Has anyone ever tried cycling from socal to vegas?

[fff]

Is it even possible? I mean, is there a route that a cyclist can take to get to Vegas? I'd like to try it once. I can't do something crazy like ride across the nation from LA to NY, but Vegas seems like an attainable goal with enough planning.

No way I'd do it during the summer for obvious reasons and my friend in Vegas tells me it gets cold there....so it seems like now is the time. I'm talking only from socal to vegas though...i'd take a greyhound bus or flight back home...I am not a pro. But I'm fairly fit and young so yeah, why not?

[thomson]

A few years ago, I was toying with this idea. I never got past the initial information gathering stage and I will give you what I have. Maybe it will get you started.
First, a link to the Las Vegas Bicycle Club. Btw, our friends Asia and Travis are pictured on their home page
http://www.vegasbikeclub.org/

This is a link from a guy that covered some of the area, off the beaten path though
http://www.priss.org/99/day1.htm

A Route 66 link. I think I was going to use as much of this as I could to get to Barstow.
http://www.historic66.com/california/

An email I received from the California Department of Transportation. (November 2003). My question to him was:
I am trying to get some information on bicycling from Moorpark (Ventura
County) to Las Vegas. I can get to Route 138 to Route 18 to Interstate 15.
My question is whether bicycling on Interstate 15 is legal? Is it
advisable? Is there an alternative route? If Interstate 15 is ok for
bicycles, do you happen to know if it is in Nevada as well?

Mr. Thompson, (sic)
Hopefully some of this information will be useful to you in planning your
route from Ventura to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, the map I have for San
Bernardino County is fairly old, and may have out of date information. I am
checking with our Caltrans office in District 8 (San Bernardino and
Riverside) for getting the latest information on freeways with shoulders
open to bicycles in that area.
The map I have showing I-15 is located here:
http://www.cabobike.org/touring/dist8map.pdf (http://www.cabobike.org/touring/dist8map.pdf)
Text descriptions of shoulders open to bikes is available here:
http://www.cabobike.org/touring/freeway.htm (http://www.cabobike.org/touring/freeway.htm)
From this map, it shows that Route 138 and Route 18 are open, as you
mentioned. But I-15 is closed between Victorville and Barstow.
However, there are two alternate routes:
-- When Route 18 reached I-15 (San Bernardino Thomas Guide 4386), you can
use 7th St to parallel I-15 until you reach Historic Route 66/ National
Trails Highway
A) At this point you can head northwest and take the National Trails
Highway / Historic 66 (which veers north and follows the Mojave River up to
Lenwood and Barstow. Historic Route 66 becomes Main St in Barstow. Continue
east on E Main St.
OR
B) you can head east on Route 18 / Happy Trails Highway all the way to
Lucerne Valley, and then head north on Route 247 (Barstow Road) all the way
the Barstow. Route 247 will eventually reach Main St / Historic 66 in
Barstow, and head east along E Main St.
-- E Main St will eventually lead onto I-40 East in order to pass the USMC
Depot. Interstate 40 is open to bikes from East Main St to Nebo St. (San
Bernardino Thomas Guide 3590).Exiting on Nebo St, head north and turn right
(east) onto National Trails Highway. After approx. 3 miles, turn north on
Dagget-Yermo Road. Turn right on Yermo Road, which parallels I-15, and
enter on I-15 at Field Road (Thomas Guide 3414). Ride on I-15 until you
reach West Baker.
At Baker, you must exit I-15 at West Baker Blvd, and can re-enter I-15 at
East Baker Blvd. I-15 is open to bicycles from East Baker all the way to
the Nevada State Line. I have no information on cycling in Nevada, but I
suggest contacting the Nevada Dept of Transportation
http://www.nevadadot.com (http://www.nevadadot.com/)
Ventura bicycle map, online:
http://www.goventura.org/bikeways/genmap.htm (http://www.goventura.org/bikeways/genmap.htm)
I would remind you that road conditions along I-15 may change due to
construction or maintenance projects, so check current highway conditions
for closures, as well as weather advisories. Have a safe trip and bring
plenty of water!
James Floyd
Transportation Planner
California Dept. of Transportation - District 11
Phone (619) 688-6820
Calnet 8-688-6820
Fax (619) 688-4299
james_p_floyd@dot.ca.gov

[big john]

Some friends did it both ways and said it was fun and not bad at all. They used Route 66 as much as they could, but I don't have a route slip.
Now riding across the U.S. isn't crazy, it's great. I have done that.

[Psydotek]

My friend had the brilliant idea that we should do this someday. I promptly told him he was crazy (then quietly started to think of potential routes). :lol: I need to get out my road rallye maps and see what i can come up with...

[JustMe]

There was some interest in doing this a few weeks ago. OC to Las Vegas (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=348633).