Fifty Plus (50+) - parking and riding

Hi everyone,I'm fairly new to the forums and I am seeking some info. I am a over the road truck driver and I carry a bike with me to do some riding during my down times. I currently travel all 48 states and Canada any places or ideas would be welcome,I have a Trek 7100 currently, ( a lot of places don't like my truck being around),Thx,George

Do you come through western NC by chance?

yes I do,was in that area 2 wks ago

If you're in northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville), there is a truck stop at Exit 58 (Greenland, AR) on Interstate 540. The road in front on the truck stop is West Wilson.

Head east on West Wilson, through Greenland, for about 1 mile. You will come to the intersection of West Wilson and U.S. Highway 71. Take a right on U.S. 71 and head south. From Greenland it's about 10 or 11 miles south to Brentwood where there is a rest area. About 5 or 6 miles south of Brentwood is Winslow. The road will get steep there and go over Mt. Gaylor.

U.S. 71 is a great road for cycling. At West Fork, south of Greenland, the road goes from 4 lane (no shoulder) to 2 lane with a good shoulder. Not much traffic on 71, as most of it is on I-540 now.

The Denver Metro area is filled with great trails. Tell me where you park, and I will give you a trail if available.

http://www.ourwebs.info/denverbikemap.jpg

DnvrFox where can I get a copy of the map that you posted,thx

DnvrFox where can I get a copy of the map that you posted,thx

Don't know. Only online.

Right click with cursor on map, copy, paste into irfanview.com (or other imaging program), print

Hello George7100 /Eastern Canada St Stevens area east around the islands lots of beautiful ferry trips around Campobello;on the USA side /Moosehorn national wildlife area[huge].Calias and Lubec all the way to the jewel of all Grand Lake Stream and the Stud Mill Road//BRING your flyrod and yer guns for hunting./Kenneth:thumb:

Thx, DnvrFox,I googled Denver bike maps,looks like some great riding

Have you heard of the Katy Trail in Missouri? If you haven't, please get on some of the sites that feature it and take a look. It is 225 miles at the present time and goes from Clinton to Sedalia. No real "hills" to speak of as it used to be a railbed for trains. The surface is packed down with a limestone "finish." Unless it's just rained the surface is usually good to ride on, though some folks really have a heard time with getting their bikes/chains/working parts so gritty and dusty from the trail. Mo. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an annual ride every June that goes from one end of the Katy to the other. Just one idea as you are traveling through our fifty great states!! Enjoy!

Forgot to say, your Trek 7100 will do great on the Katy Trail as that is what I ride. I call it "my old trusty."

Have you heard of the Katy Trail in Missouri? If you haven't, please get on some of the sites that feature it and take a look. It is 225 miles at the present time and goes from Clinton to Sedalia. No real "hills" to speak of as it used to be a railbed for trains. The surface is packed down with a limestone "finish." Unless it's just rained the surface is usually good to ride on, though some folks really have a heard time with getting their bikes/chains/working parts so gritty and dusty from the trail. Mo. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an annual ride every June that goes from one end of the Katy to the other. Just one idea as you are traveling through our fifty great states!! Enjoy!

DnvrFox, I forgot to tell you ,that when in Denver area I try to park at Commerce City,a couple of large truck stops there where I-270 joins I-70,thx again for the info

thx,ktytrfan,wish i was farther north,as I am in Mo now,been riding around Rolla today and probably in the am

doctor i I know where you speak of. Been in that T/S several times,I have even driven my Truck up and down US 71 that was before it was closed to trucks,thx

DnvrFox, I forgot to tell you ,that when in Denver area I try to park at Commerce City,a couple of large truck stops there where I-270 joins I-70,thx again for the info

The Sand Creek Greenway - a trail from the Platte River/Front Range Trail to Aurora, goes right by I-70 and I-270.

As you know, this is not the most scenic of areas. But, there are some pretty spots along the way, and closer to the Platte River Trail it gets prettier. The PRT (cement) goes north and south about 38 miles with just two street crossings, and is like the Interstate of the metro trail system.

Link to the Sand Creek Greenway:

http://www.sandcreekgreenway.org/

Probably best on a hybrid or wider tire bike.

Hello, George.

If you are in Quad-Cities of Illinois and Iowa you should find good parking in the industrial area on the far west side of Rock Island. Once you are parked, ride toward the river to get on the sixty plus miles of the Mississippi River Trail with bridge and seasonal water taxi links to the Iowa side. A local trail and route map is available here (http://www.bikelib.org/quadcities/quadcities24x18.pdf).

