DC to Cali - End of Summer

[mikefrat]

Thinking of heading from DC to Cali around Labor Day Weekend.  Considering the Atlantic Coast route to Southern tier or transamerica to great divide to southern tier.  Definitely want to hit the desert southwest (New Mexico / Arizona).  Any information you could provide on these routes would be greatly appreciated.  I have only done about dozen 40 mile rides in my life, but I just quit my job and have all summer to train.  Anyone who is in the DC area that wants to do training rides or accompany me on the trip, I'd love to hear from you.

Mike, mikefrat@gwu.edu

[rtwbikerider]

Mike, I traveled from San Diego to Jacksonville, then north to Philly a couple of years ago. Most of the ride across country was done with the Southern Tier maps, although I did stray off the route a few times with varying success. I spent more time on US 90 than Adventure Cycling recommends. It only really hurt me in Louisiana. I would say, stick to the approved route in that state.

From Jacksonville north I spent a lot of time on US 17, then I hugged the coastline. You might want to check out the Donna Ikenberry book "Bicycling the Atlantic Coast" before you decide how you want to travel south.

Although I've never done this ride, you could also consider traveling south on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, and Natchez Trace Parkway. I'm not sure how to get from the Skyline to the Trace, but it might be possible. And, you're close to the starting point of the Blue Ridge.

Good luck, and have fun.