southern tier cycle route

[tacol]

Why is it that when in California the winds are usually easterly, blowing in from the west from the desert and in Texas when there are headwinds for eastbound riders; why then do I keep reading of tourers travelling from San Diego to St. Augustine rather than the other way round?  Also, has anyone got a set of maps ( 7 ) re: 'the southern tier' willing to sell to me second hand. Cheers, Jack

[nthabiseng]

Sorry,  sold my maps, but we went west to east last winter/spring on the ST, and had many more days with tail winds than head winds.  I think there are an equal number of people going both ways, often depending on what time of year you plan to leave.

[John Nelson]

There are several reasons for discrepancies in wind reports. One is that although people tend to have approximately half headwinds and half tailwinds, they only remember the headwinds. Another is that sidewinds are almost as harmful as headwinds, so even if the winds come equally from every direction, you will be harmed more than helped. Finally, winds are both seasonal and regional. Since the ST can be ridden in the autumn, winter or spring, the wind patterns will vary with the season.

[tacol]

thanks for that

[PJinNJ]

In the end, it's all more or less equal. So, just ride.