TransAm question

[Motomarcus]

Working towards a TransAm in Summer 2016. The route from adventure cycling is about 4300 miles and starts in the upper northwest.  Wondering if there's a a more southern (coastal) starting point that would allow me cut the route mileage down to perhaps 3800/3600 miles total and intersect with the TA trail, perhaps as we enter Wyoming? It's really not about the mileage per se - I'm trying to make the trip manageable in terms of number of days (note that my family is going too and we'll be van camping and would like to do some touring as well).

Apologies in advance if my question is awkwardly worded...just trying to figure this all out.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Mark

[John Nettles]

You have looked at the route network, correct? https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/interactive-network-map/

Some start from Florence, OR.  You can also do a slight short cut from say John Day to Jackson (but you miss a lot of incredible scenery).  Another option is to start from Astoria and do the L&C route to Kooskia, ID and switch to the TA.

[Pat Lamb]

The route network map John linked to also shows the Western Express, in fact you can buy a map package with the WE and the eastern part of the TransAm.  But oh! what you'll miss!  (To be honest, I don't know what extra you'd see on the WE.)

[John Nelson]

The Western Express is the standard way to cut miles off the TransAm. It cuts off 476 miles, or about a week. On the Western Express, you'll see a somewhat more scenic part of Colorado, and the wonderful canyon country of Utah. But you'll miss Wyoming (not much of a loss), Grand Teton and Yellowstone (a huge loss), the Lochsa River Valley of Idaho (stunning) and the southern Cascades.

Do what you gotta do. We all have constraints, and tradeoffs to make. It'll be a great trip either way.

[jamawani]

I believe that I understand your question - and have done it.
Not Nevada, but directly across Idaho from John Day, Oregon to Jackson, Wyoming.

I've biked cross-country a half dozen times and have, perhaps, 100,000 miles touring.
It is a good route - stunningly scenic, with mountains and hot springs.

I have a general map over at RidewithGPS -
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12875626
(The Rexburg option per the map is better, but I had to hit Idaho Falls for repairs.)

And a Crazyguy journal from a recent trip - Day 8 to Day 16 is the section in question
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=tS&doc_id=16199&v=78


Another possible shortening in western Oregon:
On this trip, I chose to head southeast from Pacific City on the Oregon coast to Sisters.
There are easy connections between Portland and Tillamook - with the Three Capes as a starting point.

Empty Roads, Stunning Views

[jamawani]

The Sawtooth Connector is 570 miles vs 900 for the TransAm - a savings of 330 miles.
(Almost as much savings as the Western Express - and if you cut off 150 miles in western Oregon, the same)

There is a very quiet, remote option from Arco, Idaho to West Yellowstone if you want to tour Yellowstone N.P.

[Motomarcus]

Appreciate everyone's replies so far. I'm a person who likes to study as much as I can in advance so these ideas are great (if it was just me, I'd simply show up and go, but two small kids and work commitments don't lend themselves to that arrangement). It's a tricky thing in that we'd like to do it all but, as one poster noted, there are constraints. I will look into all of the advice provided. Thanks for the feedback.

Mark