Touring - Seeking Touring Companion: Vancouver to San Diego

Hello, my name is Adam (28) and this August I am planning a tour from Vancouver, BC to San Diego, CA. Right now it is looking like there is a 50% chance that I will be doing this solo so I would really like to create a group or join a group that has plans on completing a ride like this.

I consider myself an intermediate cyclist with a lot of backpacking experience. My longest ride thus far is 540 miles with one leg being 109 miles.

Please let me know if you are interested in this ride and/or have any advice.

Cheers,
Adam

When in August?

I would prefer to take a train up to Vancouver, BC on August 24, 2009 however, my dates are flexible. When would you be interested in going?

a buddy and I will be Portland 8/11
touring down to Ventura/LA
i could be interested in going to SD.

I am planning on going next year, so keep a journal and share. :)

I will be heading from astoria to the san francisco area starting around aug 10th.


Asana where are you heading from Portland, Astoria or are you going south or west to the coast?

Asana, perhaps I can start my trip earlier and then meet up with you guys in Portland. What pace are you anticipating. I was considering 30 days to do 1,900 miles with four days rest. I have a friend that lives in San Francisco so I would want to break in SF. Also I have a house in Ventura so I would break in Ventura, family/friends in LA and SD.

How were you planning on doing your ride: assisted, stealth or hotels? I am thinking stealth with the occasional/lucky crash at a friend's place.

Contour, it would be great to meet up with you too. Good luck with your training.

Hey BlackTyre, since no one has said it yet, the Pacific Coast route is so very popular that there's a good chance you'll encounter other tourists as you ride (especially if you go on the earlier side) and you'll have company as much or as little as you want. And even if you ride alone the whole time, if you camp in the hiker/bike sites in the state parks, you'll have company in camp.

I linked a couple of map resources in Contour's thread
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=564112

In short, don't be afraid of doing it solo, you won't be lonely.

Valygrl,

Thanks for your advice. It is very reassuring.

Asana, perhaps I can start my trip earlier and then meet up with you guys in Portland. What pace are you anticipating. I was considering 30 days to do 1,900 miles with four days rest. I have a friend that lives in San Francisco so I would want to break in SF. Also I have a house in Ventura so I would break in Ventura, family/friends in LA and SD.

How were you planning on doing your ride: assisted, stealth or hotels? I am thinking stealth with the occasional/lucky crash at a friend's place.

Contour, it would be great to meet up with you too. Good luck with your training.

its all up in the air
i think we are looking at about a month
in Arcata I have a buddy that, i assume will let us crash at his place, if nothing else a back yard for 3 guys.

for me its all "take it as it comes"

we will be using that book previously mentioned.
I've toured a bunch
and there are always lots of people along the way

my email
AsanaCycles@mac.com

I will be heading from astoria to the san francisco area starting around aug 10th.


Asana where are you heading from Portland, Astoria or are you going south or west to the coast?

i think my buddy Tony, is planning a route to Tillamook

I am on that route now (Actually on a stopover in Eugene OR) but I want to head to the border of Mexico and maybe into Mex after if I can find a cheap language school. Is the coastal highway sketchy or is it doable? Oregon has been mostly good but I hear Cali is bad for no shoulder etc. Does Cali have the cheap cyclist sites at state parks too?

AnnaMossity - stay on the coast, it's good. Yes, there are cheap sites in the state parks.
Have fun!

Okay thanks Valygrl

Got any idea how I can link up with hwy 6/50 through Cali and Nevada after without retracing any steps?

i am on that route now (actually on a stopover in eugene or) but i want to head to the border of mexico and maybe into mex after if i can find a cheap language school. Is the coastal highway sketchy or is it doable? Oregon has been mostly good but i hear cali is bad for no shoulder etc. Does cali have the cheap cyclist sites at state parks too?

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Hah, crazy, I was going to do the same route starting Sep 1st or so. Plans have changed, though- I'm doing a different route. Have fun with it!