L.A. to N.Y.
 

Hi

I am planning a run from L.A. to New York, leaving on August 25th this year getting in to Ney York 16th September. The main stops on the route are below.

I would appreciate any input on sites, roads weather etc.

Also if anyone is in Ireland in July we will be doing a circumference of the Republic in July if you are interested

Los Angeles, Cali
Las Vegas, Nevada
Grand Canyon, Nevada
McGaffey, New Mexico
Taos, New Mexico
Liberal, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Kansas City, Kansas
Burlington, Iowa
Chicago, Illinois
Sandusky, Ohio
Niagara Falls, New York
Syracuse, New York
Rutland, Vermont
Boston, Massachusetts

Not much wrong with the weather you may expect, it is still late summer . Do try to go to the Grand Canyon South Rim from Williams or Flagstaff, In Arizona, mind you, or take the north approach to the North Rim from the Utah approach ( Las Vegas NV, St.George UT then east through the Utah parks to North Rim entrance roads)
May I also suggest that unless you have some personal reason for wanting to see Sandusky Ohio you might consider going to Detroit or Port Huron Michigan and crossing over into Ontario, Canada and then to Niagara Falls . Canada has the better view points for the falls and this route will make no difference to your schedule. Most tourists wind up going to te Canadian side anyway so you too would probably do the same . From there you can carry on with your list as planned

Thanks for that, is there a delay in crossing the Canadian border?

most likely there will be a bit of delay coming back into the States from Canada, but the best views of Niagra really are from the Canadian side. I would imagine that if you have your passports and all it shouldnt be too much of a problem. Lots of folks cut across Ontario from Michigan to the falls.

I will also say that your route looks like you are taking the freeways. Thats fine if you are pressed for time, but it is not the best way to see America. I would suggest staying off the main roads and avoiding the big cities.

Yankee Dog

[This message has been edited by htdb33 (edited 15 February 2006).]

I really recommend the back roads in southern utah, if you're into the desert--areas around the towns of St. George, Zion Nat'l park, Escalante, and Boulder, UT are amazing, and the camping can be free in (Bureau of Land Mgmt) BLM Areas--just pull off a dirt road and camp, out of sight of paved roads.
Las Vegas, unfortunately, sounds like a nightmare on a bike, but I recommend to road out of LV to the Red Rocks recreation area to the west--lovely.
And if you're going from LA to LV, I recommend A) stopping by Mojave Natl.Preserve (love the huge sand dunes there) or B) bypass freeways as much as you can; take the 190 through Death Valley, or the 14 up to hwy 395, then the 168-266 highway through the Lida valley (cool remotte desert route, stop to see the Bristlecone Pines in the White mountains, too. They'll rock your world.

Careful, it'll be mighty hot in the desert that time of year, AND you have to watch out for flash floods then as well.

Sounds like a fine run!

--Heidi

thanks for the fantastic feed back, my mouth is watering at the thought of the trip.

I was expecting the high tempratures, but know nothing of the flash floods can anyone tell me more on this please

"Flash Floods" refers to sudden gushes of water coming down the channels ,called arroyos, and the low dips or vados or any stream channel in the desert country. They are the result of the summer thunderstorms that pop up in the hot wet summer weather and can in limited time dump a large volume of water in a relatively small area.All the water quickly gushes into the channels and races downhill. The danger exists in that you may be well out of the area of the storm and exploring in one of the channels unaware that a lot of water is rushing
toward you. Never camp out in any low channels, always seek out a high spot.Keep an eye to the lay of the land and to the direction of any thunderclouds. If you do hike in suspect low areas keep an ear open for any sounds of rushing water. rattling gravel, and immediately go to high ground.
If you are driving across desert area or the great plains and encounter a flood in the road do not ettempt to ride through, you do not know how fast or deep the water is, even if depth gauges are provided at roadside. The pavement may have collapsed and give a nasty surprise. Wait until the water has passed or turn back and go an other route.
Further to route planning, Brinker's post notes the Utah parks I was referring to.
Another route you may consider including is a sidetrip through Death Valley National Park . Again it won't add much time as you are going to LAs Vegas anyway. Turn north at Baker ,CA, and through the Valley ,fuel and refreshments available at Stovepipe Wells ,and then out to Beatty NV, then to Vegas. This can be a very interesting experience for you and may help develop a perspective on what is really "HOT" weather and what is merely "warm". Having done the route in all seasons I find it always interesting. If you are lucky you will be there during a hot spell when temps may be around 55C.
Even then you will see busloads of Euro and Japanese tourists stopping and the folks get out specifically to feel the heat.You may even see fleets of test cars from the various brands driving up and down the grades loaded with date recording eauipment , test vehhicles and prototypes before going to market. Get used to this and you shall never complain if you get a spot of weather with temps in the 30 C to 40 C range.
This past week I ran through a spell of cold weather in Guatemala , only 27C , to day in Belize was mild, at 33C =)

[This message has been edited by Sjoerd Bakker (edited 18 February 2006).]

[This message has been edited by Sjoerd Bakker (edited 18 February 2006).]

just my 2cents, but the appalachains have some great roads, you might want to try swinging south before you head to NY if you have time.

but then i am biased

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