USA Coast to Coast June 2022

Sgt Bilco

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OK folks, after a couple of years of not being able to escape these shores, I'm confident that the summer of 2022 should see us out of this horror show and back to to some seriously good riding.

I'll be running 2 trips to the States and this is the first one. I'll post details of the 2nd one shortly and they can be linked together if you want to do both of them

This is a 3 week all tarmac trip which starts in Norfolk Virginia on Saturday 25th June 2022 and gets into Santa Rosa California on Friday 15th July 2022.

I've run this trip 4 times in the past and it's an absolute cracker. The highlights include:

  • Kitty Hawk
  • Smokey Mtns and Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Tail of the Dragon (Deals Gap)
  • Jack Daniels Distillery
  • Royal Gorge
  • Pikes Peak (over 14,000ft at the summit)
  • Rockie Mountains
  • Million Dollar Highway
  • Four Corners and Monument Valley
  • Valley of the Gods - Moki Dugway - Capitol Reef national Park - Bryce Canyon
  • North Rim Grand Canyon - Zion - Valley of Fire - Hoover Dam
  • Death Valley - Bodie Ghost Town - Yosemite
  • Skyline Blvd - Alices - Golden Gate Bridge - PCH


These highlights don't include all the great roads we ride, the small towns we visit and of course the Milk Shake places I know along the way and there are plenty. The aim of these trips is to show you the real USA with it's unbelievable scenery and very friendly people. Also, if you think the USA is full of straight roads you are in for a shock.

This route is done on the smaller back roads and I think there is only 40 or so miles of freeway we have to ride. We ride close to but don't go into cities as we don't have the time and they aren't good places on a bike in my experience.

The total mileage for this is @ 5000 miles and is suitable for pillions.

The way my trips work is I arrange all the shipping there and back, do the route, guide the trip and also advise you on everything you need such as insurance, EPA, ESTA best flights , what and what not to take etc so basically you just fly in, collect the bike and away we go.

Just to answer a few of the normal questions:

  • No, we don't ride on Route 66.
  • Yes, a pillion can come.
  • The group will be a maximin of 8 bikes
  • No, we don't have a support van.
  • Any bike will do as long as it's comfortable for you. We've had everything from Transalps to Gold Wings.
  • You will need your bike to be fully serviced and new tyres and brake pads and yes, a set of tyres will last the trip no problem.
  • No, you won't get shot by a redneck.
  • No, you don't need to be a hard arsed ADV rider to do this trip as we take our time and the roads are quiet.
  • Yes, you will have time to take some of the fantastic scenery in.
  • No, we don't stop at McDonalds but try to use small family run places.
  • Yes, the locals are very friendly and helpful
  • No, it's best not to talk religion and politics

The places on this trip are fairly limited so if you are interested and want to know more details such as cost etc, send me a PM with your email and I'll send you out full details.
 

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All

I'm afraid I am going to have to postpone this trip.

Due to the pandemic, outbound air and sea freight rates to the US have gone stratospheric and after long conversations with my shippers, they cannot guarantee that rates will drop to something approaching normal by next summer. In fact they are certain that rates will be high for another 12 months or so whilst the world gets back to some sort of normality.

Knowing all that, it really isn't viable for me to plan a trip knowing we may not be able to do it due to huge shipping costs. The cost per bike would be completely out of reach and unaffordable for a 3 week trip.

I have contacted everyone who has wants to come on this trip and apologies if I've missed you.

In an odd turn of events, air freight rates to Anchorage have stayed almost static so I'll be putting together 2 trips up the Alaska as an option and please see the Alaska thread for details.

Once again, many apologies for this.
 
All

I'm afraid I am going to have to postpone this trip.

Due to the pandemic, outbound air and sea freight rates to the US have gone stratospheric and after long conversations with my shippers, they cannot guarantee that rates will drop to something approaching normal by next summer. In fact they are certain that rates will be high for another 12 months or so whilst the world gets back to some sort of normality.

Knowing all that, it really isn't viable for me to plan a trip knowing we may not be able to do it due to huge shipping costs. The cost per bike would be completely out of reach and unaffordable for a 3 week trip.

I have contacted everyone who has wants to come on this trip and apologies if I've missed you.

In an odd turn of events, air freight rates to Anchorage have stayed almost static so I'll be putting together 2 trips up the Alaska as an option and please see the Alaska thread for details.

Once again, many apologies for this.

Must be a nightmare trying to plan anything Chris - commiserations!
 
Whilst I couldnt have done it next year, the coast to cost trip is something I would love to do.

Is shipping your own bike out the best option or would rentals be available?
 


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