Crazy Races, Perfect Scenery and Tough Passages

I have a request to the followers of this website, I would like to hear about places, races or terrain that you feel are crazy (hard/long) or beautiful (places that may take awhile to get to but the view is worth it).  The reason I ask is I am planning a road trip in the spring (beginning in January).  I will be starting in Ottawa and traveling to Florida then to Arizona, California, British Columbia and back through to Fredericton for my UNB graduation in May, 2008. 

If you know of places I could stay or people to visit please drop me a line.  Also, if you have a personal experience with any place along this route that you think I would enjoy send it my way!  The harder it is to get there, the more likely I’ll try it! 

Please send me your thoughts and help me plan this trip!

Thanks in advance, time for this kid to enjoy this 30 degree weather?!  Happy training!

Cliff