Route from the TA in southern IL to Savannah GA?

[dbreedlove]

Cross country ride leaving San Francisco May 23.  Riding the Western Express to Pueblo and then the TA east.  I would like to finish in Tybee Island GA, which is very close to Savannah.  Thinking about leaving the TA in southern Illinois to start heading southeast toward Savannah.  Any one know of a decent route?

Thanks,  Dan

[John Nettles]

First, welcome to ACA Forums.  It sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned (assuming the pass in California is not closed for snow).

I would probably follow the UGRR south until just after the MS border.  From there I have a route that gets you to Piedmont, AL where you connect to the paved rail trail into Atlanta.  From Atlanta, I have another route to get you Tybee Island.

NOTE:  I have only ridden the Piedmont to Atlanta sections but have 40 years and tens of thousands of miles of loaded touring experience.  The routes are primarily on low-traffic county and state roads and have many turns so a very accurate computer or a GPS is recommended.  Occasional motels or stealth camping required if not wanting to motel.  If you are serious about using the routes, private message and I will create a cue sheet or something for you.  I don't want to do it if you are just pondering the routes as it will take 8-10 hours to do the work.

Tailwinds, John

[dbreedlove]

Thanks for the reply, John.  I am very interested in the route. Soon as I figure out how to send a private message, I will.  But I also don't want to put that much work on your to-do list.  Planning is a big chunk of the fun, so perhaps for a start you could get me the general info on the route?  Be as specific as you can without investing a lot of time?  Anyway, I will be in touch soon.

On the snow in Cali... yeah I am a little worried about that.  My wife and I hiked a big chunk of the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995.  Goal was the whole thing but the snowfall was similar to this year (e.g., 7 miles a day instead of the normal-year 25). Four and half months got us about half way to Canada.  If  people are still skiing the Sierras in late July, the hikers and bikers are going to have some trouble.

Thanks so much.  I will be in touch soon.

Cheers,

Dan

[John Nettles]

Sure, I'll give some towns so you have a basic idea:

In order: Florence, MS.  In Alabama: Decatur, Cullman, Gasden, and Piedmont.  Take the rail trail into Smyrna, GA.  In Georgia: Atlanta, Stone Mountain, Conyers, Crawfordsville, Louisville, Statesboro, Savannah, & Tybee Island.

I hopefully will be riding the Atlanta>Tybee (or Charleston) routes this early Fall so that route will not be a big deal to get you as I will need it myself.  Just may be April before I get it to you.

If you decide to head to Memphis, I also have a route I have ridden between Memphis and Atlanta (via Piedmont & rail trail).  It is nice but a few days in Alabama are very hilly.

Hope this helps, John