Touring - Touring across U.S.

Hello out there,

We are planning a cross country trip and had a couple of questions. Is the idea of doing a northern route from Oregon to Boston starting in early spring an okay idea or will we simply freeze our asses off? I graduate at the end of winter quarter and unfortunately this is the only available time I have before I am expected to become a contributing member of society. :)

Also is there any where to find maps on the internet (other than Adventure Cycling) that will help me map out the trip i.e. campsites, etc?

Any input would be most appreciated.

girogirl

Hi! Girogirl! Welcome to the forums. Hope you get some more knowlegeable answers than I'm going to give, but I think you will still find excessive cold and snow in a northern crossing during the Spring.
As for maps: Each state usually has a tourist department that could possibly help you with maps and available accomodations.
You might also look into Hostels.
Look back through the archives on this forum and you may find some useful tips and web sites.
Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.
Good luck on your planned trip.

I've got a similar question about freezing my own *** off, but on a slightly different route. My plan is to cross the US on Adventure Cycling's TransAmerica Trail. This route is farther south, so I'm hoping for a bit more warmth.

The sooner in the season I could get started the better. I figure going east to west will let me start sooner, as the eastern end is farther south and it would postpone the rockies for several weeks.

Anyone done this trip from east to west? How early in the year is it reasonable to get going? For personal timing reasons, earlier is better, but not so early that I'd freeze or suffer endless rain.

This past summer I rode across Canada starting May 13. We used Rogers and Kicking Horse passes and while there was snow beside the roads and in the woods the roads were no problem. It was chilly and there was still quite a bit of junk on the shoulders where it had not been cleaned yet plus some areas where melt water crossed the roads, but not much. Overall nothing to stop you starting out at least at that time. The prevailing wind though is an easterly across the prairies at least until mid June and there were some howlers.

Lost Marble, I would think the last week of April would be the earliest you might start. I prefer the middle of May for myself. The thing about the Spring is rain. Sometimes there are days of it. To me, it is less debilitating than the heat of August.
I would think that Adventure Cycling could give you the pros and cons.

You will most likely freeze your @$$ off. The western mountain passes (Cabbage Patch, Snoqualmie, Donner, 4th of July, and others) will still be snow-covered into June. Snow can and will still fall at that time of the year. If you wait until the end of june to start, you will be crossing the midwest during july, and ending in Boston at the beginning of August-the hottest time of the year. You will have the wind at your back, though, but be prepared for rough weather in tornado alley in early July!

Originally posted by ljbike
The thing about the Spring is rain. Sometimes there are days of it. To me, it is less debilitating than the heat of August.

My feeling exactly. I'd much rather deal with rain than mid-summer heat day after day. The trick is just figuring out how early I can push it without getting totally washed away. Thanks for the advice.

Originally posted by D*Alex
You will most likely freeze your @$$ off. The western mountain passes (Cabbage Patch, Snoqualmie, Donner, 4th of July, and others) will still be snow-covered into June. Snow can and will still fall at that time of the year. If you wait until the end of june to start, you will be crossing the midwest during july, and ending in Boston at the beginning of August-the hottest time of the year. You will have the wind at your back, though, but be prepared for rough weather in tornado alley in early July!

A*Alex, I think he wants to start in the east and go west. Biggest problem might be a headwind. However, I read some statistics somewhere that showed more riders begin in the east than the west. Possibly because of a greater possibility of adverse weather in the western passes during most of May.

We're planning a trip to take place in a couple of years, we'll most likely start in the west and go east. The first week of June will be the earliest we will consider starting.

Originally posted by Gus Riley


A*Alex, I think he wants to start in the east and go west. Biggest problem might be a headwind.

Sorry, maybe I should have started a new thread. Yes, I plan on east->west, but the original poster is going the other direction.

The headwind problem sounds bad at first, but I've read some accounts that say that although the weather patterns generally move west->east, the local conditions can be very different, and the headwind isn't necessarily a big issue in choosing your direction.

Hey, here's another good resource for touring questions - a discussion list hosted by the Adventure Cycling Association:

http://www.topica.com/lists/adventurecycling

My mistake D*Alex, I should have gone back to the top and re-read the original. You were right all the way. :rolleyes:
Must be I'm not exercising my mind enough in my retired state. :beer: Please accept a bier or soft drink... :beer:

Here are the links with the quality description of the crossing:
http://www.dataman.cc/philip/
http://www.biketrip2001.com

This you should know before you start:
http://www.vermontadaptive.org/us_ride/index.shtml
What a pity!

We plan to cycle East->West in June.

Good luck.

For maps on the internet check out

http://www.topozone.com

Yes you will run into a bit of snow and rough weather - enroute on your trip take advantage of libraries as you travel. Most are now tied into the internet and you'll be able to track the weather ahead of you. If you can run a wee bit more toward the south you might have easier going, but that is still not a given when it comes to weather........

good luck sounds like a lot of fun!
as for maps and camp grounds check AAA. they have some of the best. they maybe able to help with up to date road condition.
it seems like the research for a ride of this size is half the fun.
agian good luck


K