Pacific Coast done... where next?

[Daveymac]

Hi there!


So I have finished the Pacific Coast route from Vancouver south to Imperial Beach...
It was a fab trip... i was a bit nervous about cycling in the US, but found the majority of drivers to be polite & careful...
One car came very close to me outside San Fran & a couple of RV's further North...
I found Malibu & Laguna Beach quite stressful with very heavy Summer traffic, kinda impatient drivers & no hard shoulder.. so was glad to get through there..
The toughest day was probably the Lost Coast in California...the climbing was non-stop.. the road surfaces were realllly bad.. potholed & gravel, so more suited to a hybrid/ mountain bike than my roadbike....
The State Parks were fab.. in my opinion, of better quality in Oregon & Wash State than Cali & accommodation options with hotels, motels & Air b n' b were great...

My question is... I have finished this trip & am already looking at my next trip... probably next July... somewhere in the US or Canada...

Can any of you recommend an ACA route to do  after the Pacific Coast?

Thank you!

Dublin Dave.

[John Nettles]

Glad you enjoyed the ride!

Give more info, i.e. length of trip in days, your average miles, what you are looking for (scenery and what kind, culture, history, etc.), and also what you don't want, i.e. heat (it is July), traffic, etc.

John

[Daveymac]

Hey! I work as a teacher... so i have great holidays... but they're July & August!

I would like another trip, maybe a bit shorter than the Pacific Coast... around 1000 miles...
I can cycle up to 180-200 kms in a day but I found about 130kms to be the perfect length of day & on really hilly days, maybe 110-120kms....
I love to cycle in wilderness areas, through State Parks, & real, rural America... i like big cities but dont mind avoiding them altogether while on the bike! I always love quieter roads..

I would love about a 3 week trip....
I can handle temps up to 30- 35 degrees celcius.. but above that i find uncomfortable!!
By the way... all the advice i got on this forum.was spot on!

Dublin Dave.

[jamawani]

Might be closer to 4 weeks - -
Big triangle - Northern Tier, Canadian Rockies, Thompson River

Fly into either Seattle or Vancouver - whichever is cheaper.
July/Aug is the perfect time to do Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies.
Rarely will highs be above 30C/86F - reasonably dry.

Looks like you have the bug . . .

[Daveymac]

Hey Jamawani!

Yea i find the trips challenging but very exciting..
The route you mention sounds fab...
Have you done this trip before... are there ACA maps for it?

Thanks so much!

Dublin Dave.

[jamawani]

Haven't done the Triangle - per se - but have done all parts numerous times.

Part 1 - San Juan Islands to Glacier/Waterton National Parks

Fly into SeaTac - shuttle to Anacortes - ferry to islands.
ACA Northern Tier - Anacortes, Washington to St. Mary, Montana
About 700 miles

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=2937&v=Bx

Part II - Glacier/Waterton to Jasper, Alberta

Stunning ride through the Canadian Rockies via Icefield Parkway
ACA Great Parks North - Banff to Jasper, Alberta
The east side route from Waterton via Pincher Creek, Longview & Kananaskis is magnificent
About 500 miles

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1mr&page_id=26440&v=Nr
(Starting at Day 56)

[This would be three good weeks - with VIA Rail train back to Vancouver if you end here.]

Part III - Jasper, Alberta to Vancouver, BC

Lovely ride along Thompson River down to Kamloops - gets busier the further south you go.
You can catch the train from a number of points along the way - it runs every other day, though.
About 500 miles

Part III Alternate - Jasper, Alberta to Prince Rupert, BC

Another option is to ride all the way out on the Yellowhead Highway to the coast.
Some remote sections - massive, spectacular Skeena River Valley
Plus, you can ferry out to Haida Gwaii country
Then fly back to Vancouver and depart or ferry to Vancouver or Washington state
About 675 miles

I would definitely go for III Alternate if there is enough time.

Pic - Mount Robson Provincial Park on a rare, cloudless day

[Daveymac]

Hi Jamawani!

Thanks so much for the information...
That sounds like a fab route...
I am back in Dublin trying to get over the jetlag ...
I think i would have to get warmer camping gear for this route as i was quite cold in my summer camping gear in Washington & Oregon!