Advice about routes please

[Stringcat]

Hi. I'm an experienced cyclist from England, but have never cycled in the USA before. I'm used to long distances and mountains, but could anyone kindly advise on some things for a Coast to Coast I plan to do (solo) next year? (July-August 2015.) I plan about 80-100 miles/day.

How deserted is the Western Express route? Will it be easy to find groceries and a bed (e.g. motel)?
Hope to connect to Trans America Trail from Colorado - worried it might be unbearably hot that time of year. Anyone think it's OK?
Then Underground Railroad to see friends in Columbus OH and across to Cape Cod. Any suggestions for routes/highlights gratefully accepted.
I hope mainly to get a motel/bed-and-breakfast bed each night without booking ahead. Is that easy to do? Everywhere, or only some places?

If anyone has any favourite tips/locations etc do let me know. I'm not worried about distance but need to be fairly direct so I don't run out of time. Hope to cycle about 40-50 days plus a few rest days. Any sections (maybe Kansas?) where it's easy to do big miles and get ahead of schedule?

Best wishes.

[Pat Lamb]

WE to TransAm is pretty easy.  Get the maps and follow them.  When you get to Pueblo, CO, you're off the Western Express.  Unpack the TransAm map and keep riding.

I'd expect July in the Nevada/Utah deserts to be hot as all get out, but I've never ridden the WE.  Colorado is higher, so it'll be a bit cooler, and things will warm up when you leave the Rockies and head for Kansas.  OTOH, you're rarely more than 20-30 miles from civilization in Kansas.

Motels, etc. are generally available east of Colorado.  You might want to book things west of there, especially on weekends; but since a lot of towns are 60+ miles apart, it's fairly easy to plan  several days in advance.

[Bclayden]

Hello Stringcat

Western Express route is manageable but you should expect 80-90 mile days without services during the Nevada stretch.

For your motel planning during the Nevada crossing ...not many options and Baker, Eureka and Austin fill up fast with summer highway construction crews so book early. 

[Stringcat]

Thanks guys. Any other info, especially further east, still welcome.