Messages

1

Routes / Re: Three weeks - Pacific Coast or Sierra Cascades

« on: January 23, 2016, 08:07:24 pm »

I am thinking of doing the Sierra Cascades starting mid May as well.  I'll be watching snow levels from NOAA, which is a good source to keep tabs on snow coverage.  As some others mention, if too much snow, the desert routes may be better and I might do that.

On the West coast, I did it last spring in late April from Seattle to Mexico border in 14 days.  This was a tough pace to keep and not sure I'd recommend that kind of mileage.  I also used to live in Olympia WA, just south of Seattle, and know that the weather could be really good or really wet.  In April, my first two days were spent in rain gear. 

Oregon was absolutely amazing.  The hiker/biker campsites at the Oregon state campgrounds are perfect and even have showers.  The small coastal towns are exactly what they should be and the seafood is outstanding.

If you don't like traffic, don't ride south of San Francisco.  If I did the coast again, I would stop in San Francisco.  The route gets flat and boring and the further south, the more crowded.  Getting through the Los Angeles basin I pushed a 160 mile day so I wouldn't have to stop in that mess.  However, plenty of hotels if you don't mind sleeping indoors.  Also, some of the campgrounds in southern cal are permanently closed due to vandalism.  Make sure you call ahead if this is what you decide on.

NOAA link:  http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/earth/

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Routes / Re: Primitive Camping on Pacific Coast Route

« on: February 20, 2015, 12:33:30 pm »

I was just checking one of the Oregon campgrounds and every picture is sunny, so I should have nothing to worry about 

3

Routes / Re: Primitive Camping on Pacific Coast Route

« on: February 20, 2015, 12:30:35 pm »

Thanks again for all the replies.  Sounds like Oregon will have some great camping.  Thanks for the weblink to the CA parks.

Although I have already purchased my flight to Seattle, it might be worth the lost $$ if the weather is going to be horrible.  I don't mind rain too much (used to live in Olympia, WA), but head winds are not so much fun.  I have considered some optional routes including something along the lines that jamawani suggests.  The most important part of the trip is to finish in San Diego to visit family (and my wife is meeting me there).  I'm in Colorado Springs and thought if I could work over to the Southern Tier route either via the Grand Canyon connector or portions of the Great Divde route, that could work.  I would obviously have to reroute over the passes for the Great Divide (plus I've already ridden all of it through New Mexico), but I think that would be possible.  Good portions of the divide are paved or great dirt roads along that section.  No matter what I decide, thanks for all the information, it is a huge help.

4

Routes / Re: Primitive Camping on Pacific Coast Route

« on: February 19, 2015, 09:03:02 pm »

Thanks for the information.  I wasn't sure if the sites were still that cheap, that is a great deal.  Unfortunately the timeline is locked inas the only longer stretch I can get off work this year.  At least I can hope to pedal into better weather.

5

Routes / Primitive Camping on Pacific Coast Route

« on: February 19, 2015, 04:39:26 pm »

Hi All -

I am riding the Pacific Coast Route from Bremerton to San Diego starting late March.  I have the ACA maps and the guidebook "Bicycling the Pacific Coast" that give great descriptions of the campgrounds along the way.  However, there is little mention on the avilability of primitive camping that would allow greater flexibility and save some money.  Does anyone know if you can readily pull off the road along the route?  I would imagine the further south you get, the less the opportunites exist.

Also, for the state campgrounds, is drinking water available year-round?

thank you