destination ideas...?

[shellkay1212]

I just bought my BOB trailer and am planning next year's vacations. I want to do ride on my own (well, with a friend). There are so many places to go in the country. I am hoping I can get some ideas of places you all have been. I am in Indiana but am willing to drive some place, park, and go from there.

Any suggestions are welcome!

[indysteel]

Some of my favorite rides have been in Tennessee. I've done organized tours there, but it's a very doable area on your own, too. Lots of good roads with wide shoulders. I'd like to do a long weekend out of Franklin Tennessee soon. That's just south of Nashville. There are some good cycling guide books of the area btw.

DH and I are planning on the Katy Trail next year. We're also hoping to visit the Finger Lakes area of New York, although we also plan to do some hiking.

We're also in Indiana. How far are you willing to drive? Our limit is about 10 hours at the point. With that in mind, Michigan and Wisconsin are good options, too. Some friend did a self supported tour along the Western shore of Michigan a fews ago. They had a great time.

[Zen]

The C&O Canal towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage are popular in these parts.
This is another trail I'd like to ride

[crazycanuck]

I'm not in the US but if i was going to do a tour up there, i'd find some of the most historical places & ride there.

Can you bike near on the Appalaichan (sp, sorry) trail? I know there's a nice YHA near the start....

Follow the underground railroad route?

Sorry to be vague but what about on the west coast? (can't think of the two explorers at the mo but the ones that opened up the west...)

Have fun!

[crazycanuck]

Oops, different names accross the world..

www.hihostels.com (hostelling international up north) http://www.hihostels.com/dba/country-US.en.htm?himap=Y
www.yha.com.au (YHA in Australia..)

The hostel i'm probably thinking of is "Knoxville-Harpers ferry"...I have vague memories of it but isn't there a train from DC to Harpers ferry ....

I also stayed at the one in DC..interesting...

[indysteel]

Can you bike near on the Appalaichan (sp, sorry) trail? I know there's a nice YHA near the start....

Bikes are not allowed on the A.T., except in two areas where the trail is coalligned with the C&O Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail.

There are a ton of resources available at www.adventurecycling.org for self-supported touring.

[oz rider]

The Yukon. I'm just back and loved it to bits. Big spaces, little traffic (and even then it's friendly and safe), stunning scenery. Just magnificent.

[shootingstar]

Head towards the west coast. There's enough of us here.
I just wrote this today. Now can you resist this gorgeous scenery? You can rent a kayak in this area by the beach.

[shellkay1212]

I think I should have started cycling YEARS ago! So many places! I would like to get out of the midwest at least once a year!

[Grace Johnson]

I know that Utah is quite some distance from Indiana, still it's a beautiful state to bicycle tour in!

[Pedal Wench]

Some of my favorite rides have been in Tennessee. I've done organized tours there, but it's a very doable area on your own, too. Lots of good roads with wide shoulders. I'd like to do a long weekend out of Franklin Tennessee soon. That's just south of Nashville. There are some good cycling guide books of the area btw.

I just did a brevet on the Natchez Trace, just by Franklin and Nashville. We only rode the portion from Nashville down to Tupelo, and back, but it was just about the most perfect cycling you could ask for. No shoulders, but we were probably passed by 50 cars on the whole 300-mile ride.

[Catrin]

I just did a brevet on the Natchez Trace, just by Franklin and Nashville. We only rode the portion from Nashville down to Tupelo, and back, but it was just about the most perfect cycling you could ask for. No shoulders, but we were probably passed by 50 cars on the whole 300-mile ride.

This sounds really nice! I might have to consider this for the future

[warneral]

the sparta-elroy trail is fun. in mid-wisconsin. easy rails-to-trails grade with 3 tunnels. A yummy pie place at the bottom of one of the hills. And it connects to lots of other trails in the area. We love that trail

[Dog]

Come to WA state....I'll ride with you. Lots of options. I've been looking at riding up in BC too (Victoria, Nanaimo, Tofino).

[shellkay1212]

So many places...so little vacation time.

I very much want to go West. Dog - definitely would love to ride with you! BC...count me in.

All of these suggestions are WONDERFUL! I'm using the winter as a time to plan.

And btw, I am not opposed to going overseas.