Existed: 1982 – present Constructed 1982 | East end: Yorktown, Virginia | |
West end: Missouri (current)
Oregon Coast (proposed) States: Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia |
U.S. Bicycle Route 76 (USBR 76) is a cross-country bicycle route east of Kansas in the United States. It is one of the two original U.S. Bicycle Routes, the other being U.S. Bicycle Route 1. U.S. Bicycle Route 76 runs from the Midwestern state of Missouri to the eastern seaboard state of Virginia. It is also known as the TransAmerica Bike Route.
Contents
A spur, U.S. Bicycle Route 176, was established in Virginia in 2016.
History
Bicycle Route 76 originated as the Bikecentennial, the route for a large bike tour organized for the 1976 celebration of the United States Bicentennial. The Adventure Cycling Association was at that time also known as the "Bikecentennial."
Bicycle Route 76 was established in 1982 as an original U.S. Bicycle Route, along with U.S. Bicycle Route 1 from Florida to Virginia. Bicycle traffic along a good deal of Bicycle Route 76 has been sparse to practically non-existent for several years. However, a 2003 conference encouraged the establishment of new interstate bicycle routes, as well as proposing the extension the two existing ones, 76's western terminus being conjectured on the Oregon coast.
Since 2014, the annual Trans Am Bike Race has used the route.
Missouri
In the state of Missouri, U.S. Bicycle Route 76 is signed. The route begins at the Kansas border 28 miles west of Golden City, continuing east across 348.5 miles of the state before reaching the Mississippi River just west of Chester, Illinois. The route passes through the following counties:
Illinois
In the state of Illinois, U.S. Bicycle Route 76 intersects the Tunnel Hill State Trail in southern Illinois and passes through the following counties:
Kentucky
In the state of Kentucky, U.S. Bicycle Route 76 is signed, and a map is available as part of a state bicycle tours publication.
Virginia
In the state of Virginia, part of U.S. Bicycle Route 76 is signed, and a map is available as part of a state bicycling publication. The route passes along the following roads and through the following counties and communities:
Total miles: 560.1