Road Cycling - Advice from riders in Texas, Oklahoma

Hey fellas.

I posted this in the touring forum too, but there is more traffic here.

I am planning a tour from Tucson, AZ to Fayetteville, AR. I am unsure as to which roads to take in Texas and Oklahoma. Anyone recommend some east-west routes through northen TX (below Amarillo) or southern OK?

Thanks guys for any info.

That's a tough one, but I will take a look at the maps and give you an uneducated opinion....

Thanks!

Maps are about the only thing I can find. Not too many people tour through that region, so I figured some local roadbikers would be the best bet. I looked on crazyguyonabike.com (touring website), but to no avail.

Regardless, the backroads of Texas and Oklahoma has GOT to necessitate bringing some Halt! :rolleyes:

Thanks!

Maps are about the only thing I can find. Not too many people tour through that region, so I figured some local roadbikers would be the best bet. I looked on crazyguyonabike.com (touring website), but to no avail.

Regardless, the backroads of Texas and Oklahoma has GOT to necessitate bringing some Halt! :rolleyes:

use fox labs.

Pick the points of interest on your route...the wind blows north to south in the summer.....it damned hot.... the people are friends...... watch out for old men in hidollar pickup trucks with a tarp thrown over "something" in the back...it could be a Litespeed and they might have a skinsuit on under those bib overalls. Wheat and cattle can pay good..and farm equipment is a subjective legal description.

Honest all the roads suck..but are a blast. Many many rallies and tours out there..Synder, Muleshoe, Odessa, Wichita Falls, Sulfer, Lawton, Meeks, Paris (Tx). Even I at 250#+ in my Jelly Belly Jersey don't get a second look unless I'm on a VERY high dollar bike.

I wished I was going with you.

p.s.: In a small town hunt down the cops before they hunt you don't...If you approach them first, they will find you a good place to camp.!

ENJOY!

Thanks for the comments!

I am looking at going in the fall sometime, maybe early October. It shouldn't be too cold yet (maybe a little chilly in New Mexico), but still be a little cooler (and more enjoyable) than the same trip in August. I'm figuring I'll need about 3 weeks for the trip (~1350 miles).

So the wind is N to S in the summer? I was hoping to plan in a low chance of storms and a high chance of tailwinds! :)

I live in the north Texas area. Might want to consider that the prevailing winds blow from the SE to NW. Sometimes in October you might get a cold front blow through and the wind will blow N to S for a few days. The Tour de Hope which road from CA to DC used US Hwy 380 which runs east and west. This hwy runs right through my town and I have ridden it serveral times.

Cool, thanks for the info. The prevailing wind is SE to NW? I would have figured SW to NE...

The summer time it usually is but in the fall it will be S to N or Se NW.

Yep. Summertime. Wind usually from S/SE to N/NW, 10-15. Partly cloudy with a slight chance of afternoon showers. In July/August, that chance of a shower goes down considerably, at least in the D/FW area and north.

Hope it goes well!

I suggest looking up one of the Dallas clubs and posting same Question .


Hey fellas.

I posted this in the touring forum too, but there is more traffic here.

I am planning a tour from Tucson, AZ to Fayetteville, AR. I am unsure as to which roads to take in Texas and Oklahoma. Anyone recommend some east-west routes through northen TX (below Amarillo) or southern OK?

Thanks guys for any info.

It's pricey, but cough up the money for Topo USA 4/5 (4.0 might be eBay for as little as $50). VERY good indication of terrain, side roads, etc. Profile feature is a bonus.

As for tips, I can't really help you. Just remember that most TX roads, even "side roads" can have limits as fast as 70 mph (two-lane road near my house has that). Be careful. Also, depending on the stretch, cities can be spaced out. Carry some of the Zefal Magnum water bottles for good hydration...

Best of luck! I'll wave at you :)