Choose 1 of these 2 for kick starting the Southern Tier

[RicemanDan]

1: Greyhound bus from San Diego - El paso at 12hrs and $81 (bike boxed)

2: Bike to Tuscon and train/Amtrack to Del Rio/San Antonio at 17hrs/22hrs cost $100/$110.

Train beats bus obviously, but the first option skips the Arizona heat. Any thoughts on scenery/experiences?

[staehpj1]

It probably depends on what your goals for the ride are more than anything else.  The only reasons I would consider the Southern Tier would be either to do the shortest possible coast to coast trip or to do one in late fall, winter, and/or early spring.  Even those may not be reason enough to ride what would for me be a pretty tiresome route.  If you are chopping out a major portion by using the train, plane, or bus then you are losing the coast to coast attraction.

Not everyone likes the same kind of touring so the ST may be exactly what you want, but I have found that touring is so much nicer when a more major portion of it is in forested areas.  If you are not locked into a time frame that requires the ST or similar, the TA or NT are much more varied scenery wise and I suspect most people would find them much more pleasant.  I do know a guy who rode all three and prefers the ST though.  So if you like riding in the desert great, just be fairly sure that is really what you want.

Personally I'd rather fly than sit on a bus or train for 12-22 hours.

I've never used Greyhound, but I did find Amtrak nice to deal with.  Unfortunately sitting on a train that long was pretty uncomfortable and any of the sleeper options are really expensive.  If you can stand the seats for that long Amtrak is pretty easy to deal with logistically as long as there are baggage stops where you want to go.

[aggie]

If you are thinking about leaving from San Diego you could take the train from there to your destination in Texas.  You will change trains in LA.  Getting a sleeper may be more expensive but it is more comfortable than the coach cars and your meals are included. 

I'm not sure why people seem to think the Southern Tier is all desert.  Yes there is some desert but not the entire route nor even an entire state.  West Texas is arid but definitely not a desert.  I say more wildlife in West Texas than anywhere else.  After you leave Del Rio you get into the Texas hill country.  It is then green all the way to Florida.  I enjoyed West Texas if for no other reason than the wide open roads with little traffic. 

Just for info on riding time.  I rode from El Paso to San Antonio in 10 days and another 10 days to Baton Rouge.  I averaged about 60 miles per day.   I would avoid riding through the state parks near Bastrop, TX.  They charge bicyclists even if you are just riding through.  If want need to camp there ok but you pay either way.  Take hwy 95 from Bastrop to the 153 and rejoin the route.  The parks also have some very steep hills (short) rough road and blind curves.

[RicemanDan]

Thank you both.

I'm not a cyclist who has to achieve goals, more one who just wants to enjoy, but also use it as my transport, so If I need to be in florida, I'll try and use the bike to get there.

Thanks for the tips through Bastron Aggie and also the West - people have shunned it, but the openness will be nice and it wont be as hot as Arizona.

[RicemanDan]

Well I took the Greyhound in the end. Problem is that they charge $10 for a box (actually this is not the problem, but a good price) and $25-35 to check the bike in. I gambled and did not check it in, hoping the driver would be sympathetic. I received the: "ok, I'll do it this time, but next time check it in". Pleased to escape that extra charge!

The bus ride was awful! A constant din throughout. But not much compared to 95deg heat and 10-15mph headwinds on the bike from Sanderson - Del Rio. I'd never go near the southern tier route until temps are guaranteed to cool. The thing is that the heat lasts 12+ hours - it doesn't subside! Really not recommended.

Aggie. You were spot on with your comments. I absolutely loved west Texas - the open roads are so quiet and the Davis mountains beautiful. Plus all the wildlife is immense. Like you, the most I've come across, even vs Australia. So many grasshoppers!! Birds and butterflies everywhere. I caught sight of Deer, Elk, a Tarantula being paralyzed by some large insect, dead snake eaten by turkey vultures, as well as wild pigs, an armadillo (dead) and more. Really pleased I did not skip West Texas, EXCEPT, I would definitely not recommend Sanderson to Del Rio. Not only was that my headwind section (10-15mph in my face), but the scenery was very flat.

Looking for a ride share on craigs list now, from Austin to New Orleans, then cycle the rest to Florida, that's how much I don't want to cycle in anymore 90deg heat