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Classifieds / Re: WANTED: Used Northern Tier route maps
« Last post by sportclyde on Today at 03:09:48 pm »I know this an old post, but are you still in need of northern tier maps?
-Thom
-Thom
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General Discussion / Re: Summer Cycling California Pacific Coast Trail
« Last post by erniegrillo on February 19, 2019, 07:28:34 pm »My wife and I did Seattle to Santa Barbara in 2 sections. One year Seattle to Crescent City and another year, Crescent to Santa Barbara.
We had no issues on the Calif section (none in WA or Oregon either) Traffic, especially logging trucks, were very considerate, waited and gave up plenty of room.
Even on Leggett Pass, they waited until they could pass safely. I found the Ca section to be hillier and harder but the scenery and riding made it all worthwhile.
Campgrounds are not as nice in CA as they are in Oregon but, few states have camps as nice as OR. We stayed at a hotel north of Sausalito so we could hit the
Bridge earlier in the day. We walked across the Bridge with our bikes. It was awesome. People watching, and a view to die for, It was a rush. I didn't want it to end.
I loved each state and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. Each had things that make you want to go back and ride again. If you did WA and OR, you will not have a problem in CA. Enjoy the adventure and check out the Montara Lighthouse south of San Fran.
We had no issues on the Calif section (none in WA or Oregon either) Traffic, especially logging trucks, were very considerate, waited and gave up plenty of room.
Even on Leggett Pass, they waited until they could pass safely. I found the Ca section to be hillier and harder but the scenery and riding made it all worthwhile.
Campgrounds are not as nice in CA as they are in Oregon but, few states have camps as nice as OR. We stayed at a hotel north of Sausalito so we could hit the
Bridge earlier in the day. We walked across the Bridge with our bikes. It was awesome. People watching, and a view to die for, It was a rush. I didn't want it to end.
I loved each state and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. Each had things that make you want to go back and ride again. If you did WA and OR, you will not have a problem in CA. Enjoy the adventure and check out the Montara Lighthouse south of San Fran.
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Gear Talk / Re: Fork material on Cannondale Touring Bikes
« Last post by erniegrillo on February 19, 2019, 07:10:49 pm »I have one. the fork is steel
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Routes / Re: Trans Am timing
« Last post by Jeffy on February 19, 2019, 04:23:30 pm »Heck, may even take the Southern all the way to Louisiana...seems like it's ideal timing for that route.
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Routes / Re: Trans Am timing
« Last post by Jeffy on February 19, 2019, 02:17:04 pm »Hi all - thanks again for all this valuable advice. I realize I hijacked this thread, but given the subject, I think it's relevant 
To provide a bit more context, I do plan to camp a few nights a week, and I have until end of May (~10 wks) to complete.
Based on this advice, I will be deciding between
a) W to E: Stay south until I'm east of the rockies (avoid Utah / Colorado)
b) E to W: pass through Colorado in early May (weather-dependent)
Slight inclination to start in the West as I'll already be out there (visiting from NY) and am excited to "bike home", which has some motivational / sentimental appeal.
If you have more tips, I'm all ears. Thanks again!
Jeff
To provide a bit more context, I do plan to camp a few nights a week, and I have until end of May (~10 wks) to complete.
Based on this advice, I will be deciding between
a) W to E: Stay south until I'm east of the rockies (avoid Utah / Colorado)
b) E to W: pass through Colorado in early May (weather-dependent)
Slight inclination to start in the West as I'll already be out there (visiting from NY) and am excited to "bike home", which has some motivational / sentimental appeal.
If you have more tips, I'm all ears. Thanks again!
Jeff
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Routes / Re: Trans Am timing
« Last post by John Nelson on February 19, 2019, 01:30:05 pm »First of all, Jeffy didn't say he was camping. He also didn't say how much time he had or what his budget is. With sufficient time and budget, he can occasionally hole up in a motel for a week or two or three waiting for a spell of good weather. If you wait long enough, there's always a spell of good weather coming. Monarch Pass is a year-round pass with periodic closures. The main problem still remaining is the one Pat mentioned about the shoulders being full of snow, forcing you into the traffic lane. But with a little bit of luck, most of the cars will miss you.
By the way, the OP appears to be a hit-and-run. He hasn't been back here since the day he posted his question.
By the way, the OP appears to be a hit-and-run. He hasn't been back here since the day he posted his question.
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Routes / Re: Fast Trans-Am route ideas welcome
« Last post by DSchweikert on February 19, 2019, 01:26:07 pm »I'll chime in that I think your plan is very doable- as long as you've thought it through and have experience with multi days of the hours of riding you'll have to do. 2 years ago at the age of 49, I rode solo and unsupported across the US- used Warmshowers and hotels all the way, carrying all that I needed including "on the bike food" with me. I finished 3600 miles in 28 days- and felt like I could have turned around and done it again. You're asking the right kinds of questions, planning well ahead, etc. There WILL be unknowns- weather, mechanicals, road conditions. If you have the right mindset and prepare for as many of those contingencies as you can, you should be fine (no guarantees obviously- that's why it's a challenge). To be honest- after having done such a ride, I now consider a support vehicle sort of cheating! Just kidding- that was my original plan also. Good luck and keep asking questions to be ready.
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Routes / Re: San Antonio to Corpus Christi
« Last post by TCS on February 19, 2019, 10:56:45 am »But I've been riding here for five years.
Fair enough. I've been riding in Texas since 1962.
