Mid November ride East Coast

[susanl]

Hi.  I would love recommendations on where to ride for my husband's 50th birthday starting mid November for five days.  We are from California and wanted to experience a differnet area.  Would stay at inns along the way so no need to camp.  Is Vermont and Erie canal to cold then?  Thank you for any help

[pharmD2B]

SusanL,

The area you mentioned is just starting to get cold, especially that time of the year. However, South Carolina--Charleston, SC down to Savannah, GA is a pretty warm route along the coast, with lots of B&B. The roads following 17S down to Beuafort (maybe misspelled) then over to Hilton Head--onto Savannah. Lots of history, old plantations, ect.   Another favorite place to ride especially that time of the year is the Blue Ridge Parkway--400 miles of changing elevation (1500 upto 5000) but gradual changes in elevation. The leaves are turning, gorgeous riding year around. There are plenty of B&B along the way--mostly located just off of the parkway, Look at Asheville, NC on up into Virginia. The weather that time of the year--60's - 70's. This is a local favorite training ground for lots of competitive teams. I don't know how far you want to travel, but bith of these are areas are very bike friendly, especially the Asheville area. Good luck and have fun.

Chris

[susanl]

Thanks Chris--really appreciate it.

[mlt22193]

I may have to disagree about riding the Parkway into Va. in the middle of November.  My experience is it can be downright cold that time of year.  Its not unusual for the temps. to be below freezing.  And most of the leaves are gone by then, anyway.  Now, middle of October is beautiful.  but November?  You may want to stay as far south as possible.  I agree about the coastal routes, beautiful.

[JayH]

Mid November in the northeast, you will be looking at cold mornings and early sunsets, i.e. not a lot of daylight if you are a late riser or enjoy longer cycling days...  But if you are not camping, you could bring a nice midlayer and enjoy the fall weather. However, you may be missing peak folliage in the northeast...

Southern atlantic for sure, will be warmer, but as mentioned here, elevation will make things colder.

Jay

[DaveB]

I may have to disagree about riding the Parkway into Va. in the middle of November.  My experience is it can be downright cold that time of year.  Its not unusual for the temps. to be below freezing.  And most of the leaves are gone by then, anyway.  Now, middle of October is beautiful.  but November?

Absolutely.  Even October can be very cold there, particularly at the higher elevations.  I recall a mid-October backpacking trip on Skyline Drive in VA.  We hiked in 40°F rain all of one day and woke up to 28°F and completely frozen water bottles the next morning.    

I certainly agree that, if you want to ride the East Coast in November, you start no further north than South Carolina.

   

[susanl]

Thank you all.  Does anyone have a specific day rides that would work.  Then I can work backwards from there and book Inns to stay at.