Messages

1

Temporary ACA Route Road Closures / Re: Jasper National Park Is Closed

« on: January 28, 2025, 06:48:37 pm »

Hi Matt -

Welcome to the ACA Forums.
I've cycled the Canadian mountain parks many times.
I was shocked to see the devastation of last summer's fire in Jasper N.P.

Jasper N.P. has stated that most campgrounds will be open.
But, you can't simply bike in and grab a campsite.
Frontcountry campgrounds are reserved months in advance - esp. in high season.
Although there are no hiker/biker campsites, per se, they are supposed to have a "No Turn Away" policy for cyclists.
HOWEVER, thus is not a guarantee.

If you plan on starting in Jasper,
you can and should have fixed dates well in advance.
And you can easily do this since it is the start of your trip.
It's also fair to the folks in Jasper town and park - given what they have been through.

https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/passez-stay

Canadian national parks allow cyclists to access the Backcountry on former fire roads.
These "roads" are pretty damn brutal, but they do take you into magical spots.
One of the best - in Jasper N.P. is Big Bend Campground. One day out of Jasper town.
Sunwapta Falls Lodge - at the turnoff from the Parkway - was badly damaged by the fire.
You do need to get a Backcountry permit in Jasper for Big Bend.

As for Jasper town, lodging will be almost impossible to find.
The main grocery and one bike shop survived the fire.
Not sure how you plan to arrive into Jasper.

You can reserve a campsite in the large campgrounds - and should in Jasper.
The self-registration campgrounds like Jonas will be filled by the time you get there.

Another option that I and others have used is Hostels CA - Alberta.
They have modern hostels in the three communities
and primitive ones in spectacular areas of both parks.
For ex. - Beauty Creek is close to the Jonas campground and simply lovely.
Hilda Creek, just over into Banff, is unparalleled for its setting.
Athabasca Falls Hostel was destroyed in the fire.

https://hihostels.ca/en/about/hostels/important-update-jasper-wildfires#:~:text=Updated%20October%204th%2C%202024&text=Our%20newest%20hostel%2C%20HI%20Jasper,total%20loss%20of%20HI%20Jasper.


Pic - Big Bend Campsite View

2

Routes / Re: Submit your reroute suggestions for a new update of Southern Tier Section 1

« on: January 22, 2025, 07:02:18 pm »

I need to state again that it is 100 miles through the Tohono O'odham Reservation
from Why to Three Points (or reverse) without any lodging options.
The Tohono O'odham people do not welcome tourism.
You really, really shouldn't stealth camp on their lands.

There's a private campground in Why and a BLM campground just to the south.
There's no formal camping anywhere near Three Points.
There are a couple of tiny BLM sections, but they are tough to locate.
Arizona state lands require a pass and have complex use rules depending on the lessor.
Don't assume that because it's empty it's okay.
And please don't start a fire - even a stove fire.

I might suggest via Maricopa, Casa Blanca, and Florence to Kearny and then East Globe on US 60.
The Florence-Kelvin Highway is now about 60% paved and takes you through saguaro groves.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49526484

3

Routes / Re: ACA TransAmerican Summer 2025

« on: January 21, 2025, 10:05:20 am »

Late summer / early fall ride -

My first cross-country ride in 1987 was west-to-east in the late summer and early fall.
It's a great time of year with a few caveats.
It can still be super hot east of the Cascades, but you can also have early snow in the Rockies.

Fire is a real issue in late summer, especially with climate change.
I was riding westbound in 1988 and had to detour around Yellowstone. Lots of roads closed.
More recently, there are big fires most years in late summer.
A few years ago I was driving on I-84 at night on the south bank of the Columbia in Oregon.
The entire north bank on the Washington side was ablaze. It was like Dante's inferno.
Everyone pulled over and got out to stare in utter amazement.
Alternate route options may be needed.

Then there's the length of the day.
By September the days are really getting shorter.
I couldn't make my summer daily allotment of miles.
It really kicked in east of the Mississippi.
Also, parks and campgrounds started shutting down.
I got a warning at a state park in Illinois when I camped in a closed area.
Although it stays warmer about 2 weeks longer than back in 1987,
state budget shortages have prompted earlier closures.

Still, this is a super sweet time to ride cross-country. Enjoy!

4

General Discussion / Re: Montana Proposes Bill to Force Cyclists to Ride the Wrong Way in Traffic

« on: January 18, 2025, 08:46:40 am »

What an idiotic notion.
I doubt the sponsor or so-sponsors ride a bicycle.
Not the first time for this kind of baloney in the Montana legislature.

