Suggestions For Our Next Trip

[indyfabz]

Greetings,

I introduced the GF to touring last year and she loves it.  We are already starting to think about next year and are looking for route suggestions that might be favorites of some of you.  Here are the preferred criteria:

1.  About 7 days of riding with one rest day to explore.  Daily mileage averaging in the 50s-60s.

2.  Relatively easy access to/from the start and end.  We live on the east coast and flying is not a problem.  But we don't want to have to rent a car to get to the start just to have it sit for a week.  We would consider driving to/from a start/finish if the drive were relatively short.

3.  Scenic (Duh!)

4.  At least some challenging terrain.  We don't mind hills/mountains and all flat would probably drive us crazy.

5.  Camping all or almost all nights.

6.  On-road.  Some unpaved is o.k., But no true MTB-ing.

We did the Whitefish-B.C.-AB-Glacier N.P.-Whitefish loop last year, so that's out.  Looking forward to your suggestions.

[aggie]

Take a look at the Pacific Coast trail from San Francisco to LA.  It can easily be done in your time frame and you could fly into SF and leave from LA and could camp every day except for the last day in LA.  The route goes right by the LA airport.  If you want to fly in and out of the same airport you could fly into SF and then take the coast route to either San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara then take amtrak back to the bay area. 

[geegee]

Where in the east coast are you? There are lots of interesting loops you could do in Vermont, New Hampshire and/or Quebec. If you want something really different, a loop around the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland will feel like you've stepped off the continent.

[indyfabz]

Thanks.  I am in Philadelphia.  (Go Philies!)  Having done Velo Quebec's Grand Tour (supported) last year, I am hesitant about riding in PQ again.  Many of the roads were awful.  Simply awful.  At least the Frech cuisine was good.

[biker_james]

Not sure what the problem with Quebec was-we finished riding across it this year, and loved riding there. Great bike routes, and people who not only own bikes, they know what they are for! The Route Vert may not be perfect, but its still an awesome bike route system.

For your seven day trip you could fly to Vancouver BC take the ferry to Victoria, ride north on Vancouver Island to COurtenay/Comox, then ferry back to the mainland on what is known as the Sunshine Coast. Follow that south from Powell River to Sechelt, and then Gibsons where a ferry will return you to the Vancouver region. My wife and I have done the Sunshine Coast loop several times (we live on Vancouver Island, halfway from Victoria and Comox) and thoroughly enjoyed it each time.  Total distance would be, I would guess, about 400-500 km, or about 250-300 miles, depending on side trips and what not.

[Turk]

If you like lots of company RAGGBRAI, a yearly ride across Iowa, might be good for you. It's an organized ride done by several thousand people. Iowa is not flat, on-road, and I believe they camp.

[johnsondasw]

Take a look at the Pacific Coast trail from San Francisco to LA.   

I agree, great idea.  Or, if you can arrange it, the PC from N California, say around Eureka, south to SF is spectacular, and sections are deliciously remote ( say around Elk, Westport, etc).  Also, there are the redwoods for days in this area.

[staehpj1]

If you like lots of company RAGGBRAI, a yearly ride across Iowa, might be good for you. It's an organized ride done by several thousand people. Iowa is not flat, on-road, and I believe they camp.

There are a lot of other similar cross state rides, if that sort of ride appeals to you.  Personally I don't think they are much like the typical tour and are not the best way to get you feet wet if more typical touring is the goal.  They are really a very different type of experience and it is likely a rider may like one and hate the other.  They are often more party than tour.  If that sounds appealing then they may be a good choice.

[hmoore71]

If you like lots of company RAGGBRAI, a yearly ride across Iowa, might be good for you. It's an organized ride done by several thousand people. Iowa is not flat, on-road, and I believe they camp.

There are a lot of other similar cross state rides, if that sort of ride appeals to you.  Personally I don't think they are much like the typical tour and are not the best way to get you feet wet if more typical touring is the goal.  They are really a very different type of experience and it is likely a rider may like one and hate the other.  They are often more party than tour.  If that sounds appealing then they may be a good choice.

In defense of the RAGBRAI experience you do have an opportunity to meet and ride with a lot of different people all day long. Also I don't know of a greater opportunity to interact with Americas heartland, which seems always one of the more salient points stated by those doing a cross country tour. Of course if you go and ride with a group then you loose some or all of this.

While there are many "bicyclist" on RAGBRAI but I know for a good many riders RAGBRAI is a one time experience. Therefore the conversations you have most likely will not be about the bike or anything related to bicycling.

While there are many parties I was always with my young son and we survived quite well without having to party.

Anyway that has been my experience over the four of five times I've done RAGBRAI. I kind of think RAGBRAI is unique unto itself and unlike other state rides.

[Westinghouse]

The Pacific coast is what you are looking for.