Topics

1

Bicycle Route 66 / Skeptical about Bike Route 66

« on: August 04, 2012, 10:49:21 am »

I remain deeply skeptical about Bicycle Route 66.  I recognize that the idea has great appeal, but the reality on the ground is quite, quite different that the image created when listening to "You Get Your Kicks on Route 66" or browsing old 1950s B&W photos of Americana.

The major reason that reality diverges from image is that Interstate Highways have been built over much of the original right of way of Route 66 - especially in the West.  What that means for cycle tourists is that they have to ride either on an interstate shoulder with 20,000 vehicles zooming by or on a service road that offers little respite from the roar of the interstate.  Idyllic it is often not.

Furthermore, Route 66 had many routings over the years - i.e. there is not ONE Route 66.  This is true of many of the named highways of old such as the Lincoln Highway or the Dixie Highway.  Given this, I would argue that the preferred choice for the cyclist in the Southwest would be to approximate Route 66 - to experience the natural beauty, native cultures, and some of the cultural artifacts of Route 66 in a way as close as possible to that of early cross-country travellers - rather than to adhere to any fixed route.

For example, from northern New Mexico to the Grand Canyon, I believe it is far more rewarding to take a route such as Taos, Abiquiu, Cuba, Gallup, Window Rock, Second Mesa, Tuba City, Grand Canyon rather than follow service roads and interstate shoulders from Albuquerque to Flagstaff.  The former allows one to experience Taos Pueblo, the art of Georgia O'Keeffe, ancient pueblos, the kitsch of Gallup Route 66, Navajo life, the traditions of the Hopi, and finally, a rim ride along the Grand Canyon.

Just sayin', ya know?

Abiquiu Plaza

2

General Discussion / Snow Closes Roads in Yellowstone / Grand Teton

« on: May 25, 2012, 11:18:39 pm »

A number of roads in Yellowstone have been closed due to a spring snowstorm.
Up to a foot of snow is expected in higher elevations by Monday - with high winds.
These are, at best, nasty conditions - and can be dangerous for the unprepared.

At present - Old Faithful to West Thumb on the TA is closed.
Also, Canyon to Tower, the East Entrance, and Beartooth Pass.

Further south on the TA - Togwotee Pass is snowpacked and dangerous.

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/potent-storm-prompts-road-closures-in-yellowstone-mountain-passes/article_10f86313-af53-57a3-a582-e136f12e67b0.html?comment_form=true

Many other roads at higher elevation in WY, MT, and ID are also impacted.

3

General Discussion / Spring Snow in the West

« on: May 17, 2011, 06:15:50 pm »

First - warning - there is a big snow event centered over Wyoming - with a foot of snow predicted for higher elevations - two feet in places.  The TransAm in Wyoming negotiates stretches where it is 60 miles between services.  Even if it is not snowing in lower elevations, it will be raining with a high in the high 30s or low 40s and with high winds - hypothermia conditions.

I am always amazed at how many people plan cross-country or Rocky Mountain trips starting in the West in May.  (Even June can be tricky at times.)  This year it is especially unadvisable to start a trip in the West in May because 1) there continue to be major snow events every week and 2) there is a massive snowpack iin almost all parts of the West (with the exception of Ariz & NM) that is going to take weeks to melt out - - meaning that park and campground facilities will be opening later than normal.

I have rescued many a drenched and shivvering cyclist who was unaware of the fundamentally different climate patterns of the Rocky Mountain West.  May is not summer.  May can have some delicious days, but in the high country it is still late winter - with a winter's worth of snowpack.

Please use caution.  Be willing to stop and wait.  And consider delaying your trip if you have planned on starting soon.  You'll pay a little more $$, but you will enjoy it more.

4

General Discussion / Early/Late Options for Western Express?

« on: March 27, 2011, 12:31:06 pm »

Should there be a significantly rerouted early and late option for the Western Express in the Sierras?  This year there is at least 15 feet of snow still at Carson Pass and more than 20 feet at Kirkwood Resort.  Highway 88 is an all-season crossing, but it has been closed because of snow and avalanche danger numerous times in the past month.  Even though it will be open in May, there is likely to be little else open - stores, lodges, and esp. campgrounds until - what - July?  It's a record snow year.

Although I live in Wyoming, I have done about 10 Sierra crossings from Yosemite to northeast Calif.  In Wyoming nearly every year, you have cyclists attempting the Bighorns in May.  But May can look like mid-winter to those unfamiliar with the West.  And I have frequently loaded cyclists up in my pickup and taken them down to stay in my house until things warmed up.  (And I take them back up so they don't lose any net elevation.)

Here's the deal - you are going to have cyclists attempting the Western Express early in the season who have little experience with high elevation cycling in the West.  And are often amazed that everything is still snowed in - let alone get snowed upon.  Should the Western Express have a significantly lower crossing of the Sierras for early-season and late-season riders?  (It's easier in the fall - since you don't have oodles of accumulated snow - but still you can have early snowstorms.)

I am morally opposed to interstate riding.  One possibility would be to use service roads and cross over the Old Donner Pass on US 40-.  Still that means a lot of I-80 - - yucko!  Or using Highway 20 from Grass Valley - - which is pretty busy.  The other option is to cross Yuba Pass on Highway 49 and then cut south to Lake Tahoe - - a really nice place to cross the border - and then into Carson City.  It's a good piece longer - but much lower.  And traffic on Highway 49 is light with lots of places to camp and great Forty-Niner history.

Whatcha think?

5

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Western Express - Section 1 - Mormon Emigrant Trail

« on: March 08, 2011, 02:32:47 pm »

Howdy -

Well, it's March in the West and it has been a doozy of a winter in the Sierras.
I am always telling people from back East that May in the High County is still winter.
That is especially the case this year in the Sierras.

I anticipate that the Mormon Emigrant Trail on the Western Express route
will not be snow-free until after Memorial Day - possibly mid-June.
Carson Pass has almost 10 feet of snow - as do most locations in the Upper American Basin.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snowsurvey_sno/COURSES

The current addenda for Section 1 has the following detour:

On maps 6 and 7 the Mormon Emigrant Trail is closed during winter months and usually opens in May or June. Call the El Dorado Sheriff Dept. at 530-621-6600 to find out if the Mormon Emigrant Trail is open. There is an alternate route in listed in the riding conditions. This is an improvment on that one, with a shorter alternate and less climbing. From Placerville ride east on Main St. In 1 mi. it becomes Broadway. 2.5 mi. later it becomes Newton Rd. After 5-6 mi. turn left onto Pleasant Valley Rd. 1 mi. later turn right onto Mt. Aukum Rd. After 6 mi., turn left onto Fairplay Rd. In 3-4 mi., turn left onto Omo Ranch Rd. After 9-10 mi., you will rejoin the route on SR 88. (Jul 2005)

But Mt Aukum Road is a bear.
(I'll continue in the next thread since the text box is doing weird jumping.)