Greetings,

My friend and I are planning to embark on our very first tour this coming Spring. So far, our basic plan is to start in either San Diego or Los Angles, ride North on the ACA Sierra Cascade trail, and jump over to visit the cluster of National parks surrounding Yellowstone.

Our plan is to cover an average of 50 miles a day and use mostly wild or established camping for lodging. I have a LHT with a more full load style while he is aiming for more of a light weight, road bike set up (though I trying to convince him to go with a more versatile option). We plan to spend 6 months maximum on the road. We're flexible and spontaneous. We are experienced in both rural and urban settings and would like to experience wild adventures, personal human connections, and the culture of West Coast cities.

So, here are my questions...

What is the best time to start this trek considering the heat of the desert and the cold/snow of the mountains, avoiding tourist season in the parks, etc...?

We are mostly looking at ACA and other established routes since we are new to touring and would like to avoid headaches. However, we love adventure. What are the best routes to take for this trip? Do you recommend taking the Sierra Cascade trail to the Lewis and Clark or the Trans American? Should we double back or take the Great Divide to the Northern Tier? Is there a route you would recommend over an ACA one?

Am I biting off more too much for a six month tour... too little?

What places (parks, cities, etc...) in the area would you recommend seeing or staying clear of?

Sorry for all the questions, but there is a lot to digest.

Thanks in advance.