George, If you are in Florida there is a great trail that crosses under I-75 in central Florida. It is the Withlacoochee trail and it is great. Get off of I-75 at the Brooksville exit. It is exit 301. Go East 2 or 3 miles and you will see the trail passing over the road you are on. The road to the trail parking is before you get to the trail and may not be good for your rig. You may need to park nearer 75.
The Withlacoochee trail is 46 miles long and you will be on some of the nicest portion of it. From the overpass at state road 50/98 you are only 6 miles from the south end so you will probably want to go norh from where you start. Have fun and here is a link to the trail site. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/crossflorida/trails/with_state.htm

If you make it to the Sacramento area, you can't beat the American River Bike Trail. 32 miles (one way) along the river, with plenty of places to stop to eat. Some hotels, especially near Old Town, back right up to it.

George7100, while I was in LA (Louisiana) this weekend, I found another place you may want to try a ride, assuming you are traveling down I-49 from Shreveport toward Alexandria or Lafayette.

Take Exit 90 from I-49, just north of Alexandria. There are places there where you could park your rig.

Take LA 498 east (actually, it's south) about one quarter mile to the intersection of LA Highway 1. Turn right (north) onto Highway 1 and pedal away. Highway 1 parallels I-49 for a good way, and the majority of the big time traffic is on the Interstate.

Up the road is a Louisiana welcome center. It's also at exit 94 on I-49. They have restrooms, maps, dark roast coffee etc. I included a portion of Highway 1 in a recent ride. The part I rode was from LA 498 up to Boyce, which is also at Exit 99 on I-49. Flat terrain, good pavement, not much traffic. I am told that Highway 1 is a good ride all the way to Natchitoches, but I have not ridden that far on Highway 1 yet. There is at least one convenience store on Highway 1 in Boyce.

Omaha or Council Bluffs are right on I-80. Truck parking might be easier in CB at the stops around 24th Street and there would be good access to trails from there.

http://www.omahatrails.com/OmahaTrailsMap.html
http://parksandrec.councilbluffs-ia.gov/biking.asp

What about Taunton Ma. You ever here?

I'm surprised I missed this thread. Greetings from a fellow gearjammer. I'm sort of part time these days,on the road 7 days and home 7 days. It's working out great.
I carry a bike with me as well, and try to get out on it whenever I can, but tight scheduling and not knowing where the trails are mean that often times, I'm just out for a spin around an industrial area
before I go to bed.
One thing worth knowing if you are ever westboud on I-94 entering Minnisota is that there is a bike path that passes right through the St.Croix rest area. You can ride from there down to the river and explore the little town there. I think it's called Afton or something like that.
I've found lots of other backroads and residntial areas that make for a nice ride too over the years.
http://i38.tinypic.com/24ovbde.jpg

If in Chicago, try the North Branch bike path. You might be able to park your rig along the westbound lane of Devon Ave in Chicago. There is a lane for parallel parking that is usually empty.

The North Branch bike path runs through the Cook County forest preserve without traveling on streets. It provides a 35+ mile out and back ride.

See: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=530323

Pictures from the North Branch start at post #5.

A link with a map is here: http://www.fpdcc.com/tier3.php?content_id=68&file=map_68e

If in Chicago, try the North Branch bike path. You might be able to park your rig along the westbound lane of Devon Ave in Chicago. There is a lane for parallel parking that is usually empty.

The North Branch bike path runs through the Cook County forest preserve without traveling on streets. It provides a 35+ mile out and back ride.

See: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=530323

Pictures from the North Branch start at post #5.

A link with a map is here: http://www.fpdcc.com/tier3.php?content_id=68&file=map_68e
Thanks for the link. I'm going to be near there Thursday morning. I have a drop in Schaumburg. Hoping to be there early enough tomorrow evening to go for a spin, but I think it will just be on the local streets.
(Time to put some lights on the bike.)

Another semi retired trucker here.I carry my Brompton folder with me.Small enough to keep in sleeper,no theft problems.
If you ever get up to Edmonton Alberta way,you can park at Road King/Flyin J on Yellowhead Trail (Hwy 16)and ride bike about a mile west on 16 down to river valley,miles of paved or dirt trails clean through entire city.

Another semi retired trucker here.I carry my Brompton folder with me.Small enough to keep in sleeper,no theft problems.
If you ever get up to Edmonton Alberta way,you can park at Road King/Flyin J on Yellowhead Trail (Hwy 16)and ride bike about a mile west on 16 down to river valley,miles of paved or dirt trails clean through entire city.
With a big enough sleeper, you can carry a grown up bike.:D


http://i33.tinypic.com/2ujinhz.jpg

Is the Flying J what used to be the Shell at Broadmoor? I don't get that far west any more.

