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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Heading to New Orleans. Have never been. Any suggestions? Must-see items, great roads, etc. We will be staying in/near the French Quarter for two days.
Edited by Boots 2012-08-15 11:58 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Been to New Orleans and it stinks on bourbon street. I doubt if Katrina cleaned it up any. But it is something to see, to say you saw it. I would look at other places in your travels and spend time there. San Antonio, the Alamo, Memphis, Pollittle and Songfan, and many other great things to see in this big country of ours. Enjoy, ride safe. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
| when you are in Memphis dont forget Beale St.. Wednesday night is Bike Night! Also checkout the National Civil Rights Museum, its Awesome! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| New Orleans is different but I enjoy going there. It can be a little intimidating to some. Bourbon Street is only a shadow of its former self but still entertaining. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | Be prepared to be going about 85 to get on the Freeways as everyone drives like it's the last lap at Datona. Be prepared to be 'out dago-ed' at intersections where people from cross streets will creep out into traffic until they can block or bluff enough others to cross the street. NO ONE uses turn signals and about 3 in 300 bother to look for clearance before changing lanes, people routinely make right turns from the center lane without signalling or looking. The streets are very heavily crowned for rain run off so be aware at stop lights etc. Be very aware of where you are and what route you are taking as a one block wrong turn can put you in a less than friendly neighborhood. The soft ground and rains make the streets ruted, busted up messes. If it rains or has rained recently DO NOT pull off onto the dirt shoulder, you'll discover firshand the meaning of Gumbo Mud! Use the car next to you at a light as your pick against red light runnin' Coonasses-(what Cajuns call each other)
Jeepers and riders all haul ass for the next overpass to shelter up when it starts raining. The staters cars all have 'TOURIST INFORMATION' across the trunklid, which usually meanss 'y'all in a heap 'o' trouble Yankee' On the highway be aware that hitting an Armadillo can flip a 100,00 lb semi on it's side, feral hogs can bust out onto a freeway like deer, except they weigh 1200 lbs. and if you're coming West along 20, you just may see several of them.
Be like a fighter pilot and never stop turning your head!!! This comes from someone who lived in NawLunz for about 6 years.
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Tourer
Posts: 324
New Orleans, La, | I've lived here all of my life and have been riding for 42 of my 57 yrs here and New Orleans is no more dangerous to navigate than any other major city that I have traveled to, and they are numerous. The streets are heavily crowned in areas that are not main traffic routes. The biggest concern is that Louisiana has a high number of uninsured motorist, which is a state thing and not a city thing.If Ineed to warn of one behavior that seems to be unique to this city it's cagers turing left at a traffic light that is green on to a street that the light is red and preceeding disregaurd that signal and blow through the light.My advise, when approaching an intersectionmonitored by a traffic light look left and be prepared to break. The cagers will look and think they have the right of way. For roads I like Highway 90 eastthrough Lake Catherine to Slidell or I 10 west to I 310 To 3127 to 70 south to 9496 west pass No Problem Raceway Park.JMHO
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Cruiser
Posts: 80
| It looks like you're going through Clarksdale, Mississippi. That's a place I've been wanting to go to. Looks like you have a great trip ahead of you. Ride safe and have fun. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | If you've got time for some sight seeing, you might consider jumping off I40 at Russellville Arkansas and crossing the river to Dardenell and Mount Nebo. http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/mountnebo/ The ride up the side of the mountain will challenge your riding ability and the view of the Arkansas River Valley is spectacular. It's just a few minutes off the interstate. Again, if you have the time, you might consider taking some of the backroads from Dardenell over to Mena and ride the Talimena Drive. http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com/ It comes out at Talihina Oklahoma and you can shoot over to McAlester and back up to I40. It would be a shame to miss riding some of the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas when you're going to be so close.
I40 from Little Rock to FT. Smith intentionally misses all the good roads/country. Some of the best motorcycle roads in the country are in those green patches north and south of I40 on your map.
Ronnie |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Thanks everyone. Will see you all on the other side...
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | don't care if I never visit New Orleans again. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 45
Jax, FL | jimtom - 2012-08-18 6:38 AM
don't care if I never visit New Orleans again.
AMEN!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | If you are Wild Hogs fan, a stop in Madrid might be fun...
http://www.wildhogsmadridnm.com/
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | Love that movie! |
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | I agree with varyder, the Bourbon Street stinks, like urine. Had to go down there a few years ago in July for a trade show. Never again! |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | +2 Grey Rider, infected urine.......... |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Well, boys, thanks for all the advice/suggestions. I did note and was prepared for the crowned roads. And traffic was about what I expected. We enjoyed some scenery in the back roads of Arkansas. Beale St was a lot of fun. BBQ in Memphis at Central BBQ. Clarksville - Wow! Stayed at The Shack Up Inn. Should have given an extra day there. Headed down Hwy 49 through Mississippi and Louisiana into New Orleans, then the gulf coast where we hit rain and then traffic outside Lake Charles so had to spend the night in Houston. Through the heart of Texas to Lubbock for our last night, then home.
As for New Orleans itself...I Loved it!! The energy, the food, the music, the fun. Was 10deg cooler than normal and a week ahead of hurricane Isaac, humidity was acceptable, few crowds as we hit mid week. Visited the restaurants, cemeteries, restaurants, shopping, restaurants, clubs, and lastly, restaurants. Clubs were not crowded & no cover, prices were not outrages, and everyone was loose and friendly. Not everything was my cup-o-tea, but appreciated it all. As for the restaurants, I miss seafood so much, so filled up there. Oysters, crab, clams, crayfish, and even tried 'gator for the first time.
I'll tell you, there is just something about being on the road, riding, living life. Being one with the environment. Experiencing everything 'local'. Small town cafes, two lane roads, accents, customs, traditions. This is one fantastic country we live in!
Edited by Boots 2012-09-12 11:12 PM
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The Big Easy
