So Tier San Diego to Phoenix

[urbancoyote]

I'm thinking of riding the Southern Tier from San Diego to Phoenix
around the end of the year. What are the winds and temps like on that
stretch in December/January? And will I be able to find hotels/motels if
I do this as a credit card tour of 50-80 mi per day?

uc

[wanderingwheel]

I've done quite bit of riding between San Diego and the California border so I can help out a little in that area.  I don't have the Southern Tier maps so my knowledge of the route iself comes only from the overview maps.

Generally the temperatures will be mild during the day and cold at night.  This looks like an El Nino year so be prepared for some heavy rain also.  I can't recall any significant winds on the route.  Once you reach Pine Valley you will be well and truly beyond the San Diego metropolis.  From this point on you will need to stick to a firm daily plan in order to hit your motels, but it is doable.  Probably the biggest challenge in terms of motels will be from El Centro to Blythe.

Just remembered the wind coming out of the west to northwest and whipping along the flatlands east of Boulevard.

Sean

[urbancoyote]

Thanks for the information, Wanderingwheel. It's always good to hear
from someone who has done the route.

[litespeed]

I've done El Centro CA to Tuscon AZ. I just rode the shoulder of I-8 when I had to and parallel roads when I could. I don't know the AC route but there isn't much alternative to this. It was a pleasant enough ride although 2004 was a rainy year. Interstate 8 is lightly travelled but don't even think about I-10 between Phoenix and Tuscon (Illegal for bicycles anyway). Non stop heavy traffic day and night. But you will probably be getting off at Gila Bend and going up to Phoenix. I went this way because it was late in the year and I wanted to stay as far south as possible. You shouldn't have any trouble finding motels.

[bicyclerider]

I now live in Jacumba which is about a good days ride from San Diego. If your on old highway 80 its a two lane road pass's by the town of Jacumba.  It has a place called Jacumba Hot Springs Motel. The people are good people and you have a chance to swim in a natural warm swimming pool that is outside not covered. They also have a indoor Jacuzzi using the same water from the warm mineral spring.
At least it has a restraunt that is open tuesday through sunday. The little town has a post office and a coin operated laundry. A small store that makes sandwiches and has most anything you need.

There isn't any bicycle services that I have found after you leave El Cajon.

I'm in the process of stock piling tires for 26" and 700 size tires and I have a spare bob tire and tube.
If anyone has tires that they can spare that are new and could be used for a traveling rider's please send them my way. Stick with what long distant rider would use.
I will post at my website www.2453.net a list of items donated in the next few months.
Also anyone wanting to donate a little small cash donation to help me save for a bike stand and tools that donation form will be available in the next few months also. The location is also listed on the warm showers list.




Jean Andre Vallery
Jacumba, California