Touring in America

[blackrat]

As the holiday period approaches, I thought I'd offer a few ideas of the nicest areas of the country for a tour - bicycle or driving:
My favourite: New England, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont. gorgeous scenery, rolling hills, much vegetation, trees, pretty farm houses, cosy inns, nice people, not too many tourists. Upstate New York likewise.
Pacific Coast: Washington State, (not the North West conurbations). Puget Sound, ferry to Victoria (Canada), Oregon, North California, Skip the coastal road down to San Diego, much too busy with gawkers.
Florida for the colourful vegetation and delightful gulf coast area. Key West if you fancy a drive through the keys just to see Hemingway's house. South Miami for the incredible collection of art deco buildings.
Anywhere is good for a road trip. I once drove 2,000 miles in two days to go backpacking in the Sierras and once I got there, I skipped the hike, turned round and did the same coming home. Driving across the middle of America is an experience. Thousands of miles of not much at all.
One comment about small towns in the hinterland; they all look the same and are mostly next to a railway track, which is why most of these small towns exist at all.
Any ?'s just ask.

Ken.

 

[Drago]

I had mixed feelings about rural murica. Some of its lovely, then you come across a garden with 80 years worth of old cars dumped in front of the house.

You should go whenever you're most likely to spot Bigfoot.

 

[Rusty Nails]

It's usually easy to find unbooked accommodation. Most towns, particularly in the west seem to have motels on the outskirts.

 

[steveindenmark]

This is a predominantly european site. At the moment I would think that most europeans would not have much interest in visiting the USA for any reason, never mind riding a bike.

When we have so many great cycling destinations in Europe. I would not see the point in going to the USA for a bike tour.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Do not think this was about bike touring. More car touring.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

This is a predominantly european site. At the moment I would think that most europeans would not have much interest in visiting the USA for any reason, never mind riding a bike.

When we have so many great cycling destinations in Europe. I would not see the point in going to the USA for a bike tour.

Always good to dream though. I like hearing about far flung places.

 

[fossyant]

Europe is nice, just saying. Slight issue with an orange gibbon running amok in USA, USA, USA, USA !

 

[AndyRM]

Route 66 is one of the great driving experiences.

 

[Drago]

On a related note, I once played bass for a band with a Saddam Hussein impersonater singing Kids in America. Alas, Saddam and the Ants is now on a hiatus.

 

[Hover Fly]

On a related note, I once played bass for a band with a Saddam Hussein impersonater singing Kids in America. Alas, Saddam and the Ants is now on a hiatus.

I once toured with a Saddam impersonator, problem was it was a tour of Iraq, Yankee soldiers were eying him up with “interest”, one even checked his pack of cards, I wonder if they pondered on why SH would be laughing and joking with a mob of British soldiers.

 

[Drago]

TBH I dont know how Damon, AKA Saddam, never got lynched but hed wander on with his moustache, beret, mirrored shades, cravat and medal ribbons and the place erupted with cheers.

Prince Charming was hilarious, he trotted in a few weapons of mass destruction into the lyrics. Went dont a storm at Derby University, but not so popular at the New Labour club round the corner.

 

[wiggydiggy]

The weather can be a factor in the usa, ice on the roads can be fatal.

 

[Webbo2]

I’ve had the misfortune to stop at a couple of dinners in Utah that felt like you were suddenly in the film Deliverence.

 

[sevenfourate]

This is a predominantly european site. At the moment I would think that most europeans would not have much interest in visiting the USA for any reason….

Isn’t choice, variance and different folks / different strokes a great thing.

To add to my already 25+ (?) trips to the USA: my wife and I are off for 11 days exploring a small part the East coast of America in two weeks. To include NYC, Boston, Washington DC, Delaware etc

And we’re then going back in August and spending more time on the West Coast. And to kind of follow on from 3 and a bit weeks there in 2022.

I believe there are 6 States in the USA bigger than the UK. Hence the difference in culture, landscape, weather, food, sights, architecture etc etc across some States - let alone the Country as a whole is mind boggling

I’ve seen a fair amount of Europe and there is a lot of natural beauty and sights to see otherwise. But right now it’s of little interest to me other than for a cheap and easily accessible week in the sun during our Winter. Isn’t it as well we’re all so different………

 

[AndyRM]

Isn’t choice, variance and different folks / different strokes a great thing.

To add to my already 25+ (?) trips to the USA: my wife and I are off for 11 days exploring a small part the East coast of America in two weeks. To include NYC, Boston, Washington DC, Delaware etc

And we’re then going back in August and spending more time on the West Coast. And to kind of follow on from 3 and a bit weeks there in 2022.

I believe there are 6 States in the USA bigger than the UK. Hence the difference in culture, landscape, weather, food, sights, architecture etc etc across some States - let alone the Country as a whole is mind boggling

I’ve seen a fair amount of Europe and there is a lot of natural beauty and sights to see otherwise. But right now it’s of little interest to me other than for a cheap and easily accessible week in the sun during our Winter. Isn’t it as well we’re all so different………

This. So much this.

It's easy to deride the USA, but it's a country which has a lot to offer if you're prepared to get past the bombastic outward attitude.