Submit your reroute suggestions for a new update of Southern Tier Section 1

[amywally]

The Adventure Cycling Routes team is updating Southern Tier Section 1 (San Diego, CA to Tempe, AZ), and we want to hear your ideas!


Hello there, adventure cyclist! We are trying something new and requesting reroute submissions to be considered for the upcoming 2025 map update.

Section 1 of the Southern Tier Route begins in San Diego, CA and ends in Tempe, AZ. It was last updated in 2019. In January of 2021, we created a new digital-only alternate between El Centro, CA and Peoria, AZ that follows the I-8 corridor/Gila River (view a map of the alternate here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35085849). In the 2025 version of this map, this routing will remain a digital-only alternate. The main route printed on the paper map will continue to travel through Blythe and Wickenburg to the north.

For obvious reasons, I can't post the entire detailed route in this thread, but you can view the areas that the route goes through on our Interactive Network Map (https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/interactive-network-map/). If you have ridden the Southern Tier route previously, and still have copies of the 2019 paper maps, gpx files, or Bicycle Route Navigator app, feel free to use those to help determine your rerouting suggestions. Please explain why you think your routing is better than the existing routing. The better the argument, the more likely we are to adopt it! Inclusion of maps (like RidewithGPS) is greatly appreciated. The Routes Team will review every suggestion and determine if we will officially change the route.

Please don't post negative comments about the route unless you can also provide alternate (and better) routing. Let's keep this space productive!

We do have 3 reroute ideas already and would like to request feedback from folks more familiar with the areas:

Reroute #1 is located in Santee/Lakeside, CA. The new routing would make use of residential roads and the Walker Preserve Trail along the San Diego River.  See a map here: https://ridewithgps.com/collections/3032602?privacy_code=08vLMjYYBwPZz8tZBmXdsSfPn0Gq7KKp
PROS: The reroute uses the multi-use Walker Preserve Trail (hardpacked dirt) with views of the San Diego River. Riparian and wetland habitat offer opportunities for birdwatching. A bike stand, bike repair station, picnic tables, and drinking fountain are available. The reroute also uses Carlton Oaks Dr. (2/3-lanes with partial bike lane) instead of Mast Blvd. (4-lanes with bike lane).
CONS: The Walker Preserve Trail is unpaved and may become muddy when wet, but rain is infrequent in the area. The bike lane disappears on Carlton Oaks Dr. between Carlton Hills Blvd. and Willow Pond Rd.
   
Reroute #2 is located in Calexico, CA. The new routing would use residential and frontage roads instead of Highway 111. See a map here: https://ridewithgps.com/collections/3032626?privacy_code=vQjWgbYmuDTCte21CP8SzGn6MFw4vCge
PROS: The reroute uses less-trafficked residential and frontage roads for 6.5 miles instead of busy 4-lane Highway 111, which includes truck traffic but does have shoulders.
CONS: The pavement quality of the frontage road doesn't look great. It is cracked and could be a bumpy ride. It also doesn't have shoulders, but will have significantly less traffic than the highway.

Reroute #3 is located in Palo Verde/Blythe, CA. The new routing would use county roads through agriculture lands instead of Highway 78. See a map here: https://ridewithgps.com/collections/3032639?privacy_code=6zvvNDgaUETLZkMxZ4MRU0guMJ1razZe
PROS: The reroute uses back county roads through farmland instead of the main vehicle thoroughfare (Highway 78) through the valley.
CONS: The pavement quality of the reroute is not as good as Highway 78. It also may have increased agricultural traffic during harvest time.

Please comment your opinions and suggestions below! You can also email (awally AT adventurecycling DOT org) The deadline for response is December 6th, 2024.

