter other cyclists and designated facilities on the TransAm -
But most Nebraska small towns have free/cheap camping and you will meet other cyclists, too.
Once you get west of Wichita ("West of Wichita" - sounds like a C&W hit song, eh?)
The TransAm is straight, flat (imperceptibly uphill westbound), hot, and windy.
The US 20 route across Nebraska goes thru the Sandhills region.
This area was never plowed - so you see natural grasslands.
The road curves gently around the hills - plus it's 5F cooler on average.

I do not know why Adventure Cycling does not have an east-west route across Nebraska.
I have been suggesting it for some time.

Of course, that would also mean crossing Iowa and half of Wyoming off-route, too.
Iowa has lots of options - and Wyoming's highways have far better shoulders than Colorado's.

If interested, would be glad to provide careful details. - - J

<<<>>>

Pic from 1988 - North Loup River in the Sandhills



Pic from 2016 - Riding US 20 in the Sandhills

[etsisk]

If you do not need to stay on ACA routes - consider crossing Nebraska.
I have 100,000 miles touring and have done both Kansas and Nebraska.
No comparison. (And, technically, it fits the definition of "connector" NT to TA.)

Yes, you will encounter other cyclists and designated facilities on the TransAm -
But most Nebraska small towns have free/cheap camping and you will meet other cyclists, too.
Once you get west of Wichita ("West of Wichita" - sounds like a C&W hit song, eh?)
The TransAm is straight, flat (imperceptibly uphill westbound), hot, and windy.
The US 20 route across Nebraska goes thru the Sandhills region.
This area was never plowed - so you see natural grasslands.
The road curves gently around the hills - plus it's 5F cooler on average.

I do not know why Adventure Cycling does not have an east-west route across Nebraska.
I have been suggesting it for some time.

Of course, that would also mean crossing Iowa and half of Wyoming off-route, too.
Iowa has lots of options - and Wyoming's highways have far better shoulders than Colorado's.

If interested, would be glad to provide careful details. - - J

<<<>>>

Pic from 1988 - North Loup River in the Sandhills



Pic from 2016 - Riding US 20 in the Sandhills

You might check out the Eastern Express Route - it's not "official", though I found out about it through ACA. The guy who put it together has been an ACA trip leader for years and years. It goes from DC to Pittsburgh via C&W and GAP trails, crosses the great plains, goes across Colo at Fort Collins, and has a more gradual climb across the Rockies. Of the 2200 miles of it, 600 are on dedicated bike or rail trails. Plus if yer doing it from DC, it misses KY dogs and Appalachian steep climbs!

www.easternexpressroute.com

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[amoskornfeld]

Fantastic. Thank you very much!