Touring - How is the Southern Tier lookin' nowadays?

I might do a "quick" tour out to CA starting July 1. Since this is only about six weeks away, I might just pick up the Adventure Cycling maps, or trace something parallel a little further north. Something tells Texas in July might get toasty. = )

Any thoughts? I guess I'm more looking for Katrina/Gulf Coast information, etc.

Also, am I right that the common wisdom is this is about a six/seven week ride?

Thanks!

Matt

. Something tells Texas in July might get toasty. = )

Matt

You're dead on.


"..........and then the wheels came off."

You see, this is why I'm riding in the north.

Yeah, but I live in FL, I got the hammock, I toured a couple summers ago right up the Blue Ridge in July, etc.... I'm prepared for the heat, so not too worried about that.

Much as I'd love to go a more northerly way, I'd need to be back in FL by August 18/19 for school, which gives me about six weeks for bikey things. I don't really care about seeing FL, so could probably get a ride out towards at least Pensacola or New Orleans or something, get out of the SE at least a little bit. Maybe.

Just kinda thinkin out loud, etc....

I've heard some complaints about the headwinds when going east/west during the warm months.

Yeah, but I live in FL, I got the hammock, I toured a couple summers ago right up the Blue Ridge in July, etc.... I'm prepared for the heat, so not too worried about that.

...

Ah, you left that part off. If you can ride in Florida you can ride in Texas.

Take the big camelback and lots of water. No, take more water than that. Its a long way between towns out west.

Once you get west of the center of the states you start climbing and the nights will get cooler and the humidity will start to drop.


".....and then the wheels came off"

Much as I'd love to go a more northerly way, I'd need to be back in FL by August 18/19 for school, which gives me about six weeks for bikey things. I don't really care about seeing FL, so could probably get a ride out towards at least Pensacola or New Orleans or something, get out of the SE at least a little bit. Maybe.

Stop by Tallahassee on your way. Just don't be wearin' none of that that Gator stuff when you do. :rolleyes:

How is the Southern Tier lookin'?

Hot.

Ah, you left that part off. If you can ride in Florida you can ride in Texas.

Take the big camelback and lots of water. No, take more water than that. Its a long way between towns out west.

Once you get west of the center of the states you start climbing and the nights will get cooler and the humidity will start to drop.


This was kinda what I was anticipating, re: climbing, humidity. This is good. I still gotta get through LA/TX to get there, but yeah. = )

I'll have my TransAlp with me, the bladder can hold 100oz water, plus three cages on the frame. I wouldn't wear it, but maybe find a way to lash it on top of a front rack or something? Wonder if anyone's done that. I'm still torn whether to stick with the trailer as I've normally done, or spring for the front rack/panniers that I plan on getting eventually anyway. Panniers would almost certainly make me pack lighter, which would be good. Eh. It'd probably be the trailer, really.... less surprises, costs, blah.

Ramblerambleramble....

The southern tier goes right by Gulf Shores between Pensacola and Mobile. I know that pensacola beach and daughin island are pretty much destroyed, so Gulf Shores probably is too. I could tell you how the rest of the roads are in about 2 months when I get back from CA.

Something tells Texas in July might get toasty. = )

Any thoughts? I guess I'm more looking for Katrina/Gulf Coast information, etc.



Not only Texas...I pity the poor soul who ventures out to the CA/AZ desert (Brawley/Blythe/Aquila) in the middle of summer. Can easily reach 110-120 degrees! Rode through there a couple weeks ago and it was already 100 degrees.

I talked to a couple of bike tourists who were completing the Southern Tier--east to west. They said no problem with the route in the Gulf area. However, some RV parks and campsites were pretty filled up...but they didn't have any problem finding a place to stay. I also called Adventure Cycling and they confirmed the route is 100% open.