Texas and Eastern 1/2 of Souther Tier in Summer?

[dstory]

I am planning a 2011 trip which will start in WA state, do the TransAm trail until about Kansas, then swing down through Texas to connect with the Southern Tier and continue on eastward until Florida.  I am a school teacher, which means I would do it June - August.  I did a TransAm summer 2008 which went from Spokane to Yorktown via sections of Northern Tier, Lewis and Clark trail, and the TransAm trail. 

Am I nuts to think about doing Texas and the eastern half of the Southern Tier in the middle of the summer?  I did well on my previous TransAm with the heat and humidity.  I am 49 and in decent shape.

Thanks for your input.  I am interested in hearing from folks that have done it and survived to tell the tale.

Don

[aggie]

I did Texas and Louisiana this past summer when they had record breaking heat.  It was hot and humid but not unrideable.  You should expect some mosquitoes and a few thundershowers but it is definitely doable.  Go for it.  You'll have a great ride.

[John Nettles]

If you did well with the heat and humidity, you should be fine again.  It is definately doable just hot and humid.  I would encourage you to rise early and take a long lunch break if the heat/humidity becomes a problem.

What route are you taking from the TransAm to the So. Tier?

[dstory]

John,

I am in the early stages of planning and don't really have anything concrete.  The one thing I do know is that my wife wants to swing through Dallas to see family on the way south from TransAm.  I have never biked this area, but did drive a car from Houston up through Dallas to Spokane.  I remember a lot of the same type of terrain from Dallas to way up north before it got mountainous again.  So I am pretty flexible on the route.

Suggestions? Ideas?  Cautions?

Thanks

don

btw- thank you already for the encouragement about riding in the heat and humidity.  i had one heat episode (electrolytes out of whack) on my previous TransAm and feel like I know how to avoid it pretty well for next time. 

[John Nettles]

Sorry for the delay in replying.  Are you wanting to break off the TransAm at a certain location, i.e. Pueblo, central KS, etc.?  I have several routes I can help you with if you want but most go from western KS (around Tribune) southeast toward St. Francisville, LA (on the Southern Tier) but can help you with a route thru western and central Oklahoma.  If that might be of interest, you can email me at john #at# nettlesfamily dot com.

[siden420]

I did the Southern Tier across Texas into Kerrville in late July and the first part of August in 2008 going east-west when I was 59.  The biggest problem was West Texas (west of Junction - I departed from the Southern Tier and mainly used I-10 from Junction to El Paso) but it seems you will avoid this section.  You will encounter higher humidity in east Texas but at 49, you should have no problem.  Just slow up when you're feeling the strain.

[Tourista829]

Another nod "to the go for it" column. Start early, 5:30am as you know, you can get in a lot of miles, in the cooler part of the day. Use 45 or higher sun screen, more than once a day. On the Gulf Coast and Florida, you will encounter thunderstorms. Usually mid afternoon. A given, stake your tent down. St Augustine is beautiful and I nice place to conclude your trip. Heck, if you have an extra 10 days, you may want to keep cycling south and go all the way down to Key West. Take the ferry back to Fort Myers or a bus to Miami and fly home from there. Miami may give you more value conscious flight options. When you get home, I hope you spread your sense of adventure to your students. It is never too early. When I was a kid, and we lived in Upstate New York, in the early 1960's, my camp had us ride 30 miles, from our camp on Seneca Lake to Watkins Glen and then back. It was all it took. I was age 11;)

[Abbey44]

I live in Houston and ride all summer long.  It's really HOT here in the summer!  By 1:00pm in July I think I'm the only guy on a bicycle in the entire city.  The summer trip through the Great State of Texas can be done, but be ready!  Good luck.