Messages

1

Routes / Re: Route ideas for 300+ miles in May

« on: March 24, 2022, 01:14:48 pm »

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas! Lots of future trips here  We may end up doing the MO trails on the way over to AK, but we're still researching.

To answer a couple questions:
We plan to start with 40 mile days (potentially with rest days interspersed) and hopefully ramp up as I get in better shape.
We are in the Denver area, but she has done quite a bit of the stuff around here.
We are fine with somewhat rough gravel. We should both have 2+ inch tires and front suspension.

2

Routes / Route ideas for 300+ miles in May

« on: February 25, 2022, 08:50:11 pm »

I am new to bike touring and am looking for some advice picking a route for my first long tour this May. My girlfriend and I (who has lots of experience bike touring) will probably travel 50 miles a day and have 2-3 weeks with some breaks. Probably 300-1000 miles (maybe split between trails). We like scenic routes. She especially likes mountains. We like the flexibility of being in National Forest for dispersed camping but will occasionally stay in hostel/motel. I'm trying to avoid too much rugged or very steep trails.

We've looked at the loops in AR and TX, the Natchez trace, route 66 and western express in CA.

I'm curious how difficult and steep the AR tails are: are there long sections >10% grade? How much hike-a-bike? How rugged are the gravel sections?
Will the TX Hill country loop already be too hot in May?
Is there great scenery along the Natchez Trace?
How much climbing and what is the scenery like on those CA routes?

Do you have other route ideas? We will have a car for getting to the start points. And we are based in CO.