Long Beach to Long Island - Summer 2011

[whittierider]

Once you get to Riverside... do you head north towards Victorville/Barstow?

In the topic I linked in an earlier post above, someone mentioned the Cajon pass.  I haven't tried the route myself.

What is the best way to find out if there is services between a place like Barstow and Bullhead City?  I understand some maps are misleading because a lot of towns can be ghost towns.

I would do a lot of panning on satelite-view websites whether Yahoo Maps, Google Earth, or whatever.  It makes a huge difference, a little bit like having already been there and being familiar with the places you're going.

[jamawani]

Dear World -

You may close with "Grace and Peace" but I still consider your insistence on cycling through the Mojave to be more than foolish.  And I also think that you have received some pooor advice in this thread.

Here's what I know about you and your plans:

1) You are a novice cycle tourer.
"..so I had this crazy idea (that must be how all first-time bike tours start) "

2) You are not aware of the geography or the climate of the Mojave.
Is there anything I can do to minimize the heat factor for that first week or so?  I was thinking of getting up before dawn and riding from say, 4am - 9am... and then pitching my tent (shade), and doing another push from 4pm to 7pm or so.  I would hopefully avoid riding in the most intense heat this way.  This is just an idea... has anyone tried doing this before?

3) Your "research" is Google Maps.
I'm a little concerned about the 'routes' that Google maps provides.  A lot of them seem to be quite a bit from the main road (which doesn't seem very safe to me).  What is the best way to plan a route like this (where there is no ACA maps?)

The person who said this doesn't apparently know the Mojave:
I wouldn't worry too much about the heat. Deserts always cool down plenty at night. I have bicycle toured in 45 states and the hottest place I've been was Interior in the Badlands of South Dakota - 114 degrees. I just made it a short day. You can hit hot weather anytime, anywhere in the summer. Weather fronts are always rolling through and changing the temperatures and wind direction.

The average highs for Barstow and Needles in late July are 103 & 109.
The record highs for Barstow and Needles in late July are 115 & 120.
The average lows for Barstow and Needles in late July are only 70 & 85.
On warm nights it may not get below 80 near Barstow and 90 near Needles.
It ain't like South Dakota.

And it isn't like central Nevada, either.
For ex - Middlegate has an average high in late July of about 93 and low of 51.
The heat, heat index, and humidity are a geometric factor more severe in the Mojave.

You've never done this before.
It's all in your imagination.
Trust me - the reality is intense.

J

[staehpj1]

You may close with "Grace and Peace" but I still consider your insistence on cycling through the Mojave to be more than foolish.  And I also think that you have received some pooor advice in this thread.

I think this is the voice of reason.

Crossing the US is challenge enough without picking an unpleasant and maybe dangerous route.  Would it really spoil the trip to leave the Long Beach area on a north bound train and start the actual ride in Oregon?

I have been stuck touring across the Mojave in 110+F heat through my own poor judgement and lived to tell about it, but I will try like hell to avoid doing it again in those conditions.

[litespeed]

Obviously I am outnumbered here. I admit that my tolerance for heat is a lot higher than most people. For instance, I am sitting in my study now (windows and door open) on my computer looking out over the river. It is 89 degrees and I'm fairly comfortable. I do regret all that bicycling in 100+ degree weather in a tee shirt. It degraded the skin on my forearms. I now wear long sleeve Under Armour jerseys when bicycling, no matter how hot the weather.

[theworldawaits]

Hey everyone,

I have been doing extensive research on this journey... and came to the conclusion this weekend that going across the Mojave + Arizona in August is simply not a good idea in any way shape or form.  I'm sure it could be done.  But why?

The 'dream' of Long Beach to Long Island is not going to happen.  As much as I want to leave out of Long Beach..  it just doesn't add up.  Checking back on this thread and reading the additional comments only solidifies my decision.  Thank you for your warnings and concerns.  Please know that I have taken every single one to heart.

I will likely head up to Vancouver or Portland and leave from there.  I'll probably post another thread for route recommendations. 

Thanks again for all your comments/advice.  I'm really thankful that a forum like this exists!  (and thankful I posted my idea in it).  All the best..

[staehpj1]

I hope that all works out well for you!

[theworldawaits]

I have been stuck touring across the Mojave in 110+F heat through my own poor judgement and lived to tell about it, but I will try like hell to avoid doing it again in those conditions.

Thanks staehpj1.  This quote sums it up.  I'm sure I could have made it through with all the research/preparation... but it would have been poor judgment / miserable experience at best (disastrous at worst).   As another poster mentioned... in my imagination is one thing... reality would have been intense.  Better to learn from others experiences... and avoid like hell (when possible).  I also feel much lighter about the upcoming adventure. 

[happyriding]

I will likely head up to Vancouver or Portland and leave from there.  I'll probably post another thread for route recommendations.

The western part of the Northern Tier is beautiful.  It crosses three major passes, so the riding will be plenty challenging, and the scenery is beautiful.   You may even get some hot days up there.  Be prepared for mosquitos.  I would suggest a full mesh mosquito suit for the evenings.