[Bike2it]

I am sorry to say but I don't have any reroute suggestions, but I do have a couple of questions.  Can anyone give ideas of where one can long-term park near the route beginning and how can a couple on a tandem get rides back with the bike to the beginning from Tempe.   Thanks

[Reallylinkbeak]

Amy, I led the self-contained tour on the Southern Tier in 2018 and I remember Section 1 being the worst of the whole thing.  I am glad it is continuing to be improved.  Even though the farm roads you are proposing as an alternate to Hwy 78 may be in rough shape, 78 is a nightmare so anything would be better.  Many of the roads in that part of California are in really rough shape so it just kind of comes with the territory.  Hwy 78 carries a high volume of recreational traffic and what I remember had no shoulder.  Plus a lot of up and down terrain in places.

[klittau]

I did the new route in March of this year (2024). I found the route from El Centro to Phoenix to be quite reasonable. The sections where it joined I-8 were not bad at all. In fact, they had some of the best road surfaces. The shoulder was quite wide and bikeable. The route going East out of Yuma through the date orchards was fun although the road surface was often terrible. Looking for alternates there might be worthwhile.

I chose to take 238 East (W Maricopa Rd) out of Gila Bend toward Maricopa instead of staying on 85.  It was a great ride and I was feeling pretty good about it until I got past the Rainbow Valley landfill close to Maricopa. Then the truck traffic increased dramatically and it was unpleasant. However, I imagine on a weekend or later in the day it would be nice. And I appreciated entering Phoenix from the South. It made it easier to leave on highway 60 headed East. I know not everyone likes to head to Globe on 60 because of the tunnel, but I found that not a problem at all.

[Roderick_Young]

I yield to those who rode the ST at a conventional time.  I rode in the heat of summer, so RV traffic wasn't an issue on 111, nor 78.  As for routing over unpaved roads, those are never my choice.  I have 35mm tires, so anything other than pavement is a lot more work.  Again, I may not be the typical rider.

[TomKing]

I agree that the alternative route between El Centro and Glendale should be highlighted as a standard alternate. Riding Southern Tier in 2016 I found Highway 78 in Arizona to be the scariest section of the 3100 miles. I encountered many mining trucks on this 2 lane road with absolutely NO shoulders with small hills and winding road to give no visibility. While I certainly enjoyed Wickenburg, Quartzite, and Cibola I'm not sure that compensated for Highway 78 and have no acquaintance with the Gila Bend alternative.

[jamawani]

Amy -

The entire Southern Tier requires a major reconsideration.
Since the Southern Tier was first released there has been dramatic population growth in nearly all ST states.
In addition, ST states had poor road infrastructure to begin with - and minimal development requirements since.

Given climate change and warmer temperatures, a northward redesign is justified.
An overall more northerly routing would open up low-traffic roads in areas with lower populations.
It would also entail restructuring all the associated services.
I would suggest Ventura, California to St. Marys, Georgia.

Up until the 1960s, most urban and suburban development had a road net linked to the previous network.
Maple Street or Third Avenue were simply extended into the new development.
Since then, housing developments have had single or double entrances from a main road artery.
So there are fewer back through routes, sometimes none. And all the traffic dumped onto the main road.

Arizona has very few paved, back road options.
Texas has more, but interconnectedness is the issue.
Florida just has massive growth overwhelming the infrastructure.

There are four big issues with the entire Southern Tier:
1) The amount of Interstate highway riding.
In California, Arizona, and West Texas. Most people on a cross-country tour would prefer quieter roads.
The recent detour on Section 1 almost doubles the amount of Interstate riding.
2) Challenging urban riding - in San Diego, Phoenix, El Paso, optionally New Orleans.
There are great bike paths and bike lanes in these cities, but also a number of iffy stretches.
I was touring thru the Chicago metro once and the bike trail was torn up for utility work.
I was forced to ride on an insanely busy arterial road.
3) The massive growth of Austin and San Antonio makes finding a safe route nearly impossible.
It's different for local riders who already know the roads and the traffic vs. cyclists unfamiliar with the area.
4) Closures of deteriorating roads and bridges such as the US 90 bridges on the Louisiana/Mississippi border.
A number of folks have commented that you can ride past the barriers, but the closure may soon be enforced.
For state highway departments, there is always the issue of liability.
This remains a problem for any ACA route that uses old highways.
State highway departments are more likely to close and remove an old bridge than replace it.

