Orlando
Distance: 0mi/km
A night in Orlando will get you rested and ready for the ride plus with the get together you’ll meet many of the people you will be crossing America with over the next two weeks. Some you may ride with everyday, others you may not see until the Pacific but whatever way you’ll be close at the end having achieved a dream together.
Orlando - Cedar Key
Distance:
We’ve always found that a low mileage day on the first day is the best way to start this ride. A short hop up either coast will put you on the waterfront overnight and with just enough time to dial into the bike without the stress of having to cover big distance. Cedar Key or St Augustine are our favourites.
Cedar Key - Gulf Shores
Distance:
Before the morning has finished you’ll be riding roads along white sand beaches. Sea food and BBQ are going to feature heavily for you over the next few days. All framed by amazing views of the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Shores - New Orleans
Distance:
If you hug the coast here you’ll be catching a ferry across Mobile Bay. You travel past Civil War forts and a great twisty road out to the point. This route will get you in to New Orleans in good time to enjoy all the city has to offer.
New Orleans
Distance:
Quite a few riders will just do the one night in New Orleans but others through choice and some victims of a late night on Bourbon Street will choose to take it easy and enjoy a full day here.
New Orleans - Galveston
Distance:
Another day where you can hug the coast catching ferries and stopping along the way to enjoy this unique bit of coast. Galveston makes for a great last stop before we say goodbye to the coast. The next time you smell the ocean you’ll be riding into Sant Monica or San Diego!
Galveston - Austin
Distance:
Inland and across Texas. No matter which route you take you are going to be in Texas for a quite a while! It’s Big! We’ll be in wildflower season as we cross the southern ranch lands so you might be surprised how rich the country is compared with the parched desert in most popular images of the state.
Austin
Distance:
One of our favourite stops and its often pulled us in for a couple of days. Great food and live music make for a great mid-point stop while you prepare for the south western deserts ahead.
Austin - Del Rio
Distance:
Time to pack away the Hawaiian shirts and stop drinking cocktails! From here on its Cowboy hats and boots, beer and whisky! Distances start to grow and you’ll be keeping a close eye on fuel gauges and mileages to the next watering hole. Desert riding is special and for those of us from Europe and elsewhere there’s nothing like it to compare with. Pull up your bandanas and follow the sun! We’ve even had a few stops in Del Rio where the hotel owner has taken us (in his car, bikes aren’t allowed over the border) into Mexico for breakfast.
Del Rio - Terlingua
Distance:
Heading along the sweeping vistas of Texas Hill Country and tightly hugging the border into Big Bend National park, this is the point in the ride where you are going to feel furthest from home! Dark Sky’s give some of the best star gazing you are likely to have seen. The old Ghost town has a great bar and restaurant and more likely than not you’ll find a good sprinkling of Coast to Coasters here.
Terlingua - Las Cruces
Distance:
After a morning along the rollercoaster of a road that tracks the Rio Grande it’s tumbleweed and dusty saloons along with the most remote Prada shopping in the world (if you see it you’ll know). Another day spent racing the sun along desert highways.
Las Cruces - Bisbee
Distance:
From here many people, weather permitting, choose to to head north. The ground rises up here in the first ripple of the Rockies so if its a cold year there may be snow but on warmer years you can make it up onto Route 66, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon (brrrrghh). Just remember the rim of the Grand Canyon is a mile high. Most people play it by ear and make the final choice once the weather is sure.
Bisbee - Phoenix
Distance:
From the historic mining town of Bisbee to the bright lights of Phoenix there is a choice of routes and things to see from the organ pipe cactus to the Aircraft Graveyard. A cold drink by a pool is a great way to wash away the dust of this days ride.
Phoenix - Ajo
Distance:
If you’re staying south then you have a couple of long dusty days in the saddle ahead. If you’ve headed north from here you have Lake Havasu, Las Vegas and Death Valley ahead of you. As we head into the final few days of the ride your choices of route really open up with multiple points to aim at to make your way to the coast.
Ajo - TwentyNine Palms
Distance:
If you are on this southern route then a final push along the shores of the Salton sea will set you up with a night in Palm Springs and the whole of the coastal range between you and the Pacific.
TwentyNine Palms - Los Angeles
Distance:
Multiple route choices all of which will probably rate as one of the best roads you’ve ridden will see you over this final barrier before hitting the end of the road! Just remember though these are big mountains and it is not unknown to have a final flurry of snow within an hour of dipping your toes in the Pacific. Upon arrival you return your bike back to the Los Angeles office and head to the hotel. There will be a get-together to celebrate the ride and start planning the next one!
Los Angeles
Distance:
Homeward bound, those travelling internationally will head to the airport and make their way back across the Atlantic having banked some incredible memories and new friends over the past couple weeks. Alternatively you could elect to add a few days on to explore all that Los Angeles has to offer.