Messages

61

Routes / Re: Best Novice Route Under 500 Miles

« on: February 07, 2012, 09:50:00 pm »

West coast of the south island of New Zealand. Backroads runs a nice supported tour but it's quite easy to to unsupported as well. I've done both. Great riding.

South coast of Ireland has superb and generally quiet riding.

The Oregon coast (north to south with prevailing winds) as mentioned above is also a superb ride. You can cut off the coast for a few days to head into Crater Lake for a bit of variety.

62

Routes / Re: Cross Country Dream

« on: January 29, 2012, 10:29:30 pm »

considering time of year i'd do the TA. i grew up on the north jersey shore and did this back in 87 finishing in my home town. you cut off the TA in the charlottsville area and continue up to southern pa and follow the blue highways into philly. cross into camden and hook up with 537 just east of camden. that will get take you up to monmouth county where you can finish at the beach in sea bright or sandy hook. ferry will get you from highlands to lower manhattan without dealing with northern nj congestion. 537 is a nice quiet road through farm and horse country. enjoy - brian

63

Routes / Re: What's the latest in the year you would start W-E Trans-am?

« on: January 29, 2012, 09:35:49 pm »

that could be done on the west express route. just make sure you get to pueblo by 10/1 and be prepared for potential weather and very cold nights in co mountains. short days once you get past mid october could be a challenge as well. i wouldn't attempt it on the traditional west transam route. brian

64

Routes / Re: Best way from SW Colorado on TransAm to Denver

« on: January 26, 2012, 08:25:10 pm »

Hi Lindsey,

I'm a Transam old-timer (crossed in '87) who lives in Boulder. I think you can do much better than 287 or east of 25. Those would be either high traffic or tedious. Perhaps you take 287 north out of Denver (avoid 93) but in Broomfield you want to take Dillon Rd to the west to Marshall Rd in the town of Superior. Marshall will drop you into south Boulder where you can follow the bike path network to the intersection of Broadway and 36 in N Boulder (goboulder.com for city bike maps). Boulder might be a good place to spend the night as there's a hostel or perhaps Lyons to the north.

From Broadway and 36 follow this map of the 100 mile route for the Buffalo Bicycle Classic http://www.buffalobicycleclassic.com/images/assets/route_bbc_2010_100m.jpg. It's well thought out, scenic, and lightly traveled by cars. Once in the Masonville area you can head towards Horsetooth Reservoir and then hook into 287 just west of Fort Collins to start heading towards the Transam.

The roads north (and west) of Boulder are used as training grounds for many cyclists who compete on the international stage. It's great riding and it would be a mistake to bypass it and follow 287 (a 4 lane highway).

Good luck and enjoy. Brian.