Atlantic coast, nothern area

[Janie]

WE are thinking of doing the northern part of the Atlantic route starting about Sept. 5.  I know this can be a busy time in the Northeast and want to know if I really have to make hotel/B&B reservations way ahead. I don't like doing that much planning but I don't want to sleep on my bike either!:)

[FredHiltz]

You will hit the sweet spot for cycling in the Northeast. The period between Labor Day and foliage time is quiet on the hospitality front and the weather is the best of the year for cycling.

During foliage season you will indeed want advance reservations or perhaps take backup camping gear. Check the states' tourism web sites for foliage times. Roughly, though, from the second week of September in far northern New England to the third week of October in New York. It varies from year to year, and of course weekends are tighter than Sunday - Thursday nights.

Enjoy!

Fred

[Janie]

Thank you so much, that helps a lot.  We are planning to ride for about 4 weeks or so, I'll check out the websites for the states and see how to work it without too many advance plans.  My husband's back barely allows him to ride, camping is out of the question.

[RoadWimp]

I happen to live in that area, and I can assure you that it can be absolutely beautiful here, as long as you pick the right roads. There isn't much that tugs at the heartstrings like a forgotten farmhouse nestled among the natural fireworks of autumn. Good luck with your trip, madame.

[Peaks]

As usual, Fred is right on with his posts.

However, I'd note that the Atlantic Coast Route is a coastal route rather than going through the mountains.  Thus, things in September should be fairly quite except for Friday and Saturday nights.  Consequently, I wouldn't expect to be too impacted by tourons.  

Generally leaf peakers reach their peak Columbus Day weekend in October.  

If you are starting in September, you might consider going south and thus stay well ahead of the foilage.

[FredHiltz]

I'd note that the Atlantic Coast Route is a coastal route rather than going through the mountains.

A good point, Peaks. Janie, there is plenty of color in the coastal areas, usually a week or so later than in the hills of the same latitude, but most leaf peepers want the hills. If you have never experienced fall foliage, you might want to bite the bullet and make advance reservations to see the show. A bike is the best way to see it, and the ACA route keeps you off the big roads with their tour busses from Nebraska.

Call some of the places on the route and ask how much notice they need for a particular week or weekend. In the heavy tourist spots (think Stowe VT) many of them want a two-night minimum on foliage weekends. I have found innkeepers to be very helpful. They like cyclists, who eat a lot and go to bed early.

Fred

This message was edited by FredHiltz on 6-27-06 @ 3:25 AM

[Janie]

Thanks again, yes we do go to bed EARLY!!!  

[JayH]

Although fred is right in say that the atlantic coastal is a coastal route, you might also want to be aware that august-september is a big month for hurricanes (such as Hurricane Floyd in '96 (?) and Hurrican Ivan in 2004.  So, they also tend to sometimes hug the coast too. Just be aware of it and take the usual precautions, nothing to stop a trip or anything but just be aware of it.

Jay

[Janie]

THanks for that reminder, we'll head inland if it looks like a bad storm time.  We're from Colorado so don't know much about hurricanes.