timtourist

So my future wife and I are planning on riding from Albuquerque to Atlanta in mid to late March of 2011. First off, is this a fairly good time to do that ride? It seems to me like it won't be too cold and won't too hot, but I would love any insight you all may have. This would be our first major tour, but we ride daily as is. We are completely car-less in Los Angeles. I have ridden a motorcycle cross country once, from NJ, where I am from, to CA and driven a van 10,000+ miles in about 5 weeks across the country and back so I am familiar with the traveling aspect, just not so much by bicycle. We would be taking a train from Union Station in Los Angeles and traveling from LA to NM this way to avoid the long desert rides. Possibly further but at least this far I'm thinking. We will both be on fully equip touring bike obviously. I was thinking about packing a tent for camping when we don't really have a choice on long hauls and staying at hotels the majority of the time. what can i say, i like a hot shower. we don't really have time limit so whatever we feel like riding per day is what we will ride. Its going to be a our honey moon after we get married and how we are going to be moving to Atlanta, whilst shipping all of our belongings, so we are going to try to enjoy it as much as possible and try not to rush.
Any advice, that anyone has to offer will be so so so greatly appreciated!! thank you so much in advance and ride safe!
Tim

Cyclebum

Other than Spring rains, you should be fine weather wise. The Google bicycle route looks pretty good, avoiding all major cities except Memphis. You might check out how cyclists manager the river crossing there. Maybe somebody on here will have some first hand knowledge. You can also go over to www.crazyguyonabike.com and do a key word search.

Being prepared to camp is a good idea just in case a motel doesn't always pop up when you need one. 50 miles a day is about average for most touring cyclists. Allow yourselves at least one day off a week, and enough spare time to sit out days of prolonged, heavy rain.

Make sure you are highly visable to motorist. Bright jerseys, and slow moving vehicle signs on the rear of your bicycles. Be doing yourselves and motorist a big favor.

timtourist

thank you so much! being in NE TX you are definitely in the right place to advise. Its funny, i didn't even think of the whole wear bright colors thing for some odd reason. I ride ever day and its kind of just become a habit I guess. I will totally invest in some super bright gear for sure.

cyccommute 

Spring rains aren't the concern in March along the Rockies. Spring blizzards are! March is the wettest month along the eastern edge of the Rockies. Even late March (March 29 to be exact) can bring deadly blizzards to this part of the plains. It doesn't happen all the time or even that often but it can happen and you should be aware of the possibilities.

The Sandias, east of Albuquerque, are high enough that they may still be experiencing snow at that time of year, too. Later in April would be a better time to start. Or start in Atlanta in March and end in Albuquerque. It's up hill but at least you start in warm weather and head towards warm weather.

SBRDude

You might want to head southeast from Alb ASAP in order to get warmer weather.

Cyclebum

No problem with that of course, but all that's needed for visability is a light weight safety vest. Should you chose that route, your local department of transportation might be willing to donate a couple. Here in Texas, the volunteers who pick up trash on the roadside are given them.

I'm really no fan of such myself. Think they are sort of dorky lookng for a cool fellow like me speeding down the road on my bicycle. Takes away from my macho image. LOL. But, in the interest of protecting motorist from the inconvenience of running over me, I have taken to wearing the vest, or a bright jersey. Frankly, I think we owe the motoring public that much.

As an aside, a buddy and I were riding on a local FM road yesterday. He called 'car back' and we pulled over to the edge of athe shoulderless two lane road. A state highway patrol car roared by clearing us by about a foot, no traffic in opposite lane. WTF? Maybe he was texting on his cp.