TransAm Alternate Routes You Would Recommend

[Pat Lamb]

One of the most important alternate routes - especially this year, 2023 - is in Yellowstone.
There are two major, ongoing construction projects of the TransAm route in Yellowstone.
Both were targeted for 2022-2023, but with the massive flood damage last year, they will go into 2024.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/road-construction.htm

2) The West Thumb to Old Faithful section of the Grand Loop Road is being repaved.
This has always been a dicey section - narrow with two "kinda" passes.
(West Thumb 7800; Shoshone Divide 8530; DeLacy Creek - 7900; Craig Pass - 8280; Old Faithful - 7360)
Because there are very few tourist spots along the section, cars tend to go fast.

Without disparaging jamawami's suggestions for more time in Yellowstone, I didn't have any problems on the West Thumb to Old Faithful section.  The traffic was fairly fast, but "clumpy," so I was able to ride from pullout to pullout virtually alone.  Take the lane, and cars, trucks, and RVs will catch up to you a hundred yards shy of the next pullout.  Stop and have a drink (it's pretty high so you'll need to drink a lot), hop back on the bike and ride.  Just short of the next pullout the traffic will catch up to you, so lather, rinse, and repeat.

[jamawani]

I didn't have any problems on the West Thumb to Old Faithful section.

Add major construction in 2023 and, most likely, into the 2024 season.

[Jake Northrup]

Again, great thread.  Thank you everyone!  And I will take I80 over the rattlesnakes!

[TeresaC]

I loved the Silverthorne to Parshall route.  I'm not a strong rider, but the elevation gain and the smooth unpaved road were not a problem, and much better than Hwy 9.  And I loved having the chance to see the GRMDT racers.

[John Nettles]

Since people are out riding the TA, I thought this might be a nice time to "bump" this thread as it is somewhat timeless. 

Hope all out riding the TA this year are having a wonderful time! 

Tailwinds, John

[mattdwyerva]

My ebiker wife and I are going east to west, and recently rode from Pueblo to Canon City.   We took advantage of the circa 10 mile Arkansas River MUP trail (mostly paved except for short stretches) from Pueblo that winds up at the Pueblo Reservoir Visitor Center which sells drinks and snacks and has restrooms and water.   Later that day, we used the 4 mile or so Arkansas River MUP trail (smooth limestone gravel) to get into Canon City.  Both are highly recommended, unless flooded (always a risk if the word "River" is in the name).   Made us wish the trail was completed between the two cities entirely along that river.  Bike trails at the end of the day are wonderful, imo, as they give you peace and quiet, coloring my opinion of the entire day. 

We did not enjoy Rt 9 WB from Hartsel to Fairplay, but I have no suggestions on reroute.  The traffic was very heavy (maybe 5x Guffey to Hartsel), pickup trucks enjoyed scaring the crap out of us at 75 mph, and we had a lovely time fighting cross/headwinds going uphill.  I shudder to think of what that would have been like if it had been raining that day, but your tolerance may vary (eg., my wife would definitely never ride that road again).

Rt 9 WB over Hoosier pass was busy as well but folks were better tempered, or so it seemed.  Currently taking a week off to see grandchildren before continuing up to Missoula, on our way to Astoria.

[John Nettles]

Matt, be forewarned that the stretch out of Silverthorne has higher amounts of traffic.  While it tapers off later with a decent shoulder, if you are willing to do good gravel, you might consider doing the alternate that John Nelson suggested earlier if you want more piece and quiet. Note that the alternate has a fairly big climb (as opposed to relatively flat) and is on good quality dirt/gravel road but does save about 10 miles overall. 

Here is the route John Nelson mentioned earlier if you want to consider it: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38926708 . 

Tailwinds, John

[mattdwyerva]

Thanks, John.  We will probably do that alternate GDMBR segment.   

I am also trying to figure out the maze of small roads and bike paths  (eg, Blue River Trail) coming out of Silverthorne.  Looks likely that one can avoid the first 10 miles of Rt 9 NB from Silverthorne at the expense of a few extra miles.   Lots of traffic there on Rt 9, as you say (https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ab7c09a831be45148991181947a97e12/page/Main-Page-/?views=Layers)

Matt

[mattdwyerva]

My current attempt at Dillon CO (our bikes are being overhauled at Cove Bike and Shop next week while we visit with family) to Hot Sulphur Springs:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47331480

I recently figured out Custom Cues on RWGPS.   Nice as that allows us to "see" POI's on our GPS head units or hear them on our phones. 

[mattdwyerva]

Has anyone ridden thru Varney, MT instead of Ennis, MT?   It would be a shortcut, but my real interest is possibly being more fun (less traffic) than 287 thru Ennis.  It is entirely gravel, so not sure how tough it would be, but google thinks it is a good bike route (and google is often conservative on gravel, but sometimes wrong).  No services, although I have had good luck (tour + restroom + water fountain) visiting fish hatcheries in other states.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47532082

[John Nettles]

I have not ridden it but just looking at the map, that is a pretty big climb on gravel at 6.5 miles @ 5.5% average.  Granted, the original route is not much better as a 7.5 mile @ 4.6% average climb but at least it is paved.  Also, since it is a state highway, I would guess the road is pretty nice as far as gravel goes.  If is wet though, I would probably pass as the mud in that area is quite clingy. 

Just as a side note, this thread is for alternate routes you would recommend, not seeking route info unless they pertain to the previously or future recommended alternate routes.  Not trying to sound rude but if a ton of route requests appear on this thread then the thread becomes sort of useless.That said, feel free to always start a new thread since some people only look at titles when searching and a "Virginia City Shortcut" might gather attention. 

Tailwinds, John

[mattdwyerva]

Whoops did not mean to hijack the thread.  Ok if I remove my post and start new thread or too late? 

Thanks for the feedback

[John Nettles]

You're fine.  I just meant going forward.  Hope you have a great rest of the tour!

[Pat Lamb]

Has anyone ridden thru Varney, MT instead of Ennis, MT?   It would be a shortcut, but my real interest is possibly being more fun (less traffic) than 287 thru Ennis.  It is entirely gravel, so not sure how tough it would be, but google thinks it is a good bike route (and google is often conservative on gravel, but sometimes wrong).  No services, although I have had good luck (tour + restroom + water fountain) visiting fish hatcheries in other states.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47532082

Your shortcut may be shorter in distance, but I'm not sure how it would compare time-wise.  Both the U.S. and the state 287s are well paved, and flying down from the top of the ridge to Virginia City was a high-speed (for a loaded tourist) blast.

[mattdwyerva]

Thanks for the feedback