Chose my next bike route!!!!

[mudmin]

I've already cycled the Southern Tier, so I would like to do a trip where I don't have anything particularly "to prove." In other words, I don't care if the route "sounds" great.

Here's is what I'm looking for....
1. Something I can do in about a month without having to push it.  (I was under time constraints on my last trip. I'm thinking 40-60 miles per day.)

2. Something relatively flat (can you predict the wind too?)

3. Something with enough facilities for touring self-supported

4. I don't care where I start, but living in FL, I would prefer it to be in the eastern half of the country.

5. I would be going for one month, probably starting at the end of September.

Ok. So, where should I go and who wants to go with me?

[wildandcrazy]

Maybe it is because it was out first major tour, but we had a great time going around Lake Huron.  At 40+ miles per day it is easily doable in a month.  With few exceptions, the roads are decent.  The roads run near the lake almost the whole way, so the roads are mostly flat.  There will be some great color in the fall, so the weekend traffic might be busy.  There will be a ferry ride across the Georgian Bay.  You will need a passport this year to get back into the U.S.  The weather starts to get cool in October, but the lake effect keeps the changes from being too severe.

[wanderingwheel]

How about riding up the BlueRidge Parkway and Skyline Drive, and then back down the Atlantic coast?  It would be a great ride fairly close to you, and you could adjust it to fit your schedule and pace by setting an appropriate starting point and turn-around.  I think the weather and scenery would cooperate nicely, but I'm not sure since I'm more familiar with regions further north at that time of year.

Sean

[mudmin]

Hi WildandCrazy, I appreciate the idea.  Did you do any kind of journal of your trip?  I would love to see more about it.  How were the winds being so close to the lake? I'm guessing since you're riding in a circle, they would probably average out.

[mudmin]

Wanderingwheel. I appreciate the idea. How is the terrain in that area?  I thought I remember the blue ridge parkway being extremely hilly.  Maybe I'm wrong.  Have you done this route before?

[wanderingwheel]

Wanderingwheel. I appreciate the idea. How is the terrain in that area?  I thought I remember the blue ridge parkway being extremely hilly.  Maybe I'm wrong.  Have you done this route before?

Oops, you're right, it is very hilly.  I skimmed over your first message too quick.  I have done parts of the route, but not the whole thing in a single trip.

Sean

[Westinghouse]

You should be able to go from east coastal Florida to Bangor, Maine in a month. It would be flat along the Atlantic coast. ACA has special maps for it.

[staehpj1]

You should be able to go from east coastal Florida to Bangor, Maine in a month. It would be flat along the Atlantic coast. ACA has special maps for it.

It depends on what you call flat.  It will be hilly in places, judging by a quick look at the maps.  I am not familiar with the whole route but much of section 3 is hilly.  Don't get me wrong it isn't in the mountains, and will probably be pleasant, but it does have some steep if not all that long climbs.

It might be a good choice, just don't expect it to be flat the whole way.

[dubovsmj]

how 'bout natchez trace parkway....you could follow southern tier to natchez, mi and head north til you reach nashville, then head due east til you reach atlantic and then south on atlantic coast route to wherever home is....kansas is always a safe bet

[wildandcrazy]

Hi WildandCrazy, I appreciate the idea.  Did you do any kind of journal of your trip?  I would love to see more about it.  How were the winds being so close to the lake? I'm guessing since you're riding in a circle, they would probably average out.

Our journal and pictures are at www.huron2007.crazyguyonabike.com .  We are not "driven" tourists, more happy go lucky types.  We met a lot of people and saw lots of the sights.  We didn't get to hike along the coast in the Bruce Peninsula National Park this time.  I wouldn't miss it, if you have the time.  The TransCanada highway, route 17, can be a little busy at times, but the drivers were great, and the traffic comes in bursts so you can wait until it goes by.