5

Routes / Re: Great Parks South to North 2025?

« on: December 15, 2024, 08:41:02 pm »

I had to dig through some pretty deep, hard-packed snow in the Colorado Passes around June 21st.
Then, four years later there wasn't much at - again in mid to late June.
Snow depth and snow melt vary considerably from year to year.
Plus, with climate change average melt dates have moved forward a few days.
But early June is likely to put you in snow - even getting snowed on in a late spring storm.

6

Routes / Re: Submit your reroute suggestions for a new update of Southern Tier Section 1

« on: November 14, 2024, 01:58:54 pm »

Amy -

The entire Southern Tier requires a major reconsideration.
Since the Southern Tier was first released there has been dramatic population growth in nearly all ST states.
In addition, ST states had poor road infrastructure to begin with - and minimal development requirements since.

Given climate change and warmer temperatures, a northward redesign is justified.
An overall more northerly routing would open up low-traffic roads in areas with lower populations.
It would also entail restructuring all the associated services.
I would suggest Ventura, California to St. Marys, Georgia.

Up until the 1960s, most urban and suburban development had a road net linked to the previous network.
Maple Street or Third Avenue were simply extended into the new development.
Since then, housing developments have had single or double entrances from a main road artery.
So there are fewer back through routes, sometimes none. And all the traffic dumped onto the main road.

Arizona has very few paved, back road options.
Texas has more, but interconnectedness is the issue.
Florida just has massive growth overwhelming the infrastructure.

There are four big issues with the entire Southern Tier:
1) The amount of Interstate highway riding.
In California, Arizona, and West Texas. Most people on a cross-country tour would prefer quieter roads.
The recent detour on Section 1 almost doubles the amount of Interstate riding.
2) Challenging urban riding - in San Diego, Phoenix, El Paso, optionally New Orleans.
There are great bike paths and bike lanes in these cities, but also a number of iffy stretches.
I was touring thru the Chicago metro once and the bike trail was torn up for utility work.
I was forced to ride on an insanely busy arterial road.
3) The massive growth of Austin and San Antonio makes finding a safe route nearly impossible.
It's different for local riders who already know the roads and the traffic vs. cyclists unfamiliar with the area.
4) Closures of deteriorating roads and bridges such as the US 90 bridges on the Louisiana/Mississippi border.
A number of folks have commented that you can ride past the barriers, but the closure may soon be enforced.
For state highway departments, there is always the issue of liability.
This remains a problem for any ACA route that uses old highways.
State highway departments are more likely to close and remove an old bridge than replace it.

PS -

Twenty-Nine Palms, Parker, Gila Bend, Ajo, Tucson is one possibility.
It is extremely remote, thus light traffic.
If ACA could cut a deal with the MWD for access to water at Iron Mountain Pumping Station.
Also, if ACA could arrange some sort of overnight options in/near Sells.
The Tohono O'odham nation has few facilities for tourists.

7

California / Re: Seeking riding partner(s) from San Francisco to Eugene OR

« on: October 30, 2024, 10:07:24 am »

You do realize that prevailing winds on the coast are northerly in the summer?
Which makes for a very tiring and draining ride.

Inland, you have the problem of brutal heat in the Central Valley. 100F plus.
Have you considered the Sierra Cascades route from north of Truckee to Crater Lake NP?

8

Routes / Re: Vancouver -> Yosemite or Vancouver -> San Francisco ?

« on: October 22, 2024, 12:58:21 pm »

In August in California -
Even a few miles in from the coast it is really hot.
And in the Central Valley it is brutally hot.
2024 had unrelenting heat especially in the Valley.

I would suggest heading inland to Crater Lake N.P in southern Oregon.
And then heading south on the Sierra Cascades route.
Anything much south of Yosemite will be hot and hotter.
Not to mention, an August trip risks forest fires in the Cascades and Sierras, especially.

If you can, go out to Neah Bay and Shishi Beach from Port Angeles.
Some of the most gorgeous northwest coast & the Makah Museum.
US 101 is pretty darn busy. Loops off of US 101 offer less traffic.
From Aberdeen you can loop out to Westport, then ride Hwy 105 along Willapa Bay.
Definitely take the Three Capes Route out of Tillamook.

Already planning the next ride, eh??? - J

PS - The Astoria Bridge is not for the weak-kneed.

9

Gear Talk / Re: What's your rain riding plan?

« on: October 09, 2024, 09:07:57 pm »

What is all this talk about people being older than they used to be ??
I refuse to believe it.

But I, too, try to avoid riding in the rain. Period.
I chill out wherever I can - park picnic areas, church front porches.
Then I just observe the world around me until the rain lets up.
I can more easily make a serious mistake in the rain.
And drivers can, too. Plus, I'm less visible.

10

Routes / Re: How many people ride the Northern Tier each year?

« on: October 06, 2024, 03:04:40 pm »

Kd Ca -

You can still do it lo-tech in the U.S., too.
People just look at you like you are homeless.  ;-)

11

Routes / Re: How many people ride the Northern Tier each year?

« on: September 26, 2024, 12:26:05 am »

It's hard to meet a lot of people going the same direction -
especially if you are riding at an average pace.
And even more so if you are riding outside of the main touring season.
I figure there are about as many riding eastbound as westbound.

In the past you used to have some good barometers.
By the 1990s, everybody on the TransAm stopped in at June Curry's Cookie House.
Even if just to visit, get some water, eat a cookie, and say "Hi".
I would venture to guess that the peak was in the 80s and 90s.

I've been touring since the mid-80s and feel there has been a noticeable decline.
My point of reference is hiker/biker campsites at national parks.

Back in the late 80s and early 90s, there were always other cyclists.
In 2019 there was one other couple for 1 of 3 nights in Yellowstone
and a group that shared Rising Sun on 1 of three nights in Glacier.
Yosemite may not count since they don't post that cyclists can camp at North Pines.
But on my last trip, 2019, there were no other cyclists - a first.

Others may wish to share, but I feel that long-distance, self-contained touring
has seen a huge drop-off over the past 25 or 30 years.
If it time? Money? Inclination?

12

Pacific Northwest / Re: Feedback on proposed route

« on: August 26, 2024, 09:37:25 pm »

Schmogg -

I do try to warn folks.
Most of the P-to-C east of the Columbia is brutal.
Between Ellensburg and the Columbia on the firing range it can be a sand trap.
West of Ellensburg it is fine. (Although early in the season it can be pretty muddy.)

In eastern Washington there are so many superb county roads - often paved.
And even the state highways often have very little traffic.
Even the gravel roads are far better than the P-to-C.
I see little reason to ride the P-to-C in eastern Wash.

13

Routes / Re: Parks, Peaks, Prarie

« on: August 26, 2024, 09:27:58 pm »

Why would you want to ride I-90 -
when US 16 is one of the loveliest rides in the High Plains?
Almost no traffic plus shoulders a good part of the way.
It's 38 miles from Buffalo to Leiter; 60 miles Leiter to Gillette.

The owners of the Leiter Bar & Cabins have been incredibly accommodating
to cyclists since the PPP Route was published.
BTW - I was the main contributor to the Wyoming section for ACA.
I live in Buffalo and know the route well.

Yes, it is 30+ miles longer than I-90, but it truly is a matter of quality riding.
You can encounter stiff winds on either route, but that's the West.
You are likely to have tailwinds for the first half.
It's 50/50 North or South winds heading south into Gillette.

Give the folks at Leiter a call - (307) 758-4343
Really, you shouldn't miss this stretch.

14

General Discussion / Re: Most dangerous roads

« on: August 25, 2024, 11:21:22 pm »

Usually I feel I am able to cycle most roads.
Usually I can adjust my schedule to fit low traffic times.
"Usually" does not apply to the Gallatin Canyon Road - US 191.
Nobody in their right mind should EVER cycle this road.

The traffic is insane from before sunrise to after sunset.
The speed limit is 60 mph - which few drivers obey.
There are rarely any shoulders and the road edge is poor.
The Montana DOT has done little to nothing to improve safety.
(Other than flashing signs that say "Please Drive Safely".)

The number of crosses on the roadside was sobering - at every curve.
And the number of huge dents in the guardrails were the lucky ones.
There was little time to enjoy the canyon - I loved it back in 1987.
I pulled off into a few campgrounds to restore my nerves -
but my psychic energy was completely drained.

15

Routes / Re: Willamette Valley short cut on old TA route?

« on: August 23, 2024, 06:55:35 pm »

"Between Corvallis and Eugene do not take 99W. Take Peoria Road to Harrisburg, then take Coburg Road from Harrisburg to Eugene. Peoria road has a nice wide shoulder all the way and very light traffic, you'll enjoy this ride."

Shifty, 03-13-2009
(Kinda long ago - things change)

https://www.bikeforums.net/pacific-northwest/518372-low-traffic-route-portland-eugene.html