How should we bicycle from The San Fernando Valley to Phoenix?

Question

Our family of three adults is planning a bicycle tour (of adventure and utility) from our son's home at Ventura Blvd. and Coldwater Canyon to Phoenix, Arizona. We will be departing on Sunday morning Christmas Eve day so we think traffic will be lower. We are unsure how to best navigate ourselves through the city as well as what best route to take once out of the city as we cross California and into Arizona. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Take Coldwater Canyon north to Moorpark. Moorpark east until it turns into Riverside Drive. Stay on Riverside all the way into Griffith Park and it will turn into Zoo Drive. Take Zoo Dr. to Colorado Dr. or Blvd. (I am not sure) cross over the Freeway and stay on Colorado all the way through Pasadena continuing east. Colorado Blvd becomes Historic Route 66 in Pasadena and should take you all the way through San Bernardino and points east. Maybe a call to AAA or the California Highway Patrol for directions for cyclists through the desert. I think Route 66 goes most of the way if not, a few Hwy 10 frontage roads like the aforementioned post suggested. The road will change names a couple of times from Colorado Blvd. to Foothill Blvd. and such, but the "Mother Road" is well marked with Historical Route 66 markers, fun old neon Motels, great people, safe roads and plenty to see. So just follow the signs through LA County. Your big decision will be in San Bernardino as to whether to stay on Route 66 up through Barstow and east to Flagstaff then south to Phoenix, or follow Interstate 10 directly through the desert to Palm Springs. Either way, you will arrive in Needles, cross the Colorado River and then on into Phoenix.
Remember, "It's the journey, not the destination."

Answer 2

I live in Phoenix and used to do quite a bit of long distance road biking along the state. I have not biked the exact route you are planning, but have roamed all the roads in that area and have a good idea of the better bike routes.

I would recommend that you avoid the Interstates which follow the least interesting routes and (in places where there is not frontage road) can be dangerous. I would also avoid the northern route this time of year (I-40). As others have mentioned, from Ash Fork on it is high elevation with a good chance of snow and ice this time of year.

I would recommend that you follow State 62 through California to the Arizona border and than take AZ95 south from Parker to AZ72. Follow AZ72 to US60 at Hope and then follow US60 to Salome. From there you could either follow US60 to Wickenburg and then down to Phoenix or (a more direct route) take the Salome-Buckeye Road from Salome to I-10 and onward to Buckeye where you could then follow backroads into Phoenix proper. Note that the section of the Salome-Buckeye Road between Salome and I-10 is a long stretch of road with no facilities.

The above route follows old state and US highways that major east-west routes during the pre-Interstate golden age of highways and are now quieter scenic routes. When they were laid out in the 1920s and 30s, they were designed to follow the landscape and connect as many towns as possible (rather than plow through between major cities like the Interstates). As a result, these old highways are more scenic and often have old towns, cafes, historic sites, etc from the Route 66 era of the 1940s and 50s.

29 Palms is a quirky desert resort town and once the hangout of muscians and movie stars. The desert to the east is barren (few facilities), but pretty (including the famous Joshua Tree National Park). In AZ, Bouse is an old mining town, Salome was a classic US60 highway town (and home to Dick Wick Hall and his famous Salome Frog - the Mark Twain of Arizona). Wickenburg and Buckeye are old mining and ranching towns.

BE WARNED... I am assuming that you are all experienced long-distance bikers and have the proper bikes, equipment and physical training. No matter what route you take, you are going to have several places of long stretches between water/food and longer ones between lodging. This is a real bike trek with some element of risk and no little weekend adventure.

Answer 3

You are going to have a hard time finding non-limited access roads to cycle on. However, once past Ontario, there is an access road along side I-10 for most of the length in CA. Once in AZ, you are pretty well out of luck until you get to 411th Ave.

Answer 4

I hate to say it but that is one stupid idea. It would kill me. I was just in Phoenix but I drove a truck. An 18 wheeler. I've been out the 40 plenty of times. If you are to have fun the hills are too steep into Flagstaff. They get snow. Its a 7000 foot elevation. The 17 south is too dangerous for bikes. I have seen them but its December. The storms blow in too fast. Go south to the 10 and out. Climbing out of the Coachella valley is the tough part then Quartzite.
Good luck.

Answer 5

Bring some warm clothes.
Don't ride in the dark. Cars won't see you.
Good luck.

Answer 6

bring water and a compas with snacks or ride in the car

Answer 7

With lots of water.