With a big enough sleeper, you can carry a grown up bike.:D


http://i33.tinypic.com/2ujinhz.jpg

Is the Flying J what used to be the Shell at Broadmoor? I don't get that far west any more.
Yup,thats the one.Right across the street from the Road King.Actually the lil Brompton is a blast to ride.Not much different than big bike but more responsive to steering input.

A great place to park and ride in eastern greater denver for large trucks
just east of Walmart by Tower road I70 exit
2 sat's ago i saw 10 so TT parked there
from walmart go east on 32nd until in deadends south
east on 26th until in deadends
south until in deadends follow colfax east thru watkins, bennett and strausburg (50 miles rt)
between bennett and strausburg there is a i70 rest stop so you could park there also

at I70 dot sero, co there is a large amount of TT parking
ride about 1 mile on frontage road on N side of i70 and you pick up Glenwood canyon trail

If you are traveling I87 from Canada to Albany or I90 out to Buffalo check out the Mohawk river/Erie canal trails

http://www.nycanal.com/recreation/hikebikemain.html

In the regional discussions you can find a wealth of good info. If you know you have a west coast swing or headed to a specific part of the country, check out that Forum. I have found some great stuff about AZ and I was born there.

Former Flatbedder here. Bikes like trucks work best with the rubber side down.

If you get through Vegas Valley, I-215 and either I-15 or HWY 93/95, let me know. You can park close by and I can show you a couple trails. Sloan Canyon is moderate, but you can bust a lung if you want to.

One thing worth knowing if you are ever westboud on I-94 entering Minnisota is that there is a bike path that passes right through the St.Croix rest area. You can ride from there down to the river and explore the little town there. I think it's called Afton or something like that.
I'm going to be passing through there in about 2 hours. Unfortunatey I'm under an expedited load to Winnipeg, so there will be no time to ride it today.
One thing I failed to mention is that after this ride, you must stop at Nelson Bros. (Petro) at exit 178 and reward yourself at the pastry bar.:love:
Also in Minnisota along I 94 is the Lake Woebegon trail which runs from St Joseph to Osakis.
There is a truck stop at Sauk Center that you could catch it from.
Trail map
http://www.lakewobegontrails.com/LakeWobegontrailfinal07.pdf

Dan I carry a full size,Trek7100 inside my truck also,a KW600. It sleeps on top bunk,:D

Dan I carry a full size,Trek7100 inside my truck also,a KW600. It sleeps on top bunk,:D
Grown up bikes are too difficult to get in there.Folder rules.:D

Well, I ran back east accross Minnisota on Saturday, and this time I was not rushed, so I stopped at Sauk Centre, (yes they use the British spelling of Centre, I'd forgotten about that). From the truck stop at exit 127,I rode north for about one mile to the trail.
When you get to the overpass, that's it. Take the first street to the left after the overpass and it will take you right to the trail.
I rode west, uphill and into the wind until my dist. showed 10k, which was at the 121.5 mile marker and turned back. I'd have gone farther, but darkness was looming and it was getting a bit brisk.
http://i37.tinypic.com/23tjwvp.jpg
http://i35.tinypic.com/2jeyej6.jpg
This was my second ride of the week. On Wednesday, I had a great night ride with a fellow BFer
on this trail.
http://www.fpdcc.com/downloads/bw_trailmap.pdf
Daytime parking would be a problem though. This is right at the I 90/I 290 interchange at Schaumburg.
I was delivering to the Ikea store which is just off the top left corner of the map. They tell us right on the order notes that if we wish to spend the night there, we must arrive after 21:00, but I push this a bit and have not had a problem. I'ts a light commercial area, stores offices and hotels, not really any place to leave a truck laying around.
Thank you George for starting this thread. Please post your rides with pictures if you can.

Wow, I didn't realize there were truckers who actually carried bikes with them in their cabs! Awesome. I had always thought that it would be so cool to be a long-haul trucker and to have a bike with me that I could ride when I wasn't driving or sleeping. I keep track of all the places I've ridden, but I'm still nowhere near all 48 states. I just love doing road trips, putting the bike in the back of the Subaru wagon and driving somewhere far away, getting out the bike and going for a long ride somewhere I've never ridden. Sounds like a dream job - at least the downtime part of it. I guess I wouldn't make a lot of money - too much time spent riding the bike to the detriment of getting the delivery done on time! I really envy you guys. The best I can do is to make sure I take my bike with me when they send me out of province on business...