PS -

Twenty-Nine Palms, Parker, Gila Bend, Ajo, Tucson is one possibility.
It is extremely remote, thus light traffic.
If ACA could cut a deal with the MWD for access to water at Iron Mountain Pumping Station.
Also, if ACA could arrange some sort of overnight options in/near Sells.
The Tohono O'odham nation has few facilities for tourists.

[gdojr]

I've ridden and/or driven the main and alternate routes a number of times. My wife and I live less than a mile from the Tempe terminus of the segment. We host a LOT of Warmshowers guests, and get the opportunity to discuss the routes a lot. I would hate to see the Southern Tier routed away from Tempe. That wouldn't be any fun!

But, I tend to agree with a number of the posts. To repeat some points, and add a few others:

- The reroutes suggested seem good, given sticking with the existing overall route. I do believe they're putting a bit of lipstick on the pig. Overall, I love the route. I love passing through Quartzite, Augila, Wickenburg and riding the canal system into Tempe. BTW, the route through the Valley should be ALL the way down the AZ Canal to the Crosscut Canal at 64th and Indian School in Scottsdale, not via streets. That puts you on the Mill Avenue bridge, just across Rio Salado from downtown Tempe, which is a GREAT layover place. Having said that...

- In 2023, I rode "The Loop" using the 4 major ACA routes. Highway 78 between Brawley and Palo Verde was one of the two most dangerous segments of the entire tour, the other being on the East Coast around Camp LeJeune. It is truly dangerous. I rode it around October 20th, which was the first weekend that Glamis was open for dune sports. The traffic was horrific and deadly.

- I thus favor a complete reroute from the area. The alternative route is a good one, I wish I'd taken it. Though, it doesn't make sense to me to go to Peoria to meet the main route, only to turn south to Tempe. It makes more sense to do as klittau suggested: ride through Maricopa into Tempe from the south and pick up the main route at the Tempe terminus.

- I think that ACA should consider eventually changing the route to the south. Follow the alternate route to Gila Bend, but not turn north there. As Jamawani notes, turn south from Gila Bend towards Ajo, Tucson, Sonoita, Bisbee and Douglas. Jamawani has noted some issues with sevices to deal with. Then, to Portal, AZ and across NM 9 through Columbus to El Paso to rejoin the main route. This more southerly route has the advantage of not having to ride the long and climbing route from Tempe through Strawberry and then back by Roosevelt Lake to Globe, before heading towards Silver City. We've know several people going eastbound in the fall or westbound in the spring who have had to deal with early or late snow at higher elevations along that route. The southern route avoids that, though admittedly higher temps could be a challenge for early westbounders or late eastbounders.

- A few other bike companies, such as the one previously know as Bubba's Comfy Campers, take the above route. So, it's well known and services issues have been dealt with. I rode this southerly route as part of my Loop tour, because of snow on the normal route. And, because we had driven/riden the current route many times.

- Both the current route through Globe and the southern route through the AZ Patagonia area and the southern NM deserts are gorgeous rides. Perhaps, they could eventually be alternatives.

In any case, my main feelings are that the proposed reroutes are good, but that Route 78 between Brawley and Palo Verde needs to be eliminated. I don't know how to do that, other than the current electronic-only alternate route.

[pschuler47]

I finished riding the Southern Tier a few weeks ago (west-to-east, riding with ACA).

Reroute #2: The proposed re-route seems like only a minor deviation from the established route. If traffic on Highway 111 is the problem, consider taking one of the several north-south roads to the east of Calexico that connect Highway 98 to El Centro. The Fall 2024 ACA van-supported tour took S. Clark Rd between CA-98 and El Centro rather than entering Calexico and taking CA-111 north to Brawley). The road was fine, with minimal traffic. The downside with this deviation from the printed map route is that we missed whatever opportunities for food/drink/retail commerce that might exist in Calexico.

Reroute #3 The proposed re-route is essentially the route that we followed on October 1 between Palo Verde and Blythe. There was no farm vehicle traffic to speak of, and we had the roads to ourselves that morning. (The real problems that day came after Quartzsite).


