Originally Posted by
jkmartin
If it were me I'd start dropping down to the I-40 corridor somewhere around Wichita and aiming for either Oklahoma City or Tulsa. From there I'd make my way to Fort Smith and pick up the route noted on the Arkansas tourism website (
http://arkansas.com/outdoors/biking/east-west.asp). I'd cross the river at Helena since Memphis is a nightmare then meander across Mississippi and Alabama.
I've found the traffic count maps are indispensable for this planning and would also recommend the Delorme atlases since they show public and private campgrounds.
Greenville might be better for crossing. More direct than curving north to Helena. I was going to tour around that area this fall until life got in the way. Fort Smith to Hot Springs and Pine Bluff should be gorgeous!
Something to add for the Colorado part, make sure you got to Bent's Fort outside of La Junta. Worth the side trip. The CO 194 connects up to US50 just outside of Las Animas so it's still on the way.
And yes, you can ride on Interstates if not other alternative is available. Not the most pleasant of riding because of traffic noise but at least all of Colorado's interstates have 11 foot shoulders.