Messages

16

General Discussion / Re: boredom on cross-country?

« on: November 20, 2009, 12:45:49 am »

I only ride alone -- 2 times cc country. 10 times SF to SD, many trips in Or, Ut, NM, and AZ.
I am never bored. I suspect I would be bored with others since they might talk too much about something else. I prefer to live in the moment. And I do like to meet the locals. It's better single.

17

Routes / Re: Devil's Slide Hwy 1

« on: November 20, 2009, 12:42:26 am »

don't sweat it. It's only a 2 mile stretch. takes like 10 minutes to pedal. I would worry more about Big Sur in the summer on the weekend. If south, it's mostly downhill -- take the lane, youll be going faster than the cars. At montara you're back to a safe shoulder. I used to live in Pacifica. Don't stay there. Stay either in SF or Half Moon Bay on either side of the slide.

18

Routes / Re: Advice for first tour.

« on: November 20, 2009, 12:37:31 am »

you should do transam for first. You'll have much more fun since it's more popular and you'll meet more people and I would say a lot less rigorous. VA, KY, and KS were such fun to bike. Also, consider taking the Western express from Pueblo Co to SF. It's fantastic! Highway 50 in NV is a classic!

19

Routes / Re: portland to SF realistic time frame and advice needed

« on: November 20, 2009, 12:33:28 am »

Take 2 weeks. All state beaches are $4/ night in the hiker/biker sites plus fifty cents for a good shower. I would recommend taking at least 2-3 layover days. A good place to stay and drink beer and chill is Mendicino. I also liked Gold Beach in Oregon. Make sure you stay at Sam Taylor on the last night. It's just 30 miles to SF and you can stay in the hostel in Fort Mason, just over the Golden Gate Bridge.
I've done the trip 3 times. If you can, keep riding 10 days to San Diego/Mexico. It's so differerent than OR and N Calif. The weather is much warmer and you can actually visit the beach. In may and June it can be quite cold foggy and mesirable in Or and N Calif along the coast. A lot of people don't know that. The best time to ride is Sept (a lot less dangereous RVs then)

20

Routes / Re: I would like some info on the souther tier

« on: November 20, 2009, 12:21:45 am »

do you think Austin or San Antonio is better to start? I am thinking austin. If so, I will take your advice on hooking up with southern tier

21

Routes / I would like some info on the souther tier

« on: November 18, 2009, 05:31:10 pm »

Hi, everybody.
first of all, thanks for the wealth of info and all of you taking the time to help others. I got a lot of help for my cc ride 2 years ago.
Here are my questions-
I'd like to ride from Austin or San antonio area to San Diego (whichever place in TX  is a "good deal" for a flight from San Francisco)
I reckon it's about 1700 miles or so from Austin to SD.
So -- my questions-
1. how's the camping and showers on that section? Is the camping cost reasonable or even free some places? (I've gone cross country several times and you can't beat the transam for camping, a lot of it free too! Believe it or not -- Love kansas for this reason)
2) I will take one month. When's the best day (yes, day) to leave Austin or San Antonio? I was figuring sometime in March or april. let me know.
3) how's the connection to southern tier from either of these 2 cities?
thanks so much!

22

Routes / Re: Southern Oregon Route

« on: May 12, 2009, 11:27:50 pm »

thank you, everybody. I will take your advice on resources

23

Routes / Southern Oregon Route

« on: May 10, 2009, 07:02:18 pm »

I am planning a solo 700 mile circuit from Yreka, CA to Grants Pass, Or to Crater Lake to K Falls, Alturas, Burney, Mt. Shasta, back to Yreka. Will be camping. Stealth OK. Leave June 12 taking 2 weeks. If anybody knows anything or has advice on this route let me know. One question: Do I have to ride on Interstate 5 from Mt. Shasta City to Weed?

24

General Discussion / Re: Biking from the West Coast in May: too early?

« on: January 13, 2009, 10:53:47 pm »

Last summer I left May 19 from San Francisco taking the Western Express and connected with the transamerica in Pueblo.
I would suggest starting in SF. The route across Nevada and Utah is awesome and May is a good time to do it.

25

General Discussion / Ned a bike shop in San Francisco

« on: May 06, 2008, 08:19:11 pm »

http://www.sportsbasement.com

Go to Sportsbasement. I put their web site above.

It's close to downtown. There's also a store in the Presidio, which is near the Golden Gate Bridge.

Have a good ride.

26

General Discussion / Western Express -- When to leave?

« on: May 05, 2008, 08:09:28 pm »

Thanks for the info. I do plan on leaving May 19 from SF.
I am kinda looking forward to Nevada in a perverse kind of way.

27

General Discussion / Western Express -- When to leave?

« on: March 03, 2008, 05:42:51 pm »

Hey, Scott--

thanks for the wealth of information. Here's my email -- pssf@sbcglobal.net. let me know if you think if anything else.
I purchased the Adventure Cycling map of Western Express Section 1 SF to Fallon. I believe it's got all I need to get to Fallon. There's a bike path from Sac to Folsom and then Green Valley rd to Placerville. Placerville to Cooks Station at hwy 88 via Mt. Aukum Rd and Omo Ranch rd.
this map looks invaluable in figuring out how to get how of the madness of Sac Valley.

so I am fairly certain the route will be a nice ride to  Cooks Station. and then on to Carson City on 88.

I am leaning toward leaving about May 15. It's sure getting warm here in the Bay Area. makes me want to get started!

I will avoid hwy 49. I am looking fwd to the World's Lonliest Road in NV.
I expect to be in KS around June 15.

again, thanks for the great info. I feel very fortunate to be part of this great network at Adventure Cycling.
Phil

28

General Discussion / Western Express -- When to leave?

« on: February 28, 2008, 06:18:27 pm »

I would like to start early as possible from San Francisco and still be comfortable. To those who know -- would May 15 be a good start date? What's the optimal date for starting?
I will be solo and camping. Cold in the night/morning is Ok. Would like it warm in the day amd when I set up camp each day.
I will then connect with the Trans-Am. I assume it will be pretty hot by the time I get to KS.
I plan to take at least 2 months.

29

General Discussion / Stealth Camping?

« on: February 28, 2008, 06:24:07 pm »

I never heard this word before. Anyway, I rode cross-country in 1986 through the North. I just about always did "hidden" camping. I like it. It saves money. I buy food at 5 or 6 in a town. Then I cycle until I don't see anybody and select a hidden spot. In the morning I am gone at 6am.
I am going cross-country this summer and have no qualms about doing this kind of camping.
I have enjoyed reading the posts. I will consider churches and schools.
when I went in 1986 I made my own crazy route.

I am wondering- are there friendly folks on the western express and trans-amer who allow camping?