From Sea to Shining Sea.... 2018

[Moscowjohn]

Hello, I'm John from Wales, UK.
I have decided to ride coast to coast USA later in 2018.
The route I'm considering will start in Los Angeles and finish in Rhode Island where a friend lives.
Because I'm a bit of a Johnny Cash fan, I'd like to visit Memphis and Nashville on the way so I figure LA would be a good starting point.... my wife has given me three months leave to do the trip.
I'm thinking of starting at the beginning of August....
I'd be on a budget and camping, couchsurfing and warm showering it as much as possible...
Does this route sound logical or would the weather in August in Arizona and New Mexico just be too hot to cycle in? I'll be bringing my bike over from the UK.
I'd be grateful for any Comments or ideas on this please...
Thankyou
John

[John Nettles]

Welcome to the ACA Forums!

Yes, it will be quite hot in August.  It is not just AZ & NM but also Oklahoma, Arkansas, & Tennessee.  In Oklahoma City (you would most likely pass through), the average high is 93F.  It is very common for the temps to hit 100+ in August.  Plus the humidity is in the 50%-60% typically so not pleasant.

The average high temps in late October in Rhode Island (RI) is around 55 with lows around the high-30s.  Again, averages so it can vary by 10 degrees.  A little cold for me but you are from the UK  so it may be OK.

If possible, I would consider leaving RI and head west.  That way the weather would be better overall.

Check out Weather Spark for a good overview of weather data:  https://weatherspark.com/

Hope you enjoy the US and I wish you a pleasant trip!  John

[John Nelson]

How tied are you to August? For many reasons (weather, available daylight, campground availability, etc.), a May start would be better.

[Ty0604]

Hello, I'm John from Wales, UK.
I have decided to ride coast to coast USA later in 2018.
The route I'm considering will start in Los Angeles and finish in Rhode Island where a friend lives.
Because I'm a bit of a Johnny Cash fan, I'd like to visit Memphis and Nashville on the way so I figure LA would be a good starting point.... my wife has given me three months leave to do the trip.
I'm thinking of starting at the beginning of August....
I'd be on a budget and camping, couchsurfing and warm showering it as much as possible...
Does this route sound logical or would the weather in August in Arizona and New Mexico just be too hot to cycle in? I'll be bringing my bike over from the UK.
I'd be grateful for any Comments or ideas on this please...
Thankyou
John

Riding across eastern California, Arizona and New Mexico in July/August would be miserable. Daytime average temps in some of those areas will range between 100 & 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check out www.usclimatedata.com and plug in some of the cities you’ll be passing through.

If you start in LA you could ride the ACAs Route 66 route east to at least Texas (where the route heads NE towards Chicago) and then make your own way to Tennessee and Rhode Island.

I wouldn’t ride that late though personally. If I did I’d start out east. At least by the time you hit the West it’ll be cooler.

[Moscowjohn]

Thanks for those helpful replies.....
I can't really get over there earlier. Too many commitments at home.
I've looked at those weather sites and I now agree with the starting East, riding west....
No early morning sun in your eyes either.....

[Pavel]

Being from Wales the weather will be extra tough on you seeing as you have no way to get used to it slowly.  People have done it though, so if that's the only time frame and you are a bit crazy; sure - go for it.  One advantage is that you won't need fuel to fry your eggs out there in the West. 

One thing I'd give as a tip is that just south of Nashville is the (for you) end of theNatchez Trace. It is heaven for cyclists. The speed limits are between 40 and 50 mph (65-80kph)  and they take enforcement seriously, wide shoulders and no intersections or lights.  as a cyclist camping is free and they have special cyclist only camping.  Oh did I mention it's beautiful?  Well worth taking for at least a bit.  Then you can veer off to the west to Memphis before you carry on to the Rhode Island.

You should take a look at websites about the trace to see if you want to incorporate it into your trip.