Western Express in July

[nachonacho]

A few friends and I are biking across the country this summer (East to West) and debating where to go once we get to Colorado, whether to head up to Oregon or go through the W.Express to California. 
The issue a few of us have is safety making it through Nevada.  Between the warnings of gaps between places to stock up for supplies and the heat it just seems unreasonable and unsafe. 
Are we just being overcautious or totally reasonable given the conditions of this huge stretch of land?
Any info would help, we're trying our hardest to be unbiased about which route we choose but just don't get how taking the W.Express to California can be a safe one.
Thanks!

[John Nelson]

Not everybody will agree with this, but here is my experience, having lived in the desert for 20 years.

As long as you have and drink enough water, heat can be handled safely. Take two to three times the amount of water you think you'll need, just to make completely sure that you never run out. Drink freely and often. Don't wait until you feel thirsty. Know where the water sources are, but unless they are in well-populated areas, be prepared to find them unavailable when you get there. Carry gallons of water per person.

Let me repeat. Don't take any risk of ever running out of water. Be very conservative on this.

You'll be fine. Start riding before sunrise. Consider taking a break in the hottest part of the day and riding again in the evening.

[zzzz]

I did this route a couple of years ago in the beginning of September, which is better than July, but it was still pretty warm.

Your toughest section is not in Nevada, it's going to be between Blanding and Hanksville in southern Utah. The WE route goes from Blanding to Hite Marina which is only sometimes open. Plowing all the way thru to Hanksville makes for a 135± day. Hite was closed when I came through so my alternate was to go through Bullfrog and then over to Blanding. Temps were 100°+ and wind was up, 95 miles between towns & nothing in between.

This is not to dissuade you from taking that route, it was one of the best things I've done in my life. You're leaving from the east so you'll be in great shape by the time you get there, just make sure you heed John's advice:

"Let me repeat. Don't take any risk of ever running out of water. Be very conservative on this."


I find these bags are handy for carrying lots of water and not taking up any space or weight when not in use:

http://www.rei.com/product/820769/platypus-platy-bottle-70-fl-oz#reviewsTab

Pete

[zzzz]

I want to add one more thing for your  group to consider.....

I have never been on the TransAM between Missoula & Astoria so I don't know what you'll be missing in Idaho & Oregon. But I have ridden it from Missoula to Colorado and while Yellowstone and the Tetons are something everyone should make it a point to see, what you will see on the WE in southern Utah between Hanksville and Cedar City is (IMO) the most spectacular stretch of scenery in the US.

Don't let the maps intimidate you about going through Nevada. It looks tougher than it is. With reasonable precautions it is NOT dangerous.

Pete

[jamawani]

A couple of things to consider:

1. Yes, you can do it, but why?
If distance/time is the prime consideration then perhaps you may have to do the WE.
But you can also save a chunk of miles by riding due west
from West Yellowstone, MT thru Stanley, ID to Ontario, OR.
For much of the Northwest, July & early Aug is the very best time of year.
Late spring or early fall is probably the best time for the WE.

2. Be aware that Nevada and California will have extreme fire risk this year.
Many of the campgrounds could be closed by mid-summer to reduce fire danger.
There will likely be fires in Calif because of the extreme drought.
Some of the WE highways could be closed requiring detours because of fire proximity.

I've done both the WE and the Western TA multiple times. (Also the Idaho connector)
Each has its own beauty and plusses/minuses.
All things being equal (which they never are) I'd do the TA in July/Aug.

[jwalden]

Western Express in late July is entirely doable.  I did it (mostly at the height of the day, even) in 2012 carrying 200oz. water through the bigger stretches.  (I ran out on the longest 84mi stretch, but close enough to the end as made little difference.)  I wouldn't carry any less water than that through Nevada.  More's better in some absolute safety sense.  But there are tradeoffs to carrying too much extra water, so I wouldn't go too far beyond that (and certainly not to 2x/3x daily needs overall!).  (Your base needs might be higher; see how much you use on a 50mi stretch before using my number as gospel.)

I wouldn't recommend any group do it other than super-early morning before the heat of the day.  It's one thing to push oneself through afternoon heat because you made that decision by when you woke up, because you know you can make yourself do it.  That's largely how I did it.  But when you have other people involved, you really probably shouldn't take responsibility for their having that sort of mental fortitude.  Start early, finish early, avoid the heat, and it can work out fine.

[staehpj1]

2. Be aware that Nevada and California will have extreme fire risk this year.
Many of the campgrounds could be closed by mid-summer to reduce fire danger.
There will likely be fires in Calif because of the extreme drought.
Some of the WE highways could be closed requiring detours because of fire proximity.

Don't discount this when deciding.  I have found that breathing forest fire smoke for days on end can be downright miserable or even dangerous and that can happen even when the fires are a long way off.

[Bclayden]

To add....

I agree it's critical to start early to avoid the heat and gusty winds.  I started WE/Nevada each day before 5am which got me halfway to my day's destination before things warmed up each day.  The Nevada portion of WE is mostly on very quiet roads with little to no traffic to worry about when riding in early morning darkness.  I recall leaving Austin, NV and riding for 2 hours before the first car drove past me. 

Also important to factor the elevation.  This is High Desert country and you will spend your days between 4000' and 7000' with about 3 mountain passes to deal with each day in Nevada.  Not steep climbs, quite mellow actually, but something to consider during your planning.

[scottskaja]

I did WE from west to east solo in early September 2013. I planned on a night at Bullfrog to take the ferry across Lake Powell in the morning, only to find out the ferry was closed due to low water, resulting in the afore mentioned 128 mile day from Hanksville to Blanding. Don't plan on any services at Hite Marina, which is now dried up. It turned out to be the toughest, most exhilarating, most rewarding, most beautiful, biggest adventure day (into the evening) I've spent on my bike. I agree with the water advice. I typically drink 20 oz per 12-14 miles. I carried 2 additional 1 gallon Platypus canteens with me and ended the day with extra water. With the exception of CA, traffic was not an issue. In NV and UT stretches, I experienced a car every 20-30 minutes, enough to feel safe if I had to flag someone down. If you get through the Rockies of CO and UT, your legs and lungs will be in fine shape for the basins of UT, NV and CA. Taking the ferry from Vallejo and ending with the 6 mile paved trail ride to the Golden Gate Bridge would be a nice reward for a job well done.