I agree with several others commenting that the Southern Tier route as a whole has become riskier for cyclists than when the route was first developed and needs a more thorough revision than what’s on the table here. There is now far more motor vehicle traffic on the highways. Despite increased traffic, commerce has dried up on U.S. highways and state highways in the west (say, between Ocotillo and Austin). And climate change has made scheduling a coast-to-coast tour more challenging, at a minimum, and at certain times and places life-threateningly hot in summer and fall. High temperatures as reported by weather services exceeded 100F every day between Ocotillo and Globe (Sept. 28 through Oct. 6). Except for the day in Silver City, my bike computer recorded 100F or more every day from San Diego to El Paso (Sept. 27 through Oct. 15). Nobody died only because the ACA tour leaders parked the van and trailer to provide water to the group during the day on the lonelier stretches of road and provided a safety net for riders who could not continue. (Everyone ended up in the van on the day between Palo Verde and Salome.)

[OHRider]

I did the new route in March of this year (2024). I found the route from El Centro to Phoenix to be quite reasonable. The sections where it joined I-8 were not bad at all. In fact, they had some of the best road surfaces. The shoulder was quite wide and bikeable. The route going East out of Yuma through the date orchards was fun although the road surface was often terrible. Looking for alternates there might be worthwhile.

I chose to take 238 East (W Maricopa Rd) out of Gila Bend toward Maricopa instead of staying on 85.  It was a great ride and I was feeling pretty good about it until I got past the Rainbow Valley landfill close to Maricopa. Then the truck traffic increased dramatically and it was unpleasant. However, I imagine on a weekend or later in the day it would be nice. And I appreciated entering Phoenix from the South. It made it easier to leave on highway 60 headed East. I know not everyone likes to head to Globe on 60 because of the tunnel, but I found that not a problem at all.

I would never ride that last section past the landfill  again.  It was one of the most dangerous roads I've ever ridden due to heavy 18 wheeler traffic in both directions and no berms.  Maybe on the weekend but that is dependent on the truck traffic.  The rest of the ride from Gila Bend was great!

[IsItTourTime]

Is there an anticipated date when the revisions will be posted in 2025? 

[Dirtragmag]

- I think that ACA should consider eventually changing the route to the south. Follow the alternate route to Gila Bend, but not turn north there. As Jamawani notes, turn south from Gila Bend towards Ajo, Tucson, Sonoita, Bisbee and Douglas. Jamawani has noted some issues with sevices to deal with. Then, to Portal, AZ and across NM 9 through Columbus to El Paso to rejoin the main route. This more southerly route has the advantage of not having to ride the long and climbing route from Tempe through Strawberry and then back by Roosevelt Lake to Globe, before heading towards Silver City. We've know several people going eastbound in the fall or westbound in the spring who have had to deal with early or late snow at higher elevations along that route. The southern route avoids that, though admittedly higher temps could be a challenge for early westbounders or late eastbounders.

I second this, from Tucson follow the established Chihuahuan connector to Hachita then silver city. That’s how I rode to San Diego after doing the GDMBR. Link to the connector here. https://bikepackingroots.org/project/the-chihuahuan-connector/


There is also the GDMBR alternative ending into Columbus

[jamawani]

I need to state again that it is 100 miles through the Tohono O'odham Reservation
from Why to Three Points (or reverse) without any lodging options.
The Tohono O'odham people do not welcome tourism.
You really, really shouldn't stealth camp on their lands.

There's a private campground in Why and a BLM campground just to the south.
There's no formal camping anywhere near Three Points.
There are a couple of tiny BLM sections, but they are tough to locate.
Arizona state lands require a pass and have complex use rules depending on the lessor.
Don't assume that because it's empty it's okay.
And please don't start a fire - even a stove fire.

I might suggest via Maricopa, Casa Blanca, and Florence to Kearny and then East Globe on US 60.
The Florence-Kelvin Highway is now about 60% paved and takes you through saguaro groves.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49526484

[Dirtragmag]

My route will be

Yuma to Tucson
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49526651

Then following the connector mentioned in previous to Columbus.