Favorite Highway/scenic byway for cycling?

[XXtwindad]

Inspired by Charlie’s planned Highway 33 bike trip, I’m wondering what other scenic highways/byways are on the Bucket List?

I’ve done Going to the Sun Road once (Montana) and Highway 1 off Tam many times. Both immaculate. On the BL: North Cascades Highway between Winthrop and Marblemount (WA), The Blue Ridge Parkway (esp the stretch near Asheville NC) and the Kancamagus Highway. (NH)

On a related note, I’ve always been confused when a highway is bike legal. Or advisable.

P.S. I highly recommend the book with attached pic. Some great ideas in there.

[mdeth1313]

Hmmm - Highway to Hell? I ride that one into work every day!

[jmoeny]

Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is Montana is fantastic and included in the Great Divide MTN Bike Route.

http://https://backyardmontana.com/a...t-you-can-see/

And the portion of the Trail of the Mountain Spirits scenic Byway from Silver City to Gila Hot Springs in southwest New Mexico is remote, quiet and challenging. Featured in stage 5 of the Tour of the Gila. http://https://www.newmexico.org/pla...ntain-spirits/

[herb5998]

Cabot Trail in Cape Breton is one of the most scenic drives that is really nice on the bike. There are some sections still being worked on to improve (widen/repave), but the scenic sections are gorgeous.

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[David in Maine]

Park loop road in Acadia NP never disappoints.

David

[dcama5]

Favorite and Scenic may mean different things - to me, there are two leaders close by: The Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park) for scenery, from where Michael Lock (Baron Blubba) frequently posts. Also, from the Gettysburg National Park Battlefield, Confederate positions as well as the positions of Army of the Potomac, for content. I love both.

Skyline Drive:









Gettysburg:

[kytyree]

Any routes there in Gettysburg you particularly recommend? I've been to the battlefield a couple of times and love that area but it's been over 20 years since I've visited.

[dcama5]

Originally Posted by kytyree

Any routes there in Gettysburg you particularly recommend? I've been to the battlefield a couple of times and love that area but it's been over 20 years since I've visited.

Kyt,
When my wife and I go to Gettysburg, we have routes to ride which go through the countryside, and always go through some part of the battlefield, along with favorite restaurants/breweries that we visit. What made this meaningful for me was reading 3 different books on the battle of Gettysburg. The understanding I gained from that made the whole battlefield park make sense. The two main ones were: Stars In Their Courses by Shelby Foote (the penultimate Civil War Historian), and Gettysburg by Stephen Sears.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by herb5998

Cabot Trail in Cape Breton is one of the most scenic drives that is really nice on the bike. There are some sections still being worked on to improve (widen/repave), but the scenic sections are gorgeous.

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You beat me to it. I would also add the route around the Gaspé peninsula on the east end of Quebec. I rode lots of it and wow and wow.

[glepore]

The BRP is indeed bucket list. Downside is that if you do any distance, each day begins with a giant climb from the nearest town.
The section in your photos is Grandfather Mtn. Unbelievably pretty in the fall, but within a couple hours of Ashville so the car traffic then is unreal. We did it every October on motorcycles and last year ran into 30 ish Lamborghinis at the Grandfather visitors center.

[HenryA]

Originally Posted by glepore

The BRP is indeed bucket list. Downside is that if you do any distance, each day begins with a giant climb from the nearest town.
The section in your photos is Grandfather Mtn. Unbelievably pretty in the fall, but within a couple hours of Ashville so the car traffic then is unreal. We did it every October on motorcycles and last year ran into 30 ish Lamborghinis at the Grandfather visitors center.

BRP is definitely one.
I’ve always thought Chief Joseph Highway would be amazing. Maybe sketchy dangerous.

[PurpleBikeChick]

Starts in Torrey, Utah. Easy to get to Capital Reef, Grand Esacalante, and Bryce. Great cycling road, not much traffic. Really enjoyed riding the entire route.

[bigbill]

Originally Posted by HenryA

BRP is definitely one.
I’ve always thought Chief Joseph Highway would be amazing. Maybe sketchy dangerous.

I have wanted to do Chief Joseph but the timing hasn't worked out. I've driven it several times. We live in Worland, WY, in the summer so it's only 90 minutes away. FWIW, I have seen many cyclists riding it.

[dr50470]

I would second the Blue Ridge Pkwy. I rode the section north of Asheville and it was spectacular!

[GregL]

I concur with the recommendations for Acadia National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville. Both are best ridden off-season (pre-Memorial Day and between Labor Day and Columbus Day). Lots of vehicle traffic during prime summer and autumn (leaf peeping) seasons. Alternately, ride at dawn and beat the crowds.

Greg