Riding the Northern border. Route 2

[nhrider]

Has anyone ridden route 2 across the northern part of the country? I’m looking to take this route out and either the Oregon Trail or Lincoln Highway back. I had a great ride on the Oregon Trail a few years ago and wouldn’t mind doing it again.

-Paul

[bigTom]

I only really know about the W Montana to the Sea part, it's pretty darn nice. I think I'd go North of 2 in Washington, highway 20 is just spectacular. Highway 2 is a pretty main road through E Washington, the 20 will show you parts of the Columbia and the North Cascades. Stunning.

So. When you come through Priest River Idaho, stop at the "Riverview" restaurant (east edge of town). If you don't eat anything else, try the strawberry shortcake. I recommend it with all my belly:)

[Sharpie]

I agree with bigTom. I have ridden Rte 2 a few times from the Glacier NP area west and it is beautiful through MT and ID. When I get to Newport, WA on Rte 2 I divert north to WA 20 then west. A much more scenic ride IMHO.

[WhiteWingCouch]

Just thinking out loud here, :think1: but if my map looked like that, I think I would go ahead and bite the bullet and drop through Kansas before it blows away or something. :D
Maybe that's just me though. One day hope mine looks something even close to yours.
Sounds like a fun trip whatever way you go though. Have fun!

[nhrider]

I checked out the map for Route 20 in Washington and I will add it to the ride. Also, I’ll be in California at the same time as a STOC event so I may just have to take another week on this ride. Riding the Lincoln Highway back east will bring me through Kansas so I knock it off my map. I tried last year but ran out of time. I’d like to stay off the slab for most of this ride.

I’ll be camping (tent sleeping) for most of the ride but will probably motel it a few nights. As far as eating goes, I love diners and mom and pops with a well used deep fryer. (g)

-Paul

[bigTom]

Sounds like a truly great ride. That 2/20 combo is just spectacular. And the Mom and Pop eateries are legendary! You might ask the local LEO in what ever little berg about camping. The little berg I grew up in let you camp in a beautiful little park, but you had to ask, there was no signage.

I'll trade you 2 Kansas for a West Virginia and a Vermont.

[Alan]

I did US-2 from the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan to Washington two years ago. Until you get to Glacier National Park, US-2 is flat and not terribly interesting, but a nicer ride across the flat part of our counry than the interstates are. I would not hesitate to recommend US-2 instead of I-80, I-90 or I-94. I crossed over in mid June and the traffic was light and not too many towns to slow you down. I got rooms in Grand Rapids, MN and Glasgow, MT on the way across.

Finally camped in Glacier NP.

[dannyk]

Rt 2 is a nice ride all the way to the Big Mac bridge, its flat, after you leave the rockies, but there are lots of interesting things to see if you look and take a few short side trips off the route. Once into the U.P. of Michigan, and you still have time venture off of US 2 and go north into the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, and ride M26 along the north shore.

[les1234]

Riding the Lincoln Highway back east will bring me through Kansas so I knock it off my map. I tried last year but ran out of time. I’d like to stay off the slab for most of this ride.


-Paul

I've crossed Kansas a few times on 50 and 54 highways......54 east of Wichita, and 50 west to the CO border. Nothing too exciting, lots of farmland, feedlots in the west, and the wind.......but if you're travelling east at least the wind probably won't be a headwind. I think the road conditions in Kansas are way better than my home state of Missouri.....land of potholes and patches.

If you like historic sites, Fort Scott Kansas has a very well restored army post from pre-civil war times.

[motomac]

I've been across it a couple of times as well and really don't have much to add. Don't run out of rubber in Grand Forks ND though, because rear tires are a premium for an ST 1300.

[nhrider]

I've been across it a couple of times as well and really don't have much to add. Don't run out of rubber in Grand Forks ND though, because rear tires are a premium for an ST 1300.

Don't run out in Michigan either. I bought the most expensive tire on the planet there.. Took the tech 1 1/2 hours to install. I still can't figure that one out because it takes me less than 15 minutes to do it myself and I'm a mumbly thumbs....
-Paul

[HOGCDR]

Like most have said Hwy 2 will be boring until you hit Glacier. Depending your time of the year; its windy and hot, windy and cold, or windy and wet!!

[motomac]

It was mid July when I went through the Glacier area and had all of the above and spitting snow.