Southern tier in the summer time

[jbocrie]

I am thinking about biking the Southern Tier this summer from west to east. Has anyone tried this in the heat of the summer? Jerry

[staehpj1]

I did the ST starting in February and wouldn't even consider doing the ST in Summer myself.  If you like hot weather you might be happy doing it in Summer, but it sounds pretty awful to me.  Personally the only reason I did the ST was because it was something I could do in the Winter.  I found the scenery kind of boring the large majority of the way.  The food and the people helped make up for the scenery though.

The TA was hot enough in Summer.

[Pat Lamb]

I agree with Pete on the TransAm in summer being hot enough.  If you really want to look into the Southern Tier, spend some time at weatherspark.com and look up averages for a few locations.  For instance, New Orleans is a lot like most of the Gulf coast; lows between 75 and 80, with highs in the upper 90s to low hundreds, with relative humidity at 80% on a dry day (before the thunderstorm).  Albuquerque is a bit cooler in the morning, much lower humidity, but 90-100 most days.  If you like that kind of weather, you'll enjoy the ST.  Myself, I can't tolerate the heat, I'd have to be finished by 10:00 most days.  I'd be riding at night (and missing the scenery) and cowering in cheap motel AC during daylight.

[John Nelson]

On the other hand, heat doesn't bother me much, so I could probably tolerate it. Even so, there are better routes to do in the summer. But if you have some special reason to do the ST in the summer, I think you'll survive if you always carry enough water.

[staehpj1]

I could tolerate it too, but would find it unpleasant.  The ST just doesn't have that much going for it that I would be willing to put up with the heat.  The scenery is pretty blah most of the time with a pretty view only pretty rarely.

It does have a few things going for it, besides being good for a winter tour.  It is the shortest and flattest coast to coast ride if that is a plus for you.  There is a nice variety of foods along the way (Mexican, Cajun, Barbecue, Seafood) and a lot of interesting people.

That said, I would rate the TA as a much better ride scenery wise and suspect the NT or some route strung together using other ACA routes would be as well.  There is nothing on the ST that compares to the beauty of the better sections of the TA at least to my eye.  I mostly remember the scenery west of Del Rio as day after day of drab brown land with no water and not much to distinguish one view from the next.  There were fairly nice views from the very limited number of passes, but they were a tiny portion of the ride and mostly not all that spectacular.

So, bottom line, I'd highly recommend considering doing the TA or the NT, maybe using some other options like the L&C if you want.  On the other hand, if you love 100 F heat and drab brown land you may love the ST in Summer.  Apparently some folks do.

[jbocrie]

Thanks for all the replys. I am 72 years of age and have been bike touring for 7 straight years during the summer. I have done just about every European country and have done NT, TA, west coast. I am getting bored biking 40 miles a day around my home town in Virginia and need to get on the road again. I might just wait to bike the ST in the fall or go back to Europe or Canada. Thanks for all the advice.

[staehpj1]

Whatever you choose to do, have a great trip.

BTW, just to temper my negative comments about the ST, I will add that I know a guy who has done the NT, TA, and ST and thought the ST was best.  He did say that he thought February was the time to do it though.

[Venchka]

Your tours have all gone East-West. Give North-South  try. Jasper, Alberta to El Paso, Texas would be fantastic.
Have a great trip.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[jbocrie]

Thanks Wayne....I will seriously look at it. Is this one you have done?

[Venchka]

I have visited, backpacked, lived in, and bike toured most of that route.
Bike toured a circle from Salt Lake City up to Grand Teton & Yellowstone then back south through Idaho back to Salt Lake City. I also rode the San Juan Skyway loop out of Durango.
There are many trip journals at Crazy Guy On a Bike covering the Canadian Rockies, Glacier NP, and the rest south along the Continental Divide.
Denver would probably be a good stopping place this year. Save the rest for next year.
By all means you should visit the Canadian parks and Glacier in Montana. Plan some day hikes along the way.
Have fun & tell us all about your trip.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[SlowAndSlower]

  On the other hand, if you love 100 F heat and drab brown land you may love the ST in Summer.  Apparently some folks do.

Phoenix is around 106 F with 14% humidity now. We'll be in the triples mostly through the summer and the monsoons will up the humidity considerably soon. But on the other hand the early morning rides in the desert are really nice starting around 4:30 am. The desert shows itself off best in the cooler parts of the day.

[jbocrie]

Thanks RW, I might take my chances on the heat starting in August....thanks

[RussSeaton]

But on the other hand the early morning rides in the desert are really nice starting around 4:30 am.

4:30 AM?

[SlowAndSlower]

But on the other hand the early morning rides in the desert are really nice starting around 4:30 am.

4:30 AM?

This morning it was out the door at 5:15 am. Will be earlier and earlier until the 21st of the month. It was quite nice as some of the cactus blooms were still open.

[Venchka]

Meanwhile, forecasts for the next 10 days in Alberta, Montana and Wyoming range from highs in the 70s to lows in the 40s. Perfect riding and tent sleeping weather. naturally, the weather will warm a bit as summer arrives.
Here is a brief look at the northern end the Great Parks North ACA route in Alberta approximately one month ago.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=tS&doc_id=9003&v=SH
I like living on the Upper East Side of Texas. However, anyone who can heads for the Rocky Mountains in August or even July. October starts to get nice in Texas.
Hope you find a good route.

Wayne