American Road Trip

[Stuart D]

My brother who lives in Spain fancies an American road trip next March/April, starting & finishing in Las Vegas. Whilst not on my bucket list it would be good adventure for us both , I’ll be 61 & he will be 72, having never ridden together or spent much time in recent years. My reservation, no pun, is that it’s 40 since he last rode a bike (GS850G) & whilst he rides a push bike regularly I can’t get over to him about being ride fit. I’ve suggested he buy a bike in Spain & get some ‘bum on the seat’ hours in, not sure that will happen!
Whilst there are many companies offering bike hire, self guided or guided rides which to choose from? I came across a website called Twistedroads which appears to be private individuals renting their bikes out, anyone had any feedback? The main vendors appear to rent big high end HD’s or BMW’s, I’m mindful of my brother having something this big & it turning into clusterf_ _k!
I’m thinking might be a safer option of just renting 2 bikes & book accommodation on a daily basis, giving the option of a lay over day to recover, any thoughts / experiences you’d like to share please?

 

[austin]

Riding in the states is very different to the UK or indeed Spain. Especially Nevada. Outside the cities traffic is sparse. Roads are wide, run offs wide and soft with little to crash into, corners few, although mountain roads in the USA rival anything in the Italian alps or any European mountain roads. Speeds limits are quite high but with little traffic there’s no pressure to keep up. Consequently riding is relaxing is easy. The heat is more likely to be a factor than ‘Road fit’.

Cities like LV though are full of multi lane dual carriageways and speeds are high and drivers can be unforgiving. But everything is spread out and it’s not that difficult to ride. Tbh though, there’s fuck all in Nevada. California is loads better or the four. Corners area for about half a dozen national parks within a days ride.

40 years out the saddle did you say? I reckon a couple of days in the cowboy film set country in Murcia just to make he can still ride and still enjoy it and he’ll be fine.