Pacific Coast North to South latest start?

[Wayne00001]

I will be camping 90+% of the time.  What is the latest start date recommended for a north to south border to border trip?  Any must see detours for a first timer?  Will be following the ACA route unless there is something worth a detour.  No time limit,  no hurry.

Your time is appreciated.

Wayne

[FredHiltz]

I cannot help with the start date, but will suggest a side trip to Yosemite if you have not been there. I did just that on my Pacific Coast ride and would do it again without doubt. It takes a couple of days each way across the Central Valley and a minimum of two days in the park. Off season will be nice there.

Fred

[Wayne00001]

I will put it on the list.  Thankyou

Wayne

[johnsondasw]

I will be camping 90+% of the time.  What is the latest start date recommended for a north to south border to border trip? 

Wayne

Get going soon.  It's been pouring rain in Washington for the past several days, but there should still be some dry spells for the next month or so.  Our wet fall weather has begun.  Good Luck.

[Wayne00001]

I should be more specific.  I'm planning on this for next year.  I'm leaving the east coast of Iowa in May and generally heading west.  I am thinking of going up into British Columbia before heading south.  My only goal is to be in Joshuatree, Ca. at my daughters for the winter.

Wayne

[kenwil]

Hi

I asked the same question for my 2008 Pacific coast ride and set off from Seattle last day in August and rode through September. It was beautiful, not one rainy day,in 28 days cycling, no or very little traffic, easy accomodation and / or camping....brilliant!

Enjoy

[johnsondasw]

You were lucky.  Usually, in early September, there will be some rainy days in the mix in Washington and Oregon.  This year would have been quite wet.  Seattle right now has more than three times the normal precipitation for the month!

[gregg]

I done that trip, and I live near the California/Oregon border. I would suggest you leave no later than the very beginning of September. By the end of September it starts to get cold and rainy above San Francisco while south of that it is still sunny and warm.  If you leave from BC no later than early September that you can expect some rain, but the rainy season in the North (given historical weather patterns) shouldn't have started yet.  Have a great trip!

[staehpj1]

I cannot help with the start date, but will suggest a side trip to Yosemite if you have not been there. I did just that on my Pacific Coast ride and would do it again without doubt. It takes a couple of days each way across the Central Valley and a minimum of two days in the park. Off season will be nice there.

Yosemite is awesome.  If you go there it is worth spending several days to a week hiking.

That said...  It is a pretty big side trip from the coast and I would be inclined to visit it as part of a different trip that would possibly also include Sequoia.

Also be aware that Yosemite is not the most cycle touring friendly place in the world.  There is road work for construction that I think will be going on for a couple years 24/7.  The construction zone is pretty long too.  They make no provision for shuttling bikes so it is a bit of a hassle to get over the long section of construction.

Also be aware that unless you have reservations you will probably need to camp one night in the North Pines Backpackers Camp and then move to Camp 4.  They allow touring cyclists one night at North Pines and then you either need get up at the crack of dawn to get in line for a site at Camp 4 or to move on.  That is what we did, but be aware that even though we got up at 4 AM we were not first in line at Camp 4 and by 8 AM there were maybe 50-60 people in line.

Off season may be less booked at Yosemite than when we were there though.

[litespeed]

The storms usually start rolling through in October and they can be miserable. I don't know when they let up in the spring but if I ever do it again I will avoid the rainy season.