East to West 80 days?

[Jambi]

The wind does look more favourable east to west, however other the points you raised seem to make me want to start off in the East. In terms of starting in the east I'm not sure which would be the best place to start from. From London it seems pretty straightforward getting to San Francisco and starting there on the Western Express, joining the TransAm and continuing to Yorktown. The main worrying issue though is getting out of the city bearing in mind it would be really nice to start right on the pacific coast.

[John Nelson]

I'm confused. The Pacific Coast is in the West. On which coast do you want to start?

By the way, there are airports almost everywhere, and for an extra $100, you can start in any city you want, even small ones. You can fly to within 9 miles of Yorktown in the East, or to Portland, Oregon and take a bus to Astoria to start in the West. Or if you want to start in San Franscisco, the ACA maps will guide you out of town.

I recommend you decide what you want to do first, and then work out the logistics. Almost anything is possible, and the cost differences won't be that great.

[John Nelson]

On the Trans America it winds are likely to favor W-E because on the plains the summer winds tend to come out of the SE and the general direction of the TA there is into those winds if going W-E.

Pete, I'm having trouble making sense of this.

[Jambi]

I'm confused. The Pacific Coast is in the West. On which coast do you want to start?

Sorry my geography is terrible I mean starting in the west.

By the way, there are airports almost everywhere, and for an extra $100, you can start in any city you want, even small ones.

That's really interesting, I have never flown before and am really not familliar with and airports etc. But getting a plane within 10 miles of Yorktown would be damn convenient simply for the ease of getting on the road nice and quick.

[staehpj1]

On the Trans America it winds are likely to favor W-E because on the plains the summer winds tend to come out of the SE and the general direction of the TA there is into those winds if going W-E.

Pete, I'm having trouble making sense of this.

Not sure why.  The winds in the middle of the country are typically out of the SE in july.  The TA when Going East is actually going southeast for much of the middle of the country or right into them.  I know that is the way it was for us.


Does that help any?

[John Nelson]

So when you said, "winds are likely to favor W-E", was that a typo? Did you mean to say, "winds are likely to favor E-W" (where W-E means West-to-East and E-W means East-to-West)?

My experience from the summer of 2010 going westbound is that I got great tailwinds in Kansas, and fairly neutral winds everywhere else (except when riding along the Wind River in Wyoming, where it seems like all westbounders get headwinds--but that's only one day). The eastbounders I met in Kansas were really complaining.

[staehpj1]

So when you said, "winds are likely to favor W-E", was that a typo? Did you mean to say, "winds are likely to favor E-W" (where W-E means West-to-East and E-W means East-to-West)?

My experience from the summer of 2010 going westbound is that I got great tailwinds in Kansas, and fairly neutral winds everywhere else (except when riding along the Wind River in Wyoming, where it seems like all westbounders get headwinds--but that's only one day). The eastbounders I met in Kansas were really complaining.

Yes.  Sorry for the confusion.  I read that 5 times and must have been brain dead both when typing it and when re-reading it.

[tonythomson]

Jambi, whereabouts in UK are you?  Would be willing to meet up and help you as you do seem a bit confused.  That shouldn't stop you from doing this trip but the more info you have the more you are going to enjoy.

If I might make a suggestion why not make Washington your end point.  Easy access to Dulas Airport and the C&O Canal passes within 30 miles.  Look at ACA maps and see what you routes you can connect up to get you there.  Plus many cheap flights from Washington to London. 

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Jambi]

Jambi, whereabouts in UK are you?  Would be willing to meet up and help you as you do seem a bit confused.  That shouldn't stop you from doing this trip but the more info you have the more you are going to enjoy.

Hey Im currently living in Preston but it's just for university (I live near Newcastle out of term time) meeting up would be cool, I am pretty much trying to gather as much information as possible and use my own judgement to help me on. My father has donea bit of bike touring and can give me some advice but he was on a motorcycle so the physical aspect was much different. I will be purchasing a large amount of ACA maps round after christmas where I can book flights/ plan journey/ start smaller trips etc.

[tonythomson]

Hi Jambi - we couldn't be much further apart I'm in Southampton.  However, I have a narrow boat on the canals just outside Derby in Shardlow which I plan to visit in December to get it ready for the winter.  You would be very welcome to pop down if you want.  Meanwhile off tomorrow to ride in Florida for 3 weeks.
Cheers Tony

[tonythomson]

Jambi, just re reading your OP and wondered if you had considered the ST it might be more feasible and flights to Orlando can be reasonable.  Just a thought

[Jambi]

I did consider the ST but reading other posts a lot of people say that it can get pretty hot on big sections during summer and I don't do to well in the heat.

[livewombat]

It's worth remembering that the prevailing winds in North America are from West to East.

There is no evidence to support this urban myth. East to West is just fine.

I found some more detailed "wind rose" data, and it looks as if it depends on the time of year.  Minnesota, for instance, has a great majority of its winds from the west -- but not nearly as much in July and August.  All those freezing west winds the rest of the year just make a bigger impression on me than those summer breezes.   

[Jambi]

ACA Maps arrived today, flights booked, passport sorted, travel insurance bought. Thanks for the help, see you dudees out there.

Peace & Harmony

Jake

[staehpj1]

ACA Maps arrived today, flights booked, passport sorted, travel insurance bought. Thanks for the help, see you dudees out there.

Peace & Harmony

Jake

What route did you decide on and when are you starting?  You will see some beautiful country and meet some nice people regardless.

In any case I hope you have a great trip.