Luis

If you're running into NY/NJ area, there are many truck stops on Rts 78 and 80. Look athttp://www.njbikemap.com/

Exits 12 and 7 off of Rt. 78 in western NJ would be good areas to ride from. The map even shows where hills are, if you want to avoid those. :thumb:

On Sunday, I had a delivery appointment in Green Bay which I arrived several hours early for. The route to my customer was along Lombardi Avenue. Well, there is a wee sports venue on that road called Lambau Field or somthin like that. And guess what was happening there. Yup, Packer Sunday.
Sooo, I had to make a wee detour, but that was only a slight setback.
Once I was parked at the customer, I took out the bike and headed out. My primary mission was to find a decent restaurant. Truck stop food is alright, but it's all pretty much the same, and a change is nice.
Well, I hadn't gone far down Broadway Avenue when I passed a railroad museum. There was this piece looking like it had just jumped off the cover of a 1950s Popular Mechanics.
http://i35.tinypic.com/nyva6x.jpg
Tell me Harley Earl didn't have something to do with that design.
Just about the time I was begining to think I had gone entirely the wong direction to find something to eat, I find this.
http://i34.tinypic.com/i2pw1x.jpg
OK, dinner can wait a bit, I find trail, I ride trail. The trail doubled back the direction I had come along the river, and it didn't go very far when it delivered me to a marina. Beside the marina
TADA!
http://i34.tinypic.com/2dj6rf7.jpg
Found my nice dinner, finished up my ride, story over.

Wow, I didn't realize there were truckers who actually carried bikes with them in their cabs! Awesome. I had always thought that it would be so cool to be a long-haul trucker and to have a bike with me that I could ride when I wasn't driving or sleeping. I keep track of all the places I've ridden, but I'm still nowhere near all 48 states. I just love doing road trips, putting the bike in the back of the Subaru wagon and driving somewhere far away, getting out the bike and going for a long ride somewhere I've never ridden. Sounds like a dream job - at least the downtime part of it. I guess I wouldn't make a lot of money - too much time spent riding the bike to the detriment of getting the delivery done on time! I really envy you guys. The best I can do is to make sure I take my bike with me when they send me out of province on business...

Luis
For several years in the 90s, actually from 94 til the end of 2001, I had a regular scheduled run to your fair city. Hours of service rules dictated a full day off somewhere out at that end of the country, so I got lots of riding in out there. In those days, I was into mountain biking, although nothing as radical as the North Shore style.
I did most of my coast riding around Langley, (Walnut Grove actually.) I used to stop at different places along the way home, and found some neat trails around Kamloops, Revelstoke, and did lots of riding in Calgary.
Great trail system around that town.
These days, Winnipeg is as far west as I go.

On Sunday, I had a delivery appointment in Green Bay which I arrived several hours early for. The route to my customer was along Lombardi Avenue. Well, there is a wee sports venue on that road called Lambau Field or somthin like that. And guess what was happening there. Yup, Packer Sunday.
Sooo, I had to make a wee detour, but that was only a slight setback.
Once I was parked at the customer, I took out the bike and headed out. My primary mission was to find a decent restaurant. Truck stop food is alright, but it's all pretty much the same, and a change is nice.


...
Found my nice dinner, finished up my ride, story over.

Understand the game day traffic I used to bicycle to the games to zoom thru the traffic.

You might have been lucky when I lived in GB a lot of the resturants we closed on Sundays
except during Packer home games

Wow, I didn't realize there were truckers who actually carried bikes with them in their cabs! Awesome. I had always thought that it would be so cool to be a long-haul trucker and to have a bike with me that I could ride when I wasn't driving or sleeping. I keep track of all the places I've ridden, but I'm still nowhere near all 48 states. I just love doing road trips, putting the bike in the back of the Subaru wagon and driving somewhere far away, getting out the bike and going for a long ride somewhere I've never ridden. Sounds like a dream job - at least the downtime part of it. I guess I wouldn't make a lot of money - too much time spent riding the bike to the detriment of getting the delivery done on time! I really envy you guys. The best I can do is to make sure I take my bike with me when they send me out of province on business...

Luis
There is the romantic side of it all right,shined up rig cruising down the road on a nice sunny day.Or a lighted up truck on a moonlite nite cruisen along.The side we like to not think about is haveing to chain up the wheels in -40 blizzards to stay on the road that you cant see anyway,say up in northern Canada in the middle of nowhere where you might not see another vehicle for hours on end.Your right,down time part of it can be good.:)
Dont get me wrong,i wouldnt change a thing re:job,after more than 40 years at it.