Messages

1

Routes / Best food on ACA Pacific Coast?

« on: September 06, 2011, 10:18:59 am »

In one month, I'm setting off on a tour from Tillamook, OR to San Francisco. I'm looking for recommendations for the best food along the way. Extra points for vegetarian food. Any must-eat places? Thanks!

2

Routes / Re: Lake Superior - Earliest/Best Time of Year

« on: August 04, 2011, 06:48:32 am »

I can only really speak for the MN part of a Lake Superior tour. By early June along Minnesota's North Shore, you'll find the mosquitos and black flies are out. Bring strong bug spray. The flies are the worst - they don't seem to care about bug spray! If you left in mid-May, you'd probably miss the bugs, but it can get pretty cold at night.

If I were touring around Lake Superior, I'd go in September. The bugs are basically gone by then, but the days are still pleasantly warm and nights are cool but not cold. I'd also consider the traffic. The North Shore is a very popular destination among Minnesotans, which means heavy traffic on Hwy 61 following the shore. There's wide shoulder in some sections, and a great trail in a few sections, but there's also some spots with very narrow shoulders and very heavy traffic. Whatever you end up doing, have a great time!

3

General Discussion / Suggestions for early-October bike tour?

« on: July 21, 2011, 01:47:45 pm »

I'm looking for suggestions for a good spot to bike tour during the first two weeks of October.

I'll be in southeastern WA at the end of September, then have two weeks budgeted for a bike tour. We'll have car + bikes, so we do not need to start our tour from WA.

We originally planned to ride the western half of the Washington Parks loop, but that's before our tour got pushed back to October. Our main concern about WA Parks in October is the possibility of snow in mountain passes. My second concern is that it will be 35-40 degrees and rainy - not exactly my preferred riding conditions on a vacation! Are these concerns misguided?

We're looking for somewhere scenic with possibilities for a few good day hikes or paddles. We don't mind cooler weather (we're from Minnesota), but would prefer to avoid cold rain and snow. One idea we had is the Utah Cliffs route. Any other suggestions for tours in the Western US? Thanks!