Century day along the TransAm route

[Nyimbo]

I'd like to do a century on one day on the TransAm, perhaps silly but just something I'd like to do. Anyone have a section of the route that they might recommend as a good section traveling E-W without a huge amount of climb or wind.
Starting mid-May in Yorktown and planning average of 50 per day - that should put me around the middle of the country second half of June.

[mbattisti]

Wait for a day in Kansas when the winds are blowing out of the southeast (quite common mid-summer).  Tail wind + flat terrain = enjoyable century.

[John Nelson]

I agree. Kansas, specifically western Kansas. You will have a few tailwind days that will make 100 miles easy. Start early in the day.

[staehpj1]

I agree. Kansas, specifically western Kansas. You will have a few tailwind days that will make 100 miles easy. Start early in the day.

Or eastern Colorado.  We did a 115 mile day between Murphysboro IL and Sebree KY (we were east bound and took an alternate route using a bridge rather than the ferry).  It was a fairly flat day some of it on the levee.  I forget the route details, but I think we crossed the Mississippi quite a way north of the ferry on a bridge that required we take the lane.  Google maps bike directions first choice look like they take you the way we went.

Also why try to plan the place ahead of time?  Do you plan to be on a rigid schedule?  Much more fun to just take it as it comes.

[Nyimbo]

My schedule is being designed to get me to Montana in time for a family reunion.  I'm trying to plan out a tentative schedule just to get the number of days needed to cross correct - then I added 5 days to provide some buffer.  If I arrive early I will do some side tours in WY and MT. 

I don't have any intention of trying to stay on my scheduled stops day by day.  As far as the century day - I'm just thinking ahead trying to get ideas and enjoying the planning its part of the fun for me. BUT, changing plans when the time comes is also my style. My plans are just there to give me a framework to play in.

[staehpj1]

My plans are just there to give me a framework to play in.

A good way to look at it.

[RussSeaton]

East to West.  In the middle of the country, the Midwest, the wind will blow out of the west about 40% of the time during the summer months.  And from the south the wind will blow about 40% of the time during the summer months.  The other 20% the wind will either not blow at all or maybe, maybe come from one of the other directions.  The wind blows from the west and south in the summer in the Midwest.  Wait for one of the rare days you have a tailwind and ride your century.

[John Nelson]

I had a strong tailwind almost every day westbound across Kansas in June. The eastbound cyclists were bitterly complaining. YMMV.

[Nyimbo]

I dont want my miles to vary.  I'm going to plan on tailwinds. 

[Norsman]

I agree that your best chance is probably Western Kansas and/or Eastern Colorado. I did a fairly easy 89 mile ride to Pueblo in Colorado last June that was helped along by a nice wind. [Could have done without the heat though.] That ride started in Haswell but I could just as easily have started in Eads or even further back and still be able to reach Pueblo and go well over the century mark.

Eastern Kansas was more hilly than I had expected.  But even there, with a good tailwind, a century should be achievable.

[Pat Lamb]

Another run would be the stretch between Lander and Rawlins, WY.  Nothing to stop for, although if the wind turns against you it'll make stopping at Jeffrey City a really good idea.

[staehpj1]

Another run would be the stretch between Lander and Rawlins, WY.  Nothing to stop for, although if the wind turns against you it'll make stopping at Jeffrey City a really good idea.

If I remember correctly we had a headwind going the other way in June of 2007 and typical weather patterns make a tail wind likely for you there.  So if you have not gotten your century in by then it may be a good time to do it.  You just never know about the winds though.

[CotyH]

Another vote for Kansas.  I rode the TransAm east-west last summer and did mine after a rest day in Newton at the famed bike shop.  So from Newton to Larned (111 miles)  I had a perfect weather condition that day so that helped a lot though.
http://transamericabicycle2015.blogspot.com/2015/06/days-40-42-century-sandwiched-between.html

[BobG]

On a 1993 ACA TransAm tour our entire group of ten rode 104 miles from Scott City KS to Eads CO. We started out with a slight head wind with Tribune KS as our planned stop 46 miles away. As we approached Tribune the wind started swinging around towards our backs. We all arrived by lunch time and agreed to push on another 30 miles to Sheridan Lake CO. At Sheridan Lake we re-grouped and at this point the wind was howling right at our backs. We took a vote and said "Lets go for it!" and rode the final 28 miles to Eads and rewarded ourselves with a motel stay that night!

[Buddy_Hall]

Things happen that you don’t expect, and you may find it logistically necessary to do a century day. I did 4 of them on the Transam last year, without really "meaning" to do so. Just wait until you have a need to do a long day to reach a town/campground/hostel, and then let it happen. Leave really early and rack up miles before the sun starts cooking. Best of luck,

Buddy Hall www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/BuddyHall