I got out of Birmingham, Alabama by 8am as I wanted to skip the primary heat of the day and get to New Orleans as soon as possible to rest up for a few days, catch up on work and get to explore the area a little. Insofar as skipping the heat was concerned, there was no such luck! It was 30C by 8am and it just kept getting hotter. It was 35C by the time I got into New Orleans at 2pm.
It was a 580km ride down the last stretch of what was the I81 and now the I59. The entire stretch if I81 and its various iterations down to new Orleans has been an incredibly beautiful and scenic ride to do. It has had variety in the form of many small and quaint towns, forests, mountains, lakes and then down into the Gulf plains and the swamplands and would genuinely recommend it as an alternative route south.
Today’s ride to New Orleans…
On arrival into New Orleans, I checked into a hotel just off Bourbon street (the main heart of the French quarter that becomes pedestrianised at night) and whilst a lovely hotel, the noise emanating from Bourbon street has made me question whether this place will be sustainable for more than one night. I will let you know in the morning!!
Vibrant Bourbon street, New Orleans!
Bert Helfinstein
June 20, 2015 at 4:31 pm
Sorry it was so hot riding to New Orleans. I’m afraid you will find it even hotter (but less humid) through the desert in west Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California on Interstate 10 if you go that way. I’m glad Rupert got a brand new bike. That was a lucky stroke.