Western Express Archives - Adventure Cycling Association

Western Express Digital Route Set

Joe LaRiche — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:54:27 +0000

The Western Express traverses four western states. It can be combined with the TransAm’s eastern sections for a shortcut between the Rockies and the Pacific Ocean. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Rocky Mountain Front, the route travels through some of America’s most extreme terrain, including the Sierra Nevada, “America’s Loneliest Highway,” Utah’s national parks, and the heart of the Colorado Rockies. More information about this route is available here.

*Note: These tracks include distances on ferries. Total mileage will differ from paper map mileage.

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Western Express Route Section 1 Digital Route

Joe LaRiche — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:54:27 +0000

Section 1 of the Western Express Route begins in San Francisco, California, and ends in Fallon, Nevada. Cyclists will encounter a wide variety of riding conditions from urban to rural while using state highways, county roads and separate bike paths. From Golden Gate Bridge the route takes a ferry across the bay to Vallejo and winds its way through the hills to Davis, widely known as the “Bicycle Capital of the World” and Sacramento. To traverse the state capital you’ll ride a large portion of the Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail, also known as the American River Bike Trail. East of Folsom the route climbs the Sierra Nevada range and enters Nevada south of Carson City. Nevada is Great Basin country. The route heads east to Fallon on U.S. Highway 50, the “Loneliest Road in America.” More information about this route is available here.

*Note: These tracks include distances on ferries. Total mileage will differ from paper map mileage.

The post Western Express Route Section 1 Digital Route appeared first on Adventure Cycling Association.

Western Express Route Section 2 Digital Route

Joe LaRiche — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:54:26 +0000

Section 2 of the Western Express Route begins in Fallon, Nevada, and heads east along U.S. Highway 50. This road was described some years ago by a Life magazine writer as “The Loneliest Road in America.” You’ll see occasional vehicles on the road but towns and services are spaced, in some instances a long day’s ride apart. In most cases there are no homes or ranches between services. The maps note where the longest stretches without services are located. There are two 80+ mile streches without any services. This section of the Western Express Route is considered very difficult due not only to terrain, but also due to lack of water, temperature extremes, and long mileages without services. Carrying a water purifier is strongly advised for any water access outside of towns. Nevada is extremely dry and has no shade except for three trees east of Fallon that our researchers found. This section ends in Cedar City, Utah. More information about this route is available here.

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Western Express Route Section 3 Digital Route

Joe LaRiche — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:54:25 +0000

Section 3 of the Western Express Route begins in Cedar City, Utah, and ends in Dolores, Colorado. You’ll see some of the most spectacular scenery in America along paved roads, and the route provides access to a large number of national parks, monuments and state parks. Take some extra time to explore and do some hiking and biking into the off-route parks. This section is considered very difficult due not only to terrain (grades from 6% to 14% in Utah), but also due to lack of water, temperature extremes, and long mileages without services. In most cases there are no homes or ranches between services. Carrying a water purifier is stongly advised for water access at Lake Powell and for miscellaneous reservoirs, creeks and lakes at primitive campsites. Utah is extremely dry and most of the route has only rocks for shade. More information about this route is available here.

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Western Express Route Section 4 Digital Route

Joe LaRiche — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:54:25 +0000

Section 4 of the Western Express Route begins in Dolores, Colorado. You may see other cyclists along portions of this route in the state. Between Dolores and Poncha Springs the same roads are used on the Great Parks South Route, and between Wetmore and Pueblo the route joins with the TransAmerica Trail. You’ll be crossing a pass almost every day with several passes over 9,000 feet. Many of the passes along this section have climbing lanes for slower-moving traffic. When the route ends in Pueblo, Colorado, you can join the TransAmerica Trail to continue eastward. More information about this route is available here.

The post Western Express Route Section 4 Digital Route appeared first on Adventure Cycling Association.

Western Express Route Section 1

Tim Heuermann — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 19:44:38 +0000

Section 1 of the Western Express Route begins in San Francisco, California, and ends in Fallon, Nevada. Cyclists will encounter a wide variety of riding conditions from urban to rural while using state highways, county roads and separate bike paths. From Golden Gate Bridge the route takes a ferry across the bay to Vallejo and winds its way through the hills to Davis, widely known as the "Bicycle Capital of the World" and Sacramento. To traverse the state capital you'll ride a large portion of the Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail, also known as the American River Bike Trail. Southeast of Folsom the route climbs the Sierra Nevada range and enters Nevada at Stateline, located on Lake Tahoe. Nevada is Great Basin country. From Carson City, the route heads east on U.S. Highway 50, known as the "Loneliest Road in America."

The post Western Express Route Section 1 appeared first on Adventure Cycling Association.

Western Express Route Section 2

Tim Heuermann — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 19:44:38 +0000

Section 2 of the Western Express Route begins in Fallon, Nevada, and heads east along U.S. Highway 50. This road was described some years ago by a Life magazine writer as "The Loneliest Road in America." You'll see occasional vehicles on the road but towns and services are spaced, in some instances a long day's ride apart. In most cases there are no homes or ranches between services. The maps note where the longest stretches without services are located. There are two 80+ mile streches without any services. This section of the Western Express Route is considered very difficult due not only to terrain, but also due to lack of water, temperature extremes, and long mileages without services. Carrying a water purifier is strongly advised for any water access outside of towns. Nevada is extremely dry and has no shade except for three trees east of Fallon that our researchers found. This section ends in Cedar City, Utah.

The post Western Express Route Section 2 appeared first on Adventure Cycling Association.

Western Express Route Section 3

Tim Heuermann — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 19:44:38 +0000

Section 3 of the Western Express Route begins in Cedar City, Utah, and ends in Dolores, Colorado. You'll see some of the most spectacular scenery in America along paved roads, and the route provides access to a large number of national parks, monuments and state parks. Take some extra time to explore and do some hiking and biking into the off-route parks. This section is considered very difficult due not only to terrain (grades from 6% to 14% in Utah), but also due to lack of water, temperature extremes, and long mileages without services. In most cases there are no homes or ranches between services. Carrying a water purifier is stongly advised for water access at Lake Powell and for miscellaneous reservoirs, creeks and lakes at primitive campsites. Utah is extremely dry and most of the route has only rocks for shade.

The post Western Express Route Section 3 appeared first on Adventure Cycling Association.

Western Express Route Section 4

Tim Heuermann — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 19:44:38 +0000

Section 4 of the Western Express Route begins in Dolores, Colorado. You may see other cyclists along portions of this route in the state. Between Dolores and Poncha Springs the same roads are used on the Great Parks South Route, and between Wetmore and Pueblo the route joins with the TransAmerica Trail. You'll be crossing a pass almost every day with several passes over 9,000 feet. Many of the passes along this section have climbing lanes for slower-moving traffic. When the route ends in Pueblo, Colorado, you can join the TransAmerica Trail to continue eastward.

The post Western Express Route Section 4 appeared first on Adventure Cycling Association.

Western Express Map Set

Tim Heuermann — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 19:44:15 +0000

The Western Express traverses four western states. It can be combined with the TransAm’s eastern sections for a shortcut between the Rockies and the Pacific Ocean. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Rocky Mountain Front, the route travels through some of America’s most extreme terrain, including the Sierra Nevada, “America’s Loneliest Highway,” Utah’s national parks, and the heart of the Colorado Rockies. For more information on this route or to print out the most up to date addenda for these maps please click on link: Western Express Route Map Set Includes:

Western Express Route Section 1 (BC-2101)
Western Express Route Section 2 (BC-2102)
Western Express Route Section 3 (BC-2103)
Western Express Route Section 4 (BC-2104)

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