Looking for a few suggestions for a March road trip. Me and wife will be celebrating 20 years of marriage. Plan on flying from NJ to warmer location, then renting a harley for a few days of riding and site seeing. Should I head down toward the Florida Keys? West to the Grand Canyon? All suggestion welcome.

Thanks
don

 

Wow - lots of options! In March, the higher elevations in many parts of the West will still have snow and low temperatures. Every time I have been at the Grand Canyon in spring it has been cold, even snowy. I think I would be tempted to head to the Keys - it will be beautiful there and warm. Another option might be northern Arkansas - the Eureka Springs area has some really great riding that could occupy a week easily.

 

I agree with John, the key's would be great in march. Very little rain if any, Warm days warm nights. Although there's only one road in and one out. Another place would be the smokies, but you would have some rain at times. Also maybe the southwest along Rt.66. Or you could fly to the big island, and ride there. Kaui is also great, The Waimea canyon is unbeliveable. You would have some rain there also. Well, maybe Hawaii would take a week or two. If you only have a week, the the keys are your best bet. You can go home with some color on your arms, or ?

 

The smokies can offer good cool weather and some outright cold and snowy weather in march. If you have not been to the keys and south florida in years then go. Lots of good rideing off the keys ,lots to see on the keys.

 

I've done both the trips you mentioned. I live in the Sedona, AZ area and last April I rode to Key West meeting others in Texas and Florida. I was not impressed with Florida, although we only went down the west coast. The Keys really only boiled down to Key West, for my money. And Key West is a very small town. You might want to add Ft. Lauderdale and other big cities to your trip. If you rent a bike in Florida, and I guess anywhere, you should do a search for info on the dealer. One of the guys with us rented in the Tampa area and was not happy with the dealer. In fact the dealer was, in my view just out to screw someone out of some money. I only know one Eagle Rider outfit, and he's here in town, and a great guy. Between Eagle Rider and HD dealers you should have some choices, especially that early in the riding season. Just try to do some research, maybe get the names of businesses and ask for comments here on this blog.

As for the Grand Canyon, it depends: in what part of March you are traveling? Even in later March you might hit a cold spell. But, you could fly into Las Vegas, rent a bike and then head for the Canyon going to the North Rim or South Rim, depending on the weather and how rustic you want your visit to be. There is a lot to see either way, although I'd definitely go to the South Rim. The El Tovar is in the South Rim and should provide nice accomodations, although there are many nice choices just outside the gates. Along the way there are some stretches of Highway 66 which are a bit overcooked but you can see some history. The scenery is very nice across northern Arizona, but you have to watch for cold temps from Williams to Flagstaff. Around Flagstaff there are some interesting sights and rides.

You could also fly into Phoenix, rent a bike at any number of shops there and head north. The high country in the Flagstaff area can still be cold and there could be snow on the ground, but riding there is still quite possible. I took a trip to the Grand Canyon the first week in December, just a few weeks ago. Very nice.

There are some nice rides in this area. However, March can be iffy for the high country and you might have to have alternate plans, which shouldn't be difficult. Scottsdale has lots to do, with and without a bike (golf) and there are some nice rides going north from Wickenberg to Prescott and around that area, going on up to Sedona, which is spectacular.

Lots to consider. Best of luck.

 

Daytona Bike Week ......

 

My vote would be to fly to Chicago and head out on Rt66 and just travel a few days and head back. I say Chicago because it is close to where you are starting at and airfare would probably be a little cheaper, saving some dough to do extra events is always a plus in my book. hope you have a great time where ever you decide to go.

 

Only problem is in March you could have snow in Chicago. I have lived in Chicago 53 years and it does get very cold. You might get lucky thx to global warming......

 

Southern Arizona or the Keys....if you need a route, ask when you figure out where you are going. We'll all help you out...........

 

Most areas have great rideing ,just take time to plan the off the main road places to see. I can't think of anything worth while on a interstate anywhere, except don garlets drag raceing museum in ocala. It always the small back roads that make a great trip. I grew up in florida and now live in nc mountains and in both states ,it aways about doing the research and don't try to see all.Up here most riders go to do the dragon,man there are so many back roads just as good with out all the hype. Might only cover a 150 miles a day sometimes. Contact the states you have interest in and get the tourist info packages to go threw. I lived in sw fl and had not gone to the keys in decades, guest to crowded and touristy,nothing left thats real there. Even the blue ridge parkway,good ride but so much to see just off the BR that is there that most all ride by and don't know is here. If you pick Florida again there are several here that can get you into some different areas with out all the crowds.