Porttland Or, to Denver

[smrachek]

I'm looking to do my first solo unsupported trip hopefully from Portland to Denver or Denver to Portland if that is the best way to go.  Any advice on routes, time of year and which direction (east or west) would be appreciated.  Thanks

[tomdett]

I'm looking to do my first solo unsupported trip hopefully from Portland to Denver or Denver to Portland if that is the best way to go.  Any advice on routes, time of year and which direction (east or west) would be appreciated.  Thanks

I am planning to do the same leaving Portland (or perhaps Astoria) on June 8.  Planning on following the approximate corridor of I-84 (as I don't plan to carry camping gear) to Salt Lake City and then connect with US-40 at Heber UT to traverse east to the Denver area.    So far I have not received much help in actual routing from the Columbia River valley to the SLC area.  Hope someone posts some help with that soon. 

Tom
Longmont CO   

[smrachek]

I was contemplating the Transamerica Trail, you're way seems to be shorter, did you have any idea on how long your trip would take

[tomdett]

I was contemplating the Transamerica Trail, you're way seems to be shorter, did you have any idea on how long your trip would take

I am thinking 3 weeks from Portland to Longmont, then 2 weeks to W. Michigan via ferry from Milwalkee, then 2 weeks via the Lake Erie connector and N. Tier to Ticonderoga NY and a bee line to Ogunquit ME.   7 weeks on the road plus a couple of weeks off in Longmont and L. Michigan beach. 

[JHamelman]

Hi smrachek and tomdett:

You might want to get in touch with the bicycle coordinators for the states in which you will be traveling through and need routing. Most have resources of some sort as well as printed materials. The coordinators
have a wealth of information that they can distribute for no charge. Most every state publishes a bicycle map of their state that they will send out for free. And while the maps aren't as detailed as ours, they generally offer suggested roads for cycling through their state. Here is a link to the contact information for all of the bicycle coordinators: 

http://www.walkinginfo.org/assistance/contacts.cfm

When you get back, I'm sure others would love to hear what routing you came up with and how it went for you.

Hope this helps with your planning.

.Jennifer.

[tomdett]

Hi smrachek and tomdett:

You might want to get in touch with the bicycle coordinators for the states in which you will be traveling through and need routing. Most have resources of some sort as well as printed materials. The coordinators
have a wealth of information that they can distribute for no charge. Most every state publishes a bicycle map of their state that they will send out for free. And while the maps aren't as detailed as ours, they generally offer suggested roads for cycling through their state. Here is a link to the contact information for all of the bicycle coordinators: 

http://www.walkinginfo.org/assistance/contacts.cfm


When you get back, I'm sure others would love to hear what routing you came up with and how it went for you.

Hope this helps with your planning.

.Jennifer.

Have contacted the bicycle coordinators with less than great success.  The particular states of interest do not publish bicycling maps with recommended routes (I think for legal reasons).   Some have maps showing shoulder width but it is not combined with traffic volume and in some cases does not have the route identified with the lines so much is left to the user.   I found the standard state issued highway maps to be the most worthwhile resource for both Idaho and Utah. 

I am (also) very disappointed that the I-84 corridor with the Columbia and Snake rivers and major cycling cities is not on the US Bike Route System planning map as I think it makes a lot of sense.   

[JHamelman]

Have contacted the bicycle coordinators with less than great success.  The particular states of interest do not publish bicycling maps with recommended routes (I think for legal reasons).   Some have maps showing shoulder width but it is not combined with traffic volume and in some cases does not have the route identified with the lines so much is left to the user.   I found the standard state issued highway maps to be the most worthwhile resource for both Idaho and Utah. 

I am (also) very disappointed that the I-84 corridor with the Columbia and Snake rivers and major cycling cities is not on the US Bike Route System planning map as I think it makes a lot of sense.   

I am sorry to hear that you didn't find what you were looking for from the bicycle coordinators. Sometimes you can find better information by going down a level from the state and look at county-based resources. What states or specific areas are you looking for information on? Maybe I can point you to some resources. In the meantime, I have added some links to items that may be of use to you in your planning.

I found a traffic count map for Idaho you might find helpful:
http://itd.idaho.gov/planning/roadwaydata/

Utah has both a suitability map showing shoulder widths:
http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/f?p=100:pg:0::::V,T:,275

and a traffic count map:
http://www.udot.utah.gov/main/f?p=100:pg:0::::V,T:,528

Nevada is usually pretty responsive to requests, have you seen what's available in their Bicycle Travel section? If those aren't what you are looking for, try contacting them directly.
http://www.bicyclenevada.com/

I hope at least some of this helps.

.Jennifer.