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Routes / Re: Trans Am timing
« Last post by John Nettles on February 19, 2019, 09:10:10 am »Jeffy,
After looking at the temps for April, I realized I had a brain fart and goofed. I am adjusting my previous suggestion of heading north in Arizona. It is not just the snow. It is the cold. Temps can EASILY drop to the teens or single digits. Add a wet heavy snow storm and if you are in a typical tent, you are at risk of being in serious trouble.
I used to live in Vail, CO. Granted the elevation there is higher than a lot of Colorado, but similar to parts of Western Express in I remember April as either really nice or really messy due to lots of slushy snow. I personally would not attempt to ride across the Colorado Rocky Mountain range in mid-April. MAYBE mid-May, but not mid-April. Remember, between Cortez, CO and Canyon City, it can snow as late as mid-June.
If you do depart in March, head north east of the Rockies. Then you only have to face the spring storms and tornados of TX, OK, & KS.
The newer suggested route is ST to Las Cruces then take US-54 & US-70 to Santa Rosa, NM to Bike Route 66 then connect to the TA in Marshfield, MO. Sorry for my previous goof! As other have suggested, it really would be a much more enjoyable trip to head out westbound in March compared to eastbound.
If you must cross the Rockies in Colorado in April, have a 4-season tent (big $$ and heavy) and be prepared to use a lot of hotels as there are NO campgrounds open in the mountains in April.
Tailwinds, John
After looking at the temps for April, I realized I had a brain fart and goofed. I am adjusting my previous suggestion of heading north in Arizona. It is not just the snow. It is the cold. Temps can EASILY drop to the teens or single digits. Add a wet heavy snow storm and if you are in a typical tent, you are at risk of being in serious trouble.
I used to live in Vail, CO. Granted the elevation there is higher than a lot of Colorado, but similar to parts of Western Express in I remember April as either really nice or really messy due to lots of slushy snow. I personally would not attempt to ride across the Colorado Rocky Mountain range in mid-April. MAYBE mid-May, but not mid-April. Remember, between Cortez, CO and Canyon City, it can snow as late as mid-June.
If you do depart in March, head north east of the Rockies. Then you only have to face the spring storms and tornados of TX, OK, & KS.
The newer suggested route is ST to Las Cruces then take US-54 & US-70 to Santa Rosa, NM to Bike Route 66 then connect to the TA in Marshfield, MO. Sorry for my previous goof! As other have suggested, it really would be a much more enjoyable trip to head out westbound in March compared to eastbound.If you must cross the Rockies in Colorado in April, have a 4-season tent (big $$ and heavy) and be prepared to use a lot of hotels as there are NO campgrounds open in the mountains in April.
Tailwinds, John
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Routes / Re: Trans Am timing
« Last post by jamawani on February 19, 2019, 08:50:45 am »Jeffy -
It seems like you are unaware of both the weather and the topography of the American West.
Even to consider riding the Western Express in March is ample evidence.
I would strongly encourage you to take note of your lack of experience in this area - -
And to listen to those with greater experience.
Not only do you have the Sierra Nevada and Rockies to consider,
but you also have the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau - roughly what's between I-40 and I-80.
That's most of Nevada and Utah. Rarely are you below 5000 ft. elevation.
Often, you climb above 7000 or 8000 ft. That means cold & snow in spring.
And you are talking about early spring.
Not to mention that you must consider both the possibility of snow coming down,
and the reality of snow already on the ground - which takes a long time to melt out.
In an average year, higher elevation facilities may not open until late May or early June.
2019 looks to be a near-record snowfall year in the Sierras and above average in the Rockies.
Just sayin'.
There are two more southerly ACA routes - the Southern Tier and Route 66.
(With the moisture, the Mojave Desert should be beautiful this spring.)
Route 66 does climb into the Colorado Plateau in Arizona and N.M.
Flagstaff, AZ has April averages of Hi - 59F, Lo - 28F, Snow - 7 inches.
Avoid Utah and the Colorado Rockies entirely.
Head northeast from Santa Fe to connect with the TransAm.
<<<>>>
There are two operative factors in route planning.
If you have a fixed time frame - - then your route has to be chosen according to the weather.
If you have a fixed route - - then your time frame has to be chosen according to the weather.
You will have a much more pleasant journey if you do not try to trump the climate.
It seems like you are unaware of both the weather and the topography of the American West.
Even to consider riding the Western Express in March is ample evidence.
I would strongly encourage you to take note of your lack of experience in this area - -
And to listen to those with greater experience.
Not only do you have the Sierra Nevada and Rockies to consider,
but you also have the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau - roughly what's between I-40 and I-80.
That's most of Nevada and Utah. Rarely are you below 5000 ft. elevation.
Often, you climb above 7000 or 8000 ft. That means cold & snow in spring.
And you are talking about early spring.
Not to mention that you must consider both the possibility of snow coming down,
and the reality of snow already on the ground - which takes a long time to melt out.
In an average year, higher elevation facilities may not open until late May or early June.
2019 looks to be a near-record snowfall year in the Sierras and above average in the Rockies.
Just sayin'.
There are two more southerly ACA routes - the Southern Tier and Route 66.
(With the moisture, the Mojave Desert should be beautiful this spring.)
Route 66 does climb into the Colorado Plateau in Arizona and N.M.
Flagstaff, AZ has April averages of Hi - 59F, Lo - 28F, Snow - 7 inches.
Avoid Utah and the Colorado Rockies entirely.
Head northeast from Santa Fe to connect with the TransAm.
<<<>>>
There are two operative factors in route planning.
If you have a fixed time frame - - then your route has to be chosen according to the weather.
If you have a fixed route - - then your time frame has to be chosen according to the weather.
You will have a much more pleasant journey if you do not try to trump the climate.