Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: Aussies cycling SF to LA re Big Sur

« on: August 07, 2016, 08:26:34 pm »

You can get a motel relatively cheap in Monterey ($80-90). This is about 35 miles North of Big Sur and then do the full run of 100 miles to San Simeon where you can usually get a room for $50-60.

or

Stay at the hiker/biker campsite at Big Sur State Park which is probably the nicest Campsite on the coast. There are a couple more National Forest Campgrounds a little farther south.

2

Routes / Re: Practical camping advice for Route 66

« on: August 07, 2016, 08:07:16 pm »

Holbrook, AZ - Sahara motel is $24.99. KOA $25.00
Navaho, AZ - Truck stop has a picnic area you can camp in.
Gallup, NM - Tons of cheap motels or you can stop at the Red Rocks CG just east of town.
Milan, NM - RV CG will let you camp in grass area for $10.
Sky City, NM - Rest area on South side of Freeway has shaded picnic areas you can pitch a tent in.
Albuquerque, NM - Coronado SP is a few miles North of town.
Santa Fe, NM - There are a bunch of cheap motels on the main drag.

Once you hit the western states NM, AZ, CA, you can pretty much find a place to camp off the side of the road anywhere that's not in a town. When you go through small towns, don't be afraid to just ask at City Hall, Police or Fire Stations.

3

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: TransAm to ST going through Dallas W to E

« on: January 23, 2010, 11:56:41 pm »

I just did pretty much what you're talking about. Went south from Wichita to Bastrop where I connected with the ST.

Maps and journal here: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/5841

4

General Discussion / Re: Wounded Warrior Project

« on: December 17, 2009, 11:48:41 pm »

I'm in the middle of a ride for the WWP raising money and awareness for the Project. So far I have ridden from San Diego to Jacksonville. I will be riding back to up the East Coast then back across the continent to Oregon then down the Pacific Coast to finish the loop.

Journal at: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/5841

My fundraising page is at: http://WWPProudSupporter.kintera.org/ericfoltz

There is a difference between what I am doing and participating in one of the Warrior Rides.

The Warrior rides are large group ride fundraisers where Wounded Soldiers also ride. The rides are usually between 25-50 miles.

5

Routes / Re: Southern Tier Camping

« on: December 04, 2009, 05:41:59 pm »

I can give you from Globe to San Diego.

West of Globe: Free CG in Queen Creek Canyon

Apache Junction: Lost Dutchman SP - $10

Phoenix: Stayed with warmshowers hosts

Wickenburg: City CG at Rodeo Grounds - $5

Aguilla: RV CG - $10

Quartzite: BLM Land - Free

Blythe: McIntyre CG (south of town) - $10

Palo Verde: County CG - $10

Glamis: BLM lands before town - Free
           Gecko Road - Fee (avoid on weekends unless you like OHV noise)

El Centro: Free Camping west of town

Boulder Oaks - NF CG - Free

Alpine: Stealth along side of road

San Diego: San Elijo CG - $6

Hope this helps.

6

Routes / Re: Southern Tier weather

« on: December 04, 2009, 05:31:21 pm »

I'm in the middle of a W-E-W crossing using the ST.

Just started back west yesterday and am currently sitting out a storm in Lake City. I'm expecting cold and wet until somewhere in Texas where it will turn to just plain cold.

Full report here: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/5841

Westinghouse - Maybe I'll see you out there on the road.

7

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Southern Tier onto Route 66

« on: November 27, 2009, 11:02:58 pm »

I just did pretty much the route you are describing as far as Dodge City.

Journal with map at: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/5841

I went ST to Globe then north to Holbrook to catch Rte 66. Rte 66 to Santa Fe then caught the Santa Fe Trail to Dodge City.

I don't recommend the way I did it because you have to cross the Salt River Canyon. You can head north out of Phoenix but you can't ride the interstate so you will have to go through Sedona and then climb out Oak Creek Canyon (tough) to get to Flagstaff.

If I were to do it again, I would either take the ST to Blythe then follow the Colorado River north to Kingman then jump on I-40 to Flagstaff or I would take ST all the way to I-25 in New Mexico then head north.

I would prefer the first option mainly because I really enjoyed the section of Rte 66 from Gallup to Albequerque. I also really liked the Santa Fe Trail.

The route from Gallup to Dodge City was better than anything I've seen on the ST.

8

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Southern Tier to Trans Am via Santa Fe Trail

« on: November 12, 2009, 02:01:30 pm »

That would be a great "Western History" loop tour.

Depending on time of year you could start anywhere along the way and link together the Lewis & Clark starting from Independence, Missouri to the Oregon Coast, then take the Pacific Coast south to San Diego where you would grab the Southern Tier, ride the ST to Hwy 25 in New Mexico, head north following the 25 to Albequerque where you can pick up Historic Rte 66 to Santa Fe, then follow Historic Santa Fe Trail back to Independence.

An alternative would be to hit Historic Route 66 in Santa Monica, CA and take it all the way to Albequerque but there are some long sections without services coming across the Mojave.

9

Connecting ACA Routes / Southern Tier to Trans Am via Santa Fe Trail

« on: October 15, 2009, 12:02:10 am »

I just linked the Southern Tier to the Trans Am by following Old Route 66/Hwy 25 north to Santa Fe where I took the Santa Fe Trail (Cimmaron cutoff) to Dodge City.

My exact route was:

Southern Tier from San Diego to Globe;
Hwy 60 from Globe to Show Low (not recommended - 65 miles between services/9200' of climbing)
Hwy 70 from Show Low to Holbrook
Old Route 66/I-40 from Holbrook to Albuquerque (good route - Best after Continental Divide staying on Old Road)
Old Route 66/I-25 from Albuquerque to Santa Fe (good route)
Santa Fe Trail/I-25 from Santa Fe to Springer (good route)
Santa Fe Trail/Rte 56 from Springer to Dodge City, KS

The longest section without services was 50 miles from Gladstone, NM to Clayton, NM. Plenty of campsites along the way.

I would recommend staying on the Southern Tier until you hit I-25 then head north.

ACA should look at adding the Santa Fe Trail to it's list of routes. Lots of history. Good towns along the way.

This would be a good early season west-east start to the Trans Am bypassing snow in the western passes. Alternatively in reverse a good late season option going east-west if snow hits the Rockies early.

10

Routes / Re: First part of the Southern Tier, tentatively solo

« on: October 02, 2009, 07:30:00 pm »

I just rode the ST starting on 9/11.

Here are a couple of notes for you.

It's uphill all the way to Pine Valley. My first campsite was off the side of the road just shy of Alpine the first night.

You will have services pretty consistently all the way through to El Centro. Alpine, Descanso, Pine Valley, Boulevard, Jacumba, Ocotillo all have stores.

There is a good CG a few miles past Pine Valley called Boulder Oaks. No Water. Pit toilets.

Diner at La Posta 2.3 miles past CG.

When you get to Ocotillo, take the 98. It's longer but the 80 is possibly the worst road in America (I'm riding a Mtn. Bike and it still sucked).

Stock up on water in Brawley. The Gecko Rd. Ranger Station might still be closed. The Glamis store closed at 3pm when I went through.

There is water about 20 miles past Glamis at the Border Patrol Station. The next food/water is Palo Verde.

Blythe has stores/services.
Quartzite has services.
Brenda has a store.
Hope is an RV park. No services.
Salome has services.
Weadon has services.
Gladden - No services.
Aguila - Cafe/Camping
Wickenburg - Services. Camping across from rodeo. Free wifi at City Hall